spotlight - Douglas Choral Union

No.2
SPOTLIGHT
DOUGLAS CHORAL UNION
NEWSLETTER
Overture
The Commitments
Thank you all for the feedback regarding issue one of Spotlight.
But don’t stop there, it’s your newsletter and my commitment
to you is to make Spotlight worth reading!
Commitment is actually something I’ve been thinking about this month, and just
how much of a commitment we all make to be part of the Society. There are music
scores and dialogue to learn, props to find and make, costumes to measure, halls
to book, and even newsletters to write! The list is endless when producing and
staging a show. But let’s not forget there are also baby sitters to organise, partners
home alone in the evenings, singing teachers to help learn pieces, ‘taxi of mum and
dad’ to book, and other hobbies or work obligations to rearrange. Subsequently
that commitment we make to the DCU can actually spread far and wide.
Nevertheless, why do we commit to give up our free time during those cold winter
nights, sitting in drafty church halls and asking Liz, patient as ever, to repeat those
alto harmonies over and over? Personally, I do it because I love to sing and dance,
I love to spend my evenings with my friends and I enjoy being part of the big DCU
family. But the best bit for me is taking up a new challenge every year. During those
winter months I’ll pretty much reach every emotional high and low at some point,
pushing myself to be the best I can, and eventually being rewarded for my efforts
with that feeling many of you have experienced - when that curtain goes up at the
Gaiety Theatre on opening night!
But commitment for me and other members of the Society doesn’t start and stop
with Sister Act. Many of us take part in various challenges which require the same
commitment. In my 39th year, I’ll have run my first 5k, 10k and half marathon
races, while for others there has been the Viking Long Boat Race, The Parish Walk
and the Toughmann Challenge - not forgetting the commitment the DCU have
with the Gateway group. It doesn’t stop, and I have such adoration of the DCU
membership for this. We really are a committed bunch of people who I can say
hand on heart I am very proud to be included.
TOP FACTS FOR THESPS!
Did you know that the off-Broadway
musical The Fantasticks opened in
1960 and finally closed in 2002. That’s
a lot of performances to commit to!
The longest theatre performance by
an individual lasted 110 hr 46 min and
was achieved by Adrian Hilton when
he recited the complete works of
Shakespeare. One would have to be
a committed audience member too!
The most visitors to a musical in a
single theatre are 13,044,148 for the
musical Starlight Express in Bochum,
Germany. There are clearly a lot of
committed ‘Starlight’ fans in Germany!
Also showing their commitment,
the DCU’s first ever Viking Longboat
Team took to the waves last month!
Lou
louisepetejones@gmail.com
@DCU_iom
Douglas Choral Union
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The only limit to your impact is your
imagination and commitment.
Tony Robbins
www.douglaschoralunion.im
First Act
After a rather busy month of work behind the scenes, it is with
great pleasure that I welcome you to issue two of Spotlight for
another of our now-regular updates.
Well, we now have our talented cast for Sister Act,
the auditions having taken place over the period
13th - 15th July. I had the pleasure and privilege of
sitting in on the auditions with Tara and Andrew,
the Director and Musical Director, and it was clear
from the performances that everyone had put in
a lot of time and commitment into preparing for
their audition.
PRODUCTION TEAM
DCU would like to announce their
superb production team for Sister Act:
Tara Wilkinson, Director
Andrew Hilton, Musical Director
David Dawson, Assistant Director
Liz Dixon, Assistant Musical Director
David Walton, Stage Manager
Sam Waldron, Wardrobe
Carolyn Christian, Props
Fancy getting involved backstage?
Tara and Andrew were impressed with the high standard - even though it did
make their job a bit more difficult. However, I know that they are very pleased
with the casting and, like us all, are excited and really looking forward to rehearsals
getting underway. That is of course when the hard work starts as we see the show
taking shape over the coming months. Having said that, it will also be an enjoyable
time for all those involved and I am sure there will be a few laughs along the way.
If so, why not get in touch with DCU’s
production secretary Neil Callin for info?
Everyone is welcome, from complete
novices to experienced ‘ninjas’.
Email: neil.callin@gmail.com
Liz Dixon, as Assistant Musical Director, is starting music rehearsals on 11th August
in preparation for Andrew’s first visit on 14th September so we will soon be up
and running. A full rehearsal schedule up until the end of the year is currently
being prepared - details to follow.
I would like to take the opportunity to thank all those who auditioned and
put in so much preparation for what can be a nerve wracking experience.
Unfortunately, it was not possible to include everyone but I am pleased that
many of those not cast will be helping out with the show in other ways. For those
in the show, many congratulations and enjoy the next few months.
Tony
TONY JONES, DCU CHAIRMAN
tony-jones@manx.net
@DCU_iom
Douglas Choral Union
2
I had the privilege of sitting in on the auditions and it was clear
from the performances that everyone had put in a lot of time and
commitment into preparing for them.
Tony Jones
www.douglaschoralunion.im
Limelight
After starring as both the 1930s flapper Millie Dilmount in
DCU’s production of Thoroughly Modern Millie and Eponine
in Les Misérables, Victoria McLauchlan is looking forward to
again performing with the Society after a 5-year hiatus, this
time donning a habit to play Sister Mary Robert. We caught up
with our budding nun to find out more...
SINGING REHEARSALS
All nuns except Mother Superior
Time: 7.30pm - 10.00 pm
Monday 11 August
Manx Blind Welfare Centre
Monday 18 August
After a break of five years, what made you
want to tread the boards again?
I’ve missed the stage, the people, the buzz, the music
– everything really. And Sister Act is such a fantastic
show I knew from the minute it was announced that
I wouldn’t be able to keep myself away!
What attracted you to the part of Sister Mary Robert in particular?
It’s just a brilliant part, with some great singing. Having a rather big voice in
comparison to my height (5’0 - on a good day!) - I just felt as though I was well
suited to the role.
Tell us about your Sister Act audition?
I was nervous as it’s been a while since I had an audition and I so desperately
wanted to be part of the show, but Tara and Andrew were welcoming, friendly,
and informal and made me feel at ease. Although they did made me fight for it!
Manx Blind Welfare Centre
Monday 25 August
NO REHEARSALS - BANK HOLIDAY
Monday 1st September
St Matthew’s Church Hall
Monday 8th September
St Matthew’s Church Hall
(One further rehearsal this week TBC)
Sunday 14 September
With Andrew Hilton. Details of times
and individual calls to follow by email
and Facebook posts.
What are you looking forward to most over the coming months?
I absolutely cannot wait to be singing “Raise Your Voice” with Danielle and the
rest of the nuns…what a song! I don’t think I will sleep that night!
Sum up Sister Act the musical in 5 words!
Funny, Soulful, Uplifting, Energetic, Joyful!
Stop Press...
We are pleased to announce that a new Society website will soon be available
online. Scheduled to go live later this summer, the new website will boast
many new features and will integrate with our Facebook and Twitter pages
to provide a much better platform for all our members. Watch this space!
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www.douglaschoralunion.im
Favourite Nuns
Soundbites
For issue two of Spotlight, we asked the membership to tell us
about their favourite DCU moment. From Barry Gibb hair and
dead racoon hats to turkey drumsticks and chicken soup, here’s
what they said...
David Artus
In Miss Saigon I got to play a pimp that was surround by beautiful near naked
girls…and..er…what was the question again?
Deborah Beck
Thoroughly Modern Millie. Trying to achieve a full costume change including
wig, behind a door on stage in seconds for the lovely Victoria McLauchlan.
Michael Bonner
It would be tie between Bring Him Home and You’ll Find Me At The Hospital
in Les Misérables. Both Artus classics! Being on the Barricade is my favourite
moment from any show.
Karen Corkhill
After 28 years with the Douglas Choral Union, it’s impossible to choose one! It
would be Les Misérables for my most emotional moment, Miss Saigon for my
most unforgettable moment, and all the rest, just for the chance to be part of
an amazing group of people on and off stage!
Liz Dixon
Les Misérables, because I got to be on stage and have the very gorgeous Mr
Artus sing me to sleep in Bring Him Home! (Ed: I totally agree, found it hard to
pretend I was asleep on the barricade!)
Cathy Fargher
Doing props for Beauty and the Beast was both a joy (making a giant turkey
drumstick) and a headache (keeping track of all those beer tankards)!
Alternatively, silliest memory from a DCU show was from the Sound of Music:
I got caught between cloths when one was flown in just in front of another.
I had to sidle sheepishly offstage along the gap!
Name: Maria
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There’s nothing like a Dame, and this
one famously brought the hills of
Austria to life in 1965, also making
mincemeat of hideous curtains and
Nazi-ism with equal aplomb.
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Name: Miss Piggy
The difficult part about picking prime
roles for Miss Piggy is her ego. Piggy
would, however, put up with a nun’s
habit and a whole lot of kids to fall
in love with Captain von Trapp. Move
aside Andrews! (Hiiii-yaaaa!)
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Name: Brian and Charlie
Sophie Jones
Backstage on Miss Saigon - went to work on costume but managed to get on
stage! Plus the songs are AMAZING! Woop woop, chicken soup!
These two likeable crooks escape a
mob boss and seek refuge in a Nuns’
teacher training school. Tell us if this
sounds familiar.
Continued
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www.douglaschoralunion.im
And there’s more...
Favourite Nuns
Rebecca Lawrence
I would have to say Miss Saigon. Playing the role of Kim will always have a special
place in my heart and I loved watching the whole team pull together to put on
this incredible production.
Rene Paradise
Anything Goes was my first show and also my first experience on the Gaiety
stage. It proved to myself I could do it, but also gave me the whole DCU
experience, from Committee member to Chairman and now Society tea lady.
‘Who could ask for anything more’!
Andy ‘Sinbad’ Simpson
It would have to be Les Misérables, that show was amazing, a show where
everyone from the crew, ensemble and main cast felt privileged to be there.
Jonathan Sleight
Seven Brides! Ace craic with the lads, Barry Gibb hair and a dead racoon hat.
Tara’s usual magic and a poof and his port. SICK!
Name: Delores
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This sassy singer escapes a mob boss
and seeks refuge in a Nuns’ convent.
Sound familiar? They should make a
musical of this shizzle!
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Name: Monkey
We’ve compiled an album of classics suitable for all
budding nuns. If you think you can do better, email
your playlist to: louisepetejones@gmail.com
The Beatles
Stevie Wonder
Lady Madonna
Higher Ground
Nina Simone
Jimi Hendrix
Sinnerman
Angel
Marvin Gaye
Led Zeppelin
Can I Get a Witness
Stairway to Heaven
Ike & Tina Turner
The Beach Boys
Proud Mary
God Only Knows
AC/DC
Bon Jovi
Back in Black
Keep the Faith
Dusty Springfield
Son of a Preacher Man
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For the cast of Avenue Q, look away
now! Yes it’s everybody’s favourite
puppet, also created by Paul Jomain.
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Name: Mary Stigmata
John Peel called it the ‘most joyous
movie ever made’ and who can argue?
The Blues Brothers meet their match
in Mary Stigmata - the ‘Fat Penguin’.
This is classic John Landis, as childish
as it is brilliant, complete with a nod to
Hitchcock’s Psycho. Watch here.
www.douglaschoralunion.im
The Fantastic Four
On August 10th Julia Bratty, Nick Cain and Louise and Pete
Jones are taking part in The Fantastic Four Challenge in aid of
Anthony Nolan. Louise will be running her first Half Marathon,
while Julia will walk the full Marathon distance. Meanwhile,
Pete will cycle 300km (the equivalent of Liverpool to London)
and Nick will bench-press 10 tons (the weight of an Elephant)!
Julia’s dad, Ivan, along with her mum and DCU stalwart Kath, have been
involved with the Anthony Nolan charity for many years and these four DCU
members decided to show them some support, raising awareness and raising
money. You can help The Fantastic Four in the following ways:
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2
3
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Join the Anthony Nolan register by visiting www.anthonynolan.org
and answer some simple questions and you could become a lifesaver!
What a great feeling that would be!
Donate to The Fantastic Four by logging on to their Just Giving page.
Leave the team us a message if you like. Donations can also be made
anonymously.
You can also join Julia on her walk as she tours the north. So please
come and keep her company even if you can only spare half an hour
on the day. Julia’s route is outline on The Fantastic Four Facebook page.
YOU
ARE A
MATCH
SAVE
A LIFE
Anthony Nolan saves the lives
of people with blood cancer and
blood disorders matching incredible
individuals willing to donate their
blood stem cells or bone marrow
for those who desperately need
lifesaving transplants.
www.anthonynolan.org
Deloris Van Cartier - DANIELLE BRIDSON
Mother Superior - TRISH FARGHER
Sister Mary Robert - VICTORIA McLAUCHLAN
Sister Mary Patrick - OLIVIA BLACK
Sister Mary Lazarus - JANE SHORT
Monsignor O’Hara - MIKE BONNER
Curtis - TBC Eddie - LORCAN O’MAHONY
TJ - MARC McCABE-O’KELLY
Joey - DEAN CALLOW
Pablo - DAMIAN KNEALE
Sister Mary Martin of Tours - MANDY GRIFFIN
Sister Mary Theresa - KATH ADAMSON
Michelle - LOUISE JONES
Tina - JULIA BRATTY
Lula-Belle - KAYLEIGH PARKINSON
Madison - GRACE HOODLESS
Ernie - TONY JONES
Cop - PAUL SELLORS
Newscaster - ROB KINRADE
Hooker - GAYNOR DENHAM
Hooker - SARAH CALLOW
Bar Patron/Waitress - LAURA PIGOTT
Pool Player - TONY JONES
Drag Queen - ROB KINRADE
Cab Driver - PAUL SELLORS
Homeless Dancers,
Dream Scene Dancers and Gay Boys:
Nuns (featured)
Altar Boys and Builders:
BETHANIE CHRISTIAN
JORJA CHRISTIAN
GRACE HOODLESS
KAYLEIGH PARKINSON
LAURA PIGOTT
LIZ DIXON
LYNN FOX
LOUISE JONES
JULIA BRATTY
SOPHIE JONES
RACHAEL BRAIDWOOD
ALICE QUAYLE
LEANNE CAIN
TONY JONES
PAUL SELLORS
KIERAN QUINN
ROB KINRADE
www.douglaschoralunion.im
JULIA BRATTY
KAYLEIGH PARKINSON
LOUISE JONES
GRACE HOODLESS
ROB KINRADE
DAMIAN KNEALE
KIERAN QUINN
GAYNOR DENHAM
SARAH CALLOW
GILL GOSS