Reps Theatre: Latest newsletter

Latest Reps Newsletter - May 2007

Greetings to all members as we approach the half-way mark of the year. I know many of you were among the record audiences at HIFA 2007 and that feedback on the shows within HIFA has been good, so it is appropriate for us to congratulate Manuel Bagorro and Maria Wilson and their team for staging an excellent festival. As some of you already know, the Reps complex will be involved in future HIFA events, starting in 2008, and we look forward to being part of this exciting and dynamic feast of arts, entertainment and culture.

AGM

A successful AGM took place on Sunday May 6, with more than 100 members in attendance. Business was conducted swiftly and as part of the event we were delighted with a performance by one of the artistes at HIFA - the very funny and very talented Rory Rootenberg of South Africa. Thank you to Kathy Keen for arranging this.

At the AGM, I was confirmed as Chairman for the coming year, while Teri Grimmell was elected Vice Chairman (she also chairs the Finance and Administration Committee). Exco members for 2007/2008 are Sue Bolt (who is tasked with liaison between Exco and the Social Events and Bar Liaison Committee, which is chaired by Kathy Keen), John Bonney (who is Stage Director and also chairs the Backstage Committee), Chris Charnley (who will take over as Production Committee Chairman), Lovemore Gwanzura (new to the committee and looking after the Reps environs), Stan Higgins (also chairing the Marketing and Publicity Committee), Marc Thomas (another newcomer, who will be Assistant Stage Director) and Gill West (who is stepping down as Chairman of the Production Committee but will remain on the committee itself). This team has a busy year ahead of it.

Honorary Life Membership for Gill West

Gill West was honoured at the AGM for her many years of contribution to theatre in general and Reps in particular, with a resolution passed unanimously that she be offered Honorary Life Membership of The Repertory Players.

She started acting back in the 1950s in the UK and continued when she moved to Africa, first to the then Northern Rhodesia and later to Southern Rhodesia. She was based in Mutare for many years and both acted and directed at the Courtauld Theatre (where she chaired the Umtali Players for several years) before moving to Harare in the mid-80s. She immediately became involved in Reps, where she has again been both actress and director, as well as an Exco member, society Chairman and, most recently, Chairman of the Production Committee.

The honour was given deservedly and we are delighted to still have her talent and expertise, as well as her wisdom and experience, available to Reps and its people and productions. Well done, Gill!

An Undoubted Gem - Doubt in Theatre Upstairs

Without doubt (pun intended!) the production of Doubt in Theatre Upstairs is one of the finest dramatic presentations seen in our theatre for some time. Directed by Graham Crutchley and starring Fiona Garrity, Chris Charnley, Erin Cooper and Letitia Brown, this is a superb presentation that challenges the mind.

It runs until Saturday May 12, with performances each night this week starting at 7pm. This is a must-see production and I would encourage all members not only to see it but to encourage colleagues, friends and family to do so, too. Booking as always at The Spotlight.

Fiddler On The Roof

Teri Grimmell has rehearsals of this much-loved musical show at a well-advanced stage, with a cast made up of some well-known favourites and some newcomers. Mike Lanchester and Fiona Garrity star in the production, which opens on June 14 and runs to June 30.

Set in pre-revolutionary Russia, it looks at life in a Jewish community and has a number of great songs. Reps has staged this show twice before, to huge acclaim, and there is every reason to expect the same this time round. Bookings will open by the beginning of June. Again, I encourage you to have a good night out and to encourage other people to do so, too.

Belgravia Shopping Centre to be upgraded

Reps has become involved in the revival of an owners and tenants association for the Belgravia Shopping Centre and with plans to upgrade the complex and make it a better place to visit and to shop at - with benefits to all businesses operating within it and around it. Key to the success of this project will be such things as re-tarring and re-marking the parking lot, cleaning up in and around the venue and ensuring both security and a pleasant, welcoming ambience.

Benefit from Adrienne's Restaurant

For the months of May and June, Adrienne's Restaurant has offered Reps members a 20 percent discount on all meals enjoyed there. Members will have to produce their membership cards when paying and should indicate to their waiter that they have a Reps membership card to obtain the discount. The restaurant is one of the most reasonably-priced in Harare and Nick Mandeya and his team have earned much acclaim for their cuisine over the years. Adrienne's is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner and is ideal for post-show meals - you can book in advance by telephoning 335602. Thanks, Nick, for this kind offer, which coincides with the runs of Doubt and Fiddler On The Roof.

Backstage

Well done to John Bonney and team for hosting a successful Texpo - let's hope it results in some new folk coming forward to work backstage during shows. This was an exercise well worth doing and helped extend technical know-how among the people attending. Martin Bolt has become the new Sound Chairman but a Set Design Chairman is still sought (Sue Greener heads the Lighting sub-committee).

King Lear

Thanks must also go the Linda Hyde for staging the workshop on King Lear, which is a set book at schools this year and which will also be run as a production from Reps later in the year. Although Linda had hoped for greater numbers there was a reasonable turnout and feedback on the concept and the staging of the workshop was excellent.

Front of House and Box Office

Don't forget that Graham Crutchley is always looking for new people to join his team undertaking these highly important aspects of Reps' operation. He will give training to potential box office operators and will get potential front of house people in touch with current teams to learn the job. Contact him on fruitveg@mweb.co.zw or through Lynn at the Reps office (telephone 335850).

Strategic Planning

Exco has completed the task of drafting a strategic plan for Reps and this looks towards maintenance of existing operations and infrastructure, as well as a substantial development and improvement, too. An achievement flowing from this already has been the appointment of a Workshop Manager - welcome to Bob Greer in this position! He is involved in the workshop activities and in maintenance operations, which are essential to keep an ageing building running smoothly and properly.

Did you know?

... that Reps is involved with Over The Edge theatre company in an exciting and stimulating initiative called the Theory X Project? This is a programme for University of Zimbabwe drama graduates, enabling them to further develop skills and give them opportunities for gaining practical experience. Reps provides venue space for this project and we are delighted that Theory X can call Reps 'home.' This is one very practical example of how we can and do help the community at large.

Until next time, best wishes to you all

Tim Garrard, Chairman

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