TOADS Operatic

TOADS STAGE MUSICAL COMPANY

JANUARY 2004 NEWSLETTER – IAIN DOUGLAS (HON SEC) – 01803-290371

NEW NAME

As you can see from the title, the EGM/Social held on November 8^th voted by a clear majority to change the promotional name of the society to that which heads this newsletter. The committee feels that this title more clearly reflects what we get up to, and also has a more professional ring to it than the old title (Toads Operatic) and hopefully helps to present a less stodgy old fashioned image to younger would-be members. (Not that anyone could ever call us stodgy and old fashioned – heaven forbid !!)

2004 PRINCESS THEATRE PRODUCTION – GUYS AND DOLLS : This show will be presented from Tues June 22^nd to Sat June 26^th at the Princess Theatre, nightly at 8pm with a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. This show really needs no introduction as it is so well known. It is set on Broadway in New York in the 1950’s amongst the gamblers and other colourful characters that inhabit that part of the city. There are many well known songs in the show, and plenty of roles for men, although not so many for the women. A chorus is required, and dancers, and in this show the Salvation Army play quite a significant part and it is quite possible that the production team will seek to separate the Salvation Army from the others and that might be a way in which some of the older members can be accommodated in the chorus.

The film version is available on video and DVD but please be aware that it differs significantly from the stage version. The original Broadway soundtrack, the 1980’s London National Theatre soundtrack and the latest Broadway revival soundtrack are all freely available on CD, but the best CD is the double disc entire score version (studio version) which features the entire score from the first note of the overture to the last note of the playout, including all the dance breaks. (I have this version, and am willing to do copies if you provide a tape and Ł2 to cover my time)) but it can be ordered at any music store.

This production will be directed by RICHARD CLARK, with musical Direction by JONATHAN WATTS and choreography by WENDY JACKSON. Our chorus master will be JOHN AMERY. Other appointments we have already sorted out are that the stage manager will be ANDREW PRYCE and lighting design will be by RUSSELL PAYNE from Stage Electrics. A fabulous set has been booked. This show is Richard Clark’s favourite show, and he has been itching to direct it for years, so naturally he is very very keen. Richard has given us 3 fabulous shows in recent years (Mack and Mable, Sweet Charity and South Pacific) and we welcome him back.

Our own Miles Opie has designed fabulous leaflets and posters, which you will get to see at the first rehearsal and we have been busy as usual with advance group booking, and even at this stage have almost 600 reservations, which is very promising indeed, and about 150 up on the same stage last year.

Very sorry, but due to accommodation problems we have decided that no-one under the age of 16 can be accommodated in the cast. This also includes anyone who is 16 but still in the 5^th year (GCSE year) at school.

As usual all NEW MEMBERS who intend to audition to be a principal or dancer in the show will need to attend two rehearsals prior to auditions and pay the subscription.

First rehearsal / get together will be on THURSDAY JANUARY 22^ND 2004 at 7.20pm for 7.30pm. At this rehearsal, scripts and scores will be given out, the Musical Director will talk about what he is looking for from the show and the cast, and so will the choreographer, and then there will be a sing through of the entire score. Audition parts will be available for those going for roles. On THURSDAY JANUARY 29^TH, the director will be present to talk to the cast about his hopes for the show and what he is looking for from, and in the absence of Jonathan, John will take the cast through audition pieces and chorus numbers. From then on rehearsals will be held EVERY THURSDAY at 7.30pm sharp right through until floor rehearsals start in April. Dance rehearsals may start earlier than that in March. Dates to be notified.

AUDITIONS FOR PRINCIPAL ROLES AND DANCERS will be on SUNDAY FEBRUARY 8^TH (Dancers in the morning and principals in the afternoon)

AUDITIONS FOR NEW MEMBERS All new members are required to take a singing audition in front of the committee. This is not as scary as it sounds and is very informal. If you are intending to be considered for inclusion in the show you must take this audition. We will audition new members the week after they first attend.

IF YOU WISH TO BE INCLUDED IN THE PROSPECTIVE CAST LIST BUT CANNOT ATTEND ON JAN 22^ND PLEASE RING ME (IAIN) ON 01803-290371 TO ENSURE I HAVE YOU ON THE LIST.

FEES : The annual subscription is at present Ł17.50. This is subject to change at the AGM. On top of this anyone appearing in the show will be required to pay an appearance fee of Ł10. This is NOT costume related, and is purely an appearance fee. Also, the lib and score fees will be Ł5 per book payable at first rehearsal, and non returnable. We will have vocal/Libs which have the entire script plus the vocal part for the entire show (all vocals but not the dance breaks), and we also have pure vocal scores (all the music). Both books are Ł5. We suggest that those intending to audition for parts go for the vocal lbs and those intending just to be dancers and chorus go for the scores. We have 25 of each. Make sure you bring your money for the books on the first night as no money-no book !!!

The maximum we can accommodate in the show is about 45, so we shall see how many want to be in the show, and make a decision about chorus members after the principals and dancers have been cast. Needless to say we do need a lot of men for this show.

ALL REHEARSALS AND AUDITIONS WILL TAKE PLACE AT ST. LUKE'S CHURCH HALL, SHEDDEN HILL, TORQUAY. We do expect good attendance at rehearsals, with apologies in advance if you cannot attend. We also expect to start rehearsals on time.

COMPANY : Our autumn show at the Little Theatre last October, was once again, another artistic success. As with all Sondheim shows it wasn’t fabulous box office, but shortening the run ensured that houses were pretty full. The cast of 15 presented this very difficult show in superb fashion, expertly directed by Joe McNulty with Musical direction by Jonathan Watts. We lost money, as we expected, but not that much, and the show could be classified as another resounding success. Certainly we are the only society in this area brave enough to tackle such shows. We noticed that not that many of the members not involved in the show, came along to see it. I would have thought that being a member of a society meant supporting all its functions, but hey ho, some folk are only in it for the glory of going on stage. Many thanks to those members who did venture along to see the show.

FEB 22^ND CONCERT : You will have seen on the website that the Princess Theatre have approached us to stage a charity concert there on Feb 22^nd in aid of the NSPCC which is the chosen charity of the theatre managers, Clear Channel Entertainment. They are providing the theatre, all its staff, etc for us, and rehearsal facilities, and we will provide the talent. We aim to keep it simple and to fit into a few rehearsals, and it will NOT feature much company work. All soloists have been contacted (there are about 12 or 13 of them) and we are currently sorting out the programme. John Amery will be MD. We will approach other people to be in the concert, but this is not a concert where we field 30 or 40 people I am afraid.

SOCIAL EVENTS : We had highly successful events on Nov 8^th (Bingo Bangers and Mash evening), Nov 22^nd (Xmas Party at Marguerites) and Dec 12^th (Xmas Dinner at the Toorak) all well attended. The first two provided healthy profits for the fund raising, and the last one was a non profit making event. All 3 events were great fun and much enjoyed. The social committee will provide a full programme for the coming season but it will involve another Bingo evening, but one event already arranged as the annual DENNIS WENMAN SUNDAY LUNCH AT DAINTON GOLF CLUB – SUNDAY FEB 1^ST – 1.30 for 2.00. Price about Ł7.95. Only 25 places booked. First come first served. PLEASE RING DENNIS ON 404255 to reserve your place.

AUTUMN 2004 PRODUCTION : Contrary to rumour this is not chosen yet, and neither is the production team, but I can tell you the show will run from either Mon Oct 25^th or Tues Oct 26^th to Sat Oct 30^th at the Little Theatre, Torquay. It gets more difficult to choose an autumn show as it needs to be one with limited costume hire costs and limited scenery costs. It is not an easy task. We are currently reading scripts and listening to scores and will advise when choice is made.

MAYORS BALL – FEB 6^TH – PALACE HOTEL - Ł30 – As we all know by now Nick Bye is Mayor. Nick being one of our vice presidents. We have hosted him at both of our shows in the last year. The next time we take to the stage he will no longer be mayor and I think we are all agreed he has been the best mayor Torbay has ever had in living memory. However he has booked our own favourites GAV AND THE GRIMNOTES to provide the music at the Mayors Ball. We are taking quite a large booking. If you want to go please without delay send me a cheque payable to Torbay Council for Ł30 with an SAE for return of tickets BEFORE NEXT MONDAY. The event is full formal evening wear and ball gowns and is Torbay’s major social event of the year.

THAT’S IT FOR NOW – SEE YOU ALL ON JAN 22^ND. IAIN

See the NODA review for COMPANY