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

Reps Reporter - June 2013

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Introduction

After a pleasant but early start to winter we have had a chilly few weeks, but with the winter solstice behind us we are on the move to spring, so here’s hoping you are all warm and well. At Reps there has been a quiet period, some of it taken up with a maintenance week, but for the remainder of the year the calendar for the Main Stage is fairly full and work is now going on to ensure that Theatre Upstairs is equally busy ’til year end.

What’s on stage?

Coming up next on Main Stage is Alice In Bollywood, the annual season from the National Ballet, an arm of the Dance Trust of Zimbabwe. It’s an all-new presentation and runs from Wednesday July 3 to Saturday July 6. The show has different genres of dance and features Thabani Ntuli, a professional ballet dancer from South Africa who used to be in the SA gymnastic squad. Along with him will be local stars such as Natalie Bradbury, Timikha Fisher, Michelle Nativel and Caroline Yule. This show is being produced by Bibi Eastwood, assisted by Ketan Nagar, Faye Jackson and Michelle Nativel. After the huge success of the National Ballet’s HIFA show, When They’re Gone, this will be an additional treat and one not to miss. Book now at The Spotlight.

The hills are alive with the sound of music ...

... as is the Reps Main Stage, which will host The Repertory Players’ next production, The Sound Of Music, from July 18 to August 3. Sue Bolt is directing, with musical direction by Meg Mackenzie and choreography by Clare Hingeston. The show needs little introduction except to say it is often regarded as the most popular musical show of all.

It stars Christina Jenkins and Marc Thomas, with a strong cast behind them, and will be great family entertainment. A must-see for all, please help us make sure the whole of Harare knows about this super production. The Spotlight is already selling tickets and interest is very high, so make sure you get your booking in early.

Movie treats in Theatre Upstairs

A movie festival is running in Theatre Upstairs from July 2 to 14, with a series of Oscar Wilde films in the first week and a series of musical bio-pics the second week. For more on this visit www.reps.co.zw and check out films, dates and times. Booking is open at The Spotlight and season tickets are available for each week for those people who want to see all or most of the films. Theatre Upstairs is a great venue in which to see movies, and soup will be available for patrons before the show and during the movies with intervals.

Social events this July

Line dancing is the focus of the social event on Thursday July 4, when the Just 4 Kicks group will come in and teach people how to line dance, all for a bit of fun. This will be in the Club Room and adjoining George Barnes Room, starting at 6.30pm. Come along to join in or to watch. Drinks and food will be on offer. Bring guests, too.

A scavenger hunt is planned for the morning of Sunday July 7, more news about which will go out soon, but which will be great family fun, starting and ending at Reps.

The July fun pub quiz will be on Sunday July 14, and as that is Bastille Day we shall have a bit of a French theme running through it, with quizmaster Mark West in charge. French food for lunch afterwards! Entertainments are planned for Friday July 12 and Friday July 19, so watch out for news on these. A Christmas In July event is being planned for July 26, which could be great fun, too, and details will be sent out soon.

Membership news

A big welcome to all new members and here’s hoping you have many years of enjoyment from your club and the performing arts. Members, do you realise that if you make use of the ticket discounts for all Reps main stage shows in a year for you plus one, the savings will likely more than cover your membership fee?

The new membership committee for 2013/14 has been formed so should there be any questions regarding membership matters, please feel free to talk to any of the following people: Tim Garrard, Thea Cutler, Mark Oxley and Marion de Beer, who make up the committee. To enhance Reps and its activities and offerings, why not encourage a friend or two to join as members and share in your fun? After all, Reps is one of the nicest places in town at which to have a quiet drink with convivial and civil company, all at a very reasonable price.

Great news just in: the latest benefit for Reps members simply by producing their cards is from Inns of Zimbabwe, which is now offering a 10 percent discount on accommodation payments. Speaking of benefits, have you been to Adrienne’s and Da Eros restaurants recently, where 20 percent and 10 percent discounts respectively are given to Reps members on production of their cards?

Reprobates are active

Reprobates are still looking for contributions of scripts and original works. There was a really good turnout for a training session with HIFA performer James Carey (Coming To Zim) and from the feedback received, a large proportion of Reprobates seemed to appreciate that input that James gave us on the differences between stage and movie acting. As this session has proved so successful, we’re looking at organising more guest speakers to come in and instruct us on the various disciplines involved on and behind the stage. As winter is here and because the various rooms we use can be quite chilly, we recommend that you bring a jacket/jersey with you. We’d also like to encourage our members to speak to their friends about joining Reprobates, who meet Thursdays at 6:30pm. Speak to Natalie Cockcroft or Larry Greeff to get more information.

Repteens well into second term activity

Repteens' second term is now in full swing, being half way into the term. We are currently focusing on characterisation. Recently, we had a very exciting session led by American actor/director and HIFA performer James Carey. We all thoroughly enjoyed the session and especially relished having a distinguished guest speaker! Repteens would love to have more outside instruction so if you or anyone you know would be interested in taking a session or be part of a session of Repteens in your area of speciality (we are interested in everything and anything!). Please don't hesitate to contact our voluntary co-ordinator Kyla Render on 0772311412. Repteens are also currently on the lookout for scripts and directors for our upcoming 2013 Theatre Upstairs production (dates not yet confirmed), so if you are interested in maybe dabbling in a bit of amateur directing or you think you might have a script that is suitable for Repteens, that we would enjoy, we would appreciate any input or suggestions.

Preps’ News

Preps has had an excellent start this term. We opened the term with a special viewing of a HIFA show which had a post-HIFA run at Reps, called The Ogreling. This was followed by a workshop led by the cast and the director. The children really enjoyed the morning and special thanks must go out to John Bonney and Stan Higgins for organising it. Then we dove right back into Shakespeare, continuing the work we started last term. We are currently working on A Midsummer Night's Dream and ‘the Scottish play’ and will be starting work on Romeo and Juliet after half term. The kids are really enjoying Shakespeare and are looking forward to sharing what they've done with everyone. We have had to split Preps into two groups to make our sessions more age appropriate. Grades 1-3 will be from 10am-11am and Grades 4-7 will be from 11am-12pm. Parents can contact David Bvumbe if they are unsure about what time to bring their children.

Reptechs needs strenghening

On the technical side, maintenance week has come and gone but with disappointing support from members. We would like to ask that next time one comes up everyone tries to come along and help out – experience and technical ability are not necessarily required, People are sought who can volunteer a couple of hours during the week to come down and help us keep the theatre ship-shape. This will entail helping with cleaning, fixing and just lending a hand. No particular skills required for this, and newcomers to the backstage area will learn a thing or two about how the theatre works. For those people wanting to be more involved, a Technical Expo is planned … a great platform for expanding backstage skills and numbers.

Hi everybody,

Reptechs is back!! Our first session is about revolving stages, if you want to know more about these remarkable pieces of staging equipment , why not come down and join us on Sunday 7th July at 9 am where we will have a short presentation on revolving stages and then a full on practical where we install them on stage ready for use in our forthcoming production of “The Sound of Music”.

All you could wish to know about revolves and a full understanding of why and how they work, with some great company and a lot of fun! Anyone who can bring their own spanners/ sockets, please do so, but remember to mark them so you know which are yours !

See you there!

PJ Smyth

Stage Director

Cars in the members’ parking area

If you plan to leave your car in the members’ car park overnight, please advise the security guards and make sure they have your name and contact details. As with any parking in that car park, overnight parking is at owners’ own risk. It is also recommended that valuable are not left in cars but secured in other ways.

Did you know ...

... that the area of backstage crewing is one of the most important factors for any production and that it is the area most needing new people? People are needed to work on lighting, sound, flying, continuity, stagehand work and other specialised areas. No experience is needed as on-the-job training will come. All you need do is advise PJ Smyth that you are keen to find out more or get involved … and then you can come along and be part of helping make shows happen. It can be great fun and is good for making new friends. Get friends, family and colleagues along, too.

BREAKING NEWS …. AUDITION FOR DEATH OF A SALESMAN …. SUNDAY JULY 7 … REPTEENS ROOM …. 11AM …. MALE AND FEMALE ACTORS WANTED 20s TO 60s … THIS YEAR’S SCHOOLS PRODUCTION, RUNNING SEP 12-21, REHEARSING FROM JULY 12 ONWARDS

Until next time, keep well

Reps Exco

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