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The last 12 months have flown by since we were last in the Little Theatre with our production of the incredibly difficult and rarely performed Sondheim musical Into the Woods. This Society is garnering a name for presenting  Sondleheim shows to an incredibly high standard, and this one was no exception. A superb production directed by Ruth Bettesworth with Musical Direction by Jonathan Watts, it firmly consolidated the Society's position as one of the premier operatic Societies in the South West. The talented cast performed the difficult music to near perfection, and without the orchestra or MD in front of them - they were hidden away in wings!! Unfortunately, Sondheim is not to everyone's taste, and a large loss attended the production. However, everyone agreed, it was almost worth it, to have staged such a wonderful show.
June this year saw us in our usual annual appearance at the Princess Theatre with Sweet Charity. This fun show attracted many new members.    The cast of 45 included 22 new performers. Director Richard Clark ensured a fast moving, lively production which once again was much praised, and which attracted reasonable houses ensuring that the finances were on the right side (for a change!!). Jonathan Watts was MD and Wendy Jackson was choreographer. The production was awarded a Lottery Grant from the Awards for All Scheme which was much appreciated, and enable the Treasurer to sleep a little more easily.
The Society cannot always guarantee to cover the costs of shows with box office receipts, so the Fighting Fund and Social activities are of paramount importance to the very  existence of the Society. Numerous events have been held during the year including various parties and gatherings. However, 3 major events were the Sponsored Walk on May 22nd which raised just over £1000, the Babbacombe Downs Fete on July 22nd which raised £1300 profit, and a wonderful Buffet / Ball a week after the main show which raised over £300. Another major fund raising initiative has just been completed and you can read all about it elsewhere on this site. The Society has decided to join the ever growing ranks of groups raising money by producing a nude calendar. Certain brave members have had endless fun!! posing for photographer Jo Matthews and the results are now available to purchase.
On the hatches, matches and dispatches front, a sad event was the death of Freddie Macer, husband of our chairman Jean. He passed away after an increasingly debilitating illness, on March 6th. Freddie showed great interest in the Society, but for the last three years was unable to see the shows due to illness. All committee meetings are held at Jean's home, so the committee saw Freddie regularly and he was able to keep in touch, and provided a valuable "sounding board" for Jean whenever problems cropped up in the running of the Society. His last few weeks were very uncomfortable and it was a final release when he passed away peacefully at home with his family around him.
We also have two members who are critically ill in hospital and our thoughts are with them. Sally Watson suffered an aneurysm just days before Sweet Charity and has been in hospital ever since. She is still very ill and the future is very uncertain. We think of her constantly, and our thoughts are with her husband Mike. Sally appeared in all major shows until last year, but was going to do make-up as usual for Sweet Charity until she became ill. Olive Bennett, our indefatigable little props lady is also critically ill with an aneurysm, and we are also thinking of her and her family at this difficult time.
The Golden Toad Award 2001 was won by Dennis Wenman, a very popular member, in recognition of all he does for the Society. The NODA Weekend at Bicton College was attended by some 25 members who all stayed for the entire weekend and had a fun time with workshops, dinners, meetings and late evening gatherings in the kitchen!! Society Secretary Iain Douglas remains a NODA rep for this region, continuing TOADS strong links with this national organisation.
The website continues to attract many hits and much praise and member have also taken to leaving story messages on the guest book, building up a strange little scenario involving Randy the dog from Sweet Charity. Little things please little minds!!
The Society looks forward to South Pacific in June next year.
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