| Our thespian calendar started with “Oliver”, directed by Dennis Burns. This family favourite was practically a sell-out, due in no small part to the super-talented bunch of youngsters that formed Fagin’s gang. This show had something for everyone – well loved musical numbers, high energy dance routines, great costumes, not to mention a fabulous set – a hit with our audiences for sure.
We then moved to May and our One Act Play Festival (OAPF). Adjudicator Colin Snell was highly impressed with the standard of entries yet again, awarding the Bucktrout Challenge Trophy to club director Bridget Carey for “Who Was Hilary Maconochie?”. I often hear how much work it is to take part in the OAPF for one performance, but what an important platform this is, not only for actors taking to the stage for the first time, but also new directors – and goodness knows, we need to encourage new directors! So long may this festival continue to be a part of our annual calendar of events. Our Summer productions this year were diverse and certainly provided something for everyone. We started with “Fit to Kill”, directed by Margaret Moffatt – a tense thriller that kept everyone guessing till the end. This was followed by “Life and Beth”, directed by Judy Moore – a delightfully sensitive production full of gentle humour. And we finished with something completely different, “The Last Five Years” which was directed by Fiona Colby. This was a challenging production, a sung-through musical with a cast of only two, who allowed the audience to watch their love story unfold on stage. Congratulations to all three productions. So to October, when Bob Thompson and Chris Oliver co-directed “Blackadder Goes Forth”. This TV adaptation was ideally timed to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the First World War. An authentic production, the attention to detail and superb characterisations made for yet another successful TV adaptations to add to our growing list. And what would Christmas be without our Pantomime? “Sleeping Beauty” was written and directed by Margaret Moffatt and once again Beau Sejour theatre rang out with cries of ‘Its behind you’ and hundreds of parents watched with pride as their children clambered up on stage to sing the community song. Ah, I remember those days! Lisa Johnston – GADOC Chair 2014/15 |
