Chicago (1996)

A Little Night Music (1997)

Into the Woods (2000)

Little Shop of Horrors (2002)

Company (2003)

Society Year - June 2003

Time seems to flash by when you are busy. It hardly seems 12 months since we were last here at the Princess Theatre with our production of South Pacific. Chosen for it's boxoffice potential, no-one on the committee was prepared for the tremendous response from our patrons. Almost 5000 people saw the show, and we had a tremendous week. A great cast responded to the lively direction of Richard Clark, supported by Jonathan Watts as Musical Director and Amanda Read as choreographer. Our Treasurer went home each night with a wide smile on her face and everyone was kept happily busy with the very large houses throughout the week.

Little Shop of Horrors

Theatrical ventures can be very risky, and some shows prove popular, others are treated with suspicion by theatre goers, and so it was with our next venture, our smaller annual autumn production at The Little Theatre. For 2002 the choice was Little Shop of Horrors and right from the start our patrons were unsure about the show. Advance bookings were, to put it plainly, abysmal, and the hard working cast were expecting to play to mere handfuls each night. This very funny show about a man eating plant living in a run down flower shop, is not everyone's cup of tea, and many people thought we were doing The Rocky Horror Show which of course is not available for amateur performance. The show has very heavy technical demands which were ably and fully met by the talented technical team. However such is the strange nature of theatre, that once the show had opened its 10 day run to houses that were disappointing but better than expected, word of mouth got round that the show was fun, and the last 4 performances were played to totally full houses. An incredible turn around, but still not enough to avoid quite a large loss. Nevertheless, the society were content in having presented what was considered to be one of the best amateur shows seen in this area for many years. Superbly directed by Ruth Bettesworth, with Musical Direction by Jonathan Watts and choreography by Michiel Verkoren, the show won critical praise and went on to win the prestigious Stage Electrics Award for Technical Achievement. The four plant puppets for the murderous Audrey II, were made entirely by Colin and Rae Gilderthorp. So good were they, that they were sold on to a scenery hire firm. Taking almost 400 man hours to complete, the plants filled Colin and Rae's house for many months and everyone grew quite fond of them (the plants - not Colin and Rae - we were already fond of the latter!) When Colin, along with lain Douglas delivered them to the scenery firm in February this year, it was almost like giving the children away! !

Rae and Colin Gilderthorp with puppeteer Paul (centre)

The experience of Little Shop of Horrors highlights a problem faced by most theatrical societies in this area. The conservative nature of local theatre goers and their reluctance in many instances to see a show that they know nothing about, but would probably really enjoy, causes many groups to avoid presenting many of the interesting and wonderful shows available. On the flip side of the coin, many popular shows have now been performed locally so often, that people are reluctant to pay out to see them again. The committee spend many long hours agonising over what shows to present each year but do use the autumn show as an opportunity to present those shows that would not otherwise be presented locally.

Peter Randall with his Noda award

The society Fighting Fund exists to provide additional sources of funding, other than from productions, which as indicated above; cannot always be relied upon to produce a profit. The annual Babbacombe Downs fete was held in late July 2002 and once again proved a very successful day organised by Elaine Gard and Cheryl Merrikin. That along with numerous social events and gatherings ensured that the members were kept busy and happy throughout the year. Show weeks are always punctuated by outings each evening after the performance to a restaurant or a party, and it has been said that TOADS Operatic members would gather for the opening of a fridge door! ! One especially nice gathering was held at the Princess Theatre Breezes restaurant in September 2002 when we presented Peter Randall with his 50 year NODA medal. Peter has been a member for many years and was chairman for some considerable time. He has not been in the best of health lately, suffering from cancer, and we wish him well in his struggle back to full fitness. Sadly, Peter will not be around front of house for this production, which will be the first show for many many years that he has not been present for. He willbe sorely missed.

Another major fund raising event was the 24 Hour Singathon held on May 24th/25th this year. Over 40 members attended at, various times, but only a handful elected to do the full 24 hours. A fun time was had, especially in the middle of the night when without a pianist for a few hours, those present carried on with a sponsored musical chairs game instead! ! Over £1,100 was raised, afantastic result. Members are currently busy selling draw tickets for our fund raising draw for which the main prize is a wonderful painting by well known local artist Peter Cosslett. Peter's grandson appears in this show, and his paintings sell for upwards of £1000 each so this is a wonderful donation that we are very grateful to receive.

The 2003 AGM was attended by over 50 members indicating a healthy level of commitment from them. They learnt that despite the healthy financial position at present, the huge cost of presenting the Princess Theatre productions (This years show is budgeted at £43, 000) still means that things could quite easily go pear shaped. It was only 3 years ago that funds had depleted to such an extent that the committee were having sleepless nights. What a difference a few good box office returns make! The society is entirely self supporting and for the last two years has received no grants or sponsorship.

Rae Gilderthorp and Viv Nietrzebka won the Golden Toad Award for 2002 in recognition of their fantastic work on props and scenic additions. Their respective husbands did as much work themselves, but the committee felt chivalrous and gave it to the ladies!

Iain Douglas - NODA Rep

The NODA- (National Operatic and Dramatic Association) South West weekend was not held in 2002 as the NODA National conference was held here in Torquay at the Palace Hotel and 20 society members attended the various events throughout the weekend. Society secretary lain Douglas remains as the Regional Representative for NODA for this area, thus retaining the society's long links with this national organisation. South West Councillor Mary Hobbs, a great friend of the society, was made National President and Peter Randall was Toast Master at the gala reception.

We were greatly saddened by the sudden and very premature death of society member Lavinia Palmer during the year. Lavinia was still very active within the society and will be sorely . missed by everyone. Ex leading lady Julie Scarbrough gave birth to twins, and current member Daniella Butto got married in early January and is now known as Daniella Hopkins. During rehearsals for the current show she announced she was pregnant so we wish her well through the summer as she gradually grows in size!

And so to Copacabana which will probably be the most spectacular show ever staged by the society to date. A spectacular in every sense of the word, the fabulous new set, enormous number of costumes (the dancers each have 8 changes alone), larger than usual orchestra, and the services of a professional lighting designer, all add up to ensuring our patrons enjoy this happy go lucky tale packed full of toe tapping music and loads of dancing.