2010 was once again an exciting year for Dubbo Theatre Company Inc.  The completion of the new tiered theatre had many in the company buzzing in excitement and trepidation of an improved venue in which to tread the boards.  Tours of the theatre in the lead up to its opening, gave company members a sense of the excitement to come of performing in a world class venue with dedicated and experienced technical staff and first class infrastructure.  DATS leapt into the year with a full repertoire including:

 

2010 started with auditions for our first production: Alarms and Excursions – a collection of 8 plays written by the famous farcical playwright Michael Frayn.  The plays varied in length, but were designed around a common theme of technology, human interaction and relationships.  A strong turn out for auditions made casting a tough job for the directors; however, we seemed to mange to get the right mix. 
Like the previous production of “Mixed Doubles” there were many different rehearsal periods catering for the large number of individual plays and rotating cast.  Some nights saw cast members dash from the Conservatorium to the shed or vice versa to make rehearsals. 
Sets, staging, costumes and properties for 8 different shows had to be created, built, made and gathered and the order of plays – jigged to cater for costume changes, set changes, and interval times.  The eight plays ranged from 6 minutes to 50 minutes, and involved a cast in excess of 30.
Congratulations to all involved both behind the scenes and on stage on a fabulous debut performance in the new Dubbo Regional Theatre and Conference Centre.  Also to James Eddy whose attempts at Method Acting in his portrayal of Dietrich in a wheelchair was too believable for words.  Great to have you in the audience James, but even better to have you back with us in the cast of Joseph.

 

I February, the Dubbo Theatre Company held its Annual General Meeting.  The executive from last year was returned again for another year, and I would like to thank Christine Bray, Allyn Smith, and Bev Winters for their dedication, diligence and hard work again this year.  Also, the DATS committee was elected with the company electing four members instead of the previous three.  I would like to extend my gratitude to our committee members Diane Pascoe, Evol Hatton, Lindy Blekemore and Alison Jones – for their hard work and contributions this year.  I would also like to congratulate our Company Director – Christine Bray for being named Dubbo Citizen of the Year for 2010 – a thoroughly deserved award for such an important member of our Company.

 

After 53 years as a recognised company, DATS elected their first group of Life Members – which were presented to the floor during the AGM.  Congratulations to Bruce Gordon, Ailsa Cunningham and John Doust for their posthumous election to the title of Life Member of the Company and to Eddy Whyfoon and Vicki Aland for their election to the title of Life Member of Dubbo Theatre Company Inc.
The Life Membership Board – will hang in honour in the Green Room of the Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre.

 

Also, in February, along with rehearsals and AGM’s, many of the cast and crew and supporters involved in the production number “Knights of the Round Table” from the NSW premier of the Monty Python Musical “Spamalot” travelled to Canberra to perform in the Canberra Area Theatre Awards 2010 (Night of Nights), and to barrack for our Award nominees:  Allyn Smith (Actor in a Featured Role), and Deb Cunningham (Costume Design in a Musical).  A great weekend saw 25-30 members travel down to Canberra to perform an abridged version of the musical number, dress up to the nines and watch our very own talented Allyn Smith take out the award “Best Actor in a Featured Role”.  Many thanks to the organisers of the trip, Evol Hatton, Christine Bray, Bev Winters, and to Deb Cunningham for the entertainment on the bus.  Also to Di Pascoe for modifying the 7:42 of original music and creating an abridged 3:25 version to which we performed.  Congratulations to Deb Cunningham and her team who have had three of their costumes from the 2010 Pantomime requested for the “Parade of Costumes” at the 2011 Canberra Area Theatre Awards.

Dubbo Theatre Company has recieved 6 nominations in the 2011 Canberra Area Theatre Awards. Christine Bray has been nominated for Best Set Design in a Musical, Deborah Cunningham has been nominated for Best Costumes in a Musical and again for Best Costumes in a Pantomime. Alan Stanger has been nominated for Technical Achievement for Construction of the Pharaoh Mask, Michael Carolan has been nominated for Best Variety Performance by an Individual or Ensemble, and Justin Huntsdale has been nomnated for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical. Dubbo Theatre Company has also been asked to perform the Michael Frayn play "Look Away Now", as well as feature in the Parade of Costumes.

 

 

Our play Alarms and Excursions was performed in the first and second weeks of May.  Six weeks prior to these performances, our Musical and Vocal Directors – Di Pascoe and Lindy Blekemore began rehearsals on our Musical; auditioning vocalists for the Ensemble, Adult and Children’s Choir of our 2010 musical “Joseph”.  Three weeks prior to the Performances of Alarms and Excursions, a majority of the Cast of Joseph began rehearsing for the show.  An indication of the hectic scheduling of Dubbo Theatre Company productions, with two shows involving 70+ cast members and a dedicated production team and crew, the rehearsals for Joseph, and the final rehearsals and performances of Alarms and Excursions went off without a hitch (James….. not a word out of you).  Once again, a great effort by all of those involved and a special thanks to the production team of both shows, many of whom are the same for both.

 

The full cast of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, began rehearsing together in the third week of May.  With a little over 12 weeks of rehearsals from the start of May until opening night, a massive effort was required of all cast and production members.  Our incredibly talented and supremely dedicated Director – Christine Bray, surrounded herself with a passionate production team, and I must mention the extraordinary efforts of the Musical & Vocal Directors – Di Pascoe and Lindy Blekemore, the Costume Designer – Deb Cunningham – and that wonderful finale coat, and her team of Christine Grieg, Margaret Gibb and Julie Farquar. Make-up – Sally Egan and her wonderful team, Choreography – Vicki Aland, Front of House – Evol Hatton,  Lighting Design – Ross McDonald, Shane Loman and Eddy Whyfoon, Sound Design – Damien Dean and Allyn Smith. Asst Director – Bev Winters,  Sets and Properties – Chris Bray, Terry Clark, Deb Cunningham, Bev Winters, Rebecca Matthews, Andy Carolan, Alison Jones, Wayne Howlett, and Ray Dawson.  And one of the most incredible properties ever created – that amazing Pharoahs Mask by Alan Stanger.
Joseph saw Dubbo Theatre Company fling open its arms and gratefully accept many new wonderful members of our community into its ranks.  Singers in the adult and children’s choir, members of our Ensemble, and Brotherhood, were embraced and encouraged and incorporated into the fold.  This was also reflected in our production team, with costume creation, set building and make-up design as well as many other areas as well.
With a complete cast – Joseph started gaining momentum as we ploughed forwards towards the Opening of the DRTCC and our own Opening Night.  Rehearsals were chaotic and often carried out in multiple rooms in the Conservatorium. Costume fittings, and photo shoots, combined with vocal polishing and choreography, and staging and tweaking, were the norm for many of those 12 weeks of rehearsals.  The vocal dynamics though – from just outside the auditorium doors was amazing, and the pride many of us felt as we walked back in to join the throng and continue our march to opening night was euphoric.
Dubbo Theatre Company dazzled at the Opening of the Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre, which further boosted our record breaking ticket sales.  8 shows in the new theatre with a potential audience capacity of around 3,700 was a daunting prospect for the production team in the beginning.  3,473 tickets were issued for the 8 performances with 5 of those being sold-out houses.
We unleashed our passion and energy, and our love of musical theatre on Dubbo and the surrounding region on Thursday 29th July, and experienced 2 weeks of musical joy as we dazzled wonderfully receptive audiences with great harmonies, toe-tapping music, sure footed moves, brilliant costumes and jaw-dropping sets.  We created the vision that for nearly a year had been bouncing off the insides of Chris Bray mind.  Wow – what a show!

 

Late August should have been a time for contemplation, however for many of us, extra-curricular activities like work, and family life, and other hobbies interceded themselves back in our consciousness with force and we were all soon flat-out with other ventures.  I for one was trying very hard to source a Pantomime script, from County Wexford Ireland.

 

Mid-October (creeping towards the end of October) saw many DATS members re-assemble in the hall of Macquarie Conservatorium for readings of the Christmas Pantomime “Shrek and the Secret of the North Pole”.  With only 6 weeks to pull together the show we dived into the plot and worked quickly to establish characters, learn songs and dances, create scenes, make costumes and develop accents.  A wonderful effort from all who were involved both on and off the stage resulted in two sell out shows, with wonderful audience participation.  Once again I would like to thank the Production Team for their dedication to the “end result”, it’s always a pleasure working with you all – and creating wonderful theatre.  To the leads and the chorus, a wonderful portrayal of characters had the audience on the edge of their seats throughout both performances, and as you would remember the sound in the theatre was at times deafening.  To Evol Hatton and the front of house crew, thank you so much for being present and efficient in your audience activities, it’s always appreciated.  Congratulations to all of you – a wonderful show to finish the year.

 

I’d like to extend a big thank you once again to Alan Stanger and Bev Winters who have spent countless hours this year ensuring that the Dubbo Theatre Company Shed and surrounds are clean and tidy.  These two have mowed, removed rubbish, tidied up, and undertaken general maintenance in and around the shed all year.

 

Thanks also to Allyn Smith and Susie Rowley who performed “The Song that Goes Like This” from the musical Spamalot – these two were the face of Dubbo Theatre Company at the 2011 Subscription Launch late last month.  Their rendition of the songs was well received and a great reflection of the talent in the company.

 

Next Sunday 19th December is the Annual Dubbo Carols by Candlelight. This is normally held at Number One Oval off Darling St, and will once again be there weather permitting.  The cast of the pantomime is requested ever year to move through the crowds at the beginning of the concert – engaging with the public and enjoying the festivities of the occasion.  There will be more emails from organisers to follow.

 

The Dubbo Theatre Company Christmas Party will be held at 3:00pm, on the 19th December 2010, at the DATS Shed.  BYO Drinks and please bring a plate.  I look forward to seeing you all there.

 

The Bruce Gordon Memorial Trophy winner (For Excellence in Theatre) for 2010 was Alan Stanger.  This award has been handed out for over 12 years now and recognises the contributions of a member of the company for work in creating excellent Theatre. 

 

Our first show in 2011 will be “The Venetian Twins”.  This show is a small musical with 9 cast members that is very fast in delivery and requires confidence in characterisation and knowledge of lines.  Casting of this show has been limited to people who have the required vocal ranges to undertake each part and are within intended age groups for each character.  This show appears as the Dubbo Theatre Company’s contribution in the DRTCC’s Subscription Booklet for the 2011 season. 

 

Next February, Dubbo Theatre Company will be holding its AGM.  Nominations for Life Members will be accepted up to a week prior to this meeting, in which the date will be announced in January.  Criteria and the nomination form for Life Members are available on our website: www.dubbotheatrecompany.com.au

On behalf of the Executive and Committee of Dubbo Theatre Company, I would like to thank you all for a wonderful inaugural year in the new Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre, for your involvement and dedication in the wonderful performances that we have created over the past year, and for your friendship and participation with Dubbo Theatre Company.  Our company is in a wonderfully strong position, and we look forward to another successful season on the boards next year.  I wish you all a happy, safe and prosperous festive season with plenty of joy and relaxation. 

 

See you in 2011.

 

Jamie Foster.