Friday 9 September 2011

And so to the next one...


The day after the season of Secret Bridesmaids' Business finished, I took myself over to Alexandra (a 70-minute drive) to carry on with rehearsals for The Full Monty. This is the latest musical to be staged by the Alexandra Musical Society which they are putting on during the Blossom Festival at the end of the month. Their last two shows have been Oliver! and Annie, so this is somewhat of a departure for them with (thankfully) no singing children.

The musical is transposed from Sheffield, UK to Buffalo, NY, and a new character added who didn't appear in the film. Jeanette is a piano player 'of indeterminate years' who just shows up 'piano and all' to take the boys through their paces and get them to put on a show. She has heaps of previous experience (with both music and husbands - she's been married eight times) and is simultaneously supportive and sarcastic - a great role to play! And that's me!

The show is on from September 24-30. Tickets are available from the Alexandra Memorial Theatre 12-2pm Monday - Friday, or from www.iticket.co.nz, phone 0508484253.

Tuesday 6 September 2011

The secret's out!

Susan Auty, Zelia Horrell, Camilla Lojdstrom and Fiona Stephenson promote the latest Remarkable Theatre show
Thanks to everyone who came to see Secret Bridesmaids' Business. I hope you enjoyed it! We had a great season and I'm sure everyone who performed in it loved the experience - thanks to great direction by Victoria Keating and excellent assistance from Phena Byrne.

Huge acclaim to all who made it possible from the playright Elizabeth Coleman, who has written a tremendous script full of love and laughter (but not necessarily happy ever after), to the wardrobe mistress (Andrea Reeve once again doing a stirling job) and the photographer (Dan Childs) for making us look good. And thanks once again to our wonderful audience. We literally wouldn't do it without you! Cheers all!

Relaxing as Lucy Dean with bride-to-be Meg (Fiona Stephenson) and matron of honour Angela (Zelia Horrell) the night before the wedding

Mother of the bride Colleen (Jill Derbie) tries to explain to James (David Oakley) that it's bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding while stand-in bridesmaid Naomi (Camilla Lojdstrom) looks on