Claremont Chat
Claremont Dramatic Society Newsletter
Box 50, Eppindust, 7475
Tel: 021 671 2242 Cell: 082 821 4353 Fax: 021 528 2299
E-mail: andrethomas@vodamail.co.za
www.claremontdramatic.wordpress.com
March 2010 – Number 87
It seems that either our memories are short, or this is a remarkably warm March… either way, I hope you’re surviving it well.
I’ve just had the fortune of spending a week in Zimbabwe, touring the country from Harare in a clock-wise direction via Mutare in the Eastern Highlands, then Masvingo and the fascinating Great Zimbabwe Ruins, followed by the beautiful Bulawayo and the Matopos where CJR is buried, through Hwange and on to Victoria Falls.
My impression? A wonderfully friendly people (just like the Malawians) struggling their way through political and financial change. The roads are the good, there’s fuel and food available – and the scenery is just as incredible as it was 20 years ago. And if you’re at all interested in retro interior design, now is the time to visit the hotels before they get budgets to renovate!
Member news
Richard Farmer, well known on both the local amateur and professional stage and an adjudicator on both our Milly’s and the CATA panel, is going through a really rough time undergoing a course of radical cancer treatment. We add our sincere wishes for his recovery to the many others he will be receiving at this difficult time.
Welcome: We are happy to welcome several new members to the Claremont Dramatic Society:
Naveen Moss
Robyn Hobson
Denise Dubber
Faeron Wheeler
Sven Yaffe
David Muller
James Maritz
Melanie Jessop
James Pape
Reinette Steyn
Clifford Graham
A hearty welcome to you all – we hope to see you at many functions, shows and, and, and…!
Thank you: We would like to extend out heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Wendy Goddard for the donation of Jill Cooke’s Set Building Equipment and Hardware (including tool box – sundry tools and hardware) – we are honoured to have these.
Member’s Evening
It is almost time for our next member’s evening – so please diarise Friday 16 April, and join us at The Hok for another fun get-together. It is always so good to see everyone’s faces and share a laugh and a catch-up. From 19h30 at The Hok.
Claremont AGM – feedback
We held a successful AGM on Tuesday 09 February 2010 at Kelvin Grove – it was a wonderful get-together, and we thank all our members that joined us on the evening and making it all special.
We had a couple of committee members stepping down – and the committee thanks them for their time and effort over the last years – Wendy Goddard, Adrian Kettle and André Thomas.
Your new committee is listed at the end of the newsletter – welcome to all – and enjoy the ride! The committee appreciates all and any comments and feedback.
After the business end of the meeting (Simon’s report and Wendy’s final financial feedback) was concluded, we presented the Claremont Dramatic Society Awards for 2009! The winners were as follows
Best Actress – Lesley Gill in “Isn’t It Romantic”
Best Actor – Phillip Gordon in “Isn’t It Romantic”
Best Supporting Actress – Michele Belknap in “Isn’t It Romantic”
Best Supporting Actor – Clifford Graham in “Isn’t It Romantic”
Best Production – Graham Boxall for “Isn’t It Romantic”
Shield for Outstanding Contribution to a production – awarded jointly to Alison King and Vivienne Grey, with a special mention to Roland Perold.
Shield for Outstanding Contribution to the Society – Kim Harris-Dalla
And the CDS Members Choice Awards went to:
Best Actor – Clifford Graham in the production “Isn’t it Romantic”
Best Actress – Michele Belknap in the production “Isn’t it Romantic”
Best Production – “Isn’t It Romantic” directed by Graham Boxall
** Thanks a million also to Bob Goode for taking photographs of our winners. **
Production updates
Rumours
What a fabulous strong cast Sue Bolton has put together for the wildly funny Neil Simon farce “Rumours”. The auditions were held on 24 January 2010, and we had a terrific turnout, thanks mostly to our promoting it on Facebook. There were lots of new faces amongst our good stalwarts.The most difficult thing was to get the correct pairing of the couples.
The cast consists of Lynn Moss and Graham Boxall as Chris and Ken Bevans; Gary Green and Lesley Gill as Leonard and Claire Cummings; Bernie Jacobs and David Muller as Cookie and Ernest Cusack; Faeron Wheeler and new member James Pape as Cassie and Glen Cooper. They are supported by James Maritz and Melanie Jessop (also new members) as the police officers – PC’s Conkin and Casey. Sheila Inglis is doing a fine job as Production Secretary and we are so lucky to have Jane Cohen as our Stage Manager.
The cast are having a fun time running up and down the Hok stairs. The set has a double storey and the stairs are quite pivotal, as only a farce can have them. Sue previously directed the play for Anchor Players in the 90’s. The show opens at the Masque on 23 April and runs till 1 May 2010. You will be in stitches every 3 minutes – guaranteed!
Lady Windermere’s Fan
Brenda Gray’s production of this Oscar Wilde play held its auditions on 13 February. Once again, due to Facebook, we had a great turnout of new people to complement our faithful members. There was much laughter from everyone at the audition as they listened to the various excerpts during the audition, confirming that Oscar Wilde’s words are as good now as they were then! Brenda still has to finalise some of her casting, so watch this space for details.
We are looking for a Production Secretary for the production which comes off in August at the Masque Theatre. If anyone is interested in being prod sec please contact Kim Harris-Dalla on 083 355 7050 or on kbjhharris@yahoo.co.uk.
Gigi
Gigi is the slightly distasteful story by French writer Colette of a young teen-aged Parisienne girl trained by a wealthy aunt at the turn of the century to become a courtesan (in the tradition of her family) to a wealthy suitor or “protector.” She double-crosses her family by enchanting her proposed suitor and marrying him instead.
The film won nine Oscars in 1958 in almost every category including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Song (“Gigi”), Best Musical Score and Best Costume Design. Gigi held this record-breaking number of Oscars for only one year – until Benhur took the title the following year.
An interesting fact: Shot on location in Paris, Gigi was a worldwide hit….everywhere but France.
The two committees, Claremont Dramatic Society and Pinelands Players, met on Monday the 8 March to organise a Production Team. And we have a great team!
Clifford Graham is our Director, Justin Wardle is our Musical Director, Kim Harris-Dalla is the Choreographer as well as Production Manager for the show. Newly elected Pinelands Player Chairperson, Tina Gough, is the Business Manager, assisted by David Campey, our new Treasurer. Chenara Fenton will be the Marketing Manager, Props will be co-ordinated by Clara Machado and Carynn Underhill will be managing Set Decor.
It is a very exciting team that are enthusiastic to put on a show like nothing has been seen before at the Masque. If any of our members are keen to assist in any aspects of this production please contact Kim Harris-Dalla on 083 355 7050 or kbjhharris@yahoo.co.uk.
Invitation
Pinelands Players Club invites CDS members to join them for their evening get-together on 26th March at Pinelands Town Hall 19h30. A great chance to get to know our fellow Gigi-thespians!
Audition Notice
See the audition notice for Gigi at the end of the newsletter.
CATA Awards Evening
Please see the attachment at the end for more information on this event and the nominees – including some from CDS!
Other societies and The Masque
Queenie Shapiro (Celia Musikanth’s mother) died peacefully on Sunday 07 March 2010 at the age of 91 at Nerina in Fish Hoek. Masque Theatre matters were always close to her heart and she was well known by many members of our societies. Our condolences go out to Celia and her family.
Masque Theatre AGM
The Stern Masque Theatre Association’s AGM will take place on Sunday, 25 April 2010, at 19h00 for 19h30 at the theatre. I have attached an initial copy of the agenda for you.
Get Thee to The Masque!
Please note days, times and prices for Masque Theatre productions
(unless otherwise stated) are Thurs & Fri performances at 20:00,
Saturday matinee at 14:30, Saturday evening at 18:30
Thurs eve and Sat Matinees R50 (Theatre Club members R40)
Other Nights R60 (Theatre Club members R50)
Bookings on 021-7881898
I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change presented by Bigleaf Productions at the Masque Theatre from 18 to 27 March 2010.
A collection of hilarious scenarios depicting the age-old ritual of the suburban mating game.
Two extra Wednesday shows at 20:00 (R50/R40), Matinees R50/R40, other nights R60/R50.
Rumours presented by CDS at The Masque from 23 April to 01 May 2010.
Bookings open on 06 April!
Sweeter than Roses presented by Albert Combrink for one show only at 15h00 on Sunday 25 April 2010. English and Italian songs of the joy of love.
Get Thee to the Playhouse in Milnerton!
The script has arrived and rehearsals for THE COLLECTOR are progressing well. Starring our own James Skilton and Jane de Sousa, with Yvonne Copley’s direction and Nigel Sweet’s set, which is currently under construction, it promises to be a riveting production.
She is an art student and he works in a job centre and collects butterflies. He sees her but she doesn’t know he is there and then he wins the lottery. Miranda then finds herself in a trap she neither understands nor expects and Frederick slides along the slippery slope towards his own compellingly, warped destiny.
Based on the book by John Fowles, this clever psychological thriller is described as “A chilling portrayal of one man’s darkest fantasy made real”.
19, 20, 25, 26, 27 March @ 20.15
Matinee 27 March @ 14.15
Tickets: R60 evenings – R50 matinee
Members discount R5
Bookings: 021 557 3206 or 082 267 1061 e-mail: macdram@absamail.co.za
See you at the theatre!
Gigi: Character Descriptions
Honore Lachailles: (m) 50 to 60 yrs Tenor /baritone
Suave “man about town” Uncle to Gaston Lachailles – French accent strongly
preferred.
As narrator and participant, it is important that he portrays an objective,
understanding outlook on life.
Tenor /baritone
Gaston Lachailles (Tonton): (m) (20 to 30 yrs). Low tenor /baritone
Young, debonaire, good looking. French accent preferred. Must portray a slightly
disillusioned impatient boyish character.
Liane D’ Exelamns: (f) .(20 to 25 yrs.)
Gaston’s cheating girlfriend. Loud, vivacious go getter who will stop at nothing to
get what she wants.
Also part of ensemble. No solo’s
Gigi (Gilberte):(f) (15 to 20 yrs.) Low soprano (mezzo) to alto.
Granddaughter to Inez Alvares and niece to Aunt Alicia. We watch this character grow from a fiery, naïve adolescent to a beautiful, poised and gracious young woman.
Inez Alvarez (Mamita): (f) (45 to 57 yrs) Low soprano (mezzo)
Caring and motherly but never naïve, as Gigi’s grandmother, she is never far
from developments.
Aunt Alicia: (f) (50 to 60 yrs) Soprano
Gigi’s Aunt, ever aware of the positives of being a “kept woman” takes Gigi under her wing to prepare her for life as a courtesan. Caring but very society “aware”.
Charlotta (f):
Aunt Alicias maidservant and companion. (changed from original script)
No solos
Maitre Du Frensne: (m) 40 yrs plus – Low tenor / baritone
Lawyer and legal counsel to Honore and Gaston Lachailles. Song “the contract”
Maitre Duclos: (m) 40 yrs plus – Low tenor
Lawyer and legal counsel to Aunt Alicia. Song “the contract”
The following characters all form part of the ensemble and are called to sing very little. However movement and dance are important facets of their performance.
They are also called to move set and props.
A head waiter: (m) Any age
A receptionist: (f or m) Any Age
A Telephone Installer: (m) 25 to 30 tenor
A Maitre d’ Hotel: (m) Any age
Two Waiters / Waitresses: Any age
Liane’s Dance Partner: (m) (20 to 25 yrs.)
An Artist: (m) Any age
A Count: (m) Any age
Sandomir: (m) Any age
Manuel: (m) Manservant to Honore Lachailles. Any age
Dancing Teacher: (m) (20 to 25 yrs.)
Dancers & ensemble.
CATA Awards evening
Booking for the awards evening to be held on Monday 22nd March, has been open since January.
Hayley Fargher is taking your bookings on 021-7886999; Hayley is only available for bookings on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10h00 till 13h00.
We’d like to see as many of our nominees and members there to support. When booking, please tell Hayley if you are a nominee or not.
Some notes :-
– We will assemble at 19h30 for a 20h00 start
– Dress is Smart, but not formal
– There is no booking fee
– Champagne will be served upon arrival
– Finger supper will follow proceedings
– Prizes will be presented by Paul Griffiths, well known professional actor and director
CATA NOMINATIONS 2009
BEST PLAY, BEST MUSICAL, MOST ADVENTUROUS PRODUCTION, BEST DIRECTOR OF A PLAY, BEST DIRECTOR OF A MUSICAL:
birga Thomas – Hello, Goodbye (MADS)
Marlisa Doubell – Private Lives (Milnerton)
Barrie Howard – Time of my life (Constantia)
Sue Bolton – Breath of Life (CDS)
Graham Boxall – Isn’t it romantic (CDS)
Teddy Davies – HMS Pinafore (G & S)
Kyla Thorburn – A Christmas carol (Pinelands)
BEST CHOREOGRAPHER OF A MUSICAL:
Kyla Thorburn – HMS Pinafore (G & S)
Kim Harris-Dalla – A Christmas carol (Pinelands)
BEST ACTOR IN A PLAY OR MUSICAL:
Wesley Figaji – Hello, Goodbye (MADS)
Trevor Joubert – Private Lives (Milnerton)
Dennis Benneyworth – Time of my life (Constantia)
Riaan Hunter – HMS Pinafore (G & S)
Shaun Browne – A Christmas carol (Pinelands)
BEST ACTRESS IN A PLAY OR MUSICAL:
Yvonne Copley – Breath of Life (CDS)
Suzy Gehr – Hello, Goodbye (MADS)
Tamryn Spiers – Private Lives (Milnerton)
Jane Cohen – Time of my life (Constantia)
Carey Wallace – Haunting of Hill House (FHDS)
Jo Darby – Abigail’s party (Constantia)
Sian Atterbury-le Roux – HMS Pinafore (G & S)
Julie Harris – HMS Pinafore (G & S)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A PLAY OR MUSICAL:
Theo Swartz – A lesson from aloes (HHDS)
Alastair Duff – No sex please, we’re British (FHDS)
Gordon Molloy – Trap for a lonely man (Milnerton)
Scott Cooper – Appointment with death (MADS)
David Bolton – HMS Pinafore (G & S)
John Carne – HMS Pinafore (G & S)
Michael Harris – A Christmas carol (Pinelands)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A PLAY OR MUSICAL:
Denise Dubber – Time of my life (Constantia)
Trish Sutton – Time of my life (Constantia)
Michelle Belknap – Isn’t it romantic (CDS)
Victoria Harris – Return from Oz (CDS)
Laura Bosman – A Christmas carol (Pinelands)
Jennifer Moss – A Christmas carol (Pinelands)
BEST CAMEO PERFORMANCE:
Lynn Moss – HMS Pinafore (G & S)
Jane Philbrick – Haunting of Hill House (FHDS)
MOST PROMISING NEWCOMER:
Kevin Smith – Play Misty for me (HHDS)
Angela Lee-Wright – Haunting of Hill House (FHDS)
Thomas Agates – Spring and port wine (HHDS)
Curtis Dunn – Abigail’s party (Constantia)
BEST SET:
Jane Philbrick and Margi Blewett – No sex please, we’re British (FHDS)
Anne Coetzee – Play Misty for me (HHDS)
Debbie Bentley-Buckle and Barrie Howard – Time of my life (Constantia)
Finn McCormick – Trap for a lonely man (Milnerton)
Debbie Bentley-Buckle and Barrie Howard – Abigail’s party (Constantia)
Richard Whittaker – A Christmas carol (Pinelands)
TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE:
Roland Sweet – Special occasions (Milnerton)
John Blewett – Time of my life (Constantia)
Gary Fargher – Isn’t it romantic (CDS)
Andrew Ward-Cox – Trap for a lonely man (Milnerton)
Gary Fargher – Haunting of Hill House (FHDS)
Dylan Ford – Haunting of Hill House (FHDS)
Grant Faiers – A Christmas carol (Pinelands)
Kyla Thorburn – A Christmas carol (Pinelands)
ARTISTIC CONTRIBUTION:
Margaret Mortelmans – Private lives (Milnerton)
Heather Earp-Jones – HMS Pinafore (G & S)
Gary Kok – HMS Pinafore (G & S)
Riaan Hunter – HMS Pinafore (G & S)
Sian Atterbury-le Roux and Fredi Oosterhuizen – HMS Pinafore (G & S)
Kim Harris-Dalla, Victoria Harris, Jennifer Moss, Christine Thonissen – HMS Pinafore Phoebe Snayer – Rodgers and Hart, a celebration (Milnerton)
Glenda Carmichael – A Christmas carol (Pinelands)
Jennifer Moss – A Christmas carol (Pinelands)
Laura Bosman and Graham Stabler – A Christmas Carol (Pinelands)
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Claremont Dramatic Society 