2000, Merry Widow from Bluegum Creek
Rehearsals
In late 1999 there was much discussion about what show to do the following year. The Merry Widow was favoured, but there were opposing sides favouring a new The Merry Widow from Bluegum Creek (David Spicer) and a more traditional approach. At a meeting just before Christmas, Graham was the only one favouring the Australian version, four favouring a traditional one, three undecided and one absent. However, at a read-through during January, it was found that the original version that was out of copyright had only two female roles, so the Australian version was chosen.
At an introductory evening for The Merry Widow from Bluegum Creek, Lynne linked the excerpts with narration, with various singers filling in. We had about forty there, which was very promising. Only nineteen auditioned however, but most roles were cast. The main problem was the demanding lead role, but Yolande Suffern, who was our Patience, was contacted, managed to get to an audition and proved ideal. She was also organising costumes and acting as ticket secretary for EMO's La Boheme.
Kevin Whiting, Darren Rosenfeld, Lucas Richter, Robert Riddiford, Paul Dernelly, Kevin Pye, Yolande Suffern, Geoff Vaughn, Geoff Collier, Daniel Bellis, Malcolm Wilton.
Yolande Suffern and Michael Try
Lesley Walton and Darren Rosenfeld played the secondary pair of lovers, and were very funny. Geoff Vaughan came to help on the door, was encouraged to audition and got a role! Lynne also invited Jane Eisenbise to be choreographer as Merri was not available. Diane Morgan took on publicity and Verna Turnbull-Smith was ticket secretary. After the auditions, there were still some male roles to fill, and Lynne invited Geoff Collier to fill one of these. A carpenter, he became invaluable as a set builder. He was also very bad at claiming expenses for timber he purchased, yet another example of the generosity of so many in our group.
During the rehearsal period, the group also performed at the Orchestra's 25th anniversary concert in May, singing some excerpts from The Merry Widow. Our can-can girls had costumes and our bracket seemed to go very well. Everyone was very impressed with Yolande. The orchestra did well, and our very versatile Ian played a Mozart piano concerto. Dianne and Robyn were catering and we stayed for a very nice supper.
Then it was back to the show. Some of the performers went to waltzing classes to prepare, and Darren came along to explain and demonstrate to the others how to waltz. After one rehearsal, as we raise money for World Vision, Malcolm Wilton gave us a slide show and talk about his I experiences in Kosovo. We learned much about the Balkan situation and a lot about Malcolm. It was a memorable hour or so.
By the last dress rehearsal things were really coming together, though the sets weren't finished and some words were still being missed. About seventy turned up to opening night and there were still missed lines, but the audience went wild at the end. Next day some of the cast were still working on the sets.
Merry Widow from Bluegum Creek - performances
Show Program
Anne-Marie Plevier, Heather Wright, Jane Eisenbise, Jane Smolenaers, Anna Smolenaers, Anne Callahan
Next evening the author came down from Sydney to show, and he loved us! The season was very successful with Yolande and Michael a very fine couple. The sets were more complicated and spectacular than we'd been accustomed to, mainly due to Lynne and Geoff, so with copyright payments, profits were down, but it was very successful.
Cast
Yolande Suffern - Anna (the Merry Widow)
Michael Try - Danny
Malcolm Wilton - Zack (the Ambassador)
Lesley Walton - Valerie (his wife)
Gerard Fullarton - Michelin (the Embassy translator)
Darren Rosenfeld - Camille ("friend" of Valerie)
Geoff Collier - Crompton (embassy attache)
Anne Callahan - Olga (his wife)
Geoff Vaughan - Boggins (embassy attache)
Ann-Maria Plevier - Sylvia (his wife)
Paul Dernelly - St. Brioche
Daniel Bellis - Cascada
Liza Miller,
Robyn Ford,
Dianne Richter - Secretaries
These history notes have been kindly provided by our long-term artistic director and co-founder, Graham Ford.
