Abbey Musical Theatre

Editorial

Happy New Year!!! We hope that you've have a wonderful break over the Christmas holidays and that 2003 is going to be all that you wish for. We're in for another busy year of thespianage, fun and frivolity, and it's about to kick off very, very shortly. Magical Samba Nights was a great success and we want to thank everybody who was involved with this production, both on stage and off. We're sure that the standard of our shows in 2003 will continue to be as high as that which we achieved in 2002.

So … onwards and upwards!!!

"Tell me on a Sunday"

Our next production in the Abbey Theatre will be Tell Me On a Sunday. The Directors of this production are Joanne Steward, who will also be starring, and Scott Andrew, with musical direction by Barry Jones. This production runs from 14-22 February 2003, in the Abbey Theatre, for only six performances. Performance dates are Friday & Saturday, 14&15 February, and then Wednesday-Saturday, 19-22 February.

Ticket prices are $20.00 each and includes coffee and dessert. The doors will open at 7.45 p.m., coffee and dessert are served from 8.00 p.m. and the show will begin at 8.30 p.m. Bookings can be made by ringing (06) 355 0499, or by fax (06) 353 0422.

Christmas Carols

A great big thank you is extended to all those people who organised and participated in our Christmas Carols 2002. A truckload of singing angels drove to three rest homes in Palmerston North, along with several other locations, and sang to the residents who gratefully appreciated the sentiment involved. It's heart warming to know that our members take the time to remember those people less fortunate than themselves at Christmas time.

Christmas Parade

On the subject of Christmas, a big CONGRATULATIONS must be extended to CATS (Children's Abbey Theatre School) and PNOS Costume Hire for coming 2nd in the Christmas Theme category of the 2002 Christmas Parade. Well done!!!

Thanks

Thank you very much to Brian & Ann Free for donating the lovely new carpet in the foyer of the Abbey Theatre. We're sure you will agree that it looks very nice and cosy and we thank them most sincerely for donating it.

Website

Have you checked out our new website as yet It's worth having a look at and can be found at www.pnoperatic.org.nz. Now that our website is up and running, the March 2003 newsletter will be the last manual newsletter you receive as from then on they will be placed straight onto the website. However, if you don't have access to the Internet and would still prefer a manual copy, please advise the Administrator on 355 4165.

Working Bee

We have scheduled a LARGE Working Bee for the weekend of 25-26 January 2003 to shift from our old lock-up (behind Roxanne's) in Rangitikei Street, to our NEW lock-up in Tremaine Park, behind the Gull Service Station. This is going to require a lot of help and your attendance would be very much appreciated. There are plenty of jobs for all ages, male and female (not all heavy lifting), as all the sets and props stored in the lock-up have to be moved. Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea will be provided. Everyone is welcome, and if you have a truck, trailer or ute that we could use, please bring that too.

When: Saturday & Sunday, 25 & 26 January 2003
Time: 9.00 a.m. start
Where: Behind Roxanne's in Rangitikei Street
Who: Everyone welcome

Photos

Do you have any photos of the Palmerston North Opera House lying around at your house If so, Scott Andrew would be interested in obtaining these for copying. He would like a photo of the Opera House as it was before they renovated it with the new frontage, and a photo of it after the renovations. If you can help Scott in his endeavours, please contact him by telephoning (06) 355 3838 or by e-mailing webmaster@pnoperatic.org.nz.

AGM 2003

Please mark in your diaries the date of this year's AGM. It will be held on Tuesday, 22 April 2003, in the Green Room at the Abbey. Wine and cheese will be available from 7.30 p.m. and the meeting will start at 8.00 p.m. Further details will be forwarded to you in due course.

Auditions! Auditions! Auditions!

You should have already received a flyer in the mail re auditions for Godspell, but just in case you've mislaid your flyer, click here.

Theatre Technology Conference

There will be a Theatre Technology Conference being held by Selecon (manufacturers of stage and display luminaries) on 8/9/10 February 2003. For those of you who are interested in this area, this will be a great way for you to see what's happening in the industry, what new toys you can play with, and have your say on any issues. There will be several seminars over the weekend with issues like OSH safety requirements and expectations, and "to regulate or not to regulate", along with extensive trade displays.

For further information on this conference, please contact Selecon by ringing (09) 481 0100 or e-mailing selecon@seleconlight.com

"Theatre in Paradise"

The Norfolk Island Theatre Festival is being held this year from 28 September to 5 October 2003. This competition is open to all amateur groups who must present a one act play, or an excerpt from a full length play. The duration is to be between 20 and 50 minutes and have a minimum of two speaking parts. There will be a first prize of $1,000, plus the Trans Tasman Trophy. The week also includes workshops on different aspects of theatre and plenty of opportunities to enjoy Norfolk's many delights and legendary hospitality.

For further details, please contact:
Norfolk Amateur Theatrical Society
PO Box 158
Norfolk Island 2899
Fax: (6723) 23106
E-mail: theatre@norfolk.nf

"Annie"

Just a reminder that PNOS is staging Annie in the Regent Theatre in July/August 2003. This production will be directed by Pat Snoxell, with musical direction by Barry Jones. Auditions are planned for 14/15/16 March 2003.

Thought for the Month

"Be grateful when you're feeling good, and graceful when you're feeling bad". (Anon)