A musical adventure set in 800 B.C. Baghdad, Araby!
A tale of confusion, power and intrigue involving princes, princesses
- and Ali Baba and the “Faulty” thieves. Fly on
the desert winds and discover the answers to great mysteries
as you share in this daring desert date with destiny.
Family
Tickets $65 Adults $20 Concession $16 Book
now 9437 1574
Credit
card facilities over the phone now available! (Not
on night at ticketbox)
Download
a booking form here and
send in with your payment or credit card details to:
ELT Inc, PO Box 114 Eltham Vic 3095
Or click below to reserve your
seats.
.....REHEARSALS.....
Interested in performing in our future Youth Theatre productions?
Please call 9437 1574 and leave a message with your contact
details. Alternatively, email our Youth Theatre Liaison,
Lisa
Klink with your details. You MUST
be on the waiting list to be called up for an audition and be
aged 10 or over.
Previous cast members are already on the waiting list and do
not need to make contact again.
WORKSHOPS:
PLAY
AROUND Theatre Company
Offers classes and groups for young people beginning or developing
dramatic skills including improvisation, characterisation, script
work, auditioning skills and confidence building. Classes are
held in Youth Road, Eltham. Contact Raelene on 0411 763 609.
ST
MARTINS YOUTH GROUP
St Martins offers a wide number of performance workshops for
ages five to twenty five. Each
Tutor is an industry professional who wants to share that knowledge
with you.
2007
Production
(Encouragement Award Winner
Katya Gaiotto)
(Nomination for Technical Excellence Award, Virginia Donnelly
& Lyndal Connor. Costume Design)
PIMPERNEL
by
Mary McMahon & Ian Dorricott
Directed by Gayle Poor & Lois Fleming
13 - 22 July 2007
The
Cast
THE
ENGLISH
Sir
Percy Blakeney
James Plant Sir Andrew
Nick Fleming Lady M Blakeney
Katya Gaiotto Armand Thomas
Boon Mrs Jolly
Bianca Becker Sally Sarah
Klink Bridget
Gretel Donnelly Rose Morgan
Thomas-Connor Abigail
Natassja Shayer Nell Melissa
McKinlay
THE FRENCH
Mde Tussaud
Alexandra Griffin Chauvelin
Anthony Daoulas Sgt Bibot Josh
Tiplady Mdm Desfarge Luke
Higgins Emil Anthony
Poor Host of le Coq d'Or
Adam Lees La Comtesse
Elysia Schultz Suzanne
Lauren Daoulas
GIRLS CHORUS
Madeline Howes
Emma Nixon
Sarah Roccuzzo
BOYS CHORUS
Ben Howes
Cameron Donnelly
Ryan Shadbolt
Nathan Kerwood
Zac Matthews
Ben Fleming
The
Crew
Director ........................................
Choreographer .............................
Stage Manager .............................
Production Liaison.........................
Youth Liaison ................................
Backstage Crew ............................
Production Set Designer ...............
Set Realisation .............................
Scenic Artists ................................
Sound Design ...............................
Sound / Lighting Crew .................
Gayle Poor & Lois Fleming
Lois Fleming
Llaaneath Poor & Ryan Griffin
Marc Currie
Lisa Klink
Lachlan Ruthven, Aidan Blackman, Anthony Kilkenny &
Jessie Thomas-Connor
Gayle Poor
Phil Holmes, Marc Currie, Mel de Bono & Mick Poor
Mick Poor & Lara Russell
Rob Wanless
Campbell Black, Alan Redfern, Andrew Page, Cameron Cook
Virginia Donnelly assisted by Lyndal Connor
Virginia Donnelly, Lyndal Connor, Janine Kerwood, Lisa
Klink, Gail Shadbolt, Annette Hall, Marilou Higgins, Bonnie
Rothwell
Alda Roccuzzo
Marilyn Pearce
Paula Armstrong
Tammie Kite
Pat Croft
Publicity Team (Paula Armstrong, David
McKinlay, Joan Cox, Fiona Hudspith) and Members
Studio Imagery and David McKinlay
Pat McClintock and Members of ELT
David McKinlay
Ian Forsyth
Directed
by Gayle Poor & Lois Fleming
By kind permission of Maverick
Musicals Pty Ltd
"They seek him here, they seek
him there, those Frenchies seek him everywhere"
Set in France and England during the French Revolution,
Engilsh Nobleman Sir Percy Blakeney, under the nom-de-guerre
of The Pimpernel, rescues innocent aristocrats
from the shadow of the guillotine. In the taverns, avoiding
the Executioner, the Morris dancers and the Fops, the
story of the Pimpernel weaves its "journee dangereuse",
with Madame Tussaud waxing lyrical in her "Hall of
Fame". A sparkling show which attempts to answer
in song "Why Does No-one Understand the French?"
2006
Production
(Best 2006 Production Award)
(Best Actor)
(Best Costumes)
HOW THE WEST WAS WARPED
by
Simon Denver and Donald Woodward
Directed by Gayle Poor & Lois Fleming
30 June - 9 July
2006
The
Cast
The
Crew
Bad
Bart ................... Miss Kitty .................. Stumpy ..................... Annabelle ................ Sheriff Starr .............. Miss Frost ................. Hero .......................... Miss Lamb ................. Mrs Starr .................... Carmen ...................... Desperados ................
Indian Chief .............. Driver ......................... Clem ........................... Show Girls ...................
Jessy
Hall
Llaaneath Poor
Josh Tiplady
Alexandra Griffin
Nick Fleming
Sarah Klink
Ryan Griffin
Lauren Daoulas
Morgan Thomas-Connor
Katy Hocking
Adam Lees, Luke Higgins, Ben Fleming
Anthony Poor
Anthony Daoulas
Sean Higgins
Bianca Becker, Katya Gaiotto, Aife Horsley, Selina Zhou
Laura-Lee Caruana, Monique Caruana, Laura Griffin, Melissa
McKinlay, Rebecca Watson
Gretel Donelley
Thomas Boon, Riley Byrne, Cameron Donelley, Ryan Shadbolt
Directors
......................................
Stage Manager ...........................
Assistant Stage Manager .............
Choreography .............................
Youth Liaison ............................... Production Co-ordination..............
Set Realisation/Construction .......
Poster & Programme
Design ......
Ticket Secretary ..........................
Publicity ......................................
Photography ...............................
Front of House ............................. Keyboard ..................................... Guitar ........................................... Drums .......................................... Saxaphone/Clarinet .....................
Gayle
Poor & Lois Fleming
Kate Stow
Callum Robertson
Lois Fleming
Lisa Klink
Gayle Poor, Mark Currie, Lisa Klink
Mark Currie, Mick Poor,
Richard Sargentson and members
Graham Batcheler
Leigh Fiddes, Chris Garnham, Campbell Black
Rob Wanless
Ben Forsyth
David McKinlay & members
Virginia Donelley
Virginia Donelley, Bonnie Rothwell, Lyndal Connor, Lisa
Klink
Paula Armstrong
Pat McClintock
Paula Armstrong & members
Studio Imagery
Pat McClintock and Members of ELT
Ian Forsyth
Chris Fleming
Luke Forsyth
Becky Fleming
Click
here
to see newspaper article in Diamond Valley News (jpeg)
Click here
for poster
Click here
for the sake of clicking here
HOW
THE WEST WAS WARPED
By Simon Denver and Donald Woodward
Directed by Gayle Poor and Lois Fleming
Reviewed by Phyll Freeman
2nd July 2006, matinee (as appeared in Theatrecraft –
August Edition)
On the front page of Theatrecraft: Attending
a Youth Production performance at Eltham Little Theatre of
How the West was Warped recently, I was amazed by the talent
of these young performers and I hope they are encouraged to
stay involved in theatre.Then
I received two great photos from Ian Clark of Studio
Imagery, which captured some moments from the show. There
was certainly never a dull moment with the directors using
the doors from the foyer for the cast to exit and enter throughout
the entire show. One moment cowboys, the next Indians. Great
fun!I was told by one of the directors, Gayle Poor, that the
oldest member of the cast was seventeen (Ryan Griffin, the
Hero) and the youngest, the cutest little Indian, Gretel Donelley
was only around five years oldSo keep an eye out for some
of these stars of the future!
(Victorian Drama League Inc. Theatrecraft – August,
2006)
On a
bleak and wintry afternoon, I sallied forth to Eltham for
some fun and frivolity. Some thirty odd youngsters gave us
an energetic production of How the West was Warped. And warped
it certainly was! Under the dual direction of Gayle and Lois,
we saw a well-staged and paced offering containing good cowboys
(white hats), Desperados (black hats), lots of holerin’
Indians and quite a few finger-snapping Mexicans.Set in 1873,
the story tells of a gold mining town in the Wild West, which
needs a new Sheriff. The local bad man sets himself up as
the Law and proceeds to take over the whole town, including
Miss Kitty’s Saloon. The new Sheriff arrives and reluctantly
tries to take back the running of the town together with the
Temperance League and an old gold miner (and let’s not
forget the Hero).The performers used entrances in the auditorium,
so that we, the audience, became part of the proceedings –
I had creeping Indians, desperados and Mexicans all around
me. One of the best sequences was when the three rival gangs
were creeping around the gold mine in the dark. The cast went
into freeze mode satisfactorily.The main setting onstage was
the Lucky Strike Saloon, with stairs leading up on both back
exits, chairs, tables and even a piano. Set decoration was
excellent. I also noticed railway sleepers lining the stage
at floor level. There was even a sleeper for the front-row
patrons to rest their feet!Costumes were well done, especially
the showgirl outfits. The all white attire of the Hero suited
the character. Make-up was detailed, curling mustachios painted
on the Mexicans and even that ‘five o’clock shadow’
look for Bad Bart. Lighting and sound effects worked well.The
four-piece band were situated next to the patrons on floor
level, stage right. I found the music just a tad too loud
(especially the percussion), masking the young voices at times.
They needed the hand mikes, which were used during the musical
numbers.With such a large cast, space does not permit me to
go into too much detail, but mention must be made of the accomplished
Llaneath Poor as Miss Kitty, the Saloon owner, who would do
anything to keep her Saloon from Bad Bart, played effectively
by Jessy Hall. Sarah Klink as Miss Frost the Temperance lady
was very composed and with good diction. Nick Fleming was
a hoot as the cowardly Sheriff, together with Morgan Thomas
Connor as Mrs Starr – his very formidable mother! Josh
Tiplady as Stumpy, the old gold miner, gave us a strong mid-west
accent but unfortunately, it was not easy to understand him
at all times.Ryan Griffith as the Hero reminded me of a very
young Wayne Newton, especially his vacant, starry-eyed look.
Alexandra Griffith as Stumpy’s tomboy daughter, Annabelle
had shades of Annie Oakley in her performance. In the second
act we met Carmen – Katy Hocking who, together with
Sean Higgins and the Chorus girls, rendered a very professional
number, which quickened the pace considerably.Eltham are to
be commended for the unlimited patience, blood, sweat and
tears needed to mount this production and giving the next
generation a taste of the discipline and dedication needed
for the theatre.Front-of-house staff were kept busy, especially
with the afternoon tea and helped to round off a pleasant
afternoon.(The Victorian Drama League Inc. Theatrecraft Aug
2006)
2005
Production
The Dracula Spectacula was nominated for 10 awards and was awarded
the Technical Excellence Award for Costumes, and a Special Encouragement
Award to Jasmine Dare.
THE
DRACULA SPECTACULA
Books
and lyrics by John Gardener
Music by Andrew Parr
Directed by Gayle Poor & Lois Fleming
Schoolteacher
Nadia Naïve finds herself battling the power of evil
in deepest Transylvania in this full-of-fun spooky musical.
At her side are noble Nick Nookie, Father O’Stake
and the cuddly Hans and Gretal. Can they conquer the forces
of darkness? Dracula, Prince of Darkness, his mother the
Countess Wraith and their grovelling minion Genghis are
formidable opponents.
Performances:
Friday: 8th & 15th July
Saturday: 9th & 16th July
Sunday matinee: 10th & 17th July
Doors open 7.30pm, performance at 8pm sharp. Matinee performances,
doors open 1.30pm, performance 2pm sharp.
Bookings:
9437 1574
The
Youth Production "The Dracula Spectacula" has
been cast and the performers will be:
Nadia
Kelly
Julie
Elvis
Pilot
Mistress Landau
Herr Hans
Frau Gretel
Nick
Father O’Stake
Count Dracula
Countess Wraith
Genghis
Rebecca
Fleming
Lauren Daoulas
Alexandra Griffin
Anthony Daoulas
Callum Robertson
Natalie McQualter
Alex Potts
Llaaneath Poor
Sean Guzzi
James Plant
Filip Kocevski
Jasmine Dare
Josh Tiplady
Air
Hostess/Pretty Girls
Brides of Dracula
Girls Chorus
Boys Chorus
Jasmine Dare, Julia Vengust, Alicia Vengust
Katya Gaiotto, Julia Vengust, Alicia Vengust
Laura-Lee Caruana, Laura Griffin, Sarah Klink, Melissa
McKinlay,
Chelsea Potenzi, Morgan Thomas-Connor
Riley Byrne, Nick Fleming, Ben Fleming, Luke Higgins,
Adam Lees, Anthony Poor,
Ryan Shadbolt
From
the Directors…..
In the last three years
of staging full-scale youth productions we have enjoyed
the benefits of working in a team and very much value
the support given by those people who share the same vision.
We are fortunate this year to have added some adult members
to the cast who have generously shared their stagecraft
and experience with the younger members. Their input has
added another dimension to the children’s stage
experience and we look forward to more of this in future
productions. To this end we would especially like to thank
Keith Cattach and Sean Guzzi. Special mention must also
go to Robert Rich and Jasmine Dare for going beyond the
call of duty!
Gayle
and Lois
The
Dracula Spectacula
Review by Peter Kemp
Directors: Gayle Poor & Lois Fleming.
The
theatre's future is assured with Eltham Little Theatre's annual
children's production. This year 2005 was The Dracula Spectacula.
A musical set in America , in a Brau Haus somewhere in Transylvania
and in Dracula's Castle.
The story of school teacher Nadia Naïve who took her
school class on a trip to Transylvania and a meeting with
the Count Dracula.
A well set stage of the Brau Haus which also easily converted
to Dracula's castle.
A cast of 29 and an orchestra of three who were at rear of
stage which allowed the singers to be clearly heard.
Becky Fleming was Nadia Naïve, a wonderful portrayal
capturing the innocence as required. Her students were Elvis,
played by Anthony Daoulas, Kelly played by Lauren Daoulas
and Julia played by Alexandra Griffin. All gave good performances,
confidant and played to the audience.
Alex Potts was Hans the proprietor of the Brau House. Alex
caught the character and gave a fine performance. His wife
Gretel was played by Llaaneath who had a natural feel for
the stage and projected well. Sean Guzzi was Nick Nookie the
handsome hero. Sean gave a good portrayal and had a good rapport
with Becky Fleming.
Keith Cattach caught the evil of Dracula with expertise and
had one of the best villainous laughs heard on stage for a
long time.
Josh Tiplady was Dracula's minion Genghis. Josh gave a fair
portrayal and must have been uncomfortable by the end of the
performance as he spent the time as a bent over hunchback
which he kept up the whole performance.
Jasmine Dare was Countess Wraith, Dracula's mother. Good projection
and a fair performance although she did have a little wig
trouble but showed good stage experience by not letting it
phase her and the way she handled the problem with aplomb
even so the audience could even believe it was part of the
act.
A good and fun evening and showing the enjoyment and expertise
by the young performers and congratulations to the directors
Gayle Poor and Lois Fleming for a successful and enjoyable
evening.
The
Dracula Spectacula
Reviewed by Graeme McCoubrie – 9th July As appeared in Theatrecraft
It
is twelve months since Director Gayle Poor observed to me
that today’s youth are the backbone of tomorrow’s
theatre so it is important to provide them with the opportunity
of performing and learning stagecraft. And this was the case
for some 30 young – and a sprinkling of mature actors,
in presenting Eltham Little Theatre’s annual youth production
The Dracula Spectacula.
It
is the third production directed by the team of Gayle Poor
and Lois Fleming and they should be pleased with the result.
While of dark Gothic origins as one would expect, this production
was light hearted and bounced along with youthful energy.
A
young American Schoolteacher Nadia Naïve (Becky Fleming)
– “naïve in name and in nature”, takes
her class on a field trip to deepest Transylvania only to
fall under the spell of the evil vampire Dracula. She has
to battle the powers of evil in this spooky musical. But help
is not far away in the form of Dr Noble Nick Nookie (Sean
Guzzi) – a young Doctor with a mission complete with
his business card. More help is provided by God fearing cleric
Father O’Stake (James Plant) and the proprietors of
the towns Inn, Gretel (Llaaneath Poor) and Hans (Alex Potts).
The
full stage was used and needed for the choreographed musical
numbers while a thrust walkway split the front section of
the audience. Good use of this was made as the story developed
with the actors using this as an exit, giving us the feeling
we were actually there and part of the scenes. Fold back flats
to either side of the stage allowed changes from street scenes,
inside the inn to the very deepest crypt inside Dracula’s
Castle.
At
centre upstage behind a black scrim that was outlined as a
stone archway giving us the effect of a deep recess, was placed
the Keyboard, Guitar and Drums providing a well modulated
backing. It was good to see and hear the work of the young
drummer (Scott Barton).
While
the first half introduced us to the main players it was not
until the second act when we meet The Prince of Vampires,
Count Dracula (Keith Cattach) and his lumbering sidekick Genghis
(Josh Tiplady). And there was Dracula’s mother –
young and evil looking Countess Wraith (Jasmine Dare) who
kept encouraging yet interrupting her son in his evil work.
Dracula wanted the schoolteacher Nadia, well her blood firstly
so he set up a ceremony of marriage and had his three fanged
Brides fetch Nadia to the deepest crypt where he could drink
her blood and have eternal life.
He
was thwarted just in time as one would expect by Dr Nick,
Father O’Stake and Hans and Gretel. Dracula, his mother
and his faithful sidekick were then banished down into the
Castle’s deepest dungeon never to appear again…
well, that’s what we thought.
Among
the many songs there were some rousing numbers with thigh
and knee slapping with hand clapping in true Bavarian style.
Positive Action Man sung by Dr Nick and If You Want to be
a Super Rat like Me by Dracula got good reaction while some
general chorus numbers were accompanied by suitable choreography
(Lois Fleming). Notable was the performance of (Josh Tiplady)
Dracula’s sidekick who tried very hard to please his
Master – but found that he was always misunderstood.
The
Innkeepers, Hans and Gretel maintaining their accents throughout
their performance – even while singing, were well received.
A drunken pilot (Callum Robertson) and schoolboy Elvis (Anthony
Daoulas) added comic relief to several ‘serious’
situations.
All
Youth Productions need encouragement and VDL Member Theatre
Companies would be well advised to follow Eltham’s lead
in staging at least on Youth production each year to ensure
fostering the craft amongst those that will follow us.
Again
to Eltham Little Theatre – thank you for an entertaining
performance.
Eltham
Little Theatre produced the annual youth theatre production
with 2004 season of Rocka Socka. The story of the struggling
soccer club City trying to win the six a side world cup. Their
adventures take the audience from Wembley to Paris and to
Mexico.
A keen young cast very energetic and surprisingly good singing
voices. The dancing standard could have been a little higher
as some of the dancers were watching each other to get the
steps instead of looking to the audience.
A large cast but a few highlights were Sheba Shekelstein the
manager of City Football Club. Llaaneath Poor as Sheba has
a good stage presence and gave a good portrayal. Sheba's daughter
was Sylv played by Marianne Pierce who caught the feel of
the character.
Andrew Larter was Joe Rabbit the tea boy who became the soccer
hero. Andrew gave a great performance in the role. Nick Fleming
was the team member Titch. Nick is a young boy between five
and six in years and about a quarter the size of the other
team members and looked great.
The referee and Mexican President was given a stunning performance
by Anthony Douglas. Anthony a young lad of approximately six
years of age who has the possibility of a good stage career
in front of him.
The production consisted of four football teams, the City
Football Club committee, the fans and the football officials.
Three of the teams were the French, English and Mexican. These
three were played by the same members, all girls who did a
great job playing the different nationalities.
A fun filled, enthusiastic cast and showing the future of
theatre is assured with such keen and young players.
Copyright
2006. Eltham Little Theatre Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Page URL http://www.elthamlittletheatre.com.au/youththeatre.htm
| This Page was last updated: 23 June 2008
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