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Editorial
Helloooooooooo from all of us, to all of you!
Now that Les Misérables has finished, life has returned to some sort of normalcy () ... if such a thing exists. That is, of course, except for those of us who have become involved with our next production, Three Cheers for Mrs. Butler, to be staged by CATS. More information on this production follows.
"Les Misérables"
Congratulations to all concerned with the huge undertaking that was Les Misérables. Reliable sources tell me that several port bottles did not survive this production, but happily, most people did. This show was very successful, not only artistically and, hopefully financially, but also in that many new friendships and relationships were formed. Thank you to everyone who was involved in this production for their tireless efforts, enthusiasm and contributions to ensure this show was as successful as it was.
"Three Cheers for Mrs. Butler"
It is now only four weeks until opening night. The 30 CATS students have been rehearsing every Sunday for the past 10 weeks and everything is as on target as it always is four weeks away from opening.
We have the start of a set thanks to Jeff McKendry and Merryn Osborne. We had some props last week and the promise of more next week, but we do have a problem with a hamster as our Props Procurement Officer, Joe Steward, can't seem to keep it alive (or so she says). Chief Publicity Manager, Scott Andrew, chose one of the posters from our CATS student poster competition for the newspaper advertisement. Congratulations to Cara Braisted. Our multi-talented prompt, Linda Warren, holds auditions for the Christmas show magnificently and then manages to be four different people, as well as hairdresser to the Production Manager's daughter, all in one weekend. Amazing!!! Our very capable seamstress, Christina Pearce, is whipping up some delightful costumes and only has to convince some of the cast that they will look god in swimsuits with goosebumps. We cannot forget those people in waiting - Jayne McQueen, who is just waiting for a set so it can have the lighting it deserves, and Nikki Brereton who is going to put makeup on all those little cherubic faces.
The show is going to be a great learning experience for lots of others as the people mentioned above also have the responsibility of overseeing the rest of the backstage crew who are all going to be CATS students and pupils of Boys' and Girls' High Schools who have an interest in theatre. These are hopefully our members of the future. All the cast are looking forward to opening night and, for some, it will be the first time in front of an audience. We hope that you can all support them and, in doing so, make all the hard work so much more enjoyable as it is well deserved.
Show Dates
25-28 September 2002 - 7:30pm
28 September 2002 - 2:00pm
This is the first week of the school holidays so it will be a really good treat for the whole family for a very reasonable price.
"Three Cheers for Mrs. Butler" - Bookings
Tickets go on sale on Monday 2 September from the Abbey Office during office hours, Phone 355 4165.
Ticket prices
Adults - $10.00
Children - $6.00
Family - $30.00 (consisting of 2 adults & up to 3 children)
"Les Misérables" - Banners
The Les Misérables banners will be sold at $25.00 each by ballot (drawn out of a hat) to company members. If you are interested in being included in the ballot, please register your interest by contacting John or Marie Spelman (as follows);
Telephone - 357 8822
Fax - 357 4922
Email - spelman@inspire.net.nz
You will be advised by 14 September 2002 if you were successful in your ballot, and the banners must be collected and paid for by 21 September 2002 - otherwise they will be offered to the next ballotted person (banners will be held after payment date).
Christmas Parade
The Childrens' Abbey Theatre School (CATS) would like to have a float in this year's Christmas Parade and would be very grateful for the loan of a truck for this occasion. If you can help out in this matter, please contact Marie Spelman (as above).
"Magical Samba Nights"
Our Christmas production, Magical Samba Nights is being staged in the Abbey Theatre in conjunction with Dance Encore Productions of Australia, who brought us the highly successful Festive Follies and Carry on Christmas.
Production Dates: 28 November - 21 December 2002
So get your Christmas party bookings organised now for dinner and show.
"Jack and the Beanstalk"
Regent on Broadway: 6 - 10 November 2002
Preferential bookings for PNOS members are available from 23 September to 6 October 2002 at Ticketek. (Public bookings open on 7 October 2002.)
Produce your PNOS membership card and receive $3.00 off the normal price of each seat. After 6 October, this discount will not apply.
Normal prices
Adults - $26.00
Children (15 years & under) - $12.00
Family (2 adults & 2 children) - $73.00
Senior Citizens (matinees only) - $20.00
This show will be directed by one of the society's Life Members, Pat Snoxell.
A Sad Loss
We are saddened to learn of the death last month of one of our most valuable members - Mr Someone Else.
Someone's passing creates a vacancy that will be hard to fill. Else had been a member for many, many years. He did far more than the normal person's share of work. Whenever there was a job to do, a meeting to attend, a committee to join, one name was on everybody's lips - "Let Someone Else do it".
It was common knowledge that Else was among the largest contributors of his time to the society. A wonderful person, sometimes appearing superhuman. But a person can only do so much. Were the truth known, we expected too much from Someone Else.
Now he has gone we wonder what we are going to do. He left a wonderful example to follow, but who is going to do the things that Else did
When you are asked to help, remember we can unfortunately no longer rely on poor old Mr Someone Else.
