Reps Reporter – July-August 2013

Reps Reporter – July-August 2013

Greetings, all. It seems like it’s been a long winter, so here’s hoping that summer really comes calling very soon! There’s always something to keep you warm at Reps, whether on stage or in the bar, so don’t let cold nights keep you away.

On Stage

We are expecting news of a hire show (the TV talent show Starbrite … watch out for information) and then at the end of August our own version of Last Choir Standing, a platform for choirs in Harare to be seen and heard. Watch out for news of these two shows very soon or check www.reps.co.zw regularly. September sees two great dramas: Death Of A Salesman on the Main Stage and The Woman In Black in Theatre Upstairs. DOAS is directed by Paul Shephard and stars John Dennison and Fiona Garrity; it is an O Level set book this year. TWIB is a ghost story being staged by Ryan Lawrence and PJ Smyth with stars Mike Southall and Larry Greeff. People are asking what this year’s pantomime will be: Cinderella, to be directed by Graham Crutchley. For new year, Zane Lucas plans to pop back as director and present the sparkling Noel Coward comedy, Private Lives (now enjoying an acclaimed revival in the West End).

Holidays are here, so the children are away

Preps and Repteens are on holiday for August, as this is school holiday time. They will start again after the term begins – Repteens on Friday September 6 and Preps on Saturday September 7. As always, all youngsters are welcome to get involved (Preps for under-12s and Repteens for 12-19s) and can contact (through the office) Kyla Render for Repteens and David Bvumbe for Preps. Repteens plan an end-of-year production in Theatre Upstairs and Preps will be doing an end-of-term play (which they could not do in the second term because of the early holiday start), and both will be great to catch. During July, Repteens brushed up their skills in various areas of the basics of stage acting. Having finished going over the aspects of emotion and characterisation, the next step was mime and movement on stage as well as integrating the character aspects with these other on-stage skills. We have recently gained a few new members whom we would like to warmly welcome and we are also still on the lookout for suitable scripts for the end-of-year production, as well as a willing and capable person to fulfil the role of director of this. Please contact Kyla on 0772 311 412.

Membership news

A big welcome to new members John Winter, Gary Davidson, Theo and Lollie Nel, Dave Martins, Liz Hayes, Tariro Mushonga, Ant Macdonald, David Payne and Wanda Krekel. We hope that you have many years of enjoyment from your club and the performing arts and look forward to seeing you at Reps. Sincere condolences to the family of George Loverdos, a long standing member and supporter, who passed away recently after a long struggle. Sad farewell, too, to Ken Ziehl, a regular on Friday nights in the members’ bar and father of Nikki, very popular on the stage and now based in the UK. Go well George and Ken; you will be sadly missed. Don’t forget that you, as a member, may bring as many guests as you like into the bar at any time (but each person only twice in a given month): please sign them in via the visitors book, which is held by the bar staff. As a member you have a number of benefits, including some from valued partners, on production of your membership card (with many more in the pipeline in coming months and years): 10 percent discounts on meals at Da Eros Restaurant; 20 percent discount on meals at Adrienne’s Restaurant; discounts from AV Electronics (now in the Belgravia shopping centre); free entry to The National Gallery and discounts in the shop there; free entry to National Trust properties (such as World’s View at Nyanga and La Rochelle near Penhalonga); reduced membership fees at Innovate High Performance Centre in Emerald Hill and the newest of all, a discount on accommodation at Inns of Zimbabwe properties (Inn On The Vumba, Pine Tree Inn and Inn On Rupurara. Please also note that if you want to contact the membership committee for any reason e-mail reps.membership@gmail.com.

Reprobates in full gear

Reprobates has been focusing on basic characterisations and script work in recent weeks and the feedback from participants has been positive. Next we will be focusing on short scripts and, for this, we’re looking for anyone who can provide us with a few decent short scripts to work off.  Unfortunately, we’ve seen a decline in the number of participants in Reprobates session, mainly due a large number of them being involved in productions and rehearsals (which is positive) so more are always welcome. Come down and find out more about how this platform for learning and participation for over-19s is both enjoyable and useful.

Social events for you

Diarise now for upcoming entertainments (in the main bar from 6.30pm, unless stated otherwise): Friday August 9, Tina Masawi; Friday August 16, Alex Fairlie; Sunday August 18, Fun Pub Quiz (starts 11.15am); Wednesday August 21 (Club Room), fun darts evening (a great success last time so come along and have a throw); Friday August 23, Karaoke; Monday August 26, cocktail tasting evening; Monday September 2, The Weakest Link (a Monday this time for all those who could not Sundays). There should be something for everyone in this line-up so come along and bring guests or encourage visitors (day visitor cards for all these – and it’s a chance for non-members to see what goes on and perhaps join!). Mande Snyman co-ordinates these activities and can be contacted at homeschool@mweb.co.zw if you would like to entertain or advise who is available to entertain.

Caterers needed

We want to ensure there’s food at affordable prices at most social events. If you are keen to join in and do something from time to time, please contact Betty Hobbs at peterhobbs@zol.co.zw to let her know. She sits on the Bar Liaison and Social Events committee and is co-ordinating this important part of the offering to members and visitors.

Did you know …

… that there are many opportunities for sponsors at Reps? These include corporate sponsors (giving funds for major activity), show sponsors (funding specific shows) and advertisers in programmes and on the bar screens; paying for tickets for homes and individuals to come along and watch shows. If you or anyone else you know would like to know more please contact Alice Hamilton (dacjo@africaonline.co.zw), who is the Marketing and Publicity person co-ordinating the necessary search for sponsors, and she can help out. Join in the effort to keep Reps fit and healthy through strong financial support.

Until next time, keep well

Reps Exco