Tassie Theatre talk

[Buff]

I've suggested to Talissa that a forum just for Tassie theatre talk is a bit of overkill, so my suggestion is that any miscellaneous Tassie theatre talk could be put here.

Any information about individual shows, audition etc can still go in the appropriate forum, but the rest here

Sound OK

Buff

[Buff]

Has anyone else seen the letters to the editor in the Examiner over the last few days?

First there was a guy saying how good it was to have so many school/college musical productions. Then he went on to say about the lack of adult theatre, especially with 30-40 year old performers!

A great reply in today's paper from Gina McKenzie, list the shows from both LMS & Players over recent years - Sound of Music, Anything Goes, Godspell, Hello Dolly!, 42nd Street, Les Miserable, Fiddler on the Roof (a pretty good line up of shows over all). She also mentioned show coming up in the near future (I love you, you're perfect now change, and Guys & Dolls)

I was tempted to reply to the original letter myself and mention not only the shows that have been and those to come but also the fact that people in that age bracket tend to have young familes.

Buff

[roomie]

Did any one see the recent Devonport production of My Fair Lady. Any opinions?

[Buff]

Unfortunately I didn't get to see it but all the reviews I saw were excellent.

Did you see it, or were you in it?

Buff

[roomie]

No, I wasn't in it (no talent whatsoever) but knew someone who was. Have read the paper reviews, but was just interested in some personal opinions. roomie

[Buff]

This thread hasn't been used for a while ,but I'd thought I'd resurrect it!

Quite a few shows coming up in the north of the state. Haven't heard much from down south lately - seems like they've cooled off musicals at the moment. Either that or the promotion isn't getting north.

Towards the end of this year PTB Entertainment are planning to do "You're a good man, Charlie Brown". Early next year, Launceston Players are planning on producing "Assassins", Devonport Choral Society have announced auditions for "Footloose". The Launceston Musical Society have slated "Les Miserables" for August but it may be changed. As with this year (when "The Music Man" was changed to "Guys & Dolls") there doesn't seem to be a lot of support for Les Mis, so they may change it.

Anyone heard of any other productions?

Buff

[Buff]

I can confirm that the Launceston Musical Society's production of "Les Miserables" is going ahead next year. A director from Hobart has been appointed.

Buff

[tash]

Damn, you beat me to it =) Auditions will be in February.

Other news:

LMS's latest show Time Warp begins this Thursday at Archers Manor, with a three week season. Tickets are $15 show only, $55 for three course meal and show. Director: Andrea Badcock - MD: Matt Dudfield - Choreographer: Vicki Press. Featuring Peter Harvey, Kathy Crowthers, Natasha Riley and Bill Carney as the Emcee.

Launceston Players auditions for Assassins went well yesterday, with 25 people auditioning. Cast will be announced soon, performances late March.

PTB schedule has been adjusted to:
Proteger, March
Are You Lonesome Tonight, April
The Last Five Years, September
Beauty and the Beast, December

Burnie Musical Society are performing The Sound of Music with Brett Budgeon, unsure of performance dates.

Devonport Choral Society auditions for Footloose are this weekend.

It's an exciting time in Nth Tassie for musical theatre =)

[Buff]

tash said:

Launceston Players auditions for Assassins went well yesterday, with 25 people auditioning. Cast will be announced soon, performances late March.

I had a phone call from the MD on SUnday reminding me that auditions were on and asking if I was going to turn up! I politely declined as I really want to do LEs Mis again and just after "Assasins" finishes it's run I'm going to Canberra with the Salvation Army choir and I'll have a heap of songs to learn for that as well.. I've promised Mrs Buff that I'll only ever do one show a year from now on. I did two once and, as much as I enjoyed both shows, I was just too busy.

tash said:

It's an exciting time in Nth Tassie for musical theatre =)

That it is! And strangely, not much in Hobart. Not that I've heard anyway

Buff

[Buff]

tash said:

PTB schedule has been adjusted to:
Proteger, March
Are You Lonesome Tonight, April
The Last Five Years, September
Beauty and the Beast, December

Is "The Last 5 Years" going to be done by 2 people only as per the script? I'm looking forward to seeing that show already

And is "Beauty & the Beast" the full Disney version? That's a huge show!

Buff

[The Know]

Dear All

Whilst it is thought that the Launceston Musical Society's production of Les Mis will go ahead, it is not yet a certainty, so I am told. It still needs to be approved by 75% of the Members at a General Meeting on Dec. 6th ... Could be interesting. Rumor has it that a new theatre company will come to life in January and that they are producing Little Shop of Horrors or The Witches of Eastwick... Wait and see!

The Know

[Buff]

Thanks for that, The Know.

I must admit that I find it strange that any decision made by the elected committee must be approved, but if that what's to happen, it will be an interesting vote!

And another theatre group. Is it going to be a full blown group, or just some people who want to do a particular show as a one off?

It's great that there is so much interest in musical theatre but I think it's getting a bit "crowded". There are only so many performers to go around. It's no problem people swapping between the groups, but I'm worried a show somewhere down the track is not going to be able to get the numbers it needs.

Feel free to register, The Know, as it's always good to have people interested in musical theatre (particularly in Tassie ) posting.

Buff

[tash]

It's great that there is so much interest in musical theatre but I think it's getting a bit "crowded". There are only so many performers to go around. It's no problem people swapping between the groups, but I'm worried a show somewhere down the track is not going to be able to get the numbers it needs.

I know what you mean about a saturation of the theatre market, it's something I've discussed at length with (ahem) overexcited people with delusions of grandeur. However, there is a public demand for theatre in Launceston, and there is certainly no lack of people wanting to participate. People are willing to do the hard work and do multiple shows at once [waves hand in the air maniacally] but there has to be co-operation between companies to accommodate schedules. I would've loved to do Fiddler last year but I like tap dancing far too much =) I do think that new companies do need to stay grounded in reality and discern between what is achievable, and what is so utterly farfetched that they must be on seriously heavy drugs to consider it. Anyway.

The Last Five Years will have a cast of two, and piano only. I'm excited, it's such a poignant and thought-provoking show... not to mention some excellent songs (my personal favourite: Climbing Uphill). Beauty and the Beast will be the full Disney version as far as I know.

Preliminary Assassins cast : Danny Gibson (John Hinckley), Richard Clarke (...Zangara, I think), Mark Horner, Lyndell Geeves (various chorus parts, she thinks), me (various chorus parts).

Buff: You're doing Les Mis?!! Excellent. I'll see you there =)

[Buff]

tash said:

I would've loved to do Fiddler last year but I like tap dancing far too much =)

I did "Fiddler" because earlier that year, I'd had knee surgery so any heavy dacing was out. As it was, I wore a knee brace under my costume for Fiddler.

tash said:

Preliminary Assassins cast : Danny Gibson (John Hinckley), Richard Clarke (...Zangara, I think), Mark Horner, Lyndell Geeves (various chorus parts, she thinks), me (various chorus parts).

You beat me to that time. I was talking to Lyndell on Saturday night and she told me those people (including you) had got in. Congratulations!

tash said:

Buff: You're doing Les Mis?!! Excellent. I'll see you there =)

I'm going to audition - whether I get in or not ....

Buff

[Hewitt]

Hello there in Theatre Land. Just wondering if anyones online???