by Trevor Osburn, President
What a wonderful year we have had! With four very different shows but each successful in their own way.
We started with Seminar - with sharp dialogue and a slew of bitter, jaded, pretentious characters. But it was a smart and fast-paced exercise for a crew of talented performers. We thank Kirsten Page for bringing it to life on the Beaumaris stage.
Company - Colin Armstrong was able to deliver a magnificent show that is composed of short stories, about Robert and his impending 35th birthday. This is a Sondheim classic brought to the stage the most magnificent singers and outstanding Sabbatucci choreography. Malcom Huddle brought the score to life with a small but talented orchestra. 10 sell-out shows was a fitting tribute to the efforts of this outstanding creative team.
Pillow Talk - Andy Payne is a local playwright with a story that touched us all in some way. Beaumaris Theatre takes great pride in recognising the work of creative people and this was the second play written by Andy. As the director said himself 'Pillow Talk is a window into the lives of a happily married couple and their family, at a time of crisis. But can we really be asked to keep the promises made in the first flushes of romance?' Andy and his team were able to bring together this poignant story with a lovely mixture of laughter and sadness. Some special "after show Q&As" also added a voice to the show and the subject of assisted dying.
Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story - 13 sellout shows was a magnificent outcome for Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story with a big big star brought to life. Debbie Keyt, Camilla Klesman and Rhonda Vaughan made Buddy an inspired choice to bring to the Beaumaris stage. Congratulations on the set design of Pietro Giordano and the hours of work putting up the festoon curtains by Milanka Giordano, Cheryllyn deVries and Deb Carpenter. Together with the outstanding 50s costumes by Jenni Osburn made Buddy an outstanding success.
We acknowledge all the support we have had for our Charity nights, Relay for Life Trivia Night (March), Australia's Biggest (& Latest) Morning Tea (May), Broadway with a Twist (September); Betty’s Babies Comedy Night (September) and Beyond Blue Trivia Night (October).
A big thanks to our Talbot adjudicators who watched all the shows and identified pieces of creativity that required some recognition. This year our adjudicators were Trish Angliss, who has spent a number of years as President of ASPECT and has worked tirelessly in local community theatre for 20 years as both on stage and backstage; Stephen Shinkfield, a well-respected actor, director and set designer, Stephen is a highly sought after actor and a VDL winner; David Krause, highly involved with Peoples Playhouse as an actor, director and has spent some time on their committee and as president.
Special thank you to Kerry Hollier who has managed our Front of House rosters for the last 3 years and did it this year with the added difficulty of " treading the boards" herself. We would like to thank our generous sponsors the Bayside Council, Bendigo Bank and especially Duncan Thompson Extensions.
Thank you to our hard-working Committee.