A gentle comedy translated from French and adapted by Tom Stoppard
from Le Vent des Peupliers [The Wind in the Poplars] by Gérald Sibleyras

8:00pm Friday 17, Saturday 18, Friday 24 & Saturday 25 June
Matinées 2:00pm Sunday 19 & Saturday 25 June 2011

Foster War Memorial Arts Centre

Gustave, the Dog, Philippe and Henri

THE CAST
Gustave ~ Murray Maclean
Henri ~ Bruce Grainger
Philippe ~ Max Hastings

THE PRODUCTION TEAM
Director ~ Andrew Oldroyd
Composer ~ Rob Ellis
Set Design ~ Geoff Davey
Lighting Design ~ Andrew Oldroyd
Sound Design ~ Rob Ellis
Costume Design ~ Bruce Grainger, Max Hastings, Murray Maclean
Production Manager ~ Tania Pell
Set Construction Manager ~ Bruce Crowl
Set Construction ~ Bruce Crowl, Bert Fabel
………….//……… Vince Bucello, Larry Giddy, Max Hastings, John Laurie
…………………….. Phil Nightingall, Bill Park, Jason Pell, Jenni Richards
…………………….. Don Roberts, Brendan Ryan
Scenic Painting ~ Geoff Davey
Stage Manager ~ Phil Nightingall / John Laurie
Lighting Operation ~ Andrew Oldroyd
Sound Operation ~ Rob Ellis
Hair & Make-Up ~ Tania Pell
Tiered Seating Installation ~ Glen Baldwin, Rhonda Bland, Anthony Bravington
…………///………. Bruce & Kate Crowl, Matthew Brown, Max Hastings, John Laurie
……………………… James McIntyre, Jason Pell
Front of House Manager ~ Dianne Paragreen
Publicity & Marketing ~ Jennifer Paragreen
Graphic Design ~ Geoff Davey
Photography ~ Robert Paragreen
Programme ~ Jennifer Paragreen
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For production photos by Yianni Banikos see the bottom of this article.

‘Heroes’ staged by a multi-talented, much-awarded team

Director, Lighting Designer & Operator: Andrew Oldroyd
The winner of four consecutive Gippsland Associated Theatre awards for his lighting design with FAMDA’s Oedipus Rex, Stringlines, Into the Woods and Blue Remembered Hills, which also earned a Victorian Drama League award.

Bruce Grainger: Henri
Bruce first performed with FAMDA in The Cemetery Club. He has won Gippsland Theatre awards with FAMDA (Oedipus Rex) and Leongatha Lyric (A Little Hotel on the Side) and a Victorian Drama League Best Supporting Actor award for multiple roles in Oedipus Rex.
Before coming to live in South Gippsland Bruce performed with several of Melbourne’s best known theatre companies with major roles in  plays such as The Woman in Black with Mordialloc, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolfe with Ravens Players, Shadowlands at Lilydale, Skylight and Molly Sweeney for Heidelberg Theatre Company and Camberwell Theatre’s Equus.

Max Hastings: Philippe
Max has won Gippsland Theatre awards as the best actor in a play for performances as C. S. Lewis in Shadowlands, Cooper in A Month of Sundays and The Actor in The Woman in Black, and  best supporting actor awards in a musical as Motel in Fiddler on the Roof’ and in a play as Donald in Blue Remembered Hills.
As well as major roles in FAMDA plays and musicals like Oklahoma!, Follow the Star, High Infidelity, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Top Silk, Max has also performed with Leongatha Lyric in The Sound of Music and Wind in the Willows and with Warragul Theatre Company playing Thénardier in Les Misérables.
He was nominated by the Victorian Drama League as best actor in a leading role for his performance in The Woman in Black and by the Music Theatre Guild of Victorian as best supporting actor for his role as Mr Sowerberry in Oliver!.

Murray Maclean: Gustave
Murray’s active involvement with FAMDA dates from his 1982 performance of the title role in Don’s Party.  Other roles include Hysterium in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Leopold Bloom in The Producers and Willie in Blue Remembered Hills.
With Leongatha Lyric acting credits include plays such as Dracula, Twelve Angry Men and Taking Steps and roles in the musicals like Cornelius Hackl in Hello Dolly, Rooster Hannigan in Annie and Benny Southstreet in Guys and Dolls.
He won the Gippsland Theatre best actor trophy as Roy in Cosi and his performance as Mr. Kleiman in Mack and Mabel earned a Victorian Music Theatre Guild nomination.
Direction credits include Lyric’s The Odd Couple and FAMDA’s Top Silk, Hotel Sorrento and The Cemetery Club for which he won a Gippsland Theatre Best Director award.

Set Designer & Scenic Painter: Geoff Davey
Geoff’s artistic design, creativity, meticulous research skills and attention to detail have impressed audiences with the sets for musicals like Follow the Star, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Fiddler on the Roof and the much praised Oliver! which earned a Victorian Music Theatre Guild Technical Achievement award.
Geoff has designed great sets for plays such as Barefoot in the Park, A Month of Sundays, Shirley Valentine and Bush Magic.  Set design awards include the Gippsland Theatre Award for Educating Rita and the Victorian Drama League Silver Award for Hotel Sorrento.
His realistic set for Stringlines, which included the construction of a building project onstage and a stunning evocation of Australian outback scenery, earned Geoff yet another Gippsland Theatre Most Outstanding Set trophy.

Set Construction Manager: Bruce Crowl
Bruce’s woodworking, organisational and problem solving skills have been lavished on many FAMDA sets including the GAT award winning sets for Round and Round the Garden, Educating Rita, Hotel Sorrento, Guys and Dolls and Stringlines.
He considers the Oliver! set to be his finest achievement – it won both the Gippsland Theatre Most Outstanding Set Award and the Music Theatre Guild of Victoria Technical Achievement Award.

Composer, Musician & Sound Designer: Rob Ellis
Rob’s musical score and sound design for Hotel Sorrento earned awards from both the Victorian Drama League and Gippsland Associated Theatre, including the VDL Gold Award for Sound Design and A Month of Sundays which received the VDL Silver award. Rob was also the composer and musician for Shirley Valentine,  Shadowlands, which earned a VDL nomination, and The Cemetery Club.
His sound design for Oedipus Rex and the dinner music CD for Dinner at Hugo’s both earned accolades from the VDL and also Gippsland Associated Theatre.
Among other projects the one-act plays, Duchess on Thursday and Pavane are testament to Rob’s considerable talent. He created an evocative soundscape for Stringlines, composed incidental music for Twisted Tales from the Woods and the score for Bush Magic.

We greatly appreciate Yianni Banikos for supplying these fabulous photographs taken of the Heroes cast members.

2010
The 25th Annual  Putnam County Spelling Bee
One Act Play Festival – Living on the Edge

2009
Into the Woods
One Act Play Festival – Viva Juarez! / Love or Nearest Offer
Prom Coast Singers – Promontory Dreaming
Dinner at Hugo’s
Bush Magic

2008
Prom Coast Singers – 10th Anniversary Concert
One Act Play Festival – The ‘Ole in the Road
Blue Remembered Hills
Twisted Tales from the Woods

2007
The Producers
One Act Play Festival – The Bus Jumper / Open Call
Stringlines
Prom Coast Singers – Fire Up!
Prom Coast Singers – From Pop to Op(era)
Love Letters

2006
Ebenezer’s Dream
One-Act Play Festival – Pavane
Oedipus Rex
Prom Coast Singers – Stars and Maps Cantata

2005
Old Time Music Hall
Prom Coast Singers – Voices for Hospices – Cantata
One-Act Play Festival – Dinner for One
The Cemetery Club
Prom Coast Singers – Requiem & Polovtsienne Dances
Shadowlands
Alice in Wonderland

2004
Shirley Valentine
One-Act Play Festival – Chamber Music / Duchess on Thursday
Winter Warmers -Variety Concert
Prom Coast Singers – Essence of Folk

2003
FAMDA’s 50th Birthday Celebration
Old Time Music Hall
Prom Coast Singers – Mid-Winter Concert
One Act Play Festival – Barney
A Month of Sundays

2002
One-Act Play Festival – McGarrity Morgan
Guys and Dolls
Hotel Sorrento

2001
PCS – A Ceremony of Carols
One-Act Play Festival – Altered Egos
The Woman in Black

2000
A Christmas Cracker
Prom Coast Singers – Benefit Concert
Oliver!

1999
Love Letters
Educating Rita

1998
Round and Round the Garden
The Thwarting of Baron Bolligrew

1997
Annie
Chinamen in Cabaret

1996
The Triple Treat – The Intruders / Mourning Tea / The Bespoke Overcoat
The Golden Legion of Cleaning Women

1995
The Music Man
Back to Famda

1994
Top Silk

1993
40th Birthday Celebrations
Fiddler on the Roof

1992
Barefoot in the Park

1991
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

1990
Follow the Star
My Friend Miss Flint

1989
Love Marriage & Complications
Oklahoma!

1988
200 Not Out
The Removalists

1987
The Curse of an Aching Heart
Salad Days

1986
Foster Improlympics

1985
Felicity’s Fortune

1984
John Goodfella
High Infidelity
Kiss Me Kate

1983
FAMDA’s 30th Birthday Party
Broadway Memories
Arsenic and Old Lace

1982
The Piperman
Foster’s Larger Music Hall
Don’s Party

1981
Blush
Once Upon a Mattress
An Evening with Barbara Fleming

1980
A Threepenny Christmas
Has Anyone Seen Mrs. Jones?
Arms and the Man

1979
Ten Nights in a Bar-Room

1978
The Importance of Being Earnest

1977
Follow the Star
The Birthday Party

1976
Sleeping Beauty
The Gondoliers

1975
Caught in the Villain’s Web
The Book of the Month
The Pajama Game

1974
Revue 21
The Man who Came to Dinner
Calamity Jane
Boeing Boeing

1973
Pure as the Driven Snow
White Horse Inn
Toad of Toad Hall

1972
Pearls for the Poor / Grand Scandal / Trial by Jury
The Pirates of Penzance

1971
Love Rides the Rails
The Shifting Heart

1970
Aladdin
Goodnight Mrs. Puffin
The Great Uncertainty

1969
Jack in a Beanstalk
Trap for a Lonely Man

1968
But Once a Year
Salad Days
Sailor Beware

1967
The Winslow Boy

1966
Rapunzel
A Lady Mislaid

1962
Patience

1961
The Enchanted Waltz
Maid of the Mountains
Meet a Body

1960
Mother Goose
Our Miss Gibbs
Candied Peel

1959
Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves
H.M.S. Pinafore
The Feminine Touch

1957
FAMDA’s 1957 Presentation
One Act Plays – Home is the Haunted

1958
Foster FAMDA’s 1958 Presentation
One Act Plays – The Spider Ring / Without the Prince

1956
The Mikado
A Night of One-Act Plays – High Tea

1955
Presentation Night
Trial By Jury / Master Dudley

1954
FAMDA Frolics

1953
Foster Frolics

Les Chanteuses at rehearsal
Natalie Burrow, Alicia Miller, Katelyn Ardley, Georgia Karavis and Sue Dower

CABARETRO

CABARET is a form of entertainment featuring sophisticated, interesting, at times unusual, music, dance, comedy, theatre and other variety acts, distinguished by the venue – a restaurant, café, bar or small theatre with a stage for performances and the audience sitting at tables dining during the performance which is introduced by an MC.

The first cabaret was in Paris, probably Le Chat Noir in Montmartre in 1881, with other venues such as Moulin Rouge, Folies Bergère and Le Lido.

In Berlin between the wars, kabaret was a satirical and subversive alternative entertainment in the face of the economic and political turmoil of pre-war Germany.

In New York, cabaret developed as part of the nightclubs that grew out of the speakeasies of the prohibition era and included burlesque, jazz and the sort of variety portrayed in numerous Hollywood movies.

They all have common elements: small venue, sophisticated entertainment as the audience dines.

CABARETRO is a retrospective on cabaret from Paris in the 1880s & 1890s and Berlin in the twenties and thirties before taking us to New York with the speakeasies of the 1920s and the sophistication of the Big Apple post World War II.

Skylines, hemlines, story lines, songs — The playboys, the bombshells, cigar smoke and stage doors. The American songbook swings, sizzles and soars. Late nights, early mornings, no regrets… The duets and songs made famous in New York’s Golden Age of Cabaret are brought to the stage by FAMDA’s talented performers.

With Cabaretro patrons enjoyed a gourmet meal with full table service and were entertained by fabulous singers, dancers, musicians – plus a little night magic.

SINGERS
Peter Bell, Natalie Burrow, Sue Dower, Raymond Dunstan, Gavin Van Eede,
Georgia Karavis, John Laurie, Alicia Miller & Elly Poletti

MCs
Georgia Karavis & Tim Gorman

MAGICIAN
Peter Cook

DANCERS
Elektra Banikos, Zoi Banikos, Chloe Bindloss, Darcy Clearihan-Jervies, Jasmine Jones,
Harley McDonald-Eckersall, Shea McDonald-Eckersall, Laura Parry, Danae Smith,
Shona Smith, Georgia Wake & Chloe Wood

MUSICIANS
Dylan Bomm – Double Bass
Cheryl Connor – Piano
Raymond Dunstan – Accordion
Gavin Van Eede – Guitar
Alicia Miller – Alto Saxophone, Flute & Piccolo
John Laurie – Guitar
Jim Lowe – Drums
Emma Miller – Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone

PRODUCTION TEAM
Concept – Edwin Coad
Script – John Laurie
Catering – Tania Pell
Director / Musical Director – John Laurie
Production Manager – Dianne Paragreen
Choreography – Susie Green
Set Design – John Laurie
Set Construction Manager – Bruce Crowl
Set Painting – Fleur Wheeler & Alayne McKenzie
Stage Manager – Phil Nightingall
Costumes – Dianne Paragreen & Tania Pell
Properties Manager – Margaret Rudge
Lighting Design – Jan Bull
Lighting Operators – Jan Bull & Rhonda Bland
Sound – Brian Paragreen
Rehearsal Pianist – Cheryl Connor
Publicity – Jennifer Paragreen
Programme – John Laurie & Jennifer Paragreen

FEEL FREE TO BROWSE THROUGH THE PHOTOS BELOW
provided for your viewing pleasure by Yianni Banikos.

For further details of production concept, sample menu and cast registration form.
DOWNLOAD CABARETRO INFORMATION PACK

FAMDA CAST

FACILITATORS
Ms Rona Lisa Peretti ~ Nicole Cooper
Vice-Principal Douglas Panch ~ Noel Stringer
Mitch Mahoney (Comfort Counsellor) ~ Paul Smith

SPELLING BEE FINALISTS
Chip Tolentino ~ Josh Gardiner
Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere ~ Jemima Eva
Leaf Coneybear ~ Ivan Koetsveld
William Barfée ~ Emmi Latham
Marcy Park ~ Katelyn Ardley
Olive Ostrovsky ~ Gabrielle Vening
All other roles are played by the cast

BAND
Musical Director ~ John Laurie
Piano ~ Cheryl Connor
Percussion ~ Jim Lowe
Double Bass ~ Ron Murley, Tegan Murley
Clarinet / Alto Sax ~ Alicia Miller, Emma Miller, Brooke Little, Alasdair Campbell
Flute ~ Kate Woodward, Alicia Miller, Joanne Drury

PRODUCTION TEAM

Director ~ Nathan Eva
Musical Director ~ John Laurie
Choreographers ~ Jemima & Nathan Eva
Assistant Director ~ Tania Pell
Production Manager ~ Catherine McGlead
Set Construction ~ Jason Pell
Stage Banner ~ Geoff Davey / Kate Crowl
Costumes ~ Tania Pell
Stage Manager ~ James McIntyre
Lighting Design & Operation ~ Andrew Oldroyd
Follow Spot Operators ~ Rhonda Bland, Andrew Oldroyd
Sound Design & Operation ~ Brian Paragreen
Rehearsal Pianists ~ Cheryl Connor, Barbara Fleming, Carmel Slater
Hair & Make-Up ~ Tania Pell
Front of House Manager ~ Catherine McGlead
Publicity & Marketing ~ Jennifer Paragreen
Photography ~ Robert Paragreen
Programme ~ Jennifer Paragreen

AWARDS

GIPPSLAND ASSOCIATED THEATRE WINNERS 2010

MOST OUTSTANDING MUSICAL PRODUCTION
* The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee – FAMDA

MOST OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR OF A MUSICAL
* Nathan Eva – Spelling Bee, FAMDA

MOST OUTSTANDING SUPPORT ACTOR IN A MUSICAL – Male
* Ivan Koetsveld (Leaf Coneybear)

MOST OUTSTANDING SUPPORT ACTOR IN A MUSICAL – Female
* Jemima Eva (Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere)

MOST OUTSTANDING CAMEO PERFORMANCE
* Paul Smith (Mitch Mahoney)

MOST OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE
* Cast of Spelling Bee – FAMDA

GIPPSLAND ASSOCIATED THEATRE NOMINEES 2010

MOST OUTSTANDING FEMALE LEAD ACTOR – FEMALE  IN A MUSICAL
Emmi Latham as William Barfée
Gabrielle Vening as Olive Ostrovsky

MOST OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR – MALE  IN A MUSICAL
Josh Gardiner as Chip Tolentino
Noel Stringer as Vice-Principal Douglas Panch

MOST OUTSTANDING MUSICAL DIRECTOR
John Laurie

MOST OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHER
Jemima & Nathan Eva

MOST OUTSTANDING PROGRAMME
Jennifer Paragreen

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Congratulations to FAMDA people honoured by

MUSIC THEATRE GUILD OF VICTORIA 2010

NOMINATION
Junior Performer in an Open Production
Josh Gardiner (Chip Tolentino) – FAMDA The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

COMMENDATION
Director
Nathan Eva – FAMDA The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

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*     *     *     *

“Can you spell I-R-R-E-S-I-S-T-I-B-L-E?

Don your thinking cap and polish off the dictionary

Come and enjoy a riotously funny and entirely adorable new musical

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is buzzing into Foster!

Join six quirky adolescents as they vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime.
This fresh musical comedy embraces the weird, welcomes the awkward and celebrates overachieving angst.
Composed by William Finn, author of Falsettos and A New Brain, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee includes a score chock full of infectious and playful songs.
Nominated for an incredible six 2005 Tony awards and winner of two,  Spelling Bee will charm and delight with its frivolous spelling bee fun.
Often chaotic, always unique, this hilarious take on American pop culture is a true delight.

The show centres around a fictional spelling bee set in a school hall somewhere in USA.
The story concerns the pre-pubescent spelling contestants, all played by young adults, and the three troubled grown-up supervisors of the bee.
The three adults adjudicating the proceedings are a nostalgic former spelling bee winner, a mildly insane Vice Principal and the Official Comfort Counsellor completing his community service to the State of New York.

As the six kids face off in the battle of their lives, the competition is intense and the words outrageous.
Gradually the kids learn that winning isn’t everything and that losing doesn’t necessarily make you a loser.

*     *     *     *

*     *     *     *

Life really is pandemonium at The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee!

FAMDA’s hilarious version of this bright new musical comedy that will warm your heart and bring side splitting entertainment to South Gippsland.

It’s the funniest thing in seven consonants!

Jubilant and touching, this Tony Award–winning musical comedy pits quirky prepubescent overachievers against one other in the spelling challenge of a lifetime.

Amid infectious songs such as “My Friend, the Dictionary,” “Woe Is Me, and “I Speak Six Languages,” the nerdy and wordy learn that winning isn’t everything.

Let the spelling (and the singing) begin!

8pm Friday 5 November – Gala opening
8pm Saturday 6 November
2pm Sunday 7 November
8pm Thursday 11 November
8pm Friday 12 November
2pm & 8pm Saturday 13 November

Tickets: .. Gala opening 5 November – All tickets: $35.00
………………………… 6 – 13 November – Adults: $30.00
…… ……………………………………………….. Concession / Group 10+: $25.00
……. ………………………………………………. Student: $20.00

FAMDA TICKET SALES

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Find the complete gallery from “Into The Woods” at
http://lifegames.com.au/into-the-woods-famda/

…or feel free to browse through our selections below…

Pictures courtesy of lifegames photography

Music and Lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM

Book by JAMES LAPINE

Originally directed on Broadway by James Lapine

By arrangement with Hal Leonard Australia Pty Ltd

Exclusive agent for Music Theatre International (NY)

Love, loss, theft, sorcery, seduction, betrayal, death.  It’s no walk in the park.

Into the Woods, Sondheim and Lapine’s classic blending of Little Red Ridinghood, Jack & the Beanstalk, Cinderella and Rapunzel, has been a stage favourite for over 20 years.

It brings some of the best-known fairytales together with an original tale about a baker and his wife who spend the first act attempting to reverse a curse so that they may have a child.

All the tales reach their happy conclusions at the end of act one, but then the characters must deal with the results of their desperate search to get what they want – the most dangerous of which is the angry wife of the slain Giant.

Ultimately we are left with a finale about being careful of the legacy we leave, the tales we teach, and an awareness that no matter what battles we fight or whose side we’re on, all actions have consequences.

CAST (in order of appearance)
Narrator – Charles Gruen
Milky White – Louise Dower
Cinderella – Tamika Ball
Jack – Josh Gardiner
Baker – Andrew Oldroyd
Baker’s Wife – Fiona Watts
Stepmother – Dianne Paragreen
Florinda – Lee-Anne Mitchell
Lucinda – Kerrie Giles
Jack’s Mother – Hilary Stuchbery
Little Red Ridinghood – Katelyn Ardley
Witch – Nicole Cooper
Cinderella’s Father – Ashley Stuchbery
Cinderella’s Mother – Barbara Colbran
Wolf / Cinderella’s Prince – Tim Gesell
Rapunzel – Bindi Dunstan
Rapunzel’s Prince – Antony Norden
Granny / Giant’s Wife – Barbara Colbran
Steward – James McIntyre
Sleeping Beauty – Rhiarna Ball
Snow White – Kim Sharpley

PRODUCTION TEAM
Director – John Laurie
Assistant Director – Paddy Broberg
Musical Director – Pamela Coad
Production Manager – Dianne Paragreen
Choreographer – Cassie Fennell
Set Design – Gavin Van Eede & Sindy Virtue
Set Construction Manager – Bruce Crowl
Costume Design – Anda Banikos
Lighting Design – Andrew Oldroyd
Sound Design – Brian Paragreen
Stage Manager – Phil Nightingall

ORCHESTRA
Musical Director – Pamela Coad
Piano – Barbara Fleming
Synthesizer – Paddy Broberg
Synthesizer Strings – Cheryl Connor
Trumpet – Colin Chandler
Flute / Piccolo – Joanne Drury
Flute – Kate Woodward
Clarinet – Alasdair Campbell
Cello – Michael Killian
Double Bass – Ron Murley, Tegan Murley
Percussion – Donald Campbell

Rehearsal Pianist – Barbara Fleming

CONSTRUCTION TEAM
Set – Ari Bos, Don Colbran, Peter Crawford, Bruce Crowl, Burt Fabel, Larry Giddy, Max Hastings, David Hunter, John Laurie, Phil Nightingall, Bill Park, Ross McKenzie, Dick Straw
Helpers – Vince Bucello, Ben Cooper, Raymond Dunstan, Christopher Freeman, Janet Lind, John Mackay, Robert Paragreen, Neil Roussac, Brendan Ryan
Set Painting – Geoff Davey, Fleur Wheeler,
Rhonda Bland, Edwin Coad, Barbara Colbran, Kate Crowl, Lee-Anne Mitchell, Nick Stefani, Barbara Partridge
Costumes – Serena Ball, Joan Harfield, Marilyn Ardley, Catherine McGlead, Dianne Paragreen, Hilary Stuchbery & Cast
Milky White Costume – Amanda & Chris Mahomed
Properties – Arie Bos, Barbara & Don Colbran, Amanda & Chris Mahomed, Ashleigh & Corindy Morris, Andrew Oldroyd, Trish O’Neill, Barbara Partridge
Prosthetics – Tania Pell
Sound Effects – Rob Ellis

TECHNICAL
Lighting Operation – Jan Bull, Raymond Dunstan, Chris Freeman
Sound Operation – Brian Paragreen, Jennifer Paragreen

BACKSTAGE
Stage Manager – Phil Nightingall
Assistant Stage Managers – Sue Dower, Brendan Ryan
Crew – Serena Ball, Steve Ball, Rhonda Bland, Ray Dower
Wood Sprites – Elektra Banikos,  Zoi Banikos, Josie Harfield-Park, Shea McDonald-Eckersall
Properties – Amanda Mahomed
Assistant – Barbara Partridge
Hair & Make-Up – Tania Pell, Rhiarna Ball, Jeanette Bath, Denise Bravington, Roslyn Hanks, Durelle Lind, Sarah Lind, Chelsea Shellcott

ADMINISTRATION
Front of House Manager – Catherine McGlead
Ticket bookings – Deborah Harris – Main Street Revelations
Photography – Robert Paragreen
Publicity & Marketing – Linda Giddy, Jennifer Paragreen
Programme – Jennifer Paragreen

When
Friday 2 October 8:00pm 2009
Saturday 3 October 8:00pm
Sunday 4 October 2:00pm
Thursday 8 October 8:00pm
Friday 9 October 8:00pm
Saturday 10 October 8:00pm
Sunday 11 October 2:00pm
Thursday 15 October 8:00pm
Friday 16 October 8:00pm
Saturday 17 October 8:00pm

Where
Foster War Memorial Arts Centre
Main Street, Foster
Melway 530 H5

AWARDS

Music Theatre Guild of Victoria – Judge’s Award
Intelligent and sensitive animation of Milky White, the cow – Louise Dower

Music Theatre Guild of Victoria – Nomination
Technical Achievement – FAMDA

Music Theatre Guild of Victoria – Commendation
Director – John Laurie

Gippsland Associated Theatre Awards
Most Outstanding Lead Performer ~ Female  – Fiona Watts, the Baker’s Wife
Most Outstanding Lighting  – Andrew Oldroyd
Most Outstanding Junior Male – Josh Gardiner, Jack
Most Outstanding Junior Female – Louise Dower,  Milky White

>> FIND OUT MORE CLICK HERE <<

Beautiful girls, handsome princes, a fairy god-mother, love, gold, the palace, the wedding, the wolf, the woods, happily ever after – they are all the stock ingredients of children’s storybooks.

You get all this and more in Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s grown-up fairy tale, Into the Woods.

Here the mix also includes curses, lechery, theft, seduction, pain, magic, infidelity, loss, betrayal, mayhem and death. It’s quite a journey and, when combined with Stephen Sondheim’s witty songs and FAMDA’s fabulous cast, there is a magical theatrical experience ahead.

The saga combines elements of Grimm Brothers’ fairy tales such as Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and Jack and the Beanstalk plus an original story about a baker and his wife who have to reverse a curse in order to have a child.

By the end of Act I all the characters have achieved what they wanted, having been involved in some skullduggery to do so.
In Act II the dreams start to unravel and we learn not only that “nice is different than good” but also to be careful what you wish for and that all actions have their consequences.

Into the Woods opened on Broadway in 1987 where it ran for 764 performances. In a year dominated by The Phantom of the Opera, the original production won the 1988 New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award and the Drama Desk Award for Best Musical, and the original cast recording won a Grammy Award. Tony Awards went to Joanna Gleason for Best Actress in a Musical, James Lapine for Best Book of a Musical and Stephen Sondheim for Best Original Score.

South Gippsland has its own version of this  highly successful Broadway musical when “Into the Woods” was staged at the Foster War Memorial Arts Centre between 2 and 17 October 2009.

Theatre:

Foster War Memorial Arts Centre
Main St., Foster
Melway Reference: 530 H5

Performance dates:

8:00 Friday October 2 (gala première)
8:00 Saturday October 3
2:00 Sunday October 4
8:00 Thursday October 8
8:00 Friday October 9
8:00 Saturday October 10
2:00 Sunday October 11
8:00 Thursday October 15
8:00 Friday October 16
8:00 Saturday October 17

Ticket prices:

Adult: $30
Concession / Groups 10+: $25.00
Student / Child: $20.00
Gala opening night – 3 Oct: All tickets $38.00

Bookings:

Main Street Revelations, 31 Main St., Foster
0400 867 872

Once Upon A Time . . .

. . . in the little seaside town of Foster there was a theatre company called FAMDA that wanted to stage a musical called Into the Woods.

FAMDA invited anyone who wanted to come on this a thrilling venture into the woods to find out all about it and come along for the ride.

‘Into the Woods’ is a Tony Award-winning musical in which several fairy tale characters learn the hard way that the ‘happily ever after’ they sought isn’t necessarily so happy after all.

The story features fractured fairy tales with an ambivalent Cinderella, a blood-thirsty Little Red Ridinghood, a Prince Charming with a roving eye and a Witch who raps . . .

They’re all among the strange characters in James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim’s delightful musical, Into the Woods.

When a Baker and his Wife learn they’ve been cursed with childlessness by the Witch next door, they embark on a quest for the special objects required to break the spell, swindling, lying to and stealing from Cinderella, Little Red, Rapunzel and Jack (the one who climbed the beanstalk).

Everyone’s wish is granted at the end of Act One, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later, with disastrous results.

What begins as a lively irreverent fantasy in the style of “The Princess Bride” becomes a moving lesson about community responsibility and the stories we tell our children.

Find out all about it and how you can join in the fun at one of the information sessions being held at the Foster War Memorial Arts Centre 2:00 Sunday 3 May & 7:30 Monday 4 May.

Auditions By Appointment
Foster War Memorial Arts Centre
Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 May

For more information and audition bookings contact the Production Manager, Dianne Paragreen on 5682 2421 or fill out the contact form on this website.

A Gourmet Thriller by Edwin Coad

Music by Rob Ellis

Directed by Raymond Dunstan

Set in Hugo’s home on a hilltop overlooking the sea in contemporary country Victoria.

Served as the entree to the Prom Coast Seachange Festival
(24 April – 3 May 2009)

PERFORMANCE DATES: 17 – 24 April 2009
Gala Opening 8:00 Friday 17 April - All  tickets for opening night $25

Other Performances – 8:00 Saturday 18th, Wednesday 22nd, Thursday 23rd, Friday 24th all 8:00pm and Sunday 19th 2:00pm matinee
Tickets: Adults $20 Concession $16 Students $12 ,Groups of 10+ $16

PERFORMANCE VENUE: Foster War Memorial Arts Centre

CAST (in order of appearance):
Hugo – Lloyd Morcom
Therese – Sue Dower
Natalie – Jean Moore
Grant – Norman Willoughby
Jack – James McIntyre
Samantha – Jo Street
Gretta – Sacha Lamont

PRODUCTION TEAM

Design
Director – Raymond Dunstan
Production Manager – Chris Freeman
Original Music – Rob Ellis, with John Laurie & Jules Schmidt
Set – Raymond Dunstan
Lighting – Andrew Oldroyd
Sound – Rob Ellis
Costumes – Pamela Coad

Construction
Set – Raymond Dunstan
Scenic Painting – Fleur Wheeler
Featured Art Painting – Ann Parry
Costumes – Pamela Coad & Cast Members
Cuisine – Catherine McGlead

Technical
Lighting Operation – Andrew Oldroyd
Sound Operation – Rob Ellis

Backstage
Stage Manager – Arie Bos
Properties – Barbara Partridge
Assistant – Chris Freeman
Phone Voice – Barbara Partridge
Hair Consultant – Antony Norden
Make-up – Trish O’Neill, Tania Pell

Administration
Front of House Managers – Marcella Brennan, Edwin Coad

AWARDS

Victorian Drama League Judge’s Award – David Small
Original music in FAMDA’s production of  Dinner at Hugo’s -
Rob Ellis with help from John Laurie and Jules Schmidt

Gippsland Associated Theatre Judge’s Award – David Tattersall
Creativity in composing and recording the dinner music CD for Dinner at Hugo’s -
Rob Ellis,  John Laurie and Jules Schmidt

Production Photographs
Photographer – Elizabeth Richardson.
You can also view the entire gallery of pictures at -
http://lifegames.com.au/dinner-at-hugos-famda/.
Click each image to enlarge.

.

Lyrics: Edwin Coad

Music: Rob Ellis

PRODUCTION DESIGN TEAM

Directors – Edwin Coad, Pamela Coad, Andrew Oldroyd
Puppetry Director – Amanda Richter
Vocal Coach – Pamela Coad
Set – Geoff Davey
Music – Rob Ellis
Band Leader & Graphics – John Laurie
Costumes & Puppets – Anda Banikos
Lighting – Andrew Oldroyd
Production Manager - Trish O’Neill

CONSTRUCTION

Set Manager – Bruce Crowl
Set – Arie Bos, Peter Crawford, Bert Fabel, Larry Giddy, Brian Hoskins, David Hunter, John MacKay, Ross McKenzie, Bill Park, Barbara Partridge , Don Roberts, Brendan Ryan, Dick Straw
Scenic Painting – Fleur Wheeler, Geoff Davey and Cast Members
Costumes – Anda Banikos, Alanna Begg, Anthea Busuttil, Pamela Coad, Mohya Davies, Sue Dower
Puppets – Kate Crowl, Amanda Richter, Bronwyn Wakely, Edwin and Pamela Coad, Tania Pell

TECHNICAL

Lighting Operators – Andrew Oldroyd, Michael Thomas
Sound Operator – Brett Van Hoorn

BACKSTAGE

Stage Manager – James McIntyre
Stage Crew – Ray Dower, Andrew Jamieson, Rod Lind, Julie and Raoul Pridham, Jon and Ros Wathen
Hair & Make-up – Trish O’Neill, Owen Casson, Marion Ryan, Durrelle Lind, Dianne Frey, Tania Pell, Paul Hendry

ADMINISTRATION

Front of House Manager – Jocelyn Town
Ticket Bookings – Deborah Harris – Main Street Revelations
Publicity & Marketing – Linda Giddy, Jennifer Paragreen
Photography – Yianni Banikos
Programme – Jennifer Paragreen

Theatre:

Foster War Memorial Arts Centre, Main St., FOSTER 3960

Performances: 14 – 25 January 2009

Synopsis: South Gippsland’s answer to ‘The Lion King’ with puppets galore and over thirty performers on stage.
Holiday fun for all the family as country children and city kids combine to save the Australian bush animals.

Cast Members, Band & Puppeteers:

HUMANS
Granny ~ Dianne Frey
Grandpa ~ Max Adam
City Children
Molly ~ Elektra Banikos
Henry ~ Matthew Harris
Eartha ~ Stefanie Busuttil
Crooks
Connie ~ Genevieve Moore
Snide ~ Antony Norden
Country Kids
Bluey ~ Louise Dower
Bella ~ Hannah Lind
Sam ~ Will Pridham

PUPPETS
Caruso the Rooster ~ Max Adam
Hens & Cockatoos
Henny & Cocka-one ~ Tania Pell
Penny & Cocka-two ~ Marg Rudge
Jenny & Cocka-three ~ Rahel Davies
Bush Animals
Knightly the Owl ~ Norm Willoughby
Claude the Magpie ~ Max Adam
Jack the Kookaburra ~ Gwenda Bevan
Tizzy the Thrill-necked Lizard ~ Barbara Partridge
Priscilla the Possum ~ Eloise Hendry
Clarrie the Koala ~ Dick Straw

FARMYARD ANIMALS
Cows Daffodil ~ Arie Bos, Hyacinth ~ Brian Hoskins
Three Sheep Misikir Davies, Shea McDonald-Eckersall, Zoi Banikos
Wallace the pig ~ Ben Harris
Gus the border collie ~ Sue Dower
The Ballet Lambert Yasmin Bohn, Georgia Busuttil, Kelisha Holmes, Tiffany Matthews, Kimberley Shaw, Isabella Thorpe, Matilda Thorpe, Jonti Westaway, Jess Youl

BUSH ANIMALS
Matilda Kangaroo ~ Tara Hendry
Bruce Kangaroo ~ Paul Hendry
Joey ~ Ossie Brennan
Warri the Dingo ~ Patrick Dower
Nigel the Wombat ~ Geoff Harris

BAND
John Laurie ~ Guitar
Kerrie Tudor ~ Keyboard
Nerissa Richter ~ Flute
Tegan Murley ~ Double Bass
Ron Murley ~ Double Bass
Jim Lowe ~ Drums

Photographs Below – provided by Jocelyn Town

“A quirky drama by British TV dramatist Dennis Potter”
(best known for The Singing Detective).

Directed by Max Hastings

Foster’s award-winning theatre company, FAMDA proudly presented the groundbreaking ‘Blue Remembered Hills’, which was first shown on BBC TV in 1979, starring Helen Mirren.

FAMDA had a stellar cast for this show – Bruce Grainger, Louise Harfield, Max Hastings, Murray Maclean, James McIntyre, Margaret Rudge and John Watson – talented adults who take on the roles of seven year old children playing in the Forest of Dean one summer afternoon during 1943, when Britain was in the depths of World War II.

Loaded with laughs, but with a sting in the tale, this play was staged to invade hearts – and minds!

When: 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24 May 2008

Where: Foster War Memorial Arts Centre, Main Street, Foster.

Cast: The Children (in order of appearance)

Willie – Murray Maclean

Peter – Bruce Grainger

John – John Watson

Raymond – James McIntyre

Angela – Louise Harfield

Audrey – Margaret Rudge

Donald – Max Hastings

Production Team:

Director – Max Hastings
Production Manager – Dianne Paragreen
Set Design – Geoff Davey
Original Music – Rob Ellis
Lighting Design – Andrew Oldroyd
Sound Design – Rob Ellis
Costumes – Anda Banikos & Abigail Van Rooyen
Construction Manager – Bruce Crowl
Settings Construction Team – Arie Bos, Bert Fabel, Max Hastings, Larry Giddy, Ted Hutton, Ross McKenzie, Alan McPherson, Phil Nightingall, Barbara Partridge, Don Roberts, Dick Straw
Scenic Painting – Geoff Davey
Properties – Geoff Davey, Anda Banikos
Lighting Operators – Andrew Oldroyd, Michael Thomas
Stage Manager – Phil Nightingall
Make-up – Jan Bull, Nicole Cooper, Trish O’Neill
Front of House Managers – Marcella Brennan, Edwin Coad
Ticket Bookings – Deborah Harris – Main Street Revelations
Publicity & Marketing – Linda Giddy, Jennifer Paragreen

AWARDS

Victorian Drama League Judge’s Awards

Ensemble Acting – The cast of Blue Remembered Hills
Pyrotechnic effects – Andrew Oldroyd & Rob Ellis

Victorian Drama League Nominations

Most Outstanding Drama – Blue Remembered Hills, FAMDA
Most Outstanding Director of a Drama – Max Hastings
Most Outstanding Set Design – Geoff Davey
Most Outstanding Lighting Design – Andrew Oldroyd
Most Outstanding Sound Design – Rob Ellis
Most Outstanding Costume Design – Anda Banikos & Abigail van Rooyen

Gippsland Associated Theatre Awards

Most Outstanding Director of a Drama or Comedy – Max Hastings
Most Outstanding Support Actor – Max Hastings
Most Outstanding Lighting Design – Andrew Oldroyd
The inaugural Alby Fisher Memorial Award for excellence in creativity and design – FAMDA for the outstanding creation of the fire effects in the burning barn. (Principally the work of Rob Ellis & Andrew Oldroyd utilizing Geoff Davey‘s set)

Photographer: Yianni Banikos

Book & lyrics by Paul Hendry

Songs composed & arranged by Paddy Broberg

Incidental music by Rob Ellis

CAST (In order of appearance)

Pre-curtain Faerie sequence with members of the Susan Green School of Dance with Bindi Dunstan, Stefanie Busuttil, Georgia Busuttil, Louise Dower & Josie Harfield-Park plus members of Amanda Richter’s Tildi Montessori Learning Centre. Directed by Miss Susie Green assisted by Amanda Richter & Bindi Dunstan.

Narrator – Paul Hendry
Big Faerie ‘Nuff’ - Norm Willoughby
Granny Mae - Billie Broadfoot / Tarnya Wilson
The Queen - Brian Hoskins
Faith, 1st Sister -Arie Bos
Hope, 2nd Sister - Pat Hendry
Charity, 3rd Sister - Norm Willoughby
Princess Bountiful - Tara Hendry
Dwarf Sleepy - Josie Harfield-Park
Dwarf Bashful – Georgia Busuttil
Dwarf Happy – Stefanie Busuttil
Dwarf Dopey - Louis Wheeler
Dwarf Sneezy - Eloise Hendry
Dwarf Grumpy - Louise Dower
Dwarf Doc - Brandon Busuttil
Cindy Ella - Amanda Richter
Prince Boniface - Katelyn Ardley
Prince Gallant - Zoi Banikos
Prince Elegant - Bindi Dunstan
Prince Charming - David Baggallay
Rupert, the Baby Bear - Elektra Banikos
Mummy Bear - Jan Fell
Daddy Bear - Barbara Partridge
Hansel - Louis Wheeler
Gretel - Stefanie Busuttil
Griselda, the Witch - Nicole Cooper
Robin Hood - Louise Harfield
Little John - Chris Mahomed
Harry Smith - Patrick Dower
Will Scarlet - Sue Dower
Friar Tuck - Geoff Harris
Tom Titter - Ben Harris
Princes’ Understudy - Hayley Beatson

MUSICAL ENSEMBLE

Pianist & Musical Director -Paddy Broberg
Flute - Nerissa Richter
Double Bass - Ron Murley
Double Bass - Tegan Murley
Percussion - Jim Lowe
Guitar - John Laurie
Flute - Nerissa Richter
Double Bass - Ron Murley
Double Bass - Tegan Murley
Percussion - Jim Lowe
Guitar - John Laurie

PRODUCTION DESIGN TEAM

Director – Paul Hendry
Assistant Directors - David Baggallay, Pat Hendry
Musical Director - Paddy Broberg
Assistant Musical Director - Pat Hendry
Choreographers – Susie Green, Paul Hendry, David Baggallay
Billie Broadfoot, Bindi Dunstan, Amanda Richter Catie Eales
Set - Paul Hendry
Costumes - Anda Banikos, Pat Hendry
Lighting - Paul Hawthorne
Sound - Rob Ellis, John Rees, Paddy Broberg

CONSTRUCTION

Manager - Bruce Crowl
Set Construction - Arie Bos, Bruce Crowl, Paul Hendry
Brian Hoskins, Phil Nightingall, Barbara Partridge Don Roberts, Brendan Ryan, Dick Straw
Set Painting - Geoff Davey
Costume Construction - Pat Hendry & a team of sweatshop volunteers
Properties Construction - Arie Bos, Paul Hendry, Chris Mahomed, Amanda Richter

TECHNICAL

Lighting Operators - Paul Hawthorne, Michael Thomas
Sound Operator - John Rees

BACKSTAGE

Stage Manager - Alan McPherson
Stage Crew - Chris Busuttil, Michelle Gale, Trevor Wheeler & Cast
Hair & Make-up - Nicole Cooper, Michelle Gale, Trish O’Neill
Tara Richter, Sherri Rochforte

FRONT OF HOUSE

Managers - Marcella Brennan, Edwin Coad
Ticket Bookings - Deborah Harris – Main Street Revelations
Photography - Robert Paragreen, John Banikos (photos on this page)
Publicity & Marketing - Linda Giddy, Jennifer Paragreen
Programme - Jennifer Paragreen

Staged: 6 – 18 January 2008 at Foster War Memorial Arts Centre

GIPPSLAND ASSOCIATED THEATRE JUDGES’ AWARDS

Original music and lyrics – Paddy Broberg and Paul Hendry
The transformation of Cinderella’s coach – Paul Hendry’s concept realised by Bruce Crowl
The residential mushrooms adorning the stage apron – Amanda Richter and helpers from the Tildi Montessori Learning Centre
Delightful acting performance – Stefanie Busuttil

26 October – 10 November 2007

Foster War Memorial Arts Centre

PRODUCTION TEAM
Director – Neil Goodwin
Musical Directors – Colin Chandler / Pamela Coad
Choreographer – Lisa Pellin
Set Designer – Geoff Davey
Costume Designers- Anda Banikos, Abigail Van Rooyen
Lighting Design – Matt Saario
Sound Design – Brian Paragreen

CAST
Max Bialystock – Matt Hillman
Leo Bloom – Murray Maclean
Ulla – Kate Williams
Franz Liebkind – John Black
Roger DeBris – Wayne Moloney
Carmen Ghia – Drew Downing

Roger’s Team:
Bryan – John Laurie
Kevin – Peter Bell
Scott – Antony Norden
Shirley Markowitz – Genevieve Moore
Hold Me-Touch Me – Kerrie Giles
Lick Me-Bite Me – Lee-Anne Mitchell
Kiss Me-Feel Me – Rhonda Bland
Storm Trooper – Peter Bell

ENSEMBLE:
Katelyn Ardley, Zoi Banikos, Peter Bell, Arie Bos, Louise Clarke, Elyse Cripps, Dianne Frey Andrew Jamieson, Amy Kindellan, Grace Kindellan, Hailey Rodwell, Joanne Russell, Amy Smith, Jon Wathen, Norm Willoughby.

DANCERS:
Susannah Babos, Rhiarna Ball, Tamika Ball, Monique Goss, Sophie Maxwell, Ellaine Parnall, Matilda Patterson.

PRODUCTION PHOTOS:
Photographer Yianni Banikos

A contemporary Australian drama by Edwin Coad

13 – 21 July 2007
Foster War Memorial Arts Centre

CAST

David: Kingsley Mahomed
Barry: Geoff Robson
Kaye: Elizabeth Richardson
Les: James McIntyre
Phil: Paul Hendry
Rob Conway: Geoff Harris
Bruno: Norman Willoughby
Joe: David Hutton

PRODUCTION TEAM

Director: Max Adam
Set Design: Geoff Davey
Original Music: Rob Ellis
Lighting Design: Andrew Oldroyd
Sound Design: Rob Ellis
Construction Manager: Bruce Crowl
Stage Manager: Phil Nightingall

Photo Credits
The headshots with the Stringlines logo were taken and processed by Robert Paragreen.
Thanks also to Jocelyn Town for providing the photographs below of cast and crew during rerehearsals.

Victorian Drama League Judge’s Award

Foyer Display with Construction Theme – Blue Remembered Hills, FAMDA

Gippsland Associated Theatre Awards

Most Outstanding Set Design – Geoff Davey

Most Outstanding Lighting Design – Andrew Oldroyd

A Musical Play by Eileen Nelson based on ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens

Additional songs by Paddy Broberg & Raymond Dunstan
8 – 16 December 2006

CAST

Alastair Straw: Urchin – Tiny Tim – Wraith
Arie Bos: Tin Whistler – Carol Singer
Barbara Partridge: Lady – Mrs. Dilber – Mrs. Fezziwig
Ben Harris: Urchin – Fezziwig Employee – Boy
Bindi Dunstan: Flower Seller – Carol Singer – Ellen
Brandon Busuttil: Urchin – Peter
Brian Hoskins: Carol Singer – Ghost of Christmas Present – Cedric
David Baggallay: Beggar – Jacob Marley
Deborah Harris: Londoner – Collector
Ellie Hendry: Urchin – Fan – Wraith
Geoff Harris: Londoner – Businessman
Geoff Robson: Carol Singer – Bob Cratchit
Ivan Koetsveld: Carol Singer – Ghost of Christmas Past / Yet to Come
Jack Chatfield: Fiddler
James McIntyre: Peeler – Fred Wardle
Jamie Stefani: Urchin – Belinda
Jan Fell: Londoner – Carol Singer – Mrs. Button – Sarah
Jean Moore: Carol Singer – Mrs. Pimble
Katelyn Ardley: Urchin – Carol Singer – Miss Fezziwig – Martha
Louise Dower: Urchin – Fan – Belinda – Wraith
Martin Chatfield: Accordionist
Matthew Harris: Urchin – Tiny Tim – Wraith
Michelle Gale: Carol Singer – Belle – (Understudy for Annie)
Nick Stefani: Urchin – Fezziwig Employee – Peter – Boy
Nicole Cooper: Carol Singer – Annie Wardle
Norm Willoughby: Gentleman – Carol Singer – Fezziwig – Old Joe
Patrick Dower: Urchin – Carol Singer – Ebenezer (as a boy) – Dick – B’man
Paul Hendry: Ebenezer Scrooge
Peter Fell: Carol Singer – Binker – Businessman
Reid Morrison: Urchin – Carol Singer – Ebenezer (as a boy) – Dick – B’man
Rhonda Bland: Londoner – Collector – Carol Singer – Betsy
Sarah Dinger: Urchin – Carol Singer – Miss Fezziwig – Martha
Sherri Rochforte: Carol Singer – Miss Fezziwig – Polly – Jessie
Stewart Roffe: Peeler – Carol Singer- Ebenezer (as a youth) -Topper-B’man
Sue Dower: Seafood Seller – Carol Singer – Mrs. Cratchit
Wendy Allen: Londoner – Miss Fezziwig – Jane – Caroline

PRODUCTION TEAM

Director: Raymond Dunstan
Set Design: Geoff Davey
Costumes Design: Pat Hendry, Raymond Dunstan
Lighting & Sound Design: Andrew Oldroyd
Production Manager: Max Hastings
Construction Manager: Bruce Crowl
Set Painting: Geoff Davey
Costume Construction: Pat Hendry
Properties Construction: Arie Bos, Paul Hendry, James McIntyre
Lighting Operators: Max Hastings, Andrew Oldroyd
Follow Spot Operators: John Gulley, Michael Paragreen
Sound Operator: Chris Freeman
Communications: Brendan Ryan
Stage Manager: Alan McPherson
Properties: Margaret Rudge
Hair Styling & Make-up: Jenny Cocksedge, Nicole Cooper, Tara Hendry

A classical Greek tragedy by Sophocles
~ Translated by E. F. Watling ~
Directed by Raymond Dunstan

5 – 13 May 2006
Foster War Memorial Arts Centre

CAST: (in order of appearance)
Oedipus – Rodney Sharp
Creon / Prologue / Teiresias – Bruce Grainger
Jocasta – Dianne Paragreen
Chorus / Priest / King Laius – Geoff Robson
Chorus / Priest’s Attendant – Denise Honeybone
Chorus Leader / Priest’s Attendant – Kate Aitken
Chorus / Priest’s Attendant – Paddy Broberg
Chorus / Young Theban Shepherd – James McIntyre
Messenger (Old Corinthian Shepherd) / Citizen – David Baggallay
Old Theban Shepherd / Citizen – Bruce Crowl
Queen’s Attendant – Jane Park
King’s Attendant – Chris Freeman
Musician (Finger Cymbals) – Bernadette Grainger
Musician (Drum) / Young Corinthian Shepherd – Arie Bos
Citizens of Thebes – Barbara Partridge, Paul Hendry, Wendy Allen, Diane Casbolt

PRODUCTION TEAM
Director – Raymond Dunstan
Set & Costume Designer – Raymond Dunstan
Original Music – Rob Ellis
Mask Designers – Meg Viney, Graeme Henry
Production Manager – Max Hastings
Construction Manager – Bruce Crowl
Settings Construction – Arie Bos, Peter Fell, David Hollyfield, David Hutton, Ross McKenzie, Bill Park, Geoff Robson, Rodney Sharp, Dick Straw, Fleur Wheeler
Set Painting – Geoff Davey
Costume Construction – Chris Beehag, Heather Drury, Pat Hendry
Mask Makers – Kate Crowl, Graeme Henry, Meg Viney
Properties Construction – Arie Bos, Paul Hendry, Michael Kellock
Lighting Design – Andrew Oldroyd
Lighting Operators – Max Hastings / Andrew Oldroyd
Sound designer & operator – Rob Ellis
Stage Manager – Alan McPherson
Hair Styling – Jenny Cocksedge
Front of House Manager – Max Adam
Ticket Booking – Main Street Revelations
Opening Night Catering – Trudy Haines
Photography – Robert Paragreen
Programme, Publicity & Marketing – Jennifer Paragreen

Photo:  Norm Willoughby, Bruce Grainger, Jennifer Paragreen, Raymond Dunstan, Bernadette Grainger and Chris Freeman with Gippsland Theatre Awards won for ‘Oedipus Rex’.

AWARDS

Victorian Drama League Awards

Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Bruce Grainger as Creon and Teiresias Best
Actress in a Minor Role – Cate Feldmann as the Chorus Leader
Judge’s Award – Informative Foyer Display and Programme – Raymond Dunstan, Jennifer Paragreen and Robert Paragreen.

Victorian Drama League Nominations

Best Drama – Oedipus Rex, FAMDA
Best Director – Raymond Dunstan
Best Set – Raymond Dunstan
Best Sound – Rob Ellis
Best Costume Design – Raymond Dunstan
Best Actor in a Leading Role – Rodney Sharp as Oedipus
Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Dianne Paragreen as Jocasta
Best Actor in a Minor Role – David Baggallay as the Messenger

Gippsland Associated Theatre Awards

Most outstanding Production (Comedy or Drama) – Oedipus Rex, FAMDA
Most Outstanding Director – Raymond Dunstan
Most Outstanding Lead Actor Male – Rodney Sharp as Oedipus
Most Outstanding Support Actor Male – Bruce Grainger in various roles
Most Outstanding Set Design – Raymond Dunstan
Most Outstanding Lighting Design – Andrew Oldroyd
Most Outstanding Technical Achievement – Oedipus Rex, FAMDA
David Tattersall’s Judge’s award – Arie Bos and Bernadette Grainger as the musicians on Mt Cithaeron.

by Ivan Menchell

10 – 18 June 2005

CAST
Ida – Dianne Paragreen
Lucille – Jane Park
Doris – Rhonda Hanily
Sam – Bruce Grainger
Mildred – Jean Piening

PRODUCTION TEAM

Director: Murray Maclean
Set Design: Geoff Davey
Original Music: Rob Ellis
Costume Design: Jenny Cocksedge
Sound Design & Operation: Rob Ellis
Lighting Design: Andrew Oldroyd

Set Construction Supervisors: Bruce Crowl & Max Hastings
Set Painting: Geoff Davey & Fleur Wheeler
Furniture: Joan Liley
Costume Construction: Pat Hendry
Stage Manager: Alan McPherson
Properties: Joan Liley

AWARDS

Gippsland Associated Theatre
Most Outstanding Director (Comedy or Drama) – Murray Maclean
Most Outstanding Lead Female (Comedy or Drama) – Rhonda Hanily as Doris

by William Nicholson

*   *   *

Foster War Memorial Arts Centre

8:00 18 – 27 March 2005

*   *   *

CAST

C. S. Lewis – Max Hastings
Major W. H. (Warnie) Lewis – David Baggallay
Professor Christopher Riley – Raymond Dunstan
Rev. ‘Harry’ Harrington – Norm Willoughby
Alan Gregg / Doctor – James McIntyre
Dr. Maurice Oakley / Priest – Paul Hendry
Joy Gresham (Davidman) – Kate Aitken
Douglas Gresham – Patrick Dower / Reid Morrison
Registrar / Nurse – Jean Piening
Registrar’s Clerk / Tea Room Waiter / Hotel Waiter – Chris Freeman

PRODUCTION TEAM

Director: Max Hastings
Assistant Director: Bruce Crowl
Set Design: Geoff Davey
Original Music: Rob Ellis
Costume Design: Dianne Paragreen
Sound Design & Operation: Rob Ellis
Lighting Design: Andrew Oldroyd
Set Construction Supervisor: Bruce Crowl
Set Painting: Geoff Davey, Fleur Wheeler
Stage Managers: Alan McPherson, Phil Nightingall
Properties: Margaret Rudge

AWARDS

Victorian Drama League Nominations
Best Sound Design – Rob Ellis
Best Actress in a Drama – Kate Aitken as Joy Gresham
Best Actor in a Minor Role in a Comedy or Drama – Norm Willoughby as Rev. Harrington

Gippsland Associated Theatre Awards
Best Comedy or Drama – Shadowlands, FAMDA
Best male lead actor in a Drama or Comedy – Max Hastings
Best Male Support Actor in a Drama or Comedy – David Baggallay

Gippsland Associated Theatre Judges’ Awards
Patrick Dower and Reid Morrison – sensitive performances in the shared role of Douglas Gresham
Dianne Paragreen – attention to detail in the costume design for Shadowlands.

PHOTOGRAPHS

based on the story by

2 – 16 January  2005

Pearl Park   Foster ~ Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays

Coal Creek   Korumburra ~ Saturday 15 January 2005

The Actors

Alice ~ Jessica Kelly*  Sarah Bacon**
White Rabbit ~ Belinda Angwin
Caterpillar ~ Kate Crowl
Hatter ~ Stephen Dower
March Hare ~ Chelsie Shellcott*  Jenna Beatson**
Dormouse ~ Patrick Dower*  Mikalah MacPherson**
The Gardeners ~ Kayla and Brad Austin
The Queen ~ Dianne Paragreen
Executioner ~ Bruce Crowl
Butterfly ~ Kate Crowl
Mock Turtle   ~ Paul Hendry

Actors* – performing 2, 7, 12, 15 January      Actors** – performing 5, 9, 14, 16 January

The Dancers
Katelyn Ardley, Christina Brickle, Toni Castellan, Casey Christian
Misikir & Rahel Davies, Louise Dower, Georgia Parnall, Milly Sacco
Elysia & Abbey Shaw
Dance Captain ~ Ellaine Parnall

Production Team

Director ~ Bruce Crowl
Music ~ Rob Ellis
Hand properties & stage pieces – Design, construction & decoration ~ Bruce Crowl, Geoff Davey, Max Hastings, Michael Kellock
Sewing ~ Beth Austin, Suzette Laux
Stage Manager ~ Margaret Rudge
Stage Crew ~ Edwin Coad, Max Hastings
Audio Operator ~ Darcy Murphy
Publicity & Programme ~ Jennifer Paragreen
Front of House ~ Jennifer Paragreen, Shirley Westaway, Norm Willoughby

Special Thanks
Paddy Broberg, The Lisa Pellin Dancers, Col Pulham, South Gippsland Shire Council
Marina Sparkes, Michael Taylor & Staff, Bruce Todd

A Comedy by Willy Russell

Presented by special arrangement with Dominie Pty. Ltd.

Directed by Neil Goodwin

8 – 17 October 2004
Foster War Memorial Arts Centre

CAST

Shirley Bradshaw (née Valentine) – Kate Aitken (née Feldmann)

PRODUCTION CREW

Production Design Team

Director: Neil Goodwin
Set Design: Geoff Davey
Original Music: Rob Ellis
Lighting Design: Andrew Oldroyd
Production Manager: Max Hastings

Construction Team

Settings Construction: Bruce Crowl, Brian Hammond, Michael Kellock, Dick Straw, Graeme Wheeler, Norm Willoughby & Cast Members
Set Painting: Geoff Davey, Fleur Wheeler

Technical Team

Sound Design & Operation: Rob Ellis
Lighting Design & Operation: Andrew Oldroyd, Tony Bacon

Backstage Team

Stage Manager: Phil Nightingall
Properties & Costumes: Jenny Cocksedge

Front of House Team

Front of House Manager: Marcella Brennan
Ticket Bookings: Deborah Harris – Main Street Revelations
Venue Box Office: Norm Willoughby
Opening Night Catering: Trudy Haines
Programme: Jennifer Paragreen
Graphic Design: Geoff Davey
Publicity / Marketing: Jennifer Paragreen