Page . 1 . B A C K S T A G E The Newsletter of Sunnybank Theatre Group Inc

www.stg.org.au October, 2009

“Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again” .

Max (Lindsay Fletcher) brings the Mrs. De Winter encounters Alison Pattinson as the formidable, Mrs. De Winter stands by her new Mrs. De Winter (Vicky the charm of the villain Jack obsessed and malicious husband, Max, during the Devon) to his Manderley mansion. Favell (Michael Lawrence) Mrs. Danvers tense final scenes. “It definitely seems like burning of Manderley for only yesterday we were the climax of the play auditioning and now it is and the excellent Sound all over. Judging from Effects and use of the our audience’s comments, original sound track of reactions & compliments, Rebecca, courtesy of Rebecca was very popular Andrew. and well received. I have been an unashamed Rebecca-holic for many I had the luxury of working with a cast and crew that years, and you all helped me fulfill my dream of was as committed, enthusiastic and passionate as Directing Rebecca at myself about Daphne du S.T.G. I am immensely Maurier’s beautifully proud to have worked written play. Kay, my with you all.” wonderful Assistant Director and I had an Anne Ross (Director) enormous amount of pleasure working with you and watching the resulting polished performances.

A very big thank you to all the crew, Robin, Kay, Morris and Frank that built our beautiful Manderley set in record time, Linda who helped us with costumes, David, Brittany and Andrew with Lighting, Sound and Special effects, Courtney, Joanne and Kay backstage, Serena and Mary who helped with hair, make-up and costumes in the dressing rooms, Janet CAST AND CREW OF “REBECCA” and her hard working Front of House crew and last but not least Robin who kept us well supplied with coffee during rehearsals. The cast & I appreciate all your help for without you the show could not go on.

A special mention must be made of the hours of thought and work that David put into the Page . 2 . From the President’s Computer. A big hello again to all our members and a warm welcome to our newcomers.

Where has this year gone? As another Newsletter rolls out, another show came to an end. Who would have thought that a Daphne du Maurier’s classic would attract such a huge interest? ‘ Rebecca ’ was offered to the Artistic Committee by Anne Ross as a safety line when our much anticipated second musical for the year “Nunsenations” was unable to proceed. Congratulations to Anne, her wonderful cast and crew and on a personal note, I had a lot of fun working with you all as the Assistant Director.

Rehearsals for ‘ Out of Order’ are in full swing with Director Chris Guyler and his assistant Colin Robinson. The show will run from 20 November to 5 December 2009. I am certain you will be in for a good laugh.

Your continued support of our last raffle has already provided sufficient monies which will go to installing an air conditioner in the dressing rooms. For those who have experienced the heat in summer, in particular the matinees as the rooms face the west, will soon experience a cooool relief.

As we near the end of our first year, it is a good time to look back and reflect on what has been achieved. A very big THANK YOU must go to all those who helped make the 2009 Season a success. My sincere gratitude to the Management and Artistic Committee members for your support, advice and most importantly your own wealth of knowledge which helped me to recognise the balance between business outcomes and artistic achievements.

I look forward to 2010 knowing there is still so much more we can offer our loyal members and patrons. The challenge is to reach those goals and to further advance this wonderful community theatre. To you and your loved ones have a safe and healthy festive season.

Until 2010 Kay Halford “Noises Off”… Audition Call for ……. a brief synopsis….

Michael Frayn uses the age old “ Noises Off ” concept of a ‘play within a play’ in this case a dreadful sex comedy by Michael Frayn entitled “Nothing On”! A typical farce where girls run around in their underwear and some men Director—Pam Cooper drop their trousers and many doors get opened and shut! Each AUDITION DATE: Sunday 13 December 2009 at 1.30pm of the three acts of “Noises Off” features a performance of the WHERE: At STG Theatre, 14 Mains Road, Sunnybank 4109 ‘first act’ of ‘Nothing On’, the first (Cnr Mains and Beenleigh Roads) of which is a final dress rehearsal the night before opening with cast SEASON RUNS: 5 to 20 March 2010 fumbling their way through their lines, cues and entrances and

Characters Required : 4 Female and 5 Male…..approx ages shown exits! Act Two takes us through a • Dotty Otley (50’s) actress, forgetful. Dating Garry Wednesday Matinee performance a month later, but we see the Belinda Blair (40’s) cheerful & sensible, reliable actress ‘play’ from backstage this time, Poppy Norton-Taylor (30’s) Emotional, over sensitive A.S.M providing a view that reveals the Brooke Ashton (20’s) young inexperienced ‘’ actress deteriorating personal • Lloyd Dallas (30-40’s) Director of the ‘play’ tempera- relationships among the cast! Finally in Act Three we see a mental performance near the end of the Garry Lejeune (late 20’s) stuttering actor, easily fired up ten week run when personal Frederick Fellows (40’s) Actor, a fear of violence & blood friction has mounted and Selsdon Mowbray (50+) Elderly, alcoholic-hides the bottle everyone is bored, anxious to be done with the play! The ‘actors’ Timothy Allgood (20/30’s)Stage Manager & “understudies” attempt to cover up the mishaps but only compound the problems Scripts : If you would like to read a script, please contact Pam and drawing attention to the bungling she will organise to get a copy to you. performance. Much of the comedy that Michael Frayn writes Call Pam on 0402145158 . emerges from the subtle varia-

tions in each version as the off- Because of the fairly complex staging and nature of the play, we stage chaos affects on-stage per- will be having our first read through, all being well, Wednesday formances with a great deal of 16 th December. Thereafter the next rehearsal will be 5th January slapstick. Definitely a challenge 2010. I understand the holiday period may have complications for those in the cast performing the two characters of an ‘actor’ for some, but if you would like to discuss your situation, maybe and the ‘role’ of the actor in the ‘play within the play’! Page . 3 .

2010 Season Launch You’re all invited to attend the STG 2010 Season Launch on Thursday, November 12 at 7pm.

Come along to find out more information about all of the shows being staged in 2010 and also about the great deals you can get as a theatre subscriber.

Please RSVP to Fiona Tainton on 3255 5800, or 0402 454 729 by November 10. AUDITION NOTICE “LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS” Lyrics by Howard Ashman & Music by Charles Griffen Sun 31 st January 2010

Season runs …. May 21 st - June 5 th Director: Anne Ross Musical Directors: June Gemmell & Robyn Ryan

Principals required Vocal Ranges SYNOPSIS Seymour Low G to high G An insecure, nerdy florist’s assistant in a Skid Row flower shop discovers an exotic little plant that he calls Audrey Low A to high D Belt Audrey II with a bizarre craving for fresh blood. It grows Mr. Mushnik Low G to high E flat & grows into an alien singing creature hell-bent on taking over the world. We follow the hilarious exploits of Orin Low G to high F Seymour & his girlfriend as they try to deal with the Voice of Plant (AudreyII) Low B flat to high G Belt entertaining but ill-tempered carnivorous plant. The show was written as an affectionate spoof of the Crystal Low B flat to high F Belt 1950’s sci-fi movies. A cast of all ages for principal roles Ronnette Low B flat to high E Belt & small chorus needed to bring this delightfully-dark musical comedy to life. Chiffon Low B flat to high C Belt Choreographer: Serena Altea Assistant Director: Vicky Devon

Page . 4 .

The hugely successful, sidesplitting Comedy by a master of farce, ! Winner of the 1991 Olivier Award for Comedy of the Year! It’s time to book your seats!

Season from 20 November --- 5 December 2009

Bookings openopenopen this Saturday 24 October

Box Office lines will open 10.00am

Tickets also available at the Theatre’s Box Office

Set in the Westminster Hotel opposite the Houses of Parliamnet in London. Richard Willey, a Government Minister, plans to spend the evening with Jane Worthington, one of the Opposition’s typists! Things go disastrously wrong when they discover a “body” trapped in the hotel’s only unreliable sash window! Desperately trying to get out of a sticky situation, Richard calls for his Parliamentary Private Secretary George Pigden who, through Richard’s lies sinks further and further into trouble with everybody and ends up going through an identity crisis! Things go from bad to worse with the arrival of Ronnie, Jane’s distraught young husband and with the addition of an unscrupulous waiter, Mrs. Willey and Nurse Foster, things really come to a head! Don’t miss this one, it’s a very funny script and a bit naughty, but it’s BBBrBrrriiiittttiiiisssshhhh FFFaFaaarrrrcccceeee aaatattt iiitittt’’’’ssss bbbebeeesssstttt dddidiiirrrreeeecccctttteeeedddd bbbybyyy CCChChhhrrrriiiissss GGGuGuuuyyyylllleeeerrrr.... Page . 5 . Now you’ve bought your tickets for a very funny comedy, let’s tell you a little more!

The author, Ray Cooney, started his career in theatre in 1946 as a young actor aged 14 appearing in many of the famous “Whitehall Farces” at the Whitehall Theatre near Trafalgar Square which were produced by the well known ! Eventually Cooney turned to co-writing with many other famous writers and his first play “One for the Pot” ran for years there in Whitehall. He then went on to write many plays himself and has had 17 of his plays performed in London including his biggest success “” which ran for nine years in the ’West End’ and became its longest running comedy! Cooney's farces combine a traditional British bawdiness with structural complication, as characters leap to assumptions, are forced to pretend to be things that they aren't, and often talk at cross-purposes to hilarious effect. In 1983 he created his own theatre company “Theatre of Comedy Company” in conjunction with some 30 other leading actors, writers and directors and the following year it purchased the West End’s as its base! Ray Cooney became the company’s Artistic Director and other existing members include such names as Tom Conti, and ! In 2005 Ray Cooney was awarded an OBE in recognition of his services to drama. It’s not surprising that all his scripts have been so successful and you will enjoy Ray Cooney’s style of traditional British farce and wonderful assumptions as each of the characters is thrown into even more complications!

Don’t forget, if you haven’t got round to it yet, tickets are on sale from October 24, 2009 at 10am ! Visit www.stg.org.au, or CALL 3345 3964 to book and make any necessary enquiries. A reminder that our show times are 2:00 PM for matinees and 8:00 PM for evenings. See you there!

“Rebecca” Raffle Winner Some News from

Congratulations to the First the Committee

Prize winner of the ‘Rebecca ’ raffle, The Management Committee Ken Moule of Dutton Park. met in August and September, and some of the outcomes from

these meetings included:

• At long last hot water system Ken won the fabulous for the showers has been English gift basket with lots of tradi- installed. Supplied mats for tional English goodies!! non slip and installed towel

hooks and railings. Raffle Ken said, "This is just wonderful. money from three I've never been to Sunnybank productions provided for the Theatre before and a friend bought purchase and installation. me a ticket. I didn't know the place • Gift certificates are now existed. It was just magical". available for purchase

through the STG Bookings Well done Ken! Page—a great gift idea for Xmas! • Four school tours of the theatre have taken place in the past ‘Have your say we’re listening’! couple of months, three from Please don’t forget we keep extending that Runcorn Primary and one from invitation to all of you to have your say in Stretton College. Stephanie the newsletter! There must be some things Ellis, Chris Guyler and David you’d like to see featured in BACKSTAGE, Gemmell gladly gave of their comments you’d like to make, let us know! time to ensure the process ran smoothly. The tours were a hit Also, we’re waiting for those talented people in any area, with the school students, and to come forward and let us know that you’re interested will help the theatre extend their in helping Sunnybank Theatre grow, such as a builder patron base, and maybe who can lend a hand with set building. Please let’s hear encourage some budding from you! Just call the theatre 3345 3964 or drop an performers to get involved in the email to Fiona Tainton, our Marketing Manager, future She’s on [email protected] Page . 6 .

STG PHOTOGRAPHY by Kayleen Gibson

Our wonderful Front of House photography in the Green Room and excellent quality of pictures for this newsletter wouldn’t be possible without the talents of our fabulous photographer, Kayleen! She supplies us with all our photographic needs in the theatre and here in the newsletter. Copies of the box office poster, Green Room collage and many other photographs are available for purchase. Just give Kayleen a call or email her: Ph: 0411 867 377 [email protected]

STG Subscriptions in 2010 The Management Committee decided at the July meeting that changes would be made to Subscriptions for the 2010 season to bring the pricing in line with new ticket prices. From 2010 onwards, there will only be one (1) class of subscriber.

The cost of a subscription will be $95 for the season which will include a program for each show attended & a choice of 5 out of 6 shows. If a ticket is also wanted for the 6th show, then this must be purchased at the same time to get the same discounted price. Additionally, a separate drinks package may be purchased at the same time which will entitle the subscriber to a drink at each show. This will be an additional $15 for a five (5) drink package.

Subscribers will also get the first choice of seats for shows, however from 2010 onwards some seats in rows A and F will be reserved for patrons with special needs. For more information, come along to our 2010 Season Launch on Thursday, November 12 at 7pm. RSVPs to Fiona Tainton on 3255 5800. As you can see, Members enjoyed themselves tremendously at our Trivia night on Friday 14th August! Everyone had a ball. A big congratulations to Jim Cliff for running the “well oiled” Trivia machine!

Our Master of Ceremonies & Question-master Jim Cliff Jim was magnificent as M.C and Question-master with his wonderful wide knowledge of many things and he acted as final judge where “the judges word was final and no correspondence would be entered into”!!!

A fabulous night was had by all, we must do it all again! Page . 7 . T h e a t r e c r a f t Special ticket deal for Some material that we hope you find useful. STG Patrons with Another interesting article from Ed Hooks ! Brisbane Arts Theatre You can't learn how to act by reading books, not even one by Stanislavsky, Meisner, Adler or Hagen. “How-to” books are interesting reading, but a cerebral understanding of acting is not Do you love Ray Cooney comedies????? going to do the trick. You learn the art & craft of acting by actually doing it on stage, the same way you learn how to ride a bike or fly a As a special offer for STG patrons, you plane. Acting is a hands-on experience kind of thing, which is why can purchase a ticket to Brisbane Arts doing it is thrilling and frightening simultaneously. You learn to swim by jumping into the deep water, not by messing around in the Theatre’s upcoming Ray Cooney wading pool. production ‘Funny Money’ for the special

Having said that, I am now going to try to explain what an price of $15 ! This is nearly a 50% saving "objective" is and why it is important to you as an actor. When you on the usual ticket price. are acting in a scene, you should have an objective 100% of the time. Think of it as a destination or a task to accomplish, an objec- The show opens on November 27 and will tive should be provable. If you want to fly to London, getting there would be your objective and you would know whether you got there! run until December 19. An objective should not be vague. "I want to be a happy person" is admirable, but it is not a viable objective for an actor in a scene To book, simply call the BAT box office on because happiness is too subjective to measure. Will we ever get 3369 2344 and quote the special to a place in life where we figure we’ve achieved apex of personal happiness? I don't think so. As an example let’s say, having a promotion code ‘STGCOONEY’. family might be a significant factor to a happiness formula. If so, then getting pregnant would be a good objective. Unless you’re not married yet, in that case a better objective would be to get a date.

One problem I have noticed is that acting teachers are not consistent in the way we use the word "objective". I recently read What’s What’s the manuscript for a new text on acting, written by an experienced on actor, and he talked about how you should "play your objective". coming That’s incorrect. You play an action in pursuit of an objective. around Getting there to London is the objective; buying an airline ticket and packing your bag for the trip are actions in pursuit of that objective. town? up soon? Taking the taxi to the airport is an action in pursuit of that objective. You may have countless actions, one after the other, all in pursuit of Apart from our upcoming productions at STG the same objective. The idea is that you pursue the objective until you either achieve it, or until another objective takes its place. Your take a look at what’s on elsewhere! pilot has to land your airplane in the Hudson River? The heck with Brisbane Arts Theatre London, now you just want to get ashore without getting your laptop “Maskerade” by Terry Pratchett season wet! That’s your new objective. Action in pursuit of an objective is already open 16 - 31 Oct part of the equation of acting, but you need conflict (obstacle) in order to make the equation theatrical. You play an action in pursuit “Funny Money” by Ray Cooney season opens of an objective while overcoming an obstacle. 27 Nov runs until 19 Dec

We’ll read more about needing ‘conflict’ & overcoming an obstacle Children's Theatre “ The Snow Queen” season in our next issue. Theatrical reality is different from regular reality. opens 27 Nov until 23 Dec Regular reality is what you get in a spa or the mall. Theatrical reality Front Row Theatre has structure, form. Ideally, directors should be able to freeze “The Hollow” by Agatha Christie season opens frame actors on stage, ask each what they are doing; they should 31 Oct - 28 Nov be able to answer in theatrical terms - action, objective, and obstacle. This is easier said than done. If stopped & asked that St Luke Theatre Society question, an actor might reply, "I am listening to Leslie." "What's “Lend Me a Tenor” a Comedy by Ken Ludwig your objective?" "To hear what he has to say." To hear what the season opens 13 - 21 November other character has to say is not a viable objective. Listening is an Harvest Rain action, but the conversation between this fellow & Leslie presumably has some point to it. Words are just a tool & acting has “Urinetown” at Roundhouse Theatre, Kelvin very little to do with words in the first place. "Why are you listening Grove. ONLY 5 shows 11- 14 Nov to Leslie?" "Okay, I want him to admit that he has been secretly Nash Theatre dating my girlfriend." Bingo! That would be a viable objective. “Rebecca” by Daphne Du Maurier … season Either he will tell you, or he won't. See what I mean? already open, runs until 14 Nov

All of which brings us back to my original point. You can't learn acting by reading a book. Now that you thoroughly understand what an objective is in acting, you need to get on a stage and start A timely reminder, don’t forget to book playing scenes. Soon enough, you’ll discover that it is not enough your tickets for “Out of Order” right now. to just be truthful, natural & spontaneous. You are going to have to Also, put the audition date in your diaries pursue objectives. With actions. While overcoming obstacles. Take it to the bank. for “Noises Off” on Sunday 13th Dec! Give Pam a call, 0402 145 158 ! By Ed Hooks Page . 8 .

“DID YOU

KNOW……..”?

We all know that a lot of us will have experienced ’those moments’ that can be terrifying, but after the event make a great read and bring a few smiles to those who have ………………...... been there done that!! During ‘Rebecca’…………………………….

DID YOU KNOW that during rehearsals there were a fair few script bloopers……Mrs Danvers was decidedly cheesed off when she announced she ‘has a dairy belonging to the late Mrs de Winter’……...I’m sorry I’ll read that again!...... maybe that should read ’diary’!

DID YOU KNOW that it took some time for our accomplished director to wrap her tongue around the name of the de Winter’s faithful butler Frithib, or was it Firth , or maybe Frirth ?

DID YOU KNOW that Favell must have thought Maxim talked Rebecca to death when he once exclaimed “Max de Winter wordered Rebecca”.

What about hair styles and hairy faces………………!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DID YOU KNOW “Tabb’s” stubble changed every night (depending on his helper) looking a little more “Blackbeard the Pirate” than Tabb the boat builder on occasion!

DID YOU KNOW Mrs de Winter’s wig had a life of its own constantly shedding those blonde hairs everywhere! She was also a little dismayed when no one recognised her on opening night in the green room. What’s more, Max made an impression on the young Mrs de Winter, frequently leaving a lovely white patch on her cheek from his greying sideburns!!

DID YOU KNOW that “Beatrice’s” stylish French roll always began, to the delight of the cast, teased up and huge with her looking like she’d just seen a ghost… Rebecca perhaps?

DID YOU KNOW that in trying her best to stay silent whilst wearing her ‘jingle jangle’ costume, an entangled ‘Beatrice’ feared she would be making an appearance with a high quality plastic green chair firmly attached to the jingles on her backside!

DID YOU KNOW that Favell showed us a different side to his nature (and a whole lot more) arriving at rehearsals one night in his show-stopping ‘speedos’ having just come from the pool!

DID YOU KNOW that Deon, our Box Office Manager, apparently was approached by a lady at his work who knew he was involved with Sunnybank Theatre Group who said that she knew that Rebecca was their next show and asked when tickets would be going on sale. It was before the official opening of the Box Office which led him to ask her how she knew that the show was on? She said it was because a man who catches the same train as her every day was sitting on the train and practiced his lines out loud to himself every morning! Everyone thought he might be a bit nutty ……...It turns out that man was Kevin, the theatre’s Building Manager! Very dedicated Kevin...well done!