|
Here we are, back again at the Little Theatre, where we last performed in October, 2003 with the Steph en Sondheim musical Company. Toads SMC has secured a reputation for presenting Sondheim shows to a very high standard. Shows by this composer are musically difficult and based on unusual subjects. Amateurs rarely perform them, but with Company we were on our fourth Sondheim show in nine  years. The cast of 15 pulled out all the stops. In early rehearsals some thought they would never learn the music, which seemed almost impossible to sing, let alone perfect. The company scooped the NODA Regional Excellence Award for its efforts. Congratulations to director Joe McNulty and Musical Director Jonathan Watts for achieving this feat. The committee expected the show not to be popular with audiences who, in this area, are notorious for not wanting to try something new, and had reduced the run to six performances. Happily, audiences were reasonable but not large enough to avoid a loss, although this loss was not as great as expected.
After a short break, it was back to rehearsals in January 2004, ready for the June production at the  Princess Theatre, which was the Frank Loesser favourite Guys and Dolls which, although seen before locally, was a first for the adult Toads. At first this show, which we freely admit wasn't our first choice, looked like being a box office blockbuster with fantastic advance bookings. However, the bookings during the week of the show didn't live up to expectations due to the football and also some pretty horrendous weather on the opening and closing days which badly affected door business. This meant that another production loss was the outcome, but not too great and easily absorb ed by society funds, so the treasurer didn't have any sleepless nights. The show itself was another fast moving and lively production from director Richard Clark. The large company, with more men than women (surely a first for an amateur show in recent years in this area) responded with gusto and the full company numbers were a feast of action and movement. The excellent team of principals produced great work and, once again, critical praise attended the production from audiences and the press alike. The large double deck set and fantastic professional lighting design added a great visual feel to the show and meant that the committee felt that the £40,000 cost of the show was money well spent. Wendy Jackson lived up to her now formidable reputation with some excellent choreography and Jonathan Watts was, as usual, an MD par excellence.
In between the two shows, we also managed to squeeze in a major fund-raising concert at t he Princess Theatre for our good friends at Clear Channel Entertainment (The managers of the theatre). They approached us and asked us to stage a concert to raise funds for their chosen charity NSPCC. Despite less than two months to arrange everything, chairman Jean Macer became sole co-ordinator, no small task, involving hours of planning and hundreds of telephone calls. On 22 February, we played to 500 people and raised over £4,000 for the charity. John Amery was MD and Elaine Johnson added some choreography. We were delighted to assist our Clear Channel friends as we have a very good working relationship with them.
The Society Fighting Fund continues to provide additional sources of funding, so nec essary when show profits are becoming ever more scarce and costs are rising at an alarming rate. In May 2004, we had a I 0-hour dancethon that raised £900 for funds and then in July we held a Black and White Ball at the Victoria Hotel. This glittering event was attended by the NODA South West Councillor Geraldine Branton, who presented NODA long service awards to 12 members. There are also many social events held for the entertainment of members throughout the year, and also for the purpose of raising funds. The annual Chris tmas party at a member's house features the now notorious 'Box Game' where members put their hands into various boxes and try and guess, by feeling, what items are inside. Needless to say, over the years the items have got ever more rude and great hilarity ensues. The annual Garden Party was held in July in our President's Garden and, once again, proved successful. There have been two bingo evenings at our rehearsal venue, a Christmas Dinner at the Toorak Hotel, a walk round Exeter led by member Derek Hexter (a keen rambler) and trips to the Eden Project and the Sidmouth Festival and, most recently, a barbecue at the house of another member.
The 2004 AGM was attended by 45 members despite snow falling that night. We welcomed Margaret Aulton on to the committee and bade farewell to Fiona Humphreys who retired from the committee to go travelling round the world. In November, 2003 we held an EGM to change the promotional name of the society from Toads Operatic to Toads Stage Musical Company. The Golden Toad Award was won by Jonathan Hunt, one of our younger members, who is always so keen and runs our discos for us, and is a great performer on stage.
The Society remains a keen supporter of NODA (National Operatic and Dramatic Association) and Society Secretary lain Douglas is the Regional Rep for NODA for this area, thus continuing the long links between the Society and that organisation. Twenty-two members attended the NODA South West weekend at Bicton College where a great time of instruction and social gatherings is guaranteed. One of our loyal tea ladies, Heather Appleby, celebrated her ruby wedding and many members went along to the celebrations. Two of our past choreographers also received congratulations. Alison Axford gave birth to a baby girl last month and Amanda Read got engaged only a few weeks ago. However, as far as we know there have been no other hatches or despatches during the last year.
And so to Red Hot and Cole, a show chosen for the popularity of Cole Porter's music, and the hope that full houses will be the result. The cast have been working hard despite some big setbacks in the early stages of rehearsal. Now, however, all seems set fair for a great show.
|
