Riverlea Theatre Newsletter. Riverlea Newsletter

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1 Riverlea Newsletter Break a Leg Dear Riverlea Supporters, September is a busy month at the theatre. We have Gang Show performers and crew in most days; our Stagecraft students are gearing up for the Showcase after that; and rehearsals are well underway for The Vicar of Dibley and Zoot Suit Christmas. Spring is in the air and, if the rain finally goes away, we will start the usual round of repairs and tidy-ups. I was watching the AM programme the other morning and they were talking about whether it is easy to make friends in this modern world which seems so dominated by devices and technology. Louise Wallace, actress and media personality, was the panel guest and she had great advice join a theatre group. When the programme hosts looked horrified at the thought of appearing on stage, Louise listed all of the many and varied jobs that need to be taken care of in the theatre whether there is a show on or not. Theatre people can be a bit quirky but we are always welcoming, and particularly to those who want to get involved behind the scenes. We have regular maintenance sessions most Thursday mornings, and we are always open to offers of help. Just phone me at the theatre if you have time to spare and would like to be part of the Riverlea family. Please come and support our Stagecraft students in their end of year Showcase on Wednesday 26th, Thursday 27th and Friday 28th September. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children 5 15 years and free for the under-5s. Tickets are by door sales only. Imitation, play and performance have always been part of everyday life, instinctive sources of pleasure and the means of exploration, affirmation and persuasion; they provide a shared experience in which personal and social existence can be defined and redefined. The Oxford Illustrated History of the Theatre Hope to see you at Riverlea very soon! Jane Norridge, Theatre Manager Riverlea Contacts Riverlea Board Chairperson Musikmakers President Playbox President Theatre Manager Nan Russell David Taylor Lee Owens Jane Norridge Postal Phone PO Box Hillcrest, Hamilton enquiries@riverlea.org.nz Page 1 of 12

2 Wardrobe The Riverlea wardrobe is open for Costume Hire by appointment. Please call the Theatre on for any enquiries. Musikmakers Hi all. It is with great pleasure that I can now announce our final show for 2019 'Catch Me If You Can'. We have been lucky to be able to secure the same creative team and planning is well under way. Auditions will occur again early next year, so keep an eye out for them. Here is the next instalment in our getting to know your committee series. Name: Toni Garson Role on Committee: Regular committee member The first show I was ever in: Cinderella. I played a dodo. Some kid stole my first ever line, so I shot him the evils, stood up, and said that line again. But waaaaay louder. The first show I directed was when I was 14 with a group of kids called Snow White. My first adult show was Noises Off. First Musikmakers show: Aladdin Jr and it was incredible. Interests outside of theatre: I enjoy travelling. I haven t done a lot so far, but the trips I have done have been great. Much to my mother's dismay, solo travelling is something I love. Theatre roles: Most often I m directing or acting, otherwise I can be found helping backstage with anything that s needed. My favourite show I have ever worked on: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) which was at The Meteor in July this year. I was lucky to have a very small, very talented cast. Which show would you most like tickets to: At the moment, it s a tie between The Book of Mormon and Something Rotten. Other societies you have worked in: I ve done work with Future Te Aroha, a small, amazing community centre/theatre in Te Aroha. I ve also done work with One Duck Productions that do shows at The Meteor. My favourite show song: At the moment is God I Hate Shakespeare from Something Rotten. It resonates strongly with me. My one super power would be: Teleportation because I love sleep and anything that can allow me more sleep is right up there. Also, FREE TRAVEL! Favourite Classic Movie: The Lion King. Favourite dessert: Chocolate Lava Cake. Goodness, they are delicious. Five people to dinner: Emma Watson, Chelsea Peretti, Robert Downey Jr, Jacinda Arden, and Chris Pratt. Emma Watson because she seems genuinely lovely, and Harry Potter is amazing. Chelsea Peretti because she s an incredible comedy writer and could probably give me some tips. Robert Downey Jr because it s Robert Downey Jr. not reason necessary. Jacinda Arden because she s one of the politicians I actually care about and appreciate. Chris Pratt because he would probably be like Hey, can I bring the cast of Parks and Rec with me? And I d be like yeah. And then I d have a surprise dinner party with the entire cast of Parks and Rec. What country would you most like to visit?: Iceland. I want to kayak through the ice caves. Favourite Sports team: I don t really have a favourite sports team. I guess the All Blacks? The haka is my favourite part of rugby. Favourite Visual Artist: Brandon Stanton. The guy who does Humans of New York. I love it. Show blooper: Smashing Yorick, the skull from Complete Works, the day before opening. It gave me great advertising captions though, such as These guys are going to smash this show like they smashed Yorick and Alas poor Yorick, we knew him. Too bad we didn t catch him. Read or watch a movie: If I need an instant entertainment fix I watch Harry Potter. Otherwise, I really enjoy reading when I have the time. Thanks Toni. Annie Jr auditions are just around the corner, so keep an eye out for who gets what role on our facebook page it may take a while given the number of people auditioning. Have a great September, spring is upon us and isn t the sunshine refreshing. Ka kite ano, David Page 2 of 12

3 Playbox Greetings from Playbox We thought we might be slowing down as we approach our last production of the 2018 year. However, we have had so much excitement about all our shows for the 2019 year that our team are already busy planning and gathering helpers to get their visions underway. Hopefully you agree with our thoughts that there is something for EVERYONE next year. FINALLY FOR 2018 REHEARSALS UNDERWAY The Vicar of Dibley The Second Coming Directed by Jane Barnett Performing from 13-27th October Rehearsals are going very well for this show and once the cast stop laughing and actually get their lines out it is going to be an entertaining adventure for the audience. This is a strictly limited season and we have included two matinee performances on Saturday 20th and 27th October. Bookings are going very well so please get your tickets sooner rather than later to avoid missing out. And keeping with our Playbox tradition, we have a SPECIALS night on Thursday 25th October where all tickets are $20. AND reminder that we have a lovely meal available on Friday and Saturday nights too. LOOKING AHEAD TO 2019 FRANKENSTEIN A drama by Bo List based on the novel by Mary Shelley. Directed by Lorna Ashton Performing from 30th March to 13th April 2019 SYNOPSIS Victor Frankenstein awakens on the Archangel captained by Robert Walton of London. The ship is frozen in place near the Arctic Circle, and Walton's men are on the verge of mutiny. Walton, though, dreams of being the first to reach the North Pole. Frankenstein, delirious from fatigue and hunger, cautions Walton against arrogance. Frankenstein knows the dark consequences of unchecked pride better than anyone. Years before, young and optimistic Victor decides to embark from Geneva to University at Ingolstadt. His studies consume him, leading him to experiments that could benefit all humankind or perhaps destroy it altogether. He builds a man composed of the reassembled dead, but the result is hideous and an abominable mockery of Victor's higher intentions. Victor tries to dispose of his creation, but it escapes into the dark night. Frankenstein's creature wanders through Germany, beaten and scorned, until a kindly blind man, De Lacey, takes him in and teaches him to speak and to read. The creature's happiness is short-lived. He is driven from his newfound home by frightened villagers and vows revenge on the creator who brought him to life. The creature finds Victor, happy again in Geneva, and develops a plan that will bring him a companion as horrifying as he, exacting terrible punishment against the man who made him a monster. There are 18 characters, but some will be doubled. The ages are a guide only, everyone is encouraged to audition. The people with multiple roles will also play the villagers. Victor Frankenstein s, driven romantic, attractive Cpt Robert Walton , ambitious and fearless, captain of the Archangel. Creature large, strong, rough and sensitive Elizabeth s beautiful and bright Alphonse Frankenstein warm and wise Father to Victor and William; also plays the sailor Henry Clerval s Victor s best friend Justine Moritz trusted servant and friend to family; plus the female creature William Frankenstein - 11, Victor s younger brother Doctor Waldman Brilliant and melancholy mentor to Victor. De Lacy blind man that befriends the creature; also plays the Minister and De Lacy, Karl ruffian also plays the Judge and the Constable Horst ruffian also plays a guard THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE An adaption by Joseph Robinette from C S Lewis Directed by Coryn Knapper Performing from 6th to 20th July 2019 This new dramatisation of C.S. Lewis' classic, set in the land of Narnia, faithfully recreates the magic and mystery of Aslan, the great lion, his struggle with the White Witch, and the adventures of four children who inadvertently wander from an old wardrobe into the exciting, never-to-be-forgotten Narnia. The intense action features chases, duels and escapes as the witch is determined to keep Narnia in her possession and to end the reign of Aslan. DIAL M FOR MURDER Written by Frederick Knott, based on the Alfred Hitchcock crime mystery. Directed by Jason Wing Performing from 12th to 26th October 2019 Ex-tennis pro Tony Wendice wants to have his wealthy wife, Margot, murdered so he can get his hands on her inheritance. When he discovers her affair with Mark Halliday, he comes up with the perfect plan to kill her. He blackmails an old acquaintance into carrying out the murder, but the carefully-orchestrated setup goes awry, and Margot stays alive. Now Wendice must frantically scheme to outwit the police and avoid having his plot detected. All three production are performed for community theatre and licensed through the NZ agents; NZ Play Bureau. If you want to be kept informed of society news as it happens you can sign up for the Keeping Informed list at or you can keep an eye on the website at See you at Riverlea. Lee Owens, President Page 3 of 12

4 Leave a Bequest to Riverlea Theatre After you have provided for your loved ones, please consider making a bequest to Riverlea Theatre & Arts Centre Inc. in your Will. You can make a difference to your local arts community long after you have gone, and help secure the future of Riverlea Theatre for future generations to enjoy. Riverlea Theatre is a not-for-profit organisation that relies on donations and fund-raising to provide a high quality theatre experience. With funds needed to purchase the land that Riverlea Theatre sits on, and with future building redevelopment plans, we need the community's support more than ever before. For further information about bequests or how you can help Riverlea Theatre please phone the Theatre Manager Jane on or enquiries@riverlea.org.nz Working Bee I have got no idea what this means, but it is how my brain feels when I go upstairs in the shed and try to sort out the mess. So, how about coming down on a Thursday at 10am for a coffee and muffin followed by trying to make some sense of the mess in the upstairs portion of the shed. All welcome, even if you can only help for a few minutes carrying some of the rubbish down the stairs ready for going into skip. Page 4 of 12

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9 Auditions Audition notice - Last Round Last Round is a short Western film, set in 1870s NZ. Filming will take place in the Waikato, in one interior location. More information can be found at the Facebook posting at : multi_permalinks= %2c &notif_id= &notif_t=group_activity Page 9 of 12

10 From the Editor The theatre is a-buzz with activity. We currently have the Gang Show 'Sblended Fairy Tales' in full production with a cast and crew of well in excess of 60 enthusiastic people. We also have rehearsals for 'Vicar of Dibley 2' and 'Zoot Suit Christmas' in full swing. Later in September Stagecraft will be performing their annual Showcase and the students will be showing off their theatrical skills. This is happening September. See the notice earlier in this newsletter. Another event coming up early October is the return of the 'Picture This' quiz clubnite. See the notice earlier in this newsletter for more details. Mark the evening of Friday October 5 in your calendar. Catch you in October. Ed I'm really very sorry for you all, but it's an unjust world, and virtue is triumphant only in theatrical performances. W.S. Gilbert Page 10 of 12

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