PRESIDENT'S REPORT 2001 - Lyndel Taylor

If I consider all the things that Esperance Theatre Guild has achieved in the past year, it is a wonder you are not all sliding out of your seats with fatigue. But there is something very energising about being involved in the Bijou which keeps us enthusiastically coming back for more. And it is this enthusiasm that has seen much achieved in the past year, both on stage and off.

Investment in the theatre has continued with a range of improvements made and equipment bought. The storeroom is now complete with the addition of shelving thanks to Raleigh Sellars, John Crawley and his crew. The theatre is much more bearable in warm weather with the addition of whirly birds, again installed by John Crawley and a working bee crew. And the Bijou repair crew swung into action to repair damage caused when a storm sent a branch through the roof of the Petite Bijou room. The theatre is benefiting from new headsets, a new vacuum cleaner, a new kitchen door, curtains (on stage and off) and snake lights.

The first of the Bijou’s precious photos are now professionally framed and donations are coming in to continue this process. The theatre’s history is also being preserved in another very high-tech way with Mark Litherland doing an excellent job of maintaining the Bijou website.

On stage, Esperance Theatre Guild members seized a range of opportunities to develop their skills and put them to use. Cast, crew and audiences alike appreciated the challenges issued when Mel Bell directed The Glass Menagerie in March 2000. Bijou performers also showed Rotarians from around the State just how talented Esperance people are when they performed at the district conference in April.

The hilarious antics of Holiday Snap, directed by Jayne Arnold, provided the laughs to chase away the winter blues. And Bijou members were out in force in September for the Festival of the Wind. Organising and performing in a range of capacities in Dare To Wear and The Great Esperance Odyssey.

The Bijou ushered in Christmas with all the fun of a pantomime. With director Andrew Dean and producer Tracey Schlink at the helm, Santa In Space was a big success. December 2000 saw auditions for Guys & Dolls, This huge musical, performed in March/April 2001, exploded into song, dance, colour and life under the direction of Mel Bell, musical direction of Maggie Tolman and choreography of Lyndel Taylor and was received by full house audiences with rave reviews.

Of course none of this would be possible without you, the members and your efforts. In particular I must pay tribute to the dedicated committee members who have steered us through a busy but successful year.

As we look forward there are already exciting plans on the drawing board. Le Petit Bijou, the guild’s youth theatre program for 10-18 year-olds has started this term. Planning is already underway for a season of one-act plays by first time directors and the committee is investigating securing a professional director to work with us again in the near future.

We should be proud of the fact there is always something happening at the theatre. With the talent and energy of the people involved, the Bijou can only continue to shine.

Sorry, Out of Bounds!  The Bio (lighting) Box that is.

Due to structural constraints and the fact that crew members are trying to work up there, members and the public are reminded that the Bio Box is "out of bounds" during shows. If you feel you need to be in there you must consult with Andrew Bounds.