&  Jenny McNae- Professional Director &

The year will get off to a strong start with the imminent arrival of Jenny McNae, professional director, who has been commissioned to bring Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” to life at the Bijou.  Jenny is recognised as one of Western Australia’s leading theatre practitioners and her professional career spans 46 years.  She is a director, actor and tutor of theatre arts, was the artistic director at Perth’s Hole in the Wall theatre for two years and has worked with WA’s major theatre companies.  Her most recent work was performing in the play “Quartet” at the Playhouse Theatre, at the conclusion of last year.

 &  Funding Support &

This project has been sponsored by Healthway to promote Smarter than Smoking and Country Arts WA- “Your Regional Arts Partner”.  We sincerely thank Healthway and Country Arts WA for their generous assistance and continued support of our community theatre.

&  The Production Team &

Two Associate Directors have been assigned to work on “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”- in collaboration with Jenny McNae.  They are Sue Abell and Jo Merrey, both of whom bring their own considerable theatrical experience and knowledge of Shakespearian works into the team.  The ever reliable and supremely organised Lora Lowe is our Production Manager.  Looking for any assistance that you may be able to provide will be Mark Litherland, Stage Manager; Phil Shelton, head of Set Design and Construction and Flora Yetman, Costume Manager.  It will be business as usual for Life Member Andrew Bounds, in charge of Lighting and Sound.  Carolyn Chambers continues to be invaluable by organising Properties and the effervescent Victoria Young will be coordinating Publicity.

&  Meet the Directors &

An informal evening, commencing at 7.30pm, will be held on Monday, February 4^th and everyone is invited to come and meet the Directors: Jenny, Sue and Jo.  Jenny will be giving an overview of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and will run a workshop on auditioning for a part!

&  Audition Night  &

Auditions for “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” will be held at 7.30pm on Tuesday the 5^th of February.  Everyone over 16 years of age is welcome to audition.  Scripts are now available for loan from Civic Video on James Street.  A movie version of the play, starring Kevin Klein, Michelle Pfeiffer and Calista Flockhart, is also available for rent.  There are about 20 spoken parts and many opportunities for those who would just like to be on stage without lines!  If you are keen to be involved but will be unable to audition that night, please contact Derek Clarke on 9071 5711 (business hours) to arrange an alternative time.

 &  Time Frame &

Rehearsals for the show shall run for nine weeks.  After our traditional preview performance for pensioners on Thursday the 4^th of April, Opening Night will take place on Friday the 5^th.  There will then be a further seven performances: the 6^th, 11^th, 12^th, 13^th, 18^th, 19^th and finally, Closing Night on the 20^th of April.

 &  Theatre Workshops &

A series of theatre workshops will be run by Jenny over five weeks.  There is the possibility, depending on demand, of three youth groups (10-16 years) and an adult group (17 years and over).  The days that these will be held will be dependant on the allocation of rehearsal nights, which will not be determined until the completion of auditions.  There will be one workshop per week for each group, and the weeks that these will be held are:

• 11^th-17^th February;
• 18^th- 24^th February;
• 18^th- 24^th March;
• 25^th- 31^st March;
• 1^st – 7^th April.

If you would like any further information, please call Derek Clarke on 9071 5711 during business hours.

Hope to see you all at auditions!  "A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM", presented by SMARTER THAN SMOKING, has been financially supported by:

 

"Your Regional Arts Partner"

 

 

Smarter Than Smoking!

"A Midsummer Night's Dream" is proudly sponsored by Healthway to promote Smarter than Smoking.

Smoking is not a smart move. It’s bad for your health, costs heaps of money and is definitely not cool. There are over 3000 dangerous chemicals in a cigarette, including some found in mothballs, insecticides and car exhausts.

Apart from your health, smoking can also cost you $300 a year. Think of all the great things you could buy with that – CD’s, movie tickets and magazines.  Smoking is also not a smart look. Bad breath, stained teeth, yellow fingers, smelly hair and clothes and yucky skin.

Many tobacco companies try to portray smoking as cool, attractive and associate it with success. Movie producers and actors are often paid lots of money to smoke in their films. But don’t be fooled by their trickery, you’re smarter than that!

 

&  Darcie Makes of Grand Entrance! &

On Wednesday the 16th of January, the newest member of the Esperance Theatre Guild made a grand entrance!  We welcome Darcie Diane, daughter of our fabulous Secretary, Tracey Schlink.  Little Darcie, at 5lb 10oz, is in thriving good health, despite being cued in a little earlier than scripted!  Let's hope she follows in her mother's talented footsteps (should we say "Follow the Fold"?).  Our warmest congratulations to Tracey and Damien on their bundle of joy!

 

EMERGENCY  ASSISTANCE!

Ever been interested in being involved with a mock disaster situation?  No, I don't mean last minute dress rehearsals!  On Saturday, the 16th of February, between 6.30pm and 9.30pm, there will be an emergency service training exercise at the Esperance Airport.  We have been approached by Fire Chief, John Winton, and asked for as many volunteers as possible to attend.  The mock situation will involve the crash landing of an incoming flight and a critical aspect that would need to be addressed by emergency personnel is crowd control.  We would be the frantic family and friends of the victims.  If you can help, please contact Derek Clarke on 9071 5711 or e-mail theclarkes@wn.com.au with your details.