Narelle DIRECTORS WANTED! HATS INC Theatre Company. From the Editor

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1 HATS INC Theatre Company From the Editor This is a newsletter full of important information, so pay careful attention! The main two points are the upcoming AGM (details inside) and also a membership renewal form for the 2001/2002 financial year. Membership prices are still the same and cover the period from 1 July 2001 to 30 June Cheques are to be made payable to HATS INC., please return the form and cheque to myself at the given address A very big thank you to Sheona Paxman, our Fundraising Coordinator, who put a lot of time and effort into producing our first Trivia Night. I'm sure that everyone who came to the Trivia Night would agree that it was a great success and loads of fun was had by all, even if Sheona did ask some exceptionally obscure questions! The night raised just over $1200, which will no doubt be put to good use! Narelle DIRECTORS WANTED! INSIDE " AGM - Agenda Notice Proxy & Nomination forms " Reviews of "Summer of the 17th Doll" " Coming Up - Pinocchio; Smoke & Mirrors " HATS Calendar " Auditions " HATS Classifieds " The fun page We are seeking applications from interested people to direct in The seasons include two full length productions, a pantomime and the 1 Act Play season. We are particularly interested in directors for the 1 Act Play Season. This is an ideal opportunity for people who are interested in directing but don't have a lot of experience. Last year's 1 Act Play season consisted of four original works, written by members of the company, this year's 1 Act Play season consists of three original works, also written by members of the company. If you would like more information, or to submit a proposal for one of these seasons please contact Creative Directors Karen Fisher on Also - HATS is always interested in hearing from people who are wanting to try their hand at various aspects of theatre work, areas that we have available include:! Production Managing! Stage Managing! Front of House! Tickets! Set Construction! Costumes! Backstage! Lighting! Sound! Publicity Don't worry if you don't have any experience, we are always happy to train anyone willing to 'have a go'! If you would like further information about any of these areas please contact either Narelle Olsen, , or Jill Fisher,

2 $ HATS INC. Theatre Company Registered Number 14137Y FORM OF APPOINTMENT OF PROXY I of being a member of HATS Incorporated, hereby appoint of _ being a member of that Incorporated Association, as my proxy vote for me on behalf of all resolutions and/or elections at the Annual General Meeting of the Association on Wednesday 4th July 2001 an any adjournment of that meeting. Signed Dated the day of 2001 HATS INC. Theatre Company Registered Number 14137Y NOMINATION FORM I hereby nominate for the position of Committee Member. (Signature of Nominator) (Signature of Seconder) I hereby accept the above nomination. (Signature of Nominee)

3 In Review Summer of the 17th Doll Produced March 2001 Reviewed by Peter Kemp Stage Whispers, April 2001 HATS is another company recognising Federation and p[resented Australian writer Ray Lawler's famous play, Summer of the Seventeenth Doll. Bronwyn Oke was Bubba Ryan, the young girl from next door. Bronwyn gave a good interpretation of the role. The new girl on the scene was Pearl Cunningham, played by Jenni Dyson. Jenni caught the character and gave a fine performance. Her workmate and friend, Olive Leach, was played by Helen Ellis. Helen gave a wonderful performance and was acclaimed by the audience for her last scene when she could not face reality. Olive's mother Emma was a cynical yet kindly soul and was played by Marcia Perry. Marcia caught the character with finesse and projected well. Stephen Shinkfield played cane cutter Barney Ibbot. Barney was an unsettling type whereas his new girlfriend Pearl had ideas of settling down. Stephen gave a fine performance of the character. His mate from the cane fields was Roo Weber. Roo had lost all his money, a proud man who did not want a loan and would rather work than enjoy his layoff time. Simon Jones as Roo caught the feel as envisaged and worked well with the other cast members. The young and upcoming cane gang leader and a rival to Roo's prestige was Johnnie Dowd, played by Greg Rafferty. Greg had the looks for the role and gave a fair interpretation of the character. HATS are showing that they are a company to be considered and well worth putting in your diary. Reviewed by Jill Watson Theatrecraft, May 2001 This play was written by one of Melbourne's favourite theatrical sons, Ray Lawler, and is recognised as a forerunner to more naturalistic Australian drama after a long period of stilted dialogue. The time is the 1950s in Carlton, Melbourne and HATS' set was very authentic for this period. The action centres around the annual stay at Emma and Olive Leech's house of a couple of canecutters, after a 7 month stint in Queensland. Roo is Olive's fellow, and he always brings her a doll, they are now into their 17th year. Olive is a simple soul, reluctant to face reality and comfortable with the annual visit of Roo - she obviously builds on this while he is away and loves the thrill of his arrival. Her mother Emma is exasperated with Olive's situation despite her affection for Roo. I found the casting rather uneven in this production. Helen Ellis as Olive conveyed her naivety and good humour, but her body language was a bit awkward at times. There seemed to be no connection to her mother Emma, played by Marcia Perry, who came over as a caricature of an Aussie battler mother; too much pointing of fingers and over the top behaviour. Jenni Dyson as Pearl was excellent - she gave a very steady performance and conveyed cynicism as well as vulnerability. Bronwyn Oke as Bubba looked good and acted well, but I couldn't always hear what she was saying. Simon Jones as Roo did quite well but he seemed to be squinting his eyes too much and was not always at ease. Stephen Shinkfield did a good job as Barney - very natural. I should say at this point that neither fellow looked weathered enough for having spent 7 months in Queensland. Greg Rafferty in his small part of Johnnie Dowd gave a relaxed and thoughtful performance. To sum up, I did not feel that this production quite got there and as a consequence, it felt unreasonably long and drawn out.

4 HATS INC. Theatre Company Registered Number 14137Y NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Dear member I would like to take this opportunity to personally invite you to come along and see what really goes into running a theatre company. You will be able to vote for four committee positions, which are up for election; you could even nominate someone for those positions. A nomination form is enclosed in this newsletter. A proxy form is also included so you can have your say, even if you cannot attend in person. A quick reminder, in most cases, your membership is due for renewal, so forms are also included and you can renew your membership on the night. The AGM will be held on 4th July at 7.30pm at the theatre, Koonung Heights Uniting Church Hall, corner of Belmore and Winfield Roads, Balwyn North (Melways 46 J5). I look forward to seeing everyone there. Jonathon Lyons (Chairman)

5 PINOCCHIO Our pantomime for this year is the delightful Pinocchio. Once again we have been fortunate enough to have a script provided for us by Karen Fisher, the director this year is Narelle Olsen. Rehearsals are progressing extremely well and the show promises to be of great value and highly entertaining. Performance details are as follows: Monday 9th July 1pm & 3pm Ivanhoe Aquatic & Recreation Centre Waterdale Road, Ivanhoe Entry on Bond Street (Melways 31 F6) Saturday 14th July 10am & 2pm Koonung Heights Uniting Church Hall Corner Belmore & Winfield Roads Balwyn North (Melways 46 J5) Tickets are $6 per person or $5 per person for group bookings (four or more people). For further information or ticket bookings, please contact Narelle on Coming Up Smoke & Mirrors Smoke & Mirrors is the title of this year's 1 Act Play Season. It consists of three original 1 Act Plays, all written by HATS members. The plays are: Coffeeshop Philosopher Written by Jeremy Barber Directed by Peta Owen Sense of Timing Written by Narelle Olsen Directed by Matthew Geake Two Women and a Chair Written by Michael Olsen Directed by Brooke Crawford Performance details for Smoke and Mirrors are as follows: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 12th, 13th, 14th, 19th, 20th, 21st July Koonung Heights Uniting Church Hall Corner Belmore & Winfield Roads Balwyn North (Melways 46 J5) Tickets Adults - $15 Concession - $12 Group Bookings available For tickets bookings or enquiries, please call Narelle on

6 HATS INC. Theatre Company Registered Number 14137Y AGENDA OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Wednesday 4th July pm Chairman Jonathon Lyons 1. Present 2. Apologies 3. Minutes of 2000 AGM 4. Business arising from Minutes 5. Correspondence 6. Reports " Chairman " Treasurer " Secretary " Creative Director " Ticket Secretary " Front of House " Publicity " Resource Manager " Social Secretary " Fundraising " Parish Liaison " Newsletter 7. Discussion arising from reports 8. Committee positions declared vacant 9. Voting, if necessary 10. General Business 11. Close 12. Supper

7 Calendar of Events Wed 4th July, 7.30pm Mon 9th - Sat 14th July Thur 12th - Sat 14th July, 8pm Thur 19th - Sat 21st July, 8pm Sat 21st - Sun 22nd July Sat 4th - Sun 5th August Fri 17th - Sun 19th August Sun 26th August, 2pm Tues 28th August, 7.30pm HATS A.G.M. Koonung Heights Uniting Church Hall Cnr Belmore & Winfield Rds, Balwyn North Pinocchio 1 Act Play Season Gemco 1 Act Play Festival Ararat 1 Act Play Festival Anglesea 1 Act Play Festival Travelling North Auditions Travelling North Auditions Congratulations to Matthew Beasley and Wendy on the recent announcement of their engagement. Helen Sharma (and husband!) on recently announcing her pregnancy, this will be her first child. Ann McBain who recently celebrated an "0" birthday (21 +?)! HATS Classifieds AUDITIONS Our next auditions are for David Williamson's Travelling North at the end of August. Travelling North will be produced in November, performances will be on 9th, 10th, 16th, 17th, 23rd and 24th November at 8pm each night, and also a matinee performance on Sunday 18th November, commencing at 2pm. Auditions will be held on Sunday 26th August at 2pm and Tuesday 28th August at 7.30pm. Both auditions will be held at the Koonung Heights Uniting Church Hall, corner of Belmore and Winfield Roads, Balwyn North (Melways 46 J5). Deepest Sympathy to Matthew Geake and Narelle Olsen on the death of their Grandmother. After a couple of false alarms, she passed away peacefully at the grand old age of 90 Jenni Dyson on the recent loss of her Mother. Jenni went on and performed in Summer of the Seventeenth Doll the night she learned her Mum was suffering terminal cancer, an amazing effort. May your mum now rest in peace Jenni.

8 Struck dumb (from the BLONDE editor) A blonde rang the local police station. "We need help. We're three blondes changing a light bulb." The policeman said, "Look, this is not really a police matter. But have you put in a fresh globe?" "Yes." "The power is on?" "Yes." "And the switch?" "Yes, yes." "And the globe still won't light?" "No, the globe's working fine." Then what's the problem?" "We got giddy turning the ladder around and fell over and hurt ourselves." A blonde was driving up the highway to the Warner Brothers theme park when she saw a sign saying HOLLYWOOD ON THE GOLD COAST LEFT. After thinking for a minute she said, "Oh well," turned round and drove back to Brisbane. Why don't you give blondes coffee breaks? It takes too long to retrain them. What did the blonde name her pet zebra? Spot. The Fun Page! HATS Birthdays June - September June 3rd - Helen Sharma June 6th - Marcia Perry June 18th - Jeremy Barber June 19th - Michael Olsen June 27th - Nils Fisher July 8th - Laura Bradley July 29th - Zoe Lyons July 31st - Louise Foxley Aug 8th - James Baker Sept 3rd - Karen Fisher Sept 5th - Claire Lyons Sept 27th - Liz Lyons Sept 27th - Andrew Newman Belated Happy Birthday to Jenni Dyson - 31st May - sorry Jenni! Happy Birthday!!