Reps Theatre Maasdorp Ave / Sam Nujoma St, Harare, Zimbabwe

Reps Reporter - February 2013

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Introduction

February is often called the month of love, because of its hosting of Valentine’s Day on Feb 14, so we always try to incorporate some ‘good vibes’ at this time! Josh Ansley will be performing in the Reps bar during the weekend after the day itself and we hope you can come down and ‘spread some love’ at not one but, in fact, two social events. There’s also lots of love flowing on the main stage with the country music show starting during the same weekend. Read on for more on these!

The subject of subs

January was, well, January. It is a month in which the theatre is quieter than usual and when pay-day seems never to come. In solidarity with the national malaise, a number of members missed the January 15 Subs renewal deadline. All very understandable in this very trying time, economically speaking. If that's you, do not despair. We want you to stay on as a member, and, although your membership may have lapsed, we're looking forward to ‘unlapsing’ you as soon as you can pay. For those who are feeling that a whole year's subs is a little heavy at the moment, why not consider paying quarterly, something that we have been able to facilitate? Contact Philippa Johnston in the Reps office to make plans.

Working backstage

January brought round the first maintenance week of the year, a time when the Stage Director takes advantage of a break in the Theatre Calendar to fix and repair various parts of the stage area. If you missed it, there will be others coming up and helping hands are always needed. Watch for the announcements, come down to the theatre and lend a hand. There are always things to sweep, clean, polish and fix up - and the joys of an amateur society means that we get to do it ourselves. It’s our theatre and our society, and it’s made better by our input.

Going further

The same sentiment as above goes for all areas of theatre life. How about volunteering for Front of House duties this year? Or, if you have a particular show you would like presented, get in touch with Sue Bolt as head of the Production Committee. Or have you wanted to work with lights, or sound, or flies, or props, or costumes, or publicity, or décor, or... ? 2013 looks like an excellent year for us to see more members doing more in the Theatre - and that starts with each one of us. Zimbabweans are good at several things - two of these are spotting weaknesses and the second is in joyfully making a plan to improve things. These two skills (together!) are exactly what we need from you as a Member of Reps.

Reprobates

Reprobates seems to have started off slowly in January, probably due to people returning to work and sorting out school related issues. We are, however, trying to organise a social event this month to try to introduce more people into the group. If you have any suggestions or advice that you'd like to try out within Reprobates, please forward to the office as soon as possible and we'd be delighted to entertain your ideas and suggestions in order to get Reprobates doing what you want us to do. Reprobates is for adult members who want to be involved in activities on stage.

Repteens

February kicked off the year with a bang for Repteens, who are excited to get the ball rolling. The Repteens AGM and auditions for this year's main stage production being held in February and will set the scene for a jam-packed, fun-filled year. This month will also see the long-awaited formation of the Repteens Refurbishment Committee, which will revamp the Repteens Room. This project has been long in the making so we are looking forward to finally carrying it to completion. Further information on the production, refurb project and committee, and the AGM minutes, will be available in the next few weeks.

Preps News

Preps has started really well this year with lots of old faces coming back and new friends joining us. It is such a pleasure to be around the children's enthusiasm and hard work. We are constantly amazed at their imagination and sheer joy. It's not too late to bring your budding thespians and have them join in on the fun. We meet every Saturday from 10am to 11.30am in the Adrian Stanley Room.

On stage this month

Opening on February 15 is a musical revue called A Little Bit Country, which features all manner of country music – not just country and western, but also country rock, country pop, country classic, country rave and even country reggae! Directed by Stan Higgins it features 23 singers, 12 dancers and nearly 30 songs, and it will have broad appeal to audiences of all ages and types, not only those people who like country music but all people who enjoy good song and dance entertainment. The show runs until March 2 and advance booking is already open. For those people who prefer matinee performances there are four to choose from – the three Saturdays of the run and also Sunday February 24 (all 2.30pm). Evening shows are 7pm. Ticket prices range from $7 to $17.

When this show ends it’s time for the Reps Afdis Awards ceremony and show, honouring excellence in Reps in 2012. That’s 7pm Saturday March 9, and everyone’s welcome. There are no advance ticket sales and no charge … just come along on the night to see and enjoy.

Coming up in Theatre Upstairs is a one-hander starring Kevin Hanssen and directed by Mark West, called Dickens (about the author Charles Dickens) – runs in the week ending March 9. Then it’s two weeks for Waiting For Godot, directed by Peter Churu, and this is followed by Graham Crutchley’s long-awaited Colder Than Here, a bittersweet play that will delight. Dickens is already booking, but watch out for news on bookings for the other shows.

Social events in February:

Josh Ansley will entertain in the bar during the Valentine’s weekend – the evening of Friday February 15 and lunchtime on Saturday February 16. Alphonse Chui will entertain on the evening of Friday February 22, while there is a Bingo afternoon from 1.30pm on Saturday February 23. The February fun pub quiz will have Graham Crutchley as quizmaster and this will be at 11.15am on Sunday February 24. Everyone’s welcome to enjoy these social events.

It’s awards time

Not only is it time to honour Reps’ productions from 2012 but it is also time for the NAMA awards – the National Arts and entertainment accolades. Reps is proud that Eclipsed is one of the nominees for Best Production of the year, while its director, Zane Lucas, is a nominee for Best Director. The awards will be presented in Bulawayo on Saturday February 16 and here’s hoping the play and Zane walk off with well-deserved awards.

Did you know ...

... the Spotlight is not only a booking office for Reps shows? It is also a place where anyone holding any kind of public or private function can have tickets sold.. Also on sale are membership cards for the Best of Zimbabwe/Inns of Zimbabwe InnSider Card scheme, as well as copies of the latest edition of the very useful Ndeipi magazine. If anyone wishes to make use of the venue for ticket sales, contact the Reps office for more information.

Until next time, keep well

Reps Exco

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