erwick Opera B
Volume 1, Issue 7
Berwick and District Amateur Operatic Society
August 2012
Inside This Issue
Easy Fundraising Thank you Beauty Events Contact Us 2 2 3 4-5 4
Listen very carefully, I shall say this only once With just over 7 weeks until curtain uprehearsals for, what is set to be a brilliant show, are going splendidly. Everyone involved is knuckling down and working very hard to bring you a production that will transport you back to those Saturday evenings in the 1980s. The cast is a fabulous line-up of local people, some of whom you know, some who you might not. Wednesday night run-throughs are full of laughter which can only bode well. You can find us and the portrait of the fallen Madonna with the big boobies, on stage at The Maltings on 19th and 20th October at 7.30pm including a 2.30pm Saturday matinee. Tickets are now on sale from The Maltings Theatre and purchasing them could not be easier. Either pop in, give them a ring; 01289 330999 or buy them online; [Link] If you would like to sponsor part of the show, then get in touch. We can offer you a great advertising dealsome of which will last up to 6 months!
Fundraise for Free Thank you Event Calendar In Memoriam Executive Post Mistress Needed! Advertise Here! Contact Us
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Easy (and Free!) FundraisingCan You Help Us?
Can you help us to raise money whenever you shop online? Its very simplejust visit [Link] Register and shop with over 2000 well known retailers like Amazon, M&S, eBay and many more. Whenever you buy something, the retailer makes a donation to us at no extra cost to youyou can even save money yourself by using voucher codes and their special offers! So please make a difference and help us raise funds the Easy Fundraising way! There will be an exciting prize for the person who raises the most money for us between now and March 2013
Thank You
We would like to extend a huge thank you to Aime Paine, from Little Shop of Dreams, who recently donated the most stunning prom dress to The Society to raise funds. We are in the process of trying to come up with a suitable event that will do this gorgeous item of clothing justice. We are very grateful for her generosity, Aime supplies first rate clothing for special occasions, including some fantastic Fancy Dress items. You can see what she has to offer by going online to [Link] We also must take the time to thank everyone who was involved in our Summer Fair last month. We had an amazing time and it would not have been possible without those people who helped on the day, did baking, donated tombola and raffle prizes, made soup, sandwiches and of course the people who came in and parted with their money. As you can see from this newsletter, we have lots of events coming up. Even if you donate a tombola prize, buy a strip of raffle tickets or more, you can be sure that every penny gets ploughed back into The Society to enable them to continue to bring fantastic theatre to this town!
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Beauty and the Beast
After 'Allo 'Allo, there will be no time for relaxation as we will be straight into rehearsals for Beauty and The Beast! It will be performed at The Maltings 27-30th March 2013 (please note this includes Good Friday). This is one of the most ambitious musicals we have ever put on and there is loads of chorus work with very technically demanding singing (!) Luckily we have the help of our new Musical Director Ron Creasey, Vocal Coach/pianist Margaret Gudgeon and a new pianist, Alan Rowland, all of whom we are hugely grateful to. Director is Lisa Summers and Choreographer Sheila Bradford. First rehearsal/sing through is on Wed 24th Oct 7 pm at The Community Centre. Auditions will be held on Wed 31st Oct 8 pm at The Maltings Henry Travers Studio. We would like you to hang around after your audition as we will want you to read again with other characters. (The bar will be open!) Please email the operatic email if you want audition pieces before the first rehearsal. If you want to familiarise yourself with the music please let Lisa know and you can have a copy of the professional Broadway CD. We'll be using English accents though, not American. (French accents for Lumiere, the candelabra and Babette, the feather duster)... as you can see it is a rather "different" show with lots of enchanted objects and magical happenings. Principal rehearsals will be on Monday evenings at St Aidan's Church Hall 7 pm, full cast rehearsals on Wednesday evenings 7 pm. Due to the demanding nature of this production, there will be chorus rehearsals on Sundays at St Aidan's Church Hall after Christmas. Children's auditions for junior chorus (aged 9 and over) will be on Monday 29th October at 6.30 pm at St Aidans Church Hall (and of course we'd love to see any of the girls back from Annie!) We also need a girl/boy aged 9-12 to play "Chip" the teacup. Not too tall due to costume limitations! Children's rehearsals will be 7-8 pm from Wednesday 7th November (with the adults) and Sundays afternoons after Christmas (times to be arranged). This show is going to be a challenge but come along if you want to be part of something great!!
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Berwick Opera
Future Events!
Friday 31st August, 7.30pmRace Night. First race at 8pm, Tweedmouth Bowling Club. Always popular and guaranteed to be a great evening our 2012 Race Night is coming up very soon. Horses are being sold and races are being sponsored, contact us asap or you might end up with the old nag at the back! Saturday 22nd September, 7.30pm Ladies Pamper Evening, at The Parish Centre, Berwick Parish Church. Wine, nibbles, hand massage, aromatherapy, eyelashes, a talk on botox and skincare . Tickets6, available from a Committee member or from Style, 4 Marygate, Berwick upon Tweed. Saturday 13th October, 7.30pmAllo Allo Themed Meal at The Maltings Kitchen. Join us for an evening of great food, great fun and great hilarity. A sketch or two from the show and you may even be served by Rene himself! 2 course meal with coffee 20.00, 3 course meal with coffee 25.00. To book, please contact Louise Wood directly on 07756 023757 or email info@[Link]. Please DO NOT contact The Maltings. 19th20th October, 7.30pm & 2.30pm Saturday matinee Allo Allo at The Maltings Theatre and Cinema a play based on the sitcom most of you will remember from the BBC television series (remember Listen very carefully, I shall say this only once or the painting The Fallen Madonna with the Big Boobies!!) This will be staged at The Maltings from 19th 20th October, 2012 at 7.30pm and a matinee on the Saturday at 2.30pm. Tickets are now on sale! Wednesday 31st OctoberTime and Venue to be confirmed Childrens Halloween PartyFull Details Coming Soon. Fancy dress competition (not too scary please), colouring competition, party food for the children (refreshments on sale for the adults), facepainting (additional charge for this) music, dancing and games. All children must be accompanied by an adult. 2.50
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Future Events!
Once again, we will be holding a Body Shop Party in order to help boost the fundraising. It is anticipated that one of our members will be hosting this at some point soon. Details to be announced as soon as we have them. Hopefully the Christmas catalogue will be out and we can all do a bit of early festive shopping!
30th November2nd DecemberTimes, Prices and Venue TBC Les Miserables Masterclass Workshop Full Details Coming Soon Andy Reiss - a highly acclaimed West End actor will be coming to Berwick to take this amazing weekend-long masterclass. Andy delivers an enthralling three day course which places professional demands on those in attendance. The classes give an insight into the preparation required to maintain performance level during an 8 show a week run. This weekend Masterclass allows everyone to taste the intensity of working towards a polished professional product over the space of a few days. There will be limited places on this amazing weekend. We fully expect places to be booked up very fast - keep an eye out for ticket release. A presentation is normally given during the final session. Saturday 15th December, 10.30am Carol Singing at Tesco Berwick. As much as we dont want to think about Christmas, we have already started planning our festive events. These will start with Carol singing in Tesco foyer on Saturday 15th December. Come and join us to spread some cheer to all the harassed shoppers! 2nd afternoon slot available if we have enough people Saturday 22nd December, 10am3pm, Christmas Fair at The Town Hall, Berwick upon Tweed We havent had one for a couple of years, but the Christmas Fair is set to be spectacular! Stalls from all over Berwick and the Borders,, Santas Grotto, carolling on the steps of the Guildhall as well as all the old favourites.
In Memoriam
The Society was saddened to hear of the deaths of two former members. Harry Bailey was involved with the society for many years and in many capacities and will be remembered for the many character roles he played, including Lazar Wolf in the Society's 1980 production of Fiddler on the Roof. Anne Inglis, whose beautiful voice and professional acting skills will be remembered from the many parts she played with the Society, including Maria in the 1972 production of The Sound of Music and as Golde in the 1980 production of Fiddler on the Roof. She served on the Executive Committee for many years which included a time as Secretary. However it was her skills on stage that we will remember her for. The Society extends it's condolences to both families.
Contact Us
Email info@[Link] Website [Link] Telephone 07756 023757 (Louise WoodSecretary) Find Us On FaceBook Follow us on Twitter @BerwickOpera
[Link]
Special Mentions
Wardrobe Appeal The Society is still in need of a permenant Wardrobe Mistress/Master. If you would like to find out more about what the role entails, then please contact with us. There are many roles that are essential behind the scenes and this is certainly one of them. Equally, if you know of anyone who might like the job, then please make contact with us.
Executive Committee We have one final place left to fill on the Executive Committee. If you are passionate about local theatre and would like to be part of The Societys future, then please let us know. We need active people who will help get the best from The Society for the local community.
And Finally.. We aim to distribute this newsletter as often as we can. If you, or anyone you know would like to receive a copy, advertise, include an article or a Special Mention, then please let us know. Items to be submitted no later than the last day of the month before you wish the item to be included.
