Reps Theatre: Latest newsletter

Latest Reps Newsletter - July 2008

As we move through Winter 2008 and get the election period behind us, Reps continues to be active, with productions on the Main Stage and in Theatre Upstairs, as well as rehearsals in progress for upcoming productions. New members are coming forward on a steady basis and I would like to remind all current members that we would welcome them inviting newcomers to apply for membership - especially if they have a leaning towards active theatrical work, on stage or behind the scenes.

Treats

A Theory X production on for this week only (ends on Saturday July 12), this is a drama with light touches written by Christopher 'Dangerous Liaisons' Hampton. The production focuses on what happens in a suburban flat when a woman's former boyfriend returns from Iraq to find she has a new lover. Directed by Zane E Lucas and starring Thea Cutler, Greg Mizon and Boris Chitambo, the play has been well received by audiences in the first half of this week. It runs in Theatre Upstairs and booking, as usual, is at The Spotlight (open Tuesday to Friday 9am to 4pm and Saturday and Sunday 9am to 12 noon).

Fabulous Finds

Mitzi Carruthers has hired the Reps Main Stage for her latest spectacular, in which huge cast of young dancers is lined up for a fun musical show running for four evening performances (Friday July 11, Saturday July 12, Friday July 18 and Saturday July 19) and two matinees (Sunday July 13 and Sunday July 20). Mitzi's shows are always colourful, joyful and bustling with young talent. Booking at The Spotlight.

All That Dance

Mitzi is working with Debbie Fleming for this dance show, which runs for two evening performances (Friday July 25 and Saturday July 26) and two matinees (Saturday July 26 and Sunday July 27). Debbie's dancers are rehearsing flat out to make this a worthwhile successor to Fabulous Finds and it brings all the energy and fun that Debbie Fleming puts into every production with which she is involved. The National Ballet is involved in this production, too. Booking open at The Spotlight for this one, too.

That's Absurd

Reprobates started last year as a means of getting together an even bigger team of actors and actresses from within the Reps ranks - and regular Thursday night gatherings have produced a strong grouping of experienced and new talent in this regard. Now the team is presenting its own production, made up of two one-act plays written by Tom Stoppard. It runs in Theatre Upstairs from July 23 to 26 (preview night July 22) and booking is already open at The Spotlight. Sue Bolt, who runs Reprobates with Greg Mizon, is directing.

Yin and Yang

The Silent Knights mime duo of Jason Linforth and Matthew Trustham launched this one-hour show at HIFA 2008, but if you did not see it then (or would like to see it again) the pair are reviving it for four performances on August 1, 2 and 3. This will be in Theatre Upstairs, where they staged a similar mime show called Black & White last year. Featuring all-new skits, this production shows the level of talent these two St George's schoolboys have and how far they have come in developing their mime skills. Booking will open soon at The Spotlight. It may be the last chance to see these two in action, as they hope to go abroad for tertiary education next year.

Grease

Teri Grimmel has assembled a large cast of new and not-so-new faces for a revival of one of the most popular of all musicals, on the 30th anniversary of the release of the film version. Leads are Desiree Mostert and Richard Sticklen, and this show promises loads of fun, music and dance in our early summer season. Three of the nights are already booked out for gala fundraisers, so ticket sales look set to be good. Booking will open in the middle of August.

Preps

Sue Evans is doing wonders with a group of youngsters being introduced to the theatre or having their talents polished up, and the group meets each Saturday afternoon during school terms. Sue entered many of the children in the recent Institute of Allied Arts festival and results were good. Fraser Flight (a junior Repteen and not a Preps member, but entered with the Preps all the same) received second places for prose and mime. His younger brother, Dean, took honours for poetry, as did Jan Raemakers, while poetry firsts came from Jenny Kim, Fungai Muzorora and Zion More. Seconds were earned by Diana Joung, Cade Croucamp and Jesscia Chang, while Justin Jhun and Takai Bryant took third places. Well done from Reps to all of them for doing so well and keeping Reps in the public eye so well. If anyone would like their youngsters to join Preps, call the Reps office on 336706 for more details. Repteens is also still very active and interested teenagers can sign up for this - meeting each Friday evening during school terms.

Front of House and Box Office

While Graham Crutchley is abroad for three months, Stan Higgins is in charge of this portfolio. He would like to ask for more volunteers from among members to take on these roles, which are as important as anything on stage or backstage for each and every production. A training session for newcomers will be organised soon, but could interested people contact Stan (aquarius@mweb.co.zw) or the Reps office?

Members' achievements

News from abroad about members and former members: Wiina Msimati starred in a made-for-TV version of the first of the popular No 1 Ladies Detective Agency novels, to wide acclaim. Wiina is a former Over The Edge star and has recently joined the Royal Shakespeare Company. Patrick Barrett starred in a production of Buddy Holly in his home area near London and is doing well studying drama at college there. He will be home for a holiday in August - and may even be persuaded to sing at a gig or two. Dean Raybould, now working in a hotel in South Africa, will soon be singing on cruise ships in the Indian Ocean and Mediterranean, and will be visiting Harare in August and September. Bryan Hill, busy at Reps in the 1980s as an actor, choreographer and director, heads the theatre operation at Monte Casino in Gauteng, where The Lion King recently broke South African records. Chris Malone, also remembered best from the 1980s and early 1990s, is now a leading director and actor in an English amateur dramatic society. Ken Telford is technical director of a large theatre in the UK. Trevor Keeling, formerly of Reps and Mutare's Courtauld Players and now in Australia, recently lost his mother, Pam, who was also active in theatre in Mutare. Gill West has relocated to the UK and has settled in well, though missing home and Reps. If you know about members abroad let us know, as members here are very keen to keep in touch or hear of exciting things.

Farewell

Reps said a sad farewell recently to Graham Elston, known to many as a social member. He died in hospital after being badly burned in a fire. Condolences to family and friends. Condolences are also passed to the family of Phil Fraser, who retired to the UK and who died in the past week.

Did you know ...

... that Kathy Keen's social events team is always looking for people to assist in running the foyer bar during Main Stage productions? Volunteers can make contact with Kathy or the Reps office to find out more. The team keeps the bar going before shows and during intervals and are really busy - especially during musical productions (like the upcoming Grease!)

Until next time, keep warm and well

Regards

Tim Garrard, Chairman

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