Dog Day Afternoon

Next year is already shaping up to be an interesting year in local theatre, and the audition rounds are beginning already.

The Wangaratta Players are holding auditions for the show Sylvia by A.R. Gurney this coming weekend, on December 19.

The role of 'Sylvia' was first played on Broadway by Sarah Jessica Parker.

The play is set in Manhanttan and a New York/Bronx accent is required.

Greg and Kate moved to the city after their children have grown.

Kate's career takes off whilst Greg finds himself in a career slump.

As he progressively faces a 'mid-life crisis' he decides to bring home a stray dog from the park.

This dog goes on to cause grief between Greg and Kate's marriage as Greg falls more and more under 'Sylvia's' spell!

Much hilarity, much drama and much love ensue as Greg and Kate finally come to terms with their relationship and with 'Sylvia' their dog.

Sylvia is played by a woman and is able to speak....come along and learn what your dog is really saying when they gazing adoringly into your eyes.....

Characters: Greg - Male - 30 - 50
Kate - Female - 30 - 50
Sylvia - Female - 25 - 40
Tom/Phylis/Leslie - Male - 30 - 50 (this role is traditionally play by a male who does all three characters, but there is the possibility of 3 separate actors playing the roles.

Auditions are by appointment only and audition material is available from Barbara Ryan on 0421 865 796 or 57 21 8870.

Albury Wodonga Theatre Company are also holding auditions for their production of the blockbuster musical Miss Saigon on December 20 and more information is available on their Facebook page.

The smell of Hairspray and the roar of the crowd

2011 is shaping up to be another exciting year in theatre, especially the big shows down in Melbourne.
I am going to see Hairspray in late January and could not be more excited, I have loved this show since seeing the movie a few years back. It's pure theatre candy, great dancing, memorable songs and my favorite of all things, a wish-fulfilment storyline! And best of all, I will be catching it with my best friend.
The rock tragic in me is also looking forward to Rock of Ages during autumn, should be a killer show. And who doesn't love an excuse to resurrect some rock classics?

strange bedfellows

well that was quite a break from the blogosphere! I meant to tell you all about Strange Bedfellows, which I was lucky enough to catch in preview, but somehow life got in the way.
Suffice to say, it was a very funny yet warm show and may yet be the next Australian homegrown hit.
I think I would need to hear some of the songs again for them to truly grow on me, but I fully enjoyed the show. Peter Cousens and John Wood were very good as the central characters, who must make a tax office employee believe they are in a long term gay relationship, with Peter Cousen's famous voice given full rein.
I fully recommend that my theatre loving friends in capital cities give this a go when it makes its big city debut!

On with the show, this is it...

Well guys, crunch time is here...in a week Allegro Theatre Company will finally open their next production, Blackadder Goes Forth. I am a little biased, but it features some of the North East's finest character actors, including Shane Douthie and Reg Carmody. I know it will be an emotional opening night and a little piece of all of us will be doing the show for Andy...but apart from anything else, it's a top show, a slice of biting political commentary and, in places, a poignant portrait of the futility of war.
Also opening next week is the world premiere of the new Strange Bedfellows musical in Albury. I hope to be able to catch a performance soon, and I will tell you guys in the blogosphere all about it.
Catch you on the flipside people, and don't forget to support local theatre...

Quality cast in comedy classic

"THE sharp British wit and biting satire of Blackadder will return to local stages this spring when Yarrawonga’s Allegro Theatre Company present their forthcoming production, Blackadder Goes Forth.
The production follows the adventures of Blackadder and his cronies as they attempt, against all odds, to survive the trenches of World War I.
The company produced Blackadder II on stage on 2005 to an enthusiastic reception from local audiences, and this production will again see Shane Douthie bring his formidable comic talents to his interpretation of Rowan Atkinson’s iconic role of Edmund Blackadder.
The company will bring three episodes of the show to the stage – General Hospital, Private Plane and Goodbyeee – featuring a talented cast of new and established Allegro Theatre Company members.
Talented Wangaratta character actor Reg Carmody will be portraying the dim witted Baldrick, while Steven Cole, in his first role for Allegro Theatre Company, will play the heedlessly optimistic Lieutenant George.
Ross Miller will be playing General Melchett, alongside young actor Luke Doyle as Captain Kevin Darling, while Adrian Ridley is playing the bombastic Lord Flasheart.
Blackadder Goes Forth, directed by Miguel de Oliveira, will open on Friday, October 29, with cabaret style performances to take place over three weekends including a special performance on Remembrance Day, November 11."

don't feed the plants...

Anyone who knows me knows I love a good musical, so it was with great excitement that I ventured out to Albury last night with my good friend Beth in tow to see a production of Little Shop of Horrors, being performed by Livid Productions.
I'm relatively new to their productions, but what has struck me since I've begun frequenting Livid's shows is their capacity to take a unique approach to the staging of their musicals, whether it be artistic staging and costumes, or just an interesting take on the material.
Far from being a neo-50s costumed affair like the movie, they gave it a more modern, punky edge which i really liked, giving Skid Row an air of menace.
I could not fault the vocal and acting performances, particularly Seymour (Ben Colley-McKinley), Audrey (Bianca Schmutter) and the Dentist (Jason Parker, who also tackles voice duties as Audrey II).
The choice of staging the show in the more intimate Butter Factory theatre venue, rather than the Albury Performing Arts Centre, was also a plus for this production.
Livid also managed to make me envious, revealing in their program that they will be tackling the fantastic Monty Python musical, Spamalot, next year! Can't wait for that.

12 angry jurors

Everyone loves a good courtroom drama, and the Wangaratta Players are bringing one of the classics of the genre to life in the coming week, with their staging of the classic 12 Angry Jurors (better known as 12 Angry Men, but with a mixed gender jury!)

The cast (pictured opposite) features a diverse cast of new and seasoned performers, some of whom made a splash in the Players' last production, Cabaret.

Featuring many new and well known performers, the show opens on August 27 at 8pm, with shows being performed on August 28, September 3 and 4 at 8pm and a matinee on September 4 at 3pm. Tickets are available at Edgars Newsagency in Wangaratta on (03) 57213758.

farewell old friend

A lot can change in a month. In the past month, my world, and the world of theatre in my area, has changed forever with the sudden and tragic death of my close friend, housemate, and amateur theatre contemporary Andrew Willett.

Ever since we first met in rehearsals for the Wangaratta Players production of Oklahoma in 2000, a time when I also met my close friend Reg Carmody, he was a friend, confidant and driving force in my life.

He achieved so much in theatre in his lifetime and has helped so many people discover their talents and strengths and set them on a positive path in life.

His confidence, talent, and sheer leadership made him an indelible influence on theatre and within our circle of friends. All I will say is that I will miss you, friend, and I will continue to try and look, as you often instructed, "on the bright side of life".

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

Along with Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the Wizard of Oz and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Mary Poppins was one of the favorite viewing experiences of my childhood.

The magic and wonder of the original story comes alive on stage in Mary Poppins, which opened recently at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne.
I was lucky enough to attend a preview performance of this new show.
Heading up the cast was Verity-Hunt Ballard (pictured here with Matt Lee as Bert), whose faultless voice and warm and confident stage presence made her an ideal Mary Poppins.

She made the role her own, marrying the practical with the magical.

One of the highlights of the show was the performance of Matt Lee.

Best known as a judge on So You Think You Can Dance, he demonstrated that he could walk the walk as well as talk the talk.

His was a faultless and athletic dance performance – including tap dancing suspended upside down – and he brought a cheery and energetic personality to the role which never faltered.

Jane and Michael Banks, played at the performance I attended by Victoria Borcsok and Callum Hawthorne, struck the right balance of cheekiness and affection.

The ensemble cast were a virtual who’s who of Australian musical theatre, including Marina Prior as Mrs Banks, Philip Quast as Mrs Banks, and Debra Byrne as the poignant Bird Lady.

Christopher Rickerby and Sally-Anne Upton were scene stealers as Banks family servants Robertson Ay and Mrs Brill.

The highly detailed costumes were a joy to behold, and the sets popped with color and vibrancy.

There are many show stopping moments, including Mary flying and fixing rooms with magic.

The show exhibits creativity by melding the best of the unforgettable movie with the more detailed scenarios and characters from PL Travers’ books.

Tickets are available through Ticketek (1300 555 593) or for more information see the website at www.marypoppinsthemusical.com.au.

Theatre overload

Well, it's getting into theatre season again.


I indulged my love of theatre photography a few days ago by photographing a dress rehearsal of the local Catholic school's production of Grease, happening this weekend. Will be seeing the show itself tomorrow night, which should be fun.


This Sunday will see me heading down to Melbourne to catch a preview of Mary Poppins, as well as making time to catch the Tim Burton exhibition at ACMI in Federation Square. All told, it should be a well rounded, artsy day!

Monday will see me audition for a role in Allegro Theatre Company's next production, Blackadder. Am not sure how I'll go but the more auditions I do, the less nervous I will get each time - at least that's the theory.

Next week I will be photographing Benalla Theatre Company's next production, White Christmas (see poster). That production is opening soon and I encourage theatre lovers to head along.

It's always nice to check out an old school musical, though I have no familiarity with this show
other than the title song! Will try to post a pic or two here.

All in all, the local theatre scene is bubbling along nicely.

Join Blackadder production

THOSE wishing to participate in some local theatre in North East Victoria are being invited to an information day for Yarrawonga group Allegro Theatre Company’s next production, Blackadder Goes Forth, this Sunday, July 18.

The production follows the adventures of Blackadder and his cronies as they experience life in the trenches during WW1 and is due to be performed in late October.

The information day will take place from 2pm at the Senior Study Centre, Yarrawonga Secondary College, Pinniger Street, Yarrawonga.

Auditions for the show will be held on July 25 from 2-7pm and July 26 from 6-9.30pm at the same location.

Those who cannot make the information day are advised to contact Miguel DeOliveira for an audition time on 0431 171863.

i see you shiver with antici......pation.

I have to admit, I am really excited at the moment about all the excellent theatre that I will be able to see and be involved in over the next few months.
Locally, the theatre group I am involved in, Allegro, will be staging a production of the classic comedy, Blackadder Goes Forth, sure to be a must see for comedy fans.
Elsewhere, my good friends at Albury Wodonga Theatre Company are involved in staging a "pro-am" production of a new stage musical based on the movie Strange Bedfellows, which is already starring such high profile Australians such as John Woods, Peter Cousens and Colette Mann. Both of the above shows will be opening in late October and are sure to draw huge crowds to local theatre.
Wangaratta Players, meanwhile, will be staging the taut drama 12 Angry Jurors in the next few months, while Benalla Theatre Company will put on a production of White Christmas at the end of July.
And that's just local amateur theatre!
As if that wasn't enough, a host of irresistible shows will be staged in Melbourne in coming months.
I will be heading along to the Melbourne production of Mary Poppins in a few weeks, and am keen to see how it translates to the stage, and am especially curious to see Matt Lee performing on stage as Bert!
I am also keen to see the revival of West Side Story this winter, as I have never been lucky enough to see it on stage, just the movie...
Of course, the show I am looking forward to the most is Hairspray. I have loved it since seeing the movie, even to the point of dressing up as Tracey Turnblad for a friend's costume party! If only I had a stronger voice, it'd be a part I'd love to play.
This weekend, I had my first free weekend in months, and spent some time catching up on my video of this year's Tony Awards, which were screened here in Australia in mid June.
As always, the awards were an intriguing snapshot into current theatrical hits and trends in America, and possibly a sneak peek into what might soon grace Australian stages.
For me, one of the highlights of the night (being a Glee fan) was seeing Glee stars (and Broadway veterans) Matt Morrison and Lea Michele getting to strut their stuff on stage.
Matthew had an old-school song and dance number, "All I Need Is The Girl" from Gypsy, and Lea busted out "Don't Rain On My Parade" from Funny Girl. Nice.
Sean Hayes was an affable host, although I really wished Neil Patrick Harris was hosting again.
I wasn't too sure about most of the new musicals shown - although Million Dollar Quartet seemed interesting, showcasing the music of Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis and Carl Perkins, and Everyday Rapture looked to have an interesting storyline.
The revival of La Cage Aux Folles, with Kelsey Grammer in the lead, also looked like a lot of fun, and that show has some classic tunes.
Out of the shows that got an airing on the night, I would most like to see Green Day's American Idiot. It's my generation's rock music, and seems to have a "Rent-esque" feel to it...I'm betting it will make its way to Australia in the next few years.
Anyway, dear reader, I'll leave you with that long and rambling entry..au revoir.

easy tin

if you're bored and have a huge pile of charity wristbands, here's one way to use them...wash and de-label a soup or other tin can. work the wristbands onto the tin so they are all lined up and until the whole tin is covered...and voila...a groovy tin for pencils or anything else small you need to store...

by the way folks, i still plan to do something about the tonys, but I may have to wait till my current show is over before i have time spare..

welcome to my world

Hello, gentle reader (have always wanted to say that), and welcome to my new blog, stage-craft.
In this blog, I plan to write about two of my biggest passions, theatre (especially musicals) and craft.
I hope you can find entertainment, inspiration, and fun in this humble little blog.
As I am currently rehearsing a community production opening soon, the 2010 Tony Awards just days away, I will have fresh inspiration to write about soon.
Love, Kylie.