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TOADS SMall Talk
The Newsletter for
TOADS STAGE MUSICAL COMPANY
October 2004
Address for all correspondence :
Hon. Sec – Iain Douglas
Flat 1, Vaughan House,
4 Lisburne Crescent
Torquay TQ1 2LA
TOADS STAGE MUSICAL COMPANY
IS THE PROMOTIONAL NAME OF
TORBAY OPERATIC AND DRAMATIC SOCIETY
TOADS SMC IS A REG. CHARITY
CHARITY NUMBER – 268829
This newsletter contains information about The June 2005 production, the June 2006 production, the next production of “Red Hot and Cole” and various social events.
COMMITTEE 2004/05
Chairman – Jean Macer - Tel 01803-212698
Secretary – Iain Douglas – Tel 01803-290371
Treasurer – Elaine Gard – Tel 01803-402367
Margaret Aulton – Tel 01803-298106
Marguerite Green – Tel 01626-364929
Chris Hawes – Tel 01803-872518
Amanda Jenkins – Tel 01803-875925
Miles Opie – Tel 01626-356752
Jane Stewart –
The committee works very hard on your behalf, but is always in need of help from members to get all the jobs done. Various pleas for help appear in this newsletter. Please do offer your services. We cannot function without the help of our members, and at times that isn’t always forthcoming.
BOOK NOW FOR “RED HOT AND COLE”
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RED HOT AND COLE
OCT 25th – 30th
LITTLE THEATRE – TORQUAY
Nightly 7.45 – Mat Sat 2.30
This is our next production, which, by the time you gets this newsletter, may already have started.
We would expect all members not involved in this production to come along and see it. Please contact the box office on 01803-299330 (10.30-1.30 daily) to book your seats.
We have had quite a rough rehearsal period with this show with quite a few problems. Ruth Bettesworth, Julie Fisher and Helen Randall all had to drop out of the production due to personal reasons. Ruth and Julie’s roles were taken into other roles, but we are grateful to Rona Perry for filling Helens shows with just 3 weeks rehearsal. We had trouble getting a male performer to play Cole Porter but Steve Gale stepped into the breach and has done very well. However things settled down and the cast of 12 have worked very hard indeed on this revue style show, which should be great entertainment.
The cast features Julie Girow, Julie Hale, Jo Matthews, Lisa Maria Taylor, Rona Perry, Amanda Jenkins, Steve Gale, David Denton, Dennis Wenman, Alan Brown, Sean Caunter, Iain Douglas.
Director is Joe McNulty, MD is Jonathan Watts, Choreographer is Elaine Johnson and Assistant MD is John Amery.
BOOK NOW – SUPPORT YOUR SOCIETY
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NODA REVIEW FOR “GUYS AND DOLLS”
By Lynn Caygill covering for Iain Douglas
GUYS AND DOLLS Toads Stage Musical Company
The Princess Theatre
Director: Richard Clarke Choreographer: Wendy Jackson M.D. MD : Jonathon Watts
The second act of this show has all the well - known numbers in it. "Luck Be a Lady" and "Sit Down You're Rockin the Boat" are big company numbers which this society always do so well. It is therefore a show in which the start can be quite slow, not so with this production. The opening scene was cleverly directed and brought the audience right into a Broadway scene, by using the chorus as individual characters that had been thought about and worked on. The 9 scenes of the first act ran with smooth continuity, leading the audience into an exciting Act 2. The music was exc and they were very well supported by a chorus of principals. The choreography was of a high standard and the set was effectively lit. This was as good as any professional show I have seen and well worth the tremendous applause it received at the end.
WHAT IS NODA ?
Some members are still not quite clear about this organisation, which Toads is a member of. NODA stands for National Operatic and Dramatic Association, which has a large HQ in Peterborough, and over 2500 societies are members. Our secretary Iain Douglas is the local Regional Rep for NODA for this area and has 16 societies under his jurisdiction. He has to visit all the shows staged by those groups and then produce a “crit”. Clearly he cannot do this society, so the Exmouth rep comes over to visit. NODA Issues a SW magazine twice a year and a National Magazine 4 times a year. All are available from iain if any of you want to read a copy. The society has its insurance through NODA, and even with the advantageous terms it still costs us Ł1,100 per annum to insure Toads SMC. There is a SW Weekend – 22 of us went this year and had a great time. NODA can help with all sorts of queries.ellent, clear diction, good sound quality, well-balanced harmonies and a first rate orchestra providing the accompaniment enabled the audience to sit back and enjoy every note. "Sit Down You're Rockin the Boat" was particularly good. All the named parts both large and small were outstanding
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JUNE 2006 PRODUCTION
PRINCESS THEATRE
A month or so ago, we were advised by the rights holders of the release to amateurs of a show that we have had our eye on for a short while as a possible good vehicle for our summer slot. We decided to go for it as it will appeal to our younger members. In 2006 we will present the stage version of SUMMER HOLIDAY. This show needs no introduction as it is the stage version of the famous 1960’s musical film starring Cliff Richard. There is a fair amount of chorus work, and some roles for more mature performers as well as the younger lead roles. We have our work cut out as of course there are 4 young men required for the lead roles, all singers and dancers. So get recruiting now.
June 27th – July 1st 2006
All other details still to be decided
AUTUMN 2005 PRODUCTION
Nothing has been decided as yet as we normally don’t discuss the autumn show until the previous one is over. We should be able to advise you in the January newsletter, or soon afterwards. If anyone has any suggestions please let us have your ideas. We are looking for a small cast show, that can be staged relatively cheaply. There is a rumour going round that we are not doing an autumn show in 2005. God knows where that came from. I even heard it at Newton’s show. The committee haven’t even discussed anything yet, so that one isn’t true !!
SOCIETY NEWS – VERY BRIEFLY
Helen Randall and June Keen have both recently changed addresses. I can give you their new addresses if you contact me. Margaret Randall is about to move to Torquay soon. Alison Axford has recently had a baby girl.
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JUNE 2005 PRODUCTION
PRINCESS THEATRE – TORQUAY
“ME AND MY GIRL”
Tues June 28th – Sat July 2nd
(please note change of week)
Director – Richard Clark
Choreographer – Wendy Jackson
Musical Direction – Jonathan Watts
Ass. Musical Director – John Amery
This show needs no introduction, and although it has been presented by both Paignton and Torquay operatic societies in recent years, the theatre feels it is still a good draw, as indeed we do. The hilarious tale of cockney Bill Snibson, elevated to the peerage, and his new found family of aristocratic snobs, features such songs as “Lambeth Walk” “Sun has Got His Hat On” and many more. There is lots of chorus work, and lots of dancing, including tap dancing, for principals, dancers and chorus. More on the requirements in the next newsletter.
Due to Richards holiday dates, we will start rehearsing as soon as the pantomime at Paignton is over. Dates for your diary :
THURSDAY JAN 13TH – FIRST INFO REHEARSAL
MONDAY JAN 17TH – 2ND REHEARSAL
THURSDAY JAN 20TH – 3RD REHEARSAL
SUNDAY JAN 23RD – AUDITIONS
Thereafter Thursdays until floor rehearsals start in late April.
New members (i.e. those who are new to us, and those who haven’t paid a sub for the 2004 year) will need to attend ALL THREE rehearsals to be eligible to audition for the show. The subscription must also have been paid prior to auditions by new members. As there are no other available times to audition as Richard goes away a few days after auditions (for 2.5 months), if you cannot make audition date, you may be out of luck.
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CHRISTMAS DINNER
SAT 11thDEC 2004
VICTORIA HOTEL – TORQUAY
Always a good evening. As usual we will be one party in with lots of others, and you will see we have moved hotels from the Toorak next door to the Victoria. 30 places have been reserved. Please call Miles to book your place. (See committee list elsewhere in this newsletter) Book early as the places go quickly
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY AT MARGUERITE’S
SATURDAY DECEMBER 4TH
Always a very good evening, usually attended by about 30 members. Please telephone Marguerite if you wish to go. The entrance fee includes food. There is usually a quiz and some games, and of course the now traditional, and infamous BOX GAME, the highlight of the evening. PLEASE COME ALONG.
PHONE MARGUERITE TO BOOK YOUR PLACE.
CHRISTMAS SHOPPING TRIP
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 21ST
CRIBBS CAUSEWAY (BRISTOL) – BY COACH
Ring Heather Appleby (01803-325648)
Almost sold out !!
ROADSIDE POSTER BOARDS
Chris Hawes is unable to continue with this job, so we are looking for someone to take this duty on for future shows. Entails checking with sites that it is still OK, and erecting between 30 and 40 boards and then taking them down after the show. Help can be provided. New sites can be obtained as well. A VITAL duty, and someone must be found to do it. CALL IAIN DOUGLAS ON 01803-290371 to offer your services please.
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