President's Report 2009-10

SPAMALOT

Dubbo Theatre Company’s first production for 2009 was the NSW Premiere of the hit musical Spamalot.  3 months of rehearsals saw a cast of 50 together with a production team of 30+ create a musical master piece which dazzled the local regional community.

The cast was lead by Greg Markwick as King Arthur, Susie Rowley as the Lady of the Lake, James Eddy as Sir Lancelot and the Knight of Ni, Allyn Smith as Sir Robin and Guard 1, and Cliff Powell as Patsy.  

Sets were constructed by Chris Bray, Alan Stanger, Terry Clark and team, who created castles, moved mountains, grew forests, and hatched giant bunnies all in the name of musical theatre.

Eddy Whyfoon created a lighting masterpiece, designing, rigging and calling the show throughout.

Di Pascoe and Lindy Blekemore together with Allyn Smith coached and cajoled the cast into musical harmony, working extensively with the leads and specialist singers to reach that perfect pitch.

Deb Cunningham, Christine Grieg, and Margaret Gibb designed and constructed costumes worthy of shows for Royal Boxes.  I wonder how many fingers were worn out from all the sewing those ladies did, and I marvel at the long long hours that those three continue to put into every show that we perform.  Remembering costumes like the Black Knight, and the Diva that was Lady of the Lake, not to mention all those knights, laker girls, and peasants.

Bev Winters, Alison Jones and Elijah Stanger-Jones, always about, always on hand, creating props, building sets, running errands, painting sets, creating costumes, always with an attention to detail – always there and never properly thanked. Thank-you!

Sally Egan and Deb Cunningham painted faces and complemented outfits with subtle dashes of rouge or blush, or soot or glitter – touching up and powdering throughout the show.

Vicki Aland for always having us on the right foot, and kicking with our left.

Thanks to Rhonda Kerr for working the sound desk, for changing and purchasing batteries.

Evol Hatton, Cilla Ryan, Warren Landsey, Judy Whyfoon and team were the faces of Dubbo Theatre Company Inc., working the front of house prior to the performances and at interval as servers of supper.

A wonderful cast and production team that worked hard at working bees and at rehearsals with plenty of laughter and enthusiasm all pulled together by an inspirational leader and company director in Chris Bray, who was involved in all facets of the production, transposing her dreams to reality, creating the masterpiece that was the NSW premiere of Spamalot.

MASSIVE GROUNDS CLEAN-UP

Many people would not be aware of the extensive work undertaken by Alan Stanger on behalf of all members of Dubbo Theatre Company Inc., unless of course you have ventured around the side of the shed, down the back and had an inkling of what was there before.  Alan has single-handedly for the most part removed the many piles of fallen timber, and garden cuttings which littered the ground surrounding the DATS Shed, some of which are culminations of 15 years of refuse. I believe he has removed more than 20 trailer loads of rubbish, much of which was collected during his lunch break at work, and transported out to the Dubbo Tip. 

Further, Alan organised to have a grader come in and flatten out certain areas of the surrounding landscape, and scrape away rocky debris.  You will also notice Alan’s handy work out the front of the shed, where Alan has compacted a layer of blue metal and cement, to create a useful area for parking, or set design, or for social gatherings. 

Not only is Alan an incredible asset to have behind the scenes with his set construction and stage management, but also in his dedication, thoughtfulness and diligence towards the aesthetics of the shed and its surrounds.  Fantastic Job, Mate! And a very big thankyou from us all!  

SHED VANDALISED

Most of you would now be aware that the DATS shed was broken into and vandalised in the middle of last year.  In a spate of attacks across eastern Dubbo, the shed was broken into in the early hours of Saturday morning after one of the Performances of our play Mixed Doubles.  Graffiti of walls, properties and costumes was the main damage done, with many of our historical pantomime costumes being damaged beyond repair.  Subsequent calls for replacement costumes from the community have yielded some wonderful donations, both of costumes and material and we extend our thanks to those people who could assist.

MIXED DOUBLES

Dubbo Theatre Company’s second production for 2009 was a collection of plays broadly titled “Mixed Doubles – an Entertainment on Marriage”.  Involving eight 15 minute (approx) plays involving different couples intertwined with some wonderful musical numbers, Mixed Doubles was performed 4 times to well received audiences.

The entire show was directed by Chris Bray, with individual plays being directed by 3 company members - Chris Bray, Allyn Smith and Allan Youngson.

Involving simple sets, and costumes, the show encouraged the actors to set the scene through their portrayal of their character. 

Thanks must be given to Allan Stanger and Terry Clark who ran a tight ship backstage, and to Bev Winters who prompted all eight plays from 5-6 different locations throughout the Civic Centre. 

Deb Cunningham, Christine Grieg and Margaret Gibb once again excelled themselves with costumes, whilst, Alan Stanger, Terry Clark, Chris Bray, Allyn Smith and Bev Winters did a remarkable job of creating 8 simplistic but imaginative sets. 

To Evol Hatton and Christine Grieg for their front of house work and for organising suppers.

We thought Eddy Whyfoon would be tested with this set, providing lighting for 3 different stages, but he handled it with ease.

Big thanks to Rhonda Kerr who worked the sound desk and kept us audible.

To Vicki Aland for help with the choreography.

Thanks again to Sally Egan for her wonderful make-up skills.

A big thankyou to Bev Winters for the incredible tickets and programmes, they looked amazing.

Stellar acting performances by Michaela Davis, Andy Carolan, Jo Gibb, James Eddy, Janet Elliot, Chris Bray, Cliff Powell, Allyn and Lydia Smith, Cilla Ryan and Greg Markwick, together with Evol Hatton and Warren Landsey.

Many thanks to Raelene Burn for her piano forte skills and for the following performers for the musical numbers:  Vincent Rattanachatukorn, Laura Field, Dannielle MacBeth, Susie Rowley, Allyn and Lydia Smith, Donna Spillane, David Gibb, and Deb Cunningham.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Dubbo Theatre Company’s final production for the year was the pantomime “Beauty and the Beast”.  In the same vein as other DATS pantomimes, the story called for elaborate costumes, a massive cast, wonderful songs and dances, and excitement from start to finish.  Some wonderful audition days made for hard decisions to cast the show, however, I think on reflection the directing team managed to do a pretty good job.  Dropping a show from our weekend of performances, DATS performed four shows to over 600 people who all seemed to enjoy the show immensely.

Some wonderful performances by Dannielle MacBeth as Belle, Carole Middleton as Marselle, Alison Jones as Cogsworth, Jessica Camplin as Lumiere, Susie Rowley as Gaston, and Krystal MacBeth as Lefou, along with a strong supporting cast too numerous too mention.

Many thanks to Di Pascoe, Lindy Blekemore, Vicki Aland and Chris Bray who took charge of the chorus and turned them into an enthusiastic, polished, musical and performing ensemble.  Also to the same people for their extensive work with the leads in perfecting harmonies, projecting voices, giving stage direction and getting them dancing.

To Deb Cunningham, Christine Grieg, Margaret Gibb, Julie Farquar, Andy Carolan, and Alison Jones – my goodness – the costumes were amazing.  We expected nothing less, but then it is always astonishing to see what truly incredible creations you can all create. My hat is always off to you all.  Thankyou once again.

Alan Stanger – almost stumped him this time with the confounded Rose – but as always he came through in the end with flying colours.  The invention – amazing – how does that mind work???

Thanks Sally Egan (and Charlotte too) for a mammoth effort with the make-up this year – it looked spectacular.

To Allyn Smith on sound – wonderful mate. Sounded great and to balance so many microphones on stage at once – great job.

To the front of house and supper team – Evol, Cilla, Warren, and Colleen – once again thanks.

And finally to Eddy Whyfoon who has been lighting Dubbo Theatre Company Shows since the Civic Centre first opened in 1969 and has continued for 40 years until the company performed its last show in the Dubbo Civic Centre in November 2009.  You have the heartfelt thanks of a grateful company for all the incredible hours you have put in to lighting our shows over such a long and wonderful time period.  As we move forward in anticipation of our next performance in the new tiered theatre we do so knowing that as always Eddy Whyfoon our lighting director and wonderful friend will be walking beside us - ready for the next challenge. 

CHRISTMAS PARTY & THE BRUCE GORDON MEMORIAL TROPHY

Dubbo Theatre Company held its 2009 Christmas Party at the DATS Shed at 14 Aspen Road on Sunday 20th December. At the party the Bruce Gordon Trophy for Excellence in Theatre was awarded to Eddy Whyfoon.  Congratulations Eddy on being a very worthy recipient of the Trophy.
At the conclusion of the party, many of us headed down to number one oval, to join in the Christmas Carol celebrations, as pantomime characters in the crowds and as members of the mixed choir on the Club House balcony.  Some wonderful performances by members of the company were heard on the night.

CANBERRA AREA THEATRE AWARDS

For the first time, Dubbo Theatre Company joined the Canberra Area Theatre Awards (C.A.T.) which is the amateur equivalent of the Oscars.  The CAT Awards began in 1995 and involve Theatre Companies from Canberra and the surrounding region – spreading outwards from Canberra, to places like Dubbo, Parkes, Orange, and Wagga, to submit their annual production program to be assessed by a panel of Judges nominated by the C.A.T board.  Theatre Company’s pay a subscription each year to be included in their membership, and are required to make available 6 pairs of tickets to each of their productions.  Being our inaugural year last year, Chris and I decided to put forward our musical production of Spamalot, as the only performance in which we were judged. We accordingly made available 6 pairs of tickets which were used by judges during our production of Spamalot..  This year we intend to put all our shows up for inclusion in the C.A.T. awards.
It is with pride that we received nominations in two categories of the musical production component of the awards:

Firstly to Allyn Smith, who was nominated in the category for the –
Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical; and

Secondly to Deborah Cunningham, who was nominated in the category for the –
Best Costume Designer for a Musical.

Fitting nominations to two members of our company who always give so much.

Also the Dubbo Theatre Company cast of Spamalot involved in the musical number “Knights of the Round Table” has been asked to perform this production number at the Awards Night which is to be held at the Canberra Theatre on Saturday 20th February.  This is an amazing opportunity in our inaugural year in the awards to be asked to perform in front of a 1000 people in a tiered theatre, in our Nations Capital. Over 30 members of the company will travel down on Saturday morning to dazzle the audience on Saturday night with one of the crowd favourite numbers from our show.

Congratulations and “Break a Leg” to all Cast and Crew involved and to our two Award Nominees.

AND FINALLY….

Before I finish I would like to ask those present to put their hands together for our Secretary and Company Director – Christine Bray, who was recognised for her extraordinary contribution to the Dubbo Community and surrounding region by being named Dubbo Citizen of the Year for 2010 at the Australia Day Awards late last month.

Finally, a big thank you to the Executive of Dubbo Theatre Company – Allyn Smith, Chris Bray and Bev Winters, and to our Committee Members – Alison Jones, Dianne Pascoe and Lindy Blekemore, for all their hard work over the past year. 

Thank you

Jamie Foster
17th February 2010