Normally, in these notes, we are able to say that the year since we were last at the Little Theatre has raced by. However this year we can’t say that as it has only been 9 weeks since we were last here !! The year since last October has seen Toads Stage Musical Company the busiest it has ever been with 3 productions being staged. Last autumns show here at the Little was “The Full Monty”. This production was a massive success with every evening performance sold out before the show even opened, and the last matinee selling out as the run progressed. The only empty seats were at the first matinee. The atmosphere backstage was electric and the cast reported one of the happiest shows they had ever taken part in. Containing strong language and full frontal male nudity, this was a show quite unlike any we had ever presented before, but audiences loved the production and many told us that they wanted to see the show again. Sarah O’Connor directed a slick, fast moving, highly professional production. John Amery gave us one of the finest bands we have ever had, and Elaine Johnson combined her choreographic skills with an appearance in one of the leading roles. The society was rewarded with the NODA (National Operatic and Dramatic Association) Regional Excellence Award, and also a healthy profit which ensured the Treasurer went home smiling each night. The profit was welcome relief after the heavy losses incurred on the 2006 summer production of “Summer Holiday”. So successful was the show that we decided to present the show again during the summer of 2007.

After a short rest we were back to the grindstone in January with early rehearsals and auditions for our big June summer musical at the Princess Theatre which was the new release and local premiere of “Thoroughly Modern Millie”. After a trouble free rehearsal period we took to the stage with another superb production. Richard Clark directed a fast paced and highly comical production which overcame the central problem that has afflicted so many amateur productions of this musical – that thefirst hour of the show is quite slow paced andboring if handled incorrectly. Elaine Johnson choreographed some brilliant routines and found herself in the spotlight when on the first night Nicola Samuel-Stevens (who was playing

Muzzy) was taken to hospital and couldn’t appear. Elaine had to play the role with just 30 minutes notice and played a blinder. She ended up appearing for the rest of the week and truly saved the production. John Amery took his usual position in the pit with another superb band. Despite the high quality of the entertainment on offer, we suffered another large loss for our major production. Audiences were somewhat larger than for “Summer Holiday” but not large enough to cover the ever rising costs, now topping £43,000 for our major production. We incurred a loss of £5,500 which was disappointing after all the hard work.

However, relief was at hand with the re-run of “The Full Monty” staged in August here at the Little Theatre. Once again full houses attended the production and another sizeable profit was the result, helping, once again,to largely offset the losses on the main production. Virtually the same cast appeared once again with one exception in a support role. The production team, while approaching the show from a higher plane than last time (as it was already rehearsed and ready to go) found the time to improve aspects of the show and audiences commented that while they were expecting it not to be as good second time around, it was, in fact, even better.

The company runs many social events and fund raising events for the members in order to try and source funds from other activities to try and offset the sometimes worrying losses incurred on some of the shows. In May a sponsored walk was held, with some 25 members trekking across Torbay to Quaywest, and back again, and raising almost £700 in the process. Other events included a Christmas party, Bingo Bangers and Mash evening, a quiz and theatre trips. Another fund raising venture initiated this year has been the Lottery. Members can purchase balls for £2 each and draws are carried out monthly and with a yearly bonus. It is hoped that significant sums of money can be raised for the society through this venture. Company Treasurer Elaine Gard also arranges cruise holidays for members. Three have been held so far, with 27 jetting to Barbados for a Caribbean Cruise on board “Oceana”, 8 cruising from Southampton to Venice and back on board “Aurora” and

another 12 cruising round the med on “Oriana”. The next one takes place in February next year when 32 members and friends jet off to Barbados for a cruise on “Arcadia” through the Caribbean and the Panama to Acapulco.

Clearly, the company has now become quite a sizeable business venture and much pressure is placed on the committee members to comply with various laws and also to ensure the society runs efficiently. Toads Stage Musical Company is a registered charity, which entails various annual reports and returns having to be made. The Society is registered under the Lotteries Act and also is registered under the data protection Act.

The 2007 AGM was held in February with 51 members attending, showing a good level of interest in the affairs of the company. There were no changes in the committee (so someone must be happy with what they are doing !!). The Golden Toad Award (awarded during show week in June) was won by Elaine Johnson, as recognition of what she had done during show week for “Thoroughly Modern Millie” by taking over a role at 30 minutes notice.

The Company remains a staunch member of NODA (National Operatic and Dramatic Association) and Company Secretary Iain Douglas is the regional representative for NODA for this area. Society members regularly attend the NODA SW Weekend held at Bicton College., which is a fun three days of socialising, and workshops with like minded folk from across the South West.

And so onto our current production. The company have been rehearsing “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” since September. Its been a shorter rehearsal period than usual due in main to the re-run of “The Full Monty” which took up time in the summer. This has focused the minds of the cast who have had less time than usual to pick up routines and dialogue. They have worked very hard and this fun show, rarely performed, should entertain our audiences.

AWARDS

TOADS Stage Musical Company . Founded in 1930s. TOADS presents a major musical each June at the Princess Theatre and a smaller musical at The Little Theatre in Torquay. It is a registered Charity. Registered Charity No. 268829

visitors to the site:

miles@toads.org.uk