Reps Theatre: Latest newsletter

Reps Reporter - November 2011

Greetings to all members as the month of November progresses to its end and to the start of this year’s festive season. As always, Reps is in on the act and the big focus for 2011 is Robinson Crusoe, the Reps panto. There’s also plans for carol singing and new year’s celebrations, so read on for more on these.

Debentures update

Members are being encouraged to take up debentures in the scheme unveiled and launched last month. They cost only $25 and can be bought as one, or as many as you like – 2 or 200. The debentures are loans to Reps to enable to it to undertake essential current and developmental expenditure, thus keeping Reps going now and in the future. Response is picking up but we encourage an early take-up so that things can be achieved right away.

If you would like to know more, please call the Reps office. If you would like to take up a debenture, either call or e-mail the office, or pop in. The time is also right for you to start pushing debentures among your family, friends and colleagues, especially those who want to make sure Reps stays in its place as chief performing arts venue in Harare. If you need a flier to hand out to them, ask the office for a copy of the hand flier we have produced.

Robinson Crusoe takes us into Christmas

It’s panto time and Graham Crutchley this year presents Robinson Crusoe – but if you think this is a show with two people in it then you are very mistaken. It’s got a big cast and they’ve been singing, dancing and act up a storm in their rehearsals to present the best panto in years!

Spar Zimbabwe has come on board to sponsor it and we thank them sincerely. Crystal Candy has, as always, also come in again, with sweets for the children coming along to watch the show.

There are two gala nights during the run – one for the B S Leon Home on Friday December 9, and another for the Harare City Library on Saturday December 17. There’s also a special night for carol singing – Friday December 16, when carols will be sung in the theatre for half an hour before curtain up.

The show runs from December 1 to 23 and has many of the audience’s favourites on stage, as well as newcomers. From Marc Thomas and Sue Bolt to Stephane Thomas and Martin Bolt, there’s plenty of acting, singing and dancing talent, with Meg Mackenzie as musical director and Caroline Yule as choreographer.

Bounce into 2012 with Boeing Boeing

Coming back under the guidance of Zane E Lucas is the hit farce Boeing Boeing, the new year’s show. This is written by Marc Camoletti and Beverley Cross and is a hugely funny romp about pilots and air hostesses. Stars are Paul Shephard, Ryan Lawrence, Jamie McLaren, Kyla Render, Chido Maunze and Mike Blackburn.

The opening night will be New Year’s Eve, when it will be a special gala night, details of which will go out soon. Make a night of it – show first and fun in the Reps bar afterwards, or come along to see the show and head off afterwards to your planned parties. Boeing Boeing runs from December 31 to January 14.

Preps and Repteens head for year-end

Both Preps and Repteens are heading towards their final sessions of 2011, and both are planning end-of-year performances to show what they have learned and what talent they have in their ranks. Katie Cooper has done an excellent job running Preps while Kyla Render has done well steering Repteens this year. If you know of youngsters who want to – or should – join up, then send them along in the new school term in 2012 … Repteens meet from 6pm on Fridays during school terms while Preps meet on Saturday mornings, also during school terms.

Social events make for added value and great entertainment

We have been very lucky to have superb entertainers at social events in the Reps bar this year, and there’s plenty more coming up to year end, thanks to Tim Garrard and Jenni Ferguson. November 17 sees a wine tasting with wines from Latilla. There’s a Weakest Link evening in the bar on Sunday November 20, while Rob Osborne will sing in the bar on November 27. Frank Douie and Kevin Hanssen are performing on certain nights in December and there will be a fun pub quiz on Sunday December 11. It’s carols in the bar on December 22 and there will be a great new year’s eve bash in the bar, too. Keep watching for specific mails and posters on these events.

Report back on the Strategic Plan

As promised when the strategic Plan was launched and communicated to members in may, there is to be a report-back session on what progress has been achieved. This will be at 11am on Sunday December 4 in the theatre, followed bya social in the bar. The purpose is to update members on where Exco is taking the society and what successes have been achieved and what obstacles have been encountered. Come along to hear, ask, comment and add value for your own society.

Membership subs due soon

A reminder about 2012 renewals will be going out soon, but here’s a note to diarise: please can you get your subscriptions in as soon as possible at year end, and the absolute deadline, as always, is January 14. We hope everyone who is a member will renew for the coming year and that each and every member will sign up at least one new member for the 2012 year. A growing membership means a healthy society!

Did you know ...

... that the Avondale Scouts run the foyer confectionery and cold drinks bar, which we call the coffee bar (coffee and tea often sold, usually in the colder months). When Dance Trust of Zimbabwe events are on, the bar is then run by mums and volunteers from the dance community. This is one way we help others fundraise and it keeps our foyer stocked with the sort of things needed by patrons. It is also important to remind everyone that it is absolutely forbidden for patrons to bring in their own drinks and food onto the premises and that cooked food from the nearby food court may not be brought into the theatre. Our foyer bar is available to non-members to enable them to buy alcoholic beverages, while members can, of course, use their own bar before and after performances and during interval. Don’t forget to order drinks for interval before you go in for the show – this speeds up service. No one is allowed to take glasses or bottles into the auditorium – only plastic cups, cans and plastic bottles. This is for safety reasons, of course, and to stop wastage through broken glass.

Until next time, stay well and get on down to Reps

Reps Exco

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