REPS REPORTER – SEPTEMBER 2010

Now that summer is here, I hope that all of you will be able to winkle yourselves out of the warm cocoon of your favourite chair and make time to pay your Society a visit. We have a number of productions in the pipe line ranging from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat to ‘Allo ‘Allo to Stars of Tomorrow to the annual panto. Something for everything on stage, and if the stage is not your particular thing, then come along to try out the new range of stock we are holding in the bar. I hope to see you somewhere there soon.

Congrats to Babysitting Calvin

Well done to Colleen Hardy and her team in Babysitting Calvin on winning the Best Production award in the 2010 National Invitational One Act Play Festival, which was held at Reps on September 3 and 4. We were delighted to be able to host this most worthwhile exercise and to welcome plays from Kadoma (Campbell Theatre Club) and Mutare (Four000 Miles Theatre Group). The adjudicator, Dr Susan Hains, selected the following award winners:

Best Production: Babysitting Calvin

Best Actor: Larry Greeff (Babysitting Calvin)

Best Actress: Carole Newman (Cream Cracker under the Settee)

Best Supporting Actor: Leroy Machiso (Dirty Laundry)

Best Supporting Actress: Gaye O’Reilly and Cherry Gordon (Happiness My Goal)

Best Newcomer (Male): Ronald Pilime (Postal Orders)

Best Newcomer (Female): Gaby Levey (Babysitting Calvin)

Best Cameo: Carole Newman (Night Temperature)

Best Achievement: Cream Cracker under the Settee

Best Costumes: Dirty Laundry

Best Technical: Cream Cracker under the Settee

These were the productions presented at the festival:

Campbell Theatre Club, Kadoma:

Cream Cracker under the Settee

Night Temperature

Happiness My Goal

Four 000 Miles, Mutare:

Dirty Laundry – A Family Affair

The Repertory Players:

Babysitting Calvin

Postal Orders

Sins of the Father

Does anyone want to try their hand at directing? The 2011 One Act Festival is only 11 months away. Put in your application NOW!

Joseph promises to be a super musical treat

All is set for the run of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, the updated revival of the Tim Rice-Andrew Lloyd-Webber hit that is timeless and popular. It opens on Tuesday September 14 (preview night Monday September 13 – pensioners free) and ends its run on Saturday September 25. Three nights are already booked out for gala evenings and tickets are selling fast for the other performances. This show has a cast of over 40 and will be a real treat for the eye and ear.

Fraser brings in another comedian
After his success with John Vlismas a few weeks ago, Fraser Mackay is bringing in another SA comedian, Mark Banks, highly regarded in SA and abroad. This run will feature only three performances – September 30, October 1 and October 2. This sounds like a lot of fun but please remember that it is rated No Under 18.

I shall say this only once!

If you happen to be walking past the rehearsal room any time in the near future and hear the lyrical Gallic language being mangled to the accompaniment of hoots of laughter, then you have just walked past a rehearsal of ‘Allo ‘Allo. This show, directed by Sue Bolt, runs on the main stage from October 12 – 23.

Also coming up
For additional entertainment
• Josh Ansley sings live in the Reps Members’ Bar on Friday September 10 from 8.30pm
• The Dance Trust of Zimbabwe presents An Afternoon of Dance on the main stage for one performance only – 2.30pm on Sunday October 3. It features 10 dancers from the South African National Ballet and a number of local dancers.
• We are hosting a fun quiz evening on Sunday September 26 in the Theatre Upstairs. It starts at 6pm and features two “shows” and a lasagna dinner betweens the two. It’s called The Weakest Link and will run along the lines of the TV show.

Did you know…
that we do not allow glasses or bottles into either of our auditoriums? This is to help prevent expensive breakages and, more important, possible injuries. Please cooperate with us and take plastic “cups” into the theatres if you take drinks in. If plastic cups are not available please also cooperate and refrain from using this as an excuse to “have to” take in drinks in bottles and glasses. Many members have, in fact, asked us to stop allowing drinks into the theatres but we still allow this if it does not develop into a problem – and providing no glasses or bottles are used. Cans and plastics are fine.

Until next time, keep well and remember – there is no such thing as failure, only a result.

Dramatically yours,
Teri Grimmel
Chairman