NEWSLETTER 2 - JULY 2000

Welcome to the second edition of our new-style newsletter, and thanks to everybody who has either submitted suggestions or made contributions.

The Society has recently gone through an amazingly busy period of activity, with the Spring Concert Tour, Millennium Cavalcade, and the concert for the Friends of Auxerre all successfully behind us.

Work on Sweet Charity has begun, and we’re all now looking forward to an enjoyable Summer and Autumn of rehearsals and social events.

The next newsletter will be produced around mid October, so if you have any ideas or contributions please be sure to pass them on. Remember, this is for you, our members and friends, and we’d very much like to hear what you have to say.

Spring Concert Tour

This years concert tour, Songs Of The Century, turned out to be our most successful ever, both in terms of revenue generated for the Society and the hosting venues, and the number of tickets sold. In fact, the total of 925 ticket sales was almost 200 more than 1999’s Hooray for Hollywood, and reversed a downward trend in audience figures over the past four years.

Many thanks to everybody who promoted the tour and sold these extra tickets. Those of us involved with the production have already been thanked and had our accolades, but the real unsung heroes of our Society are, as always, those members who do their utmost to put as many ‘bums on seats’ as they possibly can. Thanks again.

Millennium Cavalcade

This excellent production shows just what we can achieve in a short period of time with good planning and lots of commitment.

Whilst some members had concerns about the show, particularly coming so soon after the concert tour, these were all dispelled once we realised that we were part of such an enjoyable and rewarding venture.

The following review was kindly written for us by a friend of the Society, Gill Huddlestone:

“Thank you for the music…”

It must be some two years ago since the idea of a combined concert with local societies was mentioned to me. The 23rd and 24th June brought this idea into fruition.

Studying the programme we were well aware that this was going to be a great night of music and entertainment, and we were not disappointed.

From the opening of the first half with ABOS walking on stage so elegantly dressed in black with just the right amount of sparkle, to the complete contrast in the second half with ROS in summer-time attire.

Many of our audiences wouldn’t have the chance of seeing the various operettas/musical comedies if their local societies didn’t stage them. This concert gave the performers the opportunity to recreate the parts they had previously played, and the audience to enjoy them once again.

We came out of the theatre on a high. Congratulations to all those who had the idea, and worked so hard on selecting the music, staging, etc. The accompaniment was really good and sympathetic to those on stage. Much credit must go to the two very talented Musical Directors.

Yes, thank you all for the music – it was truly a wonderful night.

Gill Huddlestone

Let’s Be Sociable!

Hiya! With Sweet Charity rehearsals now well under way, we thought we’d better sort out a few nice social events for us all!

Remember, it’s your society, and we want your input as to what you’d like to do: that walk on the Malvern Hills you keep thinking about, but never do; that show you’d like to see, but can’t get anybody to go.

I have produced some sheets with ideas on. If any of them take your fancy, simply tick the appropriate box, or even come up with ideas of your own. Like any social event, it has to be well organised and well supported, so we hope everybody shows an interest in this exercise.

This October sees the return of our Quiz Night – always a lot of fun, and look out for our Fireworks Night in November, too.

The new weekly raffle is going brilliantly. Thanks to everybody for supporting it, and congratulations to our winners so far – especially Alison Adams who was the first winner of the ‘rollover jackpot’ of £12 – well worth that 25p a go! You can book your lucky numbers in advance, so even if you’re not in the current show, there’s no reason to miss out.

Anyway, let’s see those forms regarding social ideas flooding in – and lets have fun, fun, fun!!

Michelle Hill, Social Secretary

Feeling Left Out?

Are your family and friends feeling left out? Would they like to feel more involved and a part of the Society without being in the productions? Or maybe you are a past member who, for various reasons, cannot take part at present?

Why not become one of our Vice-Presidents?

For as little as £5 per year (more, if you insist!) we will keep you informed on productions and activities; give you priority bookings for our shows; send newsletters; add your name to our Vice-Presidents list in the programme; and invite you and your guest to join us for our President’s Reception during the interval of the Friday performance at the theatre.

Interested? Then please contact our Secretary, Ann Duffin, on 01527 527363.

Alan Leadbeater, President

At the A.G.M.

The Annual General Meeting was held on Tuesday 16 May.

For those who were not able to attend, here is a list of committee members elected at the meeting: Julian Wilson was re-elected as Chairman; Ann Duffin re-elected as Secretary; Pearl Taylor re-elected as Treasurer; Tony Lacey re-elected as Business Manager; Jean Chalk re-elected as Subscription Secretary and Michelle Hill elected as the new Social Secretary.

Four ‘general’ committee members were also elected: newcomers John Baker and Jean Leadbeater, and previous members Marcus Bridger and Tracy Rees (although Tracy has since had to step down due to work and other commitments).

At the first committee meeting after the AGM, Alan Leadbeater was unanimously re-elected as President of the Society and Norma Kift, David Duffin and Tony Jay were co-opted into their usual positions as Musical Director, Stage Director and Publications/Marketing Manager respectively.

The committee were particularly delighted, at this year’s AGM, to award the Society’s highest accolade – that of Life Membership – to two long serving and loyal members: Ann Duffin and Alan Hirons. Our sincere thanks go to both of them for their dedication to the Society and their hard work over the years.

Welcome New Members

Since the production of our last newsletter back in April, we’ve been lucky to find another wonderful accompanist to help take some of the burden from Michael Higgins. We’d like to officially welcome Pauline Sherlock, and thank her for already making such a contribution to the Society.

New acting members joining us for Sweet Charity include Joy and Emma Hatt, Richard Keeley, Laura Poyner and Louisa Pickles.

We’d like to extend a warm welcome to them (and anyone else who has joined since this newsletter was produced) and hope that they’ll be loyal members for many years to come, and soon feel right at home amongst us.

Audition Results

Auditions for Sweet Charity were held on Sunday 16 July at Ipsley First School. Well done to everybody who prepared an audition, the standard of which was, as ever, extremely high.

Congratulations to the following members who have taken the principal roles as follows:

• Alison Adams (Charity)
• Penny Hoy (Helene)
• Liz Bird (Nickie)
• Michelle Hill (Carmen)
• Gemma Matthew (Rosie)
• Rosalyn Chalk (Ursula)
• Julian Wilson (Oscar)
• Tony Jay (Herman)
• John Hall (Vittorio Vidal)
• Mark Williams (Daddy Brubeck)

Well done, too, all the hostesses and dancers. And let’s now make it a real show to remember!

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