Armidale Drama & Musical Society
Favourite Shorts 2012
Produced by Diana Helmrich
Memorial Hall – The Armidale School, August/September 2012
Act I - Matinee Performances only
Ned Kelly’s Last Stand by Margaret Kennedy as guided by the cast - The Saturday Magic Theatre Troupe
Narrator: Genny Tavener, Sheriff Starr: James Sheehan, Ned Kelly: Josh Smith, Porky Pye: Ian Walker, Barby Dolly: Courtney Scherf, Cider Saddle: Jenny Upton, Will Rider: David Olphert,
The Kelly Gang: Max Wayte, Konrad Bock, Will Adams,
The Posse: Brett Voysey, Peter Wright, Ray Enks,
Bongo: Bernard Cunningham,
Pie Shop Assistants: Bram Maddison, Matthew Devenish-Meares, Edward Thomas-Moore
The Dancehall Girls: Anne-Maree Courtney, Dianne Bell, Deb McMahon, Ivy Williams, Phyliss Jiminez, Kylie Norman
Shadow Helpers: Alan Wilkinson, Jan Wyles, Kate Thomas, Jess Stocker, Methuen Morgan, Margaret Kennedy
Crew: Gaye Sheehan, Cath Adams, Julie Scherf, Paula Flood, Tony Bock, Anne Cunningham, Deb McMahon, Berndt Kusch, Suzanne Sills, Dot Pollard, James Sheehan, Brett Voysey, Peter Wright, Alan Wilkinson, Kate Thomas, Jan Wyles, Margaret Kennedy
Scene 1 - Outside the Beechworth Pie Shop
Scene 2 - Trouble in the Pie Shop
Scene 3 - Around the Campfire
Scene 4 - A Kidnapping!
Scene 5 - The Dance Hall
Scene 6 - Just Another Day at the Pie Shop
Scene 7 - Finale and Bows
Note from the cast of Ned Kelly’s Last Stand
If theatrical performance is the expression of emotions through acting, song and dance to involve, entertain and enlighten an audience, then we hope that we have achieved this by choosing our own theme for this play. When we were asked what we would like our play to be about, we collectively chose: Ned Kelly, cowboys, a pie man, dancing, girlfriends and boyfriends and the Titanic. Unless the Titanic came up the Murray River in the story, we couldn’t fit that in. Everything else is there!
Some of the dialogue in this play is our own. Some the dance moves have been choreographed by us. We have been involved in costuming ideas and have helped with props. We have chosen the music for the dance sequences.
We appear on the stage, but we are also involved in helping each other to dress for the play, and supporting each other as needed behind the scenes. We are working with the set and props during the performance.
We have formed lasting friendships through the rehearsal period, and along the way we may have picked up some acting and dancing skills. We’ve certainly had fun!
Thank you for coming. We hope you enjoy the expression of our
group creativity and friendship.
Director’s note for Ned Kelly’s Last Stand
What a pleasure it has been to spend time with this delightful group of people. For the people with official disabilities and those without, it’s been a time of playing together and laughing together. It’s brought out the inner child in us all.
I’d like to thank most sincerely, the volunteer helpers who have contributed their time, talents and enthusiasm to this performance. The Actors need these helpers so that they can fully participate and express themselves, both on stage and off.
I know we’ll never have a shortage of offers to help! The journey is a rewarding one.
Thank you to the Armidale Drama & Musical Society for their support to us by including us into Favourite Shorts, particularly to the Producer, the Stage Manager and crew.
Your support as an audience is essential and appreciated. Please continue to come to see us perform and we’ll continue to surprise and entertain you.
Margaret Kennedy
Week One
Act I
Dust by Flora Hillyard directed by Margaret Sims
Mary: Laura Stodart
Fiona: Julie Collins
It's hard to let go when a loved one dies. It's even harder when your sister feels rather differently than you. So what do you do with the ashes of your beloved Nan? How do you make the decision?
The Shadows Within by Sonal Moore directed by Emily Thomas-Moore with Jean Freer
Rose Standish: Elsie Lawler
The Voice: Emily Posthausen
Alec Thompson: Judd Newton
Dr Cave: Alan Wilkinson
Today is the most important day of Mrs Standish's life. After being cooped up in a psychiatric facility for several years for attempted murder, her chance to win her freedom back has arrived - that is, until Alec shows up...
Brave New World by Ron Jones directed by Neil Horton
Erica Curtis: Erica Smith
Godfrey: Gordon Cope
Mrs Polkinghorn: Teresa Duggan
Rachael Curtis: Rachael Horton
With the Carbon Tax and Mining Tax being foremost in the media at present, this absurdist take on what could be and in some cases has been, will certainly tickle the fancy. With its tones of "Pythonesque" comedy based around current events I am sure it will bring a smile to everyone's face.
But then again it could be the shape of things to come???
Act II
Watching Like the Moon by Barbara Albury directed by Jan Wyles
Counsellor, Doctor, Psychologist, Case Worker, Nurse, Child’s Grandfather (Api), Department of Education Official: Alan Wilkinson
Mother, Her Child, Child’s Grandmother (Mami), Gym Teacher, Friend: Barbara Albury
The very personal exploration of a mother's experience when a beloved child is diagnosed as “different". The roller-coaster of emotions and pivotal roles of professionals, friends and family, all come under the spotlight.
The mother arrives at the counsellor’s office on a difficult day. She tells him the story of her son’s life in a series of flashbacks involving her family and a variety of professional workers.
Eating Corfu by Michelle Morgan directed by Benjamin Thorn
Robyn: Roslyn Manion
Liz: Margaret Sims
Tony: Phil Donnan
Can you really have your cake and eat it too? How do family relationships fester under a façade of bonhomie? Why do you have to celebrate your birthday on my birthday? How do you know you are going to die?
The Minister's Address by Kathryn Goldie directed by Ben Davies
John: Michael Cornford
Harry: James Hardage
Matthew: Jack Waser
Tessa: Laura Stodart
What keeps government ticking over, it’s certainly not the politicians or ministers themselves. It’s the army of public servants, press writers, and press secretaries that keep the wheels of government in motion and the ministers informed with what they only need to know. What happens when it goes wrong, what happens when there is no time for spin, what happens when a minister thinks he knows what is happening; in the mould of Yes Minister here is one scenario…
Installation of a Bishop by Chris Cunningham directed by Benjamin Thorn
Mick: Phil Donnan
Loretta: Erica Smith
Jen: Teresa Duggan
Workman: Benjamin Thorn
Installing a new bishop can be an arcane and imponderable event, but maybe there is a business that specialises in the mystery with an extensive catalogue and range of optional extras.
Scene 1 – Armidale, late 2011
Scene 2 – Four weeks later
Week Two
Act I
Wall written and directed by Laura Stodart
Andy: Adam Cafarella
John: Ewan Paterson
Debbie: Lisa Quast
Marcus: Robert Weller
A fun play on the theory of barriers between the dimensions of live theatre and how things go terribly wrong when one of these 'walls' is passed through at the wrong time.
I've Got News by Warren Bartik directed by Neil Horton
Tina: Liz Ellis
For those of us who have children in particular this monologue will strike many a true note. As our children get older in this technology enhanced world it is the parents and older generation who find it increasingly difficult to keep up with all the changes, on what seems like a daily basis. Sit back and enjoy as one person struggle to make hersel heard in this new age!!
The Doledrums by Penelope Handel directed by Ewan Paterson
Woman: Katya Gladiadis
Margaret: Bianca Schloeffel
Brian: Robert Weller
Nelson: Judd Newton
A woman, struggles greatly to maintain her composure and resilience amid the challenges of finding suitable employment. Woman 1’s patience is wearing thin in particular with her bubbly, well-meaning, yet patronising, job network case manager (Margaret Millichope). This is compounded by some of her colleagues, roadworker labourers Brian Lewis & Nelson Andrews, with their extreme condescension, prejudice an inertia.
Be Mused by Daan Spijer directed by Martin Mantle
Frank: Gordon Cope
Imagine a thriller...A deadline. Only two days to go. It’s a matter of life or death. [cue scary music]. Ok now I've got your attention. Be Mused tells the story of a teacher, a little jaded with teaching creative writing to his disinterested students. He sets them a writing task, then he sets himself one.
But wait, where has his special writing pen gone? Will he be able to finish without it? You'll just have to wait and find out! [and cue scary music again!]
Act II
Masculinity by Bette Guy directed by Jean Freer
Merv: Mike Gibson
Nick: Neil Horton
Masculinity tells the story of two men who meet accidentally. The street has become their home and as the story unfolds they discover that war has had a severe impact not only on their lives but on the lives of their families as well.
This play will make the audience realize that what is on the surface is not necessarily what makes a person. Often we need to reveal the inner man and his constant battle to cope with life to fully understand why people find themselves in situations they cannot control.
OHS&M by Mark Konik directed by Mike Gibson
Kevin: Methuen Morgan
Courtney: Cheryl Landers
Cameron: Darren Hepper
Heath: Alan Wilkinson
Kevin has taken the plunge and hired Courtney to instruct him in the finer arts of an S&M bondage session. Alas he has picked the exact time that Heath and Cameron have chosen to conduct a local government inspection of Courtney's 'business' premises to ensure it measures up to the latest OH&S standards. What ensues will simply tie you up as 'rope' battles 'red tape'.
Dealer Wins by Daan Spijer directed by Ewan Paterson
Gabrielle: Bianca Schloeffel
Peter: Jenny Greaney
Nick: Katya Gladiadis
Martha: Kaity Smith
George: Robert Weller
A man, George, is suffering a critical illness. As he approaches fatality, has his fate hanging in the balance, specifically, through a blackjack game between Archangel Gabriel, Saint Peter and Beelzebub (Nick). They deliberate on the righteousness of George, with respect to who deserves to claim his soul, when suddenly George drops in unexpectedly.
The Sea Changers by Lisa Quast directed by Martin Mantle
Woman: Lisa Quast
Memories....
Sometimes they are pleasant. Sometimes they are not.
But so many are like a gordian knot -
entwined in our essence, too hard to unravel.
The past is road that we sometimes must travel.
And if you discover yourself on that road, you can join me and make it, a much lighter load.
PRODUCTION TEAM
Producer: Diana Helmrich
Artistic Directors: Jean Freer, Neil Horton
Stage Crew: Colin Barry with Luke Pavel, Neil Horton
Lighting/Audio: Diana Helmrich, Luke Pavel
Photography: Terry Cooke
Logo design: Martin Mantle
Vote Counting Music: Benjamin Thorn, Cecile Michels-Thorn
Front of House: Jane Watt, Dot Pollard, Heather Pavel, Anne Cunningham, Greg Balcombe, Marney Tilley
THANKS
Ann Helmrich for making the Favourite Shorts, Armidale Tourist Information, Dymocks Bookshop as our ticket agent, TAS Creative Arts especially Anthony Carlon, Pat Bradley, Sarah Watson, TAS Housekeeping and Facilities especially George Frost, The Armidale Express especially Kylie Randell, The Armidale Playhouse for rehearsal venue, The Independent Newspaper especially Natasha Loughrey,
The many local businesses whom displayed our posters, Uralla Tourist Information