Crew
Directors Gayle Poor & Lois Fleming Choreographer Lois Fleming Production Co-ordination Gayle Poor Costume Design Virginia Donnelly Poster Design Paula Armstrong Programme Design Liz McCrory Ticket Secretary Terry Marston Front of House Pat McClintock & ELT Members Podcast David McKinlay Photography Ian Clark, Julie Downie Publicity Team David McKinlay, Fiona Hudspith, Paula Armstrong, Julie Downie, Liz McCrory, Trudi Walters

2008 Production
SHEIK, RATTLE 'N' ROLL
by Simon Denver and Ian Dorricott

Directed by Gayle Poor & Lois Fleming

11th - 20th July 2008

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.

REVIEWED BY DEBORAH FABBRO
(Victorian Drama League Inc. Theatrecraft – August, 2008)

What could be better on a chilly Melbourne Sunday afternoon that to be transported to warm and sunny Baghdad, Araby of 880 B.C. and all its intrigue.The programme invited us to share in this 'daring desert date with destiny' as the tale of confusion, power and plotting unfolded and introduces us to princes, princesses, harem girls, Ali Baba and the 'Faulty' thieves and an assortment of other characters.Directors, Gayle Poor and Lois Fleming, presented a visually sumptuous production with glamorous costumes, appropriate settings and a wonderful cast.The seating in the auditorium was arranged on an angle with a centre aisle giving a good space for entrances and exits while the stage was well used to create the various locations of the play.

Most scene changes flowed well with only a couple of longer, and actually unnecessary, changes the most noticeable being when action went from the sorceress' abode to the marketplace.Lighting by Campbell Black, with assistance from Callum Robertson, well defined the different areas and they used some excellent effects, strobe and colour lighting and I loved the crystal ball lighting effect.The show was performed to recorded music which was at just the right volume, allowing the audience to clearly hear the singers. While Rob Wanless supplied great sound effects which added to the atmosphere of the story.

Lois Fleming's appealing choreography certainly enhanced the show and the cast where talented in the dance department and able to execute it with style an panache. The timing in the prisoners' number was excellent! Apart from the performances, the highlight to the production certainly lay with Virginia Donnelly's absolutely stunning costume designs. She and her team of makers created the opulent, luxurious world inhabited by these characters through appropriate styles (except perhaps Sinbad's which lacked the Arabian theme) and gorgeous fabrics. I particularly loved the costumes worn by Prince of Araby, Prince Abscess, The Evil Queen, the sorceress, the thieves' red and gold harem outfits and all the costumes worn by the chorus Iand there were many changes). However I felt that Sinbad's costume was not quite in keeping with the Arabian theme.All the performers were talented and worked well with their fellow performers - so important in any production. Some of the highlights were Adam Lees and Lauren Daoulas who, as the terribly pukka Feathersham & Merrell, maintained their very British accents awfully well. Bianca Becker's Evil Queen and Josh Tiplady's Caliph was suitably evil and sinister. Nathan Kerwood wandered in and out of scenes in a properly lost fashion as The Lost Legionnaire! The wisecracking, high-fiving Not-So-Evil Guards were played with a good sense of fun by Ryan Shadbolt and Mitchell Hall.

All of the cast sang well and I particularly enjoyed hearing Katya Gaiotto (Sinbad), Nathan Kerwood (The Lost Legionnaire) and Amanda Middleditch when she led the number by the Harem Girls. Gretyl Donnelly (who is actually younger than the usual minimum age of 10) was delightful to watch as she sang and dancer her way through the show and entertained the audience well. I also commend the faultless diction of Llaaneath Poor as the Narrator.The humour in this play has appeal for the adults in the audience though some of the references were a little odd but I'll blame the writers for that. However it did not detract from Eltham's very entertaining 2008 Youth Production.

2007 Production
(Encouragement Award Winner Katya Gaiotto)
(Nomination for Technical Excellence Award, Virginia Donnelly & Lyndal Connor. Costume Design)

PIMPERNEL

2006 Production
(Best 2006 Production Award)
(Best Actor)
(Best Costumes)

HOW THE WEST WAS WARPED

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)

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.

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2004 Production
Rocka Socka
Review by Peter Kemp

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.

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