2007, A Nice Dilemma

Darren Rosenfeld made a very clever compilation of typical G&S characters using a wide variety of popular songs from 8 G&S operettas and created a new ‘G&S’ show full of surprises. It was performed at the Warrandyte Mechanics Institute hall.

SHOW PROGRAM

It was agreed to do a concert performance of A Nice Dilemma later in the year. Lynne, Darren, Michael and Graham met to discuss A Nice Dilemma and they agreed Lynne and Darren would share the directing and Darren would prefer not to sing. Graham sourced the music on the internet and put it in his computer and added the changed words. Roxanne was to be the pianist and Dianne Richter the producer.

Straight after Fiddler auditions were held for A Nice Dilemma. A big cast was required and it was unsurprising that not all roles were filled. They were particularly short of tenors, so Darren and Michael were encouraged to join the cast. A Mabel was still required, and Joanna Patocs, who won the Diamond Valley Aria the previous year, was approached and agreed to take the role.

Rehearsals for the oratorio and A Nice Dilemma continued at the same time. Graham printed all the music for the latter and generated karaoke files. These were useful at the first rehearsal as Roxanne wasn’t familiar with the music and they helped her with tempi. Darren found it a strain trying to co-direct with Lynne and do the lead role, so he opted to pass directing over to Lynne, though he did instigate some choreography. Somehow Lynne and Darren managed to remain friends.

A young percussionist from the Eltham Orchestra was invited to assist with A Nice Dilemma and that added to the show. Unfortunately Roxanne was unable to attend the final dress rehearsal and on opening night found herself playing some solos she hadn’t seen before. However, it went very well, though the chorus were unprepared.

On the second night Alan Flint, as the Pirate King, sat on a bench and it collapsed! They managed to prop it up for the rest of the evening. However, the final performance was packed out, so it finished on a high.