Reps Reporter – March 2013

Reps Reporter – March 2013

March has been a fairly quiet month on the Main Stage, with the action focused on Theatre Upstairs, and the bar has been busy with several social events. April sees a busier time in both theatres and we shall be hosting HIFA 2013 at the end of the month and into May, which is always exciting for us. It is hoped there will be a good turnout of members for the AGM on Sunday April 14!

On stage in April

Colder Than Here will run in Theatre Upstairs from April 4 to 13. It will be a powerful and moving play with humour, directed by Graham Crutchley and starring Clare Hingeston, Mike Blackburn, Thea Cutler and Kyla Render. Nobody can ignore the fact that Myra is dying but in the meantime life goes on. There are boilers to be fixed, cats to be fed and the perfect funeral to be planned. As a mother researches burial spots and bio-degradable coffins, her family are finally forced to communicate with her, and each other, as they face up to an unpredictable future. Laura Wade's beautifully poised family drama was first performed at Soho Theatre, London. In 2005 this play won the author two young playwrights awards. ‘Laura Wade’s play is a 90-minute masterpiece, a jewel, dark but translucent. It is a play of love, death and grief: the grief that is hardest to bear, because it begins before the loved one dies.’ – John Peter, Sunday Times. ‘Wade’s original and beautifully observed play balances raw emotion with a deliciously delicate black humour.’ – Aleks Sierz, The Stage. Book now so you will not be turned away – remember how many people were disappointed not to see Dickens this past month. Also on stage: the Repteens production (see notes below) and the variety show, Everything Goes (April 19 and 20 only!). Coming up from April 30 to May 5:HIFA 2013 in both theatres.

Membership benefits grow

We have recently made an arrangement with Innovate High Performance Centre in which Reps Members get a special benefit from this very popular gym:, if you sign up for a 12-month contract at Innovate you will receive a group rate discount, amounting to a significant saving. All you need do is take your Reps Members card to Innovate when you go to sign up. Innovate members will now enjoy discounts for Reps Main Stage productions, similar to those granted to InnSider Card holders, HIFAmigos and members of the National Trust and the National Gallery. Another exciting new benefit for Reps members is a discount for meals at Da Eros restaurant, just around the corner from the theatre, adding to the discount facility already in place at Adrienne’s Restaurant. Reps members also obtain discounts from AV Electronics, which is now situated in the Belgravia Shopping Centre! We are always on the look out for opportunities to synergise with other organisations and in doing so add to the benefits enjoyed by members. If any company or society wishes to attract more Reps members as customers through an incentive, let us know through reps.membership@gmail.com.
Anyone out there reading this edition of Reps Reporter who are not yet Reps Members should be! You are interested in what is happening at Reps (or you wouldn't be reading this!), so why not come on board? Get in touch with the office at reps@mweb.co.zw and you will receive relevant forms and information.

Reprobates expands its numbers

Reprobates seems to gaining a little more in popularity as we've seen one or two new faces, as well as a return to the fold from some of our former active members. Those of you who have joined the Reprobates family can now formalise their commitment by taking up one of the Reps membership options as soon as possible. Reprobates’ and Repteens’ social event in the middle of February proved successful in getting these two groups interacting on a social level and enabling members to get to know each other in a relaxed setting.

Repteens has a new committee
March marks the beginning of the new committee year for Repteens and 2013’s committee members are: Chairman, Emily Greeff;
Vice-Chairman, Meredith "Fluffy" Render; members, Frances Greeff, Min'enhle Mguniand Peter Blackburn. A Repteens Refurbishment Sub-Committee will be working towards revamping the Repteens Room and its "assets". This committee will be spearheaded by Repteens co-ordinator Kyla Render, and is comprised of KJ Greeff, Lauren Wigmore, Nevison Kusokora and Matt Griffiths. This committee will be moving into action during the upcoming school holidays. Repteens would also like to extend congratulations to all the Reps Afdis Award winners and nominees, especially those from its own fold! Rehearsals for the Repteens 2013 Main Stage production are well under way and, with Sue Bolt and Larry Greeff as directors, it is shaping up to one not to be missed. The show is entitled "A Spark In the Dark" and is made up of two one-act plays: Teen Angel directed by Larry Greeff with a cast of mainly younger Repteens and The Big Courtroom Drama directed by Sue Bolt with a small cast of older members. The production runs from the 11-13 April, so be sure not to miss it as there are very few performances.

Preps take on the Bard

Preps has been going really well this term, with a great and enthusiastic group of children, reports David Bvumbe. This term we decided to take on the great challenge of Shakespeare. Primary school is the perfect time to introduce Shakespeare to children before they are filled with the irrational fear most people have for Shakespeare. We primarily worked on the Witches or Weird Sisters from Macbeth (yes I said it!) and the Rude Mechanicals from A Midsummer Night's Dream. We will present excerpts from both plays on Saturday, March 23, our last day of Preps this term. I know the kids have a lot of fun getting to know Shakespeare and some of his works and we should go back to some more Shakespeare in the third term. Next term we will start again on Saturday, May 11.

Reptechs looks for new participants

We are as always looking for people who would like to join our happy family of backstage “behind the scenes” people, so if you feel you would like to help in any capacity please contact Stage Director PJ Smyth via the REPS office. Remember no prior experience is needed and, who knows, maybe your knowledge in your day-to-day life may be what we are looking for.

Social events in March:

Coming up on Friday March 22 is entertainment from Liza Abulencia (she sang for the first time on the Reps stage in A Little Bit Country and followed this up in the Reps Afdis Awards) while Faith Ganyau and her Fab Fusion will entertain on Wednesday March 27. On April Fool’s Day we have an Evening of Words (Monday April 1 – also Easter Monday). April offers a selection of great performers and events, so watch out for details.

Did you know …

… the Reps Afdis Awards are finalised by a panel of judges, who each see all Reps production themselves and take into consideration nominations from the Reps committees and members who submit their own recommendations? It’s a lot of hard work and we thank them for their ongoing support and input … we keep them in the background so they can do their judging from an anonymous perspective!

Until next time, keep well

Reps Exco