Secret Bridesmaids' Business

 Secret Bridesmaids' Business

Directed by Adrian Smith with some new actors  Jenni Potter [Miss Saigon and Fiddler on the Roof with Choral] , Helen Holmes, Carmel Wooding, Shara Gampe, Stewart Limpus and Chloe Laverjon.

We went with Barbara and Tracy and Chris Roberts. A full house of younger people.

The Woman in Black

 The Woman in Black

Directed by Mike Taylor.

I liked it better than the film which we watched later. Mark Phythian and Peter Bevan with Bev Irwin Taylor appearing as the woman.

Dark Knight of the Soul

 Dark Knight of the Soul

2 one act plays directed by Beth Geoghegan

The Donahue Sisters by Geraldine Aaron played by Kylie Zadow, Marianne Buchanan and Beth was well done.

Avatar by Mark Lucas a young Qld writer was done by younger less experienced actors. 

Stewart Limpus was very good with some excellent slapstick moments, but Kate McCormicks performance I suspect was held back by the inability of Charlotte-Mez to act. I suspect the lack of energy resulting spoiled this play. Perhaps they got it together more as the week progressed

Rep AGM

Once again we turned up for the AGM in case they were short of numbers and because it is a bit like a play with familiar characters and we are gradually becoming part of it.

La Fille mal Gardee

Queensland Ballet did La Fille Mal Gardee at the Empire Theatre for 2 nights. We got good seats in row F. It was recorded music but quite a complex set and the clog dance was a highlight.

ACO Collective

This was held in the Armitage Centre with unallocated seating. We were a little later getting there after they had let people in as we had an extended call re our Nepal trip before leaving. It was nice to find Barbara and then a yoga colleague waving us to seats in front of her, just along from Barbara. So we ended up with perfect seating only a few rows back in the centre. It was an energetic performance with their Finnish leader, and players rotating roles as they are trainees.
I noticed Andrew and Stephen in the major donors in the program so I texted them thanks for their support. It turned out that they were at ACO in Sydney and thought we were also there. A nice coincidence.

West Side Story

A production by Qld Conservatorium students at the Con Theatre at Southbank. We went to the 2.30 pm matinee on Saturday by train from Park Road. Em had complimentary tickets from Griffith University and we really enjoyed the production. A big cast and orchestra and lots of good dancing as well as the singing.

The Seven Year Itch

Last Rep play for the year. I circulated it among walking friends but none came. We were unable to help with bump out as we were off to India on Monday.

The Seven Year Itch by George Axelrod. Directed by Adrian Smith.
Peter Devey as Richard Sherman, Catherine Ardi Brennan as the Girl/Marie/Miss Morris/Elaine, Oliver Dashwood as Dr Brubaker, Alaina McDonald as Helen and Adam Goldfinch as Tom.

Into the Woods

A last minute decision to go to Choral Society's production of Sondheim's Into the Woods. It was done in the Armitage Centre so good seats for all. I went on Sunday afternoon and sat on the end of a row next to an older man sitting on his own. At interval we chatted and he was Anne Gralow's father, down from Rockhampton and going to see his granddaughter Shannon in all performances. I also ran into Netta and her husband and caught up on U3A choir news.
It was last minute because I am not so keen on the traditional popular musicals being copied but the venue and music tempted me and the musical impressed.

The Last Romance

Last nights Rep play, The Last Romance by Joe DiPietro, may have been the best we have attended. There were 4 actors, one of whom appeared as a 'ghost' and sang opera excerpts nicely in a young tenor voice. There was also a dog with a minor role. It all came together really well with a good script and a good audience.

The Odd Couple

In keeping with our plan to go to all Rep plays, this was the last for the year and perhaps the best we have been to/ they really do a great job with nice simple sets and great commitment. Or was this the play we left early as I was too hot, and probably too tired at this time of year?

Bangarra Dance

I went to Bangarra Dance's Kinship at Empire Theatre with Rosalie, Denise and Adrian.
We went to a Korean restaurant upstairs in Ruthven St before the performance. It was crowded and very ordinary.

Macbeth

We went to see Macbeth at QPAC Playhouse. It was part of the Brisbane Festival with OPera Qld and QPac and African actors.

Hamlet

Bell Shakespeare presented Hamlet at the Empire Theatre. I had looked forward to seeing Bell Theatre but we found it too modern and disappointing, despite having good seats.

Evita

TCS production
I probably went by myself, possibly on the last matinee.

Evita

I had a good seat in the Saturday matinee for Tba Choral Society's Evita and it was a good show.

Oh What a Lovely War

Scotch College and PLC at Scotch College
I dropped Dick at the school for a reunion and was invited to join their tour. I then decided to get a ticket to this musical while he was at the dinner.
The theatre and production were most impressive - expensive facilities and production.

Angelique Duo at Twilight

Angelique Duo at Twilight turned out to be a very good concert at USQ. Nicola Hayden [flute] and Sharon matheson [harp] are locals and they put together a very good programme. A couple of my choir friends said they would have liked more old fashioned music but I enjoyed the choice.

One Chance

A movie night fundraiser for Toowoomba Choral Society. Very few members supported it but, despite not being keen on modern movie theatres, we enjoyed this movie about Welsh tenor Paul Potts on the big screen. There was some lovely vision of Wales and the coastline around Bridgend, and also Venice, and the music was good.

Managing Carmen

I have not enjoyed plays as much at the Empire but we decided to see David Williamson's Managing Carmen and really enjoyed it.