News & Auditions Archive - Geelong Repertory Theatre Company

25/10/2009 MONDAY PLAYREADING

Come and join us on Monday night to read a very new play which was seen at last year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival and more recently at the Melbourne International Arts Festival.

The play is set in London on 7th July, 2005 - we take a look into the lives of some ordinary people on an extraordinary day in the history of a big city. There's the schoolboy who has problems including the hots for his teacher, an adult female student who is drawn to her male professor, an old widowed biddy with strong views and at the heart of the play the inquisitive relationship of a brother and sister. These snapshots are counterpointed by the slow, poetically appreciative progress of a bomber through a countryside that he actually loves.

Come and join us to read or to listen, join in the post reading discussion and share supper with us.

When: Monday 26th October at 7pm to a 7.30 pm sharp start.

Where: Woodbin Theatre, 15 Coronation Street, Geelong West (just down the road from Irish Murphy's)

Bring: A $2 gold coin and a plate of food to share at interval.

Any enquires? - ring Judy on 0425 751 307

Judy Ellis
Convenor, Playreading Group

22/10/2009 INFO NIGHT AND AUDITIONS FOR VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE

The play is set in 1950s America, in an Italian American neighborhood under the Brooklyn Bridge in New York. The area in which Eddie Carbone and his family live in is a tightly knit, poor community where everyone knows everything about everyone else. Men work at the dock and the women stay at home cooking, cleaning and caring for children. Two illegal migrants from Sicily arrive to stay in Eddie's home and one of them Rodolpho, falls in love with Eddie's niece, who lives with Eddie and his wife under a set of Sicilian family rules and morals dictated by Eddie. The consequent stand-off between Rodolpho and Eddie has tragic consequences.

Directed by Judy Ellis and Janine McLean.

WHERE: The Woodbin Theatre, 15 Coronation Street, Geelong West (just down the road from Irish Murphy's)

WHEN:

Info Night - Thursday 29th October at 7pm
Auditions - Thursday 5th November at 7pm and Saturday 7th November at 2pm

22/09/2009 SEASONS GREETINGS CAST ANNOUNCED

Seasons Greetings, directed by Scott Beaton and writing by Alan Ayckbourn has been announced:

Bryan Eaton (Harvey), Barry Eeles (Bernard), Melissa Musselwhite (Phyllis), Lauren O'Callaghan (Belinda), Steven Georgiadis (Neville), Rebecca Bennett (Pattie), Lachlan Murphy (Eddie), Deb Welch (Rachel) and Chris Young (Clive)

For more information on the play, visit the Seasons Greetings mini site.

26/08/2009 AUGUST PLAYREADING – “OUT OF ORDER” by Ray Cooney

PLAYREADING AT THE WOODBIN THEATRE - MONDAY 31ST AUGUST, 2009 - OUT OF ORDER BY RAY COONEY

Conservative British Government MP Richard Willey is attempting to have an affair with one of the Secretary's of the Leader of the Opposition, in a top London hotel. However, with a conniving waiter, a suspicious hotel manager, an alert private detective, an angry wife, a furious husband, a scheming secretary, an unconscious nurse and a dead body nothing is going to go as planned. Full of quick one liners, sexual innuendo and slap stick action - this farce will put a smile on your face or even have you laughing out loud. There are plenty of opportunities to read with 6 males and 3 female parts. Experienced, rusty or aspiring actors - come and join us to read or listen - there's no pressure.

WHERE: The Woodbin Theatre, 15 Coronation Street, Geelong West (just down the road from Irish Murphy's)

WHEN: Monday 31st August, 2009 at 7pm. for a 7.30 sharp start

BRING: Your sense of humour, a plate of food to spare at interval and a $2 coin entry fee.

COME ALONG AND READ OR LISTEN – NO PRESSURE. JOIN IN THE POST READING DISCUSSION. THIS IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO PRACTICE YOUR COLD READING SKILLS AND BE SEEN AND HEARD.

Judy Ellis
Convenor, Playreading Group

10/08/2009 SHOWING OFF AT GEELONG REP!

‘RUSTY SCISSORS’ - the smash hit Red Hat Ladies comedy short play written by Kate Hunter, Judy Ellis and Janet Brown. Cast include Ian Rooney, Vonnie Pilgrim, Robert Trott, Claudia Clark, Rebecca Bennett, Kane Oman, Miriam Wood, Alice Fincher, Jesse Bickerton and Charlotte Hukvari. Music by our very own David Fox.

BAR AND SUPPER INTERVAL

SHORT FILM VIEWING filled to the brim with hilarity featuring work from some of our most esteemed film makers, actors and fellow thespians including Andrew Ward, Adrian Sherlock, Judy Ellis and many more. [Rated PG]

WHERE: THE WOODBIN THEATRE, 15 CORONATION STREET, GEELONG WEST (just down from Irish Murphy's)

WHEN: Saturday 22nd August at 8pm

COST: $15.00

For details contact Judy Ellis 0425 751 307 or Charlotte Hukvari 0402 742 169

Download booking form and poster

24/07/2009 INFORMATION NIGHT - SEASONS GREETINGS

WHERE: THE WOODBIN THEATRE, 15 CORONATION STREET, GEELONG WEST (just down from Irish Murphy's)

WHEN: Wednesday 19th August from 7 - 8pm

There are 9 characters in this festive black comedy by Alan Ayckbourn. A guide for the characters' ages is included below.

5 males – Clive (late 20s) Neville & Eddie (30s/40s), Bernard (40s/50s), Harvey (60s),

4 females – Pattie & Belinda (20s/30s), Rachel & Phyllis (30/40s)

Come and hear about the play and the vision for the production from the Director, Scott Beaton with an opportunity for Q&A. If you are unable to make this information night you can contact Scott on 0418 395564

24/07/2009 JULY PLAYREADING – “ACT ONE” by Don Mackay

Award winning, actor, playwright, producer, director, screenwriter Moss Hart (1904-1961) was one of Broadways leading playwrights of the 1930’s, remembered for such classics as You Cant Take it With You and The Man Who Came to Dinner.

This play is an adaptation of his autobiography Act I by Australian playwright Don Mackay. Written in 1995 the first performance with a cast of 6 actors, was at the Ensemble Theatre in Sydney in 1997 with a subsequent production of this present version presented as a two-hander at La Mama at the Carlton Courthouse in 2004.

There will be plenty of opportunity to read as there are more than 15 characters.

The play is under consideration for the Woodbin Season 2010 and the playwright Don Mackay and members of the Play Selection Committee will be present.

WHERE: THE WOODBIN THEATRE, 15 CORONATION STREET, GEELONG WEST

WHEN: MONDAY 27^TH JULY, 2009 AT 7PM FOR A 7.30PM SHARP START

BRING: $2 GOLD COIN AND A PLATE OF FOOD TO SHARE

COME ALONG AND READ OR LISTEN – NO PRESSURE. JOIN IN THE POST READING DISCUSSION. THIS IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO PRACTICE YOUR COLD READING SKILLS AND BE SEEN AND HEARD.

Judy Ellis

Convenor, Playreading Group

28/06/2009 GROSS INDECENCY CAST ANNOUNCED

Cast:

Scott Beaton, Morgan Jenkins, Colin Urquhart, Stephen Simpson, Lachlan Murphy, Nick Addison, Ubaldino Mantelli, Andrew Kelly, Mike Ellis, Marja Le Hunt, Wendy Robinson, Sarah Freeman and Patsy Sanaghan

Crew:

Director – Travis Eccles

Production Assistant – Rebecca Bennett

Stage Manager – Charlotte Hukvari

Sound/Lighting – Samara Talkes

Set Construction – Simon Ellis & Richard Critchlow

27/06/2009 PLAYREADING - CHERISHED BY JANET BROWN

PLAYREADING - MONDAY 29TH JUNE - CHERISHED BY JANET BROWN - An adaptation of the novels Cheri and The Last of Cheri originally written by Colette.

Colette (1873 - 1954) wrote the novel Cheri in 1920 and the novel The Last of Cheri was published in 1926, when she was aged 53. She wrote a stage adaptation of Cheri, which was very popular and staged for decades throughout her life. An actress as well as a writer, Colette sometimes played the role of Lea. Colette did not write the script for a play of The Last of Cheri. This play can be set in current times, to emphasise the timelessness of the story, but Colette's scenes with Truman Capote are to be set in 1948.

The cast of four females and two males includes:

Tom: a handsome man aged 35, in the first half of the play he is 25. Married to Edmee, they have a businesslike relationship: they do care for each other, but are at best 'friendly'.

Edmee: Tom's beautiful wife. Early thirties. She is a young professional "power woman" from an extremely wealthy family. She loves the head doctor at the hospital where she works as head of fundraising.

Lea: Tom's much older lover. In the first part of the play, she is in her late forties. They have had an affair from when he was 19 until his wedding at 25. She is sassy, stylish and sexy. An actress/socialite/celebrity. At nearly sixty, in the later part of the play, she has grey hair, wears no makeup and dresses in practical comfortable clothes.

Pal: a friend of Lea, business woman who owns a good cafe. Aged 55 - 60 she is stylish and a long-time recreational drug user.

Colette: a famous French writer - speaks English with a strong French accent. Aged in her late 70s. These scenes are set in 1948, when she is waiting for a young writer to arrive - Truman Capote - who will interview her. She has frizzed purple hair, wears dark lipstick, a suit jacket and a skirt, a silk cravat, bare legs, sandals, painted toe-nails. Suffering from arthritis, she spends her long days on her 'raft' - a sofa bed on wheels with a writing table, covered by a fur rug. On the table she has her pens, blue writing paper, a couple of lovely glass paperweights, an ornamental butterfly, a newspaper, a book, some photographs, a wool tapestry she is working on. Otherwise, she can be in her wheelchair, working on her tapestry.

All scenes in the first act are set in Lea's apartment and prior to interval the stage should be lit with a lively rosy pink wash. When Tom makes his final visit to Lea's apartment ten years later (Act 2) the light changes for a greyish old pink.

Tom and Edmee have been married for ten years, they are "beautiful"people. They live a very wealthy lifestyle, in a fabulously stylish apartment, each have inherited vast wealth from their families. Tom does not have a real job. Managing his investments is his work. Tom has returned from a stint in a war-zone, not necessarily as a soldier, particularly if the play is set in current times, but as some sort of consultant. We never hear about what he witnessed, but clearly it has had a strong effect on him. Edmee manages their many investments, although she has kept her wealth in her own name.

Colette's work came out of copyright in Australia in 2005. A movie about "Cheri" is to be released shortly. This will be the first reading of Janet's adaptation and part of the development process of this new work. Janet will be there and values your feedback. A lot a of you will be familiar with Janet's work, she is a respected Australian playwright. Her work has been performed at La Mama and one of her plays was listed for study by VCE Year 12 students.

WHERE: THE WOODBIN THEATRE, 15 CORONATION STREET, GEELONG WEST

(just down from Irish Murphy's)

WHEN: MONDAY 29TH JUNE AT 7 PM FOR A 7.30PM SHARP START

BRING: A $2 coin and a plate of food to share at interval.

COME ALONG AND READ OR LISTEN - THERE IS NO PRESSURE - COME INSIDE OUT OF THE COLD - ITS WARM AT THE WOODBIN - NEW FACES ALWAYS WELCOMED.

Judy Ellis

Convenor Playreading Group

President Geelong Repertory Theatre Company

31/05/2009 TAVERN TRIVIA AT THE WOODBIN!

Another frivolous social evening at the Woodbin Theatre, 15 Coronation Street, Geelong West.

Saturday June 20^th at 8 pm

Tables of 6 - $10 per head including nibbles.

Dress Code: Western Saloon, English Tavern, Outback Pub, Cocktail Bar, Park bench

RSVP 17^th June to Judy Barnard 0437 90 40 43 or Charlotte Hukvari 0402 742 169

17/05/2009 PLAYREADING - MONDAY 25TH MAY - A VIEW FROM A BRIDGE

A tragedy in the classic form. This is an intensely absorbing drama, sure of itself every step of the way. It makes no false moves, wastes no time and has the beauty that comes from directness and simplicity. Set in the 1950's in a poor, tightly knit, Italian/American neighbourhood, where men work on the docks and women stay at home cooking, cleaning and looking after children, where neighbours are most likely to be relatives. The play deals with relationships, mistrust of the law and illegal immigration. There will be plenty of opportunities to read with a cast of 11 males and 3 females. Since playwright Arthur Miller passed away last year I have been thinking that we should present one of his wonderful plays as part of our Season perhaps this is the one.

I have asked Judy Barnard to organise the May reading as I will be overseas at the time.

WHERE: THE WOODBIN THEATRE, 15 CORONATION STREET, GEELONG WEST (just down from Irish Murphy's)

WHEN: MONDAY 25TH MAY AT 7 P.M. FOR A 7.30 PM SHARP START

BRING: A $2 coin and a plate of food to share at interval.

COME ALONG AND JOIN US TO EITHER READ (NO PRESSURE) OR LISTEN TO THIS PLAY BY A MAGNIFICENT PLAYWRIGHT.

NOTE: On Monday 29th June we will be reading another new play by local playwright Janet Brown. "Cherished" is an adaption of the novels "Cheri" and "The last of Cheri" by Colette.

Judy Ellis

Convenor Playreading Group

04/05/2009 Gross Indecency : The 3 Trials of Oscar Wilde

Information Night: Wednesday 13^th of May 7:30pm

Auditions: Sunday 17^th 12:00pm or Wednesday 20^th May 7:30pm

Where: Woodbin Theatre, 15 Coronation Street, Geelong West

Please be advised that the information night and auditions for Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde will be held earlier than originally planned for costuming purposes. We are looking for BOTH male and female actors. For more information, visit the Gross Indecency page.

24/04/2009 PLAYREADING - DOUBT

When:     MONDAY APRIL 27 at 7:00pm for a 7:30pm start
Entry:     $2 and a plate of food to share
Where:    Woodbin Theatre, 15 Coronation Street, Geelong West

Doubt: A Parable is an award winning 2004 play by John Patrick Shanley originally staged off-Broadway at the Manhattan Theatre Club and more recently made into a movie starring Meryl Streep, Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams and directed by John Patrick Shanley. Set in a Catholic school in the Bronx in 1964, there a only four fabulous characters, 3 female and one male, however the play lends itself to changing actors in the male role, so there should be plenty of opportunities to read. Sarah Freeman is considering submitting this play for Geelong Repertory Season 2010.

29/03/2009 POPULAR MECHANICALS INFO NIGHT

When: WEDNESDAY APRIL 8 at 7:30pm
Auditions: SUNDAY APRIL 19 and TUESDAY APRIL 21
Where: Woodbin Theatre, 15 Coronation Street, Geelong West

The Popular Mechanicals is a celebration of the wonderful tradition of theatre clowns. The six rude mechanicals from A Midsummer Nights Dream are portrayed here in a rollicking and hilarious behind-the-scenes story of the preparations for their performance at the Dukes wedding. The play was written by two well known Australian clowns, Tony Taylor and Keith Robinson, (with a great deal of the original Shakespeare included) and was originally directed in 1988 by another very well known Australian clown, Geoffrey Rush.

There are seven characters played by four males and two females, no particular age group, just an appreciation of the effort required for theatrical comedy. There will also be lots of choreography and lots of wild singing! So be prepared! Feeling brave? Come on, have a go!

If you would like any further information, please come to the information session or contact Director Peter Dukes pjjukes@iprimus.com.au.

Visit the Popular Mechanicals mini site for more details.

27/03/2009 MONDAY PLAYREADING - SALT

Geelong Repertory's Playreadings at the Woodbin Theatre will now be held on THE LAST MONDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 7PM FOR A 7.30PM SHARP START.

Our second reading for 2009 will be on MONDAY 30th MARCH of the play Salt by Peta Murray - a play in five helpings has been suggested by Stephen Georgiadis as a possible submission for production in 2010. The play selection committee will be there. This play was first produced by Playbox Theatre at the Malthouse in 2001 and it was delicious!

Come and join us at The Woodbin Theatre, 15 Coronation Street, Geelong West, to read or just to listen to the work of this most influential playwright of our times.

Bring along a plate of supper to share and a $2 coin entry fee.

When: 7pm on Monday 30th March - the reading will commence at 7.30pm sharp

Where: The Woodbin Theatre, 15 Coronation Street, Geelong West

Entry: A $2 coin and a plate of food to share at interval

07/03/2009 CAST OF DRACULA ANNOUNCED

Dracula - Tony Wasley
Lucy - Lauren O'Callaghan
Van Helsing - Bryan Eaton
Maid - Amanda Rector
Dr Seward - Barry Eeles
Renfield - Greg Shawcross
Harker - David Ward
Attendant - Trevor Robinson

For more details, visit the Dracula mico site.

01/03/2009 REPERTORY RAGS

When: Saturday 7th March 7:30pm
Where: Woodbin Theatre, 15 Coronation Street, Geelong West

The evening includes a luscious Champagne supper, an extraordinary costume show (with some superb and delicious models), Best Dressed Awards for the audience/attendees (so wear your best!) and many many friends you haven't seen since back in the day.

Invite your friends! We seek to spread our wings and show the rest of Geelong how wonderful Rep really is, and at the same time have a party!

Fundraising fee $30

19/02/2009 PLAYREADINGS NOW ON MONDAY AT THE WOODBIN

Geelong Repertory's Playreadings at the Woodbin Theatre will now be held on THE LAST MONDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 7PM FOR A 7.30PM SHARP START.

Our first reading for 2009 will be on MONDAY 23RD FEBRUARY when we will pay tribute to the playwright, director, actor, poet and political activist Harold Pinter who died on 24th December, 2008 aged 78.

To demonstrate some of the versatility of Pinter, who won many prestigious awards including the 2005 Nobel Prize for Literature, we will be reading three short works:

BLACK AND WHITE - a very short sketch
FAMILY VOICES - a radio play, and
A KIND OF ALASKA - a one act stage play.

Come and join us at The Woodbin Theatre, 15 Coronation Street, Geelong West, to read or just to listen to the work of this most influential playwright of our times.

Bring along a plate of supper to share and a $2 coin entry fee.

When: 7pm on Monday 23rd February - the reading will commence at 7.30pm sharp

Where: The Woodbin Theatre, 15 Coronation Street, Geelong West

Entry: A $2 coin and a plate of food to share at interval.

09/01/2009 DRACULA - INFORMATION NIGHT & AUDITIONS

When: Wednesday 14th January at 7:30pm
Where: Woodbin Theatre, 15 Coronation Street, Geelong West

Auditions will follow from Friday 16th and Friday 23rd January from as early as 2:30 PM. For details or to arrange an audition time, contact the director, Colin Urquhart at 52555270 or 0407567130 or email gmcu@urqs.com

18/11/2008 REP HONOURED AT VDL AWARDS

Geelong Rep was the recipient of a number of awards for Cloudstreet, directed by Mike Ellis at the 2008 Victorian Drama League Awards. Click here to see photos of the event.

15/11/2008 STAGE MANAGER REQUIRED - POSITION FILLED!

We are looking for a Stage Manager for out first production of 2009, Blood of the Lamb. Anyone who is interested please contact producer Mike Ellis on 5241 3338 or email me at ellimike@gmail.com

26/11/2008 NOVEMBER PLAYREADING AT THE WOODBIN

PLAY READING - THE HAPPIEST DAYS OF YOUR LIFE

When: 7pm on Wednesday 26th November - the reading will commence at 7.30pm sharp

Where: The Woodbin Theatre, 15 Coronation Street, Geelong West

Entry: A $2 coin and a plate of food to share at interval.

Come along to the Woodbin for a reading of our final play for 2009. I had some requests for a farce/comedy with plenty of characters, for the final reading so I sought the advice of the people at the VDL library and they suggested THE HAPPIEST DAYS OF YOUR LIFE by John Dighton. Here is a chance for 13 people (even numbers of males and females) to have a go at being completely over the top, in this play set in the Master's Common Room of Hilary Hall School of Boys in Hampshire.

Bring your plate of food to share and a $2 coin and join us at the Woodbin Theatre, 15 Coronation Street, Geelong West. The reading will commence at 7.30 sharp.

25/11/2008 AUDITIONS - BLOOD OF THE LAMB

An Information Night for Blood of the Lamb by Bruce Mason will be held on Tuesday 2nd December at 7.30pm at the Woodbin Theatre, 15 Coronation Street, Geelong West - Melway Reference: 401 C3.

Auditions will be on Sunday 7th December at 2pm and Tuesday 9th December at 7.30pm. This play is for three strong female actors, one young (20's) and two older women.

For further information ring the director Carole Mallett on 5221 0267 in the evenings (after 7.30pm)

23/11/2008 AUDITIONS - THE WRITE STUFF PLAYWRITING TOUR

Information night – Wednesday 10^th December 7.30pm at the Woodbin.

The auditions will take place on Saturday and Sunday, December 13^th and 14^th.

Saturday times will be from 2 – 6 (at twenty minute intervals)

Sunday times will be from 3 – 8 (at twenty minute intervals)

We will ask potential audtionees to prepare a short, two minute monologue from any source. We will also ask participants to engage in cold reading from the scripts.

Please note: due to insurance purposes, participating in the plays requires that you are a financial member of Geelong Repertory Theatre

This fee does not apply if you are already a financial member of Geelong Repertory Theatre.

For any questions, inquires and to register your interest for an audition time, please contact Christine Davey on 0409 389 461, or chriskppd@westnet.com.au

Click here for further details.

21/11/2008 REVIEW - A Bedfull Of Foreigners Review by Colin Mockett

For Rep President Judy Ellis, Christmas has come early. The Company’s final play for the year – which she produced - was clearly a thumping success, generating buoyant audience reaction amid laughter galore.

In the process it has uncovered a bright new director, introduced a promising newcomer and polished the comic abilities of a handful of Rep regulars.

I’d call that a highly positive outcome on the eve of the company’s 2009 Season Launch.

And it’s all the more so, when considering that this could have been just another bread-and-butter production of a creaking run-of-the-mill British comedy.

A Bedfull Of Foreigners was written in 1973 by Dave Freeman, who was best known as the principal writer for the Benny Hill Show. He took the classic French farce format and gave it a solid Benny Hill workout with a hapless English anti-hero winning out over authoritarian figures amid lashings of misunderstandings, sight gags, sexual innuendo and lingerie-clad knowing women.

Given this script, Rep’s debut director Sarah Freeman decided to deliver it with the minimum of changes – resisting the temptation to update or Australianise it – but to use a highly talented acting team on a simple, clever set.

The set’s opaque walls contributed much to the play’s laughter, as it allowed the reactions of eavesdropping actors to be in full view.

And Sarah’s actors used this bonus element very well, clearly enjoying themselves in a production that was as notable for its tight discipline as for its loose comedy.

Outstanding in the pivotal role of Stanley was Alan Wilson, amazingly in his first stage performance. Alan managed just the right mix of bewilderment and opportunism to keep his English-holidaymaker-abroad role convincing among a string of increasingly implausible situations. Creating these, while keeping the plot skipping along briskly was a delightful support cast beginning with Melissa Musselwhite, who played Stanley’s wife Brenda totally straight until her head was turned by the advances of the wackiest of Romeos, hotel owner Ian Rooney. Ian’s role called for him to be a combination of harassed and hassled hotel owner with passionate seducer while wearing the silliest of pageant costumes. It says a lot for Ian’s acting ability that he carried it off with aplomb. Causing further complications were Stanley’s reluctant room-mate Barry Eeles, who is probably Rep’s foremost actor at wringing laughs from an unsympathetic character, and Robert Trott, clearly loving his over-the-top part as the bolshie, grasping, subversive night-porter whose interventions consistently glued the scenes together.

But what really made this production special was the casting of Laura Freeman and Lauren O’Callaghan.

In writer Freeman’s original script, their parts were simply lightweight eye-candy roles; good-looking women who stripped down to their underwear as often as possible. And though Rep’s director Freeman cast both roles with good-looking young women in excellent lingerie, she chose a pair with first-rate acting skills, too. So Laura’s Helga was not only gorgeous, she was completely credible and more than contributed to the play’s comedy, while Lauren’s delightful showgirl uncovered an excellent comedy ability along with bubbly, infectious fun - in a series of tastefully revealing costumes.

All this, with a neatly crafted introduction from Alice Fincher, combined to produce a comedy of rare depth and provide a highly successful climax to Rep’s varied 2008 season.

And quite rightfully putting that satisfied smile on the face of producer-president Judy.

-Colin Mockett Visit Entertainment Geelong

27/10/2008 OCTOBER PLAYREADING AT THE WOODBIN

PLAY READING - DIVING FOR PEARLS

When: 7pm on Wednesday 29th October - the reading will commence at 7.30pm sharp

Where: The Woodbin Theatre, 15 Coronation Street, Geelong West

Entry: A $2 coin and a plate of food to share at interval.

Come along and read or listen in a casual non threatening atmosphere. Diving for Pearls by Katherine Thomson was premiered by MTC at GPAC in March 1991. In the current economic climate this play is particularly relevant today. Set in an industrial Australian city, it deals with the common anxiety of a group of factory workers in tough economic times - "a courageous and thrilling attempt to unite public issues and private concerns".

This is an opportunity for rep members to hone their cold reading skills and catch up with old cast members and for anyone interested in or curious about Geelong Repertory Theatre Company.

Judy Ellis

President and Play Reading Convenor

24/08/2008 THE WRITE STUFF WINNERS ANNOUNCED!

Visit our Write Stuff mini-site to see who made the final cut!

23/08/2008 SEPTEMBER PLAYREADING AT THE WOODBIN

Playreading - Closer by Patrick Marber. This award winning play first performed in 1997 is set in contemporary London. Closer tells the story of four people in the body business, Dan the obituary writer, Alice the stripper, Anna the photographer and Larry the Dermatologist - who over the years meet and fall in love.

Come along and read or listen - no pressure. At the Woodbin Theatre, 15 Coronation Street, Geelong West.

Time - 7pm. Gold coin and a plate of food is all that is required.

Phone enquiries Judy - 0425 751 307.

20/09/2008 CAST ANNOUNCED FOR A BEDFULL OF FOREIGNERS

Geelong Rep is pleased to announce the cast of its final production for 2008 - A Bedfull of Foreigners.

Robert Trott - Karak
Ian Rooney - Heinz
Barry Eeles - Claude
Alan Wilson - Stanley
Melissa Musselwhite - Brenda
Lauren O'Callaghan - Simone
Laura Freeman - Helga

24/08/2008 PLAYREADING - WOODBIN THEATRE, 15 CORONATION STREET, GEELONG WEST - WEDNESDAY 27TH AUGUST AT 7PM FOR A 7.30 SHARP START

This month Richard Critchlow has suggested that we read the delightful old play by J.M. Barrie THE ADMIRABLE CRICHTON a comedy of manners and customs about an upper class British family and their upstairs and downstairs staff who are shipwrecked on a tropical island. See what happens on the island and also when they get back to England. There are five male and five female character roles and some other interesting smaller parts to be read. This play has been around for a while and stood the test of time, it has had many productions by major companies which ran for hundreds of performances, and has also been made into at least two films - some of you may have seen the 1957 classic starring Kenneth More as the Admirable Mr. Crichton.

Come along with your best of British accents and have a bit of a laugh - this would make a delightful sit-com come soapie for TV. Don't forget your gold coin entrance and a plate of food to share at interval.

And don’t forget this week sees the opening of Matt Cameron’s RUBY MOON – directed by Doug Mann and starring Cherie Mills and Sascha Keet. The show runs from August 29^th till September 13^th. Tickets at GPAC.

15/08/2008 A BEDFULL OF FOREIGNERS INFORMATION NIGHT AND AUDITIONS ANNOUNCED

An information session for Dave Freeman’s A Bedfull of Foreigners, directed by Sarah Freeman will be held this Wednesday, August 20^th at 7:30pm at the Woodbin Theatre, Lillian Stott Centre, 15 Coronation Street Geelong West 3218. Melway Reference: 401 C 3. Auditions will be at Sunday August 31^st at 2pm and Tuesday September 2^nd at 7:30pm. For further details contact the director – Sarah Freeman or 0403208369.

30/07/2008 JULY PLAYREADING – THE FAT BOY

The Fat Boy - by Tony Ayres

Trevor's just a lonely boy looking for love. But love has made a detour around him. Is it because he's fat, gay and squeals like a girl? Or because his mother's a vulgar, sex-obsessed psychic? Whatever the reason, everything he touches falls to bits: relationships crumble, lives are lost and warts sprout in the most unseemly places. Gleefully raiding the tempo and colour of pop culture, this is an hilarious domestic horror story about love, desire and other monstrous appetites that will worm its scandalous way into your heart.

Tony Ayres is an award winning writer and director of documentary, television, film and theatre.

Arrive at 7pm for a 7:30 sharp start. There are 7 parts to read which will be swapped at interval. 3 M and 3 F and 1 either.

A $2 entry to contribute to the cost of scripts and running the event as well as a small plate of food to share is all that is required.

Hope to see you all there.

THE WOODBIN THEATRE, 15 CORONATION STREET, GEELONG WEST

PLEASE NOTE TIME - AT 7PM READY FOR A 7.30 SHARP START

20/05/2008 RUBY MOON INFORMATION NIGHT AND AUDITIONS ANNOUNCED

The Ruby Moon information session will be held Wednesday June 11 at 7.30pm at the Woodbin Theatre, Lillian Stott Centre 15 Coronation Street Geelong West 3218. Melway Reference: 401 C 3. Auditions will be Sunday June 22 at 2pm and Tuesday June 24 at 7.30pm.

11/05/2008 CLOUDSTREET CAST ANNOUNCED

Lester Lamb - Colin Urquhart, Oriel Lamb - Mary Steuten, Sam Pickles - Scott Beaton, Dolly Pickles - Glenda Maddison, Rose Pickles - Kethly Hemsworth, Quick Lamb - Stephen Simpson, Fish Lamb - Chris Young, Hattie Lamb - Rebecca Bennett, Red Lamb - Charlotte Hukvari, Elaine Lamb - Deb Welsh, Lon Lamb - Lachlan Murphy, Chub Pickles - Travis Eccles, Ted Pickles - Nick Frcek, Black Man - Barry Eeles

Visit the Cloudstreet minisite

11/05/2008 MAY PLAYREADING 28TH MAY - THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB BY BRUCE MASON

Henry and Eliza live as a couple on an isolated property in New Zealand. Their daughter Victoria left home without any explanation when she was 15. Now 21 she is returning to get married and also to learn about her family history. As the play unfolds we learn of the dark secrets of this extraordinary family - there are a few surprises.

The play selection committee will be attending this reading, and we invite you to come along and enjoy the evening, and give us your very valuable feedback on this play from New Zealand.

NOTE: Eccints are not riquired.

We hope to see you at:

THE WOODBIN THEATRE, 15 CORONATION STREET, GEELONG WEST

PLEASE NOTE TIME - AT 7 PM READY FOR A 7.30 PM SHARP START

ADMISSION - A $2 COIN AND A PLATE OF FOOD TO SHARE AT INTERVAL

Judy Ellis

Convenor Playreading Group

25/03/2008 THIS MONTH'S PLAYREADING - DRACULA

GO GOTHIC - DRESS UP AND READ DRACULA ON WEDNESDAY APRIL 30^th at 7PM FOR A 7.30 SHARP START AT THE WOODBIN THEATRE

“Dracula was written in 1927 and is the first stage dramatization of the Bram Stoker novel, and was the basis for the famous Bela Lugosi film. Because of the scope of the novel, times, places and some characters were changed, but it is true to the style and mood of the original. The language is highly emotional and melodramatic, easy to lampoon, but I believe if done faithfully could really affect audiences - the challenge is to bring out the gothic horror, not the mention the highly charged eroticism. Needs two young women and six men, one in his 20's. Set in a sanatorium (for the interestingly insane) in 1920's England. I'd love people to dress up and get in the mood, but the reading should be (literally) bloody serious.”

So writes Colin Urquhart who has suggested this reading - I think it sounds like fun and is full of interesting possibilities. The dressing up is optional however I am sending out this notice early so that you can plan what you might wear.

So put Wednesday 30th April in your diaries, and come along to the Woodbin Theatre, 15 Coronation Street, Geelong West, with your gold coin entrance fee and a plate of food to share and help us make this a memorable reading. This play has been put forward to the Play Selection Committee for inclusion in Season 2009 and the Committee will be attending the reading.

Judy Ellis

Convenor Playreading Group

The March Playreading will be TWELFTH NIGHT – twelve days after Christmas and the last chance for a party before the holiday season ends. The action takes place in Illyria, a region on the east coast of the Adriatic Sea where pirates were supposed to hide out. Viola arrives after a shipwreck in which she believes her twin brother has drowned. Illyria is ruled by Duke Orsino who is obsessed with Olivia. However, because of the death of her father and brother Olivia has decided to go into mourning for seven years. Her plans do not include Orsino.

All the makings for a love story and a comedy, add a few rich characters such as Sir Toby Belch and his dim-witted friend Sir Andrew Aguecheek who just like to dance, eat and drink and Olivia’s witty maid for Toby to flirt with. Malvolio, Olivia’s stewart – the differences between him and the other characters are the basis for the plays humour, and of course the wise and witty fool Feste.

There are many other wonderful characters to be read and to keep the whole thing fluid and entertaining we are offering you a line for line modern translation.

Be there – at the Woodbin Theatre, Coronation Street, Geelong West at 7 pm. On Wednesday 26^th March. We will start the reading at 7.30 sharp. Bring your $2 donation and a plate to share. The reading will be attended by the Play Selection Committee for Season 2009. Come along and be seen and heard.