My last report! Enjoy!

PRESIDENT'S REPORT 

By Sue Gross

For year 2008

2 MARCH 2009

Welcome to yet another AGM of Company Theatre.  The years seem to fly by and we continue to thrive and put on some wonderful productions.

We survived 2008 with a reduced committee and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all committee members for their untiring support and assistance throughout the year, which has not been easy.

As in the past, Company Theatre had a wonderfully successful year in 2008.

Our opening production – Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me written by Frank McGuiness and directed by Steve Wright was a very poignant dramatization of three hostages in Lebanon, and whilst not everyone’s “cup of tea” Company Theatre were proud to stage this production. Steve had difficulty casting this show. With only three male cast members, the expertise required to reach Company Theatre’s high standards of production was not an easy task!  However, after a few bumpy weeks leading up to opening night, the result was more than satisfying.  Thanks must be given to Steve (for hanging in there!), the Production Manager, Lynne, and the Committee for their unwavering support.

We then moved onto the hilarious and uplifting show ‘Allo ‘Allo directed by Kathy Gent. As promised at our last AGM this production was one not to be missed or forgotten!  A wonderfully talented cast and crew worked together, under Kathy’s direction, to produce an hilarious mid winter romp through war torn France!  If you missed this production you should be shot!  It is always satisfying to be part of a large production – everyone had so much fun from auditions to closing night – and beyond!

The last and final production of 2008 was Boeing Boeing directed by Richard Parmee.  Again a superb cast and crew gave audiences the flight of their lives with this compelling witty farce.  Thanks to the wonderful needlework of Lois and Nadine the airhostesses were authentically dressed and much to the delight of the audiences, they carried out the American, German and French accents superbly!

2008 continued Company Theatre tradition of a great year:

1.                  Our gala evenings proved successful in expanding our audiences – so much so that other societies on the Shore have taken to holding their own Gala evenings! Thank you to Richard for organising and the committee for their support. 

2.                  Kathy Gent has successful managed the block booking system which ensures various nights are sold out.  Whilst this was going to be reviewed by the Committee in 2008, it may have tempted fate to tinker with a well oiled wheel!

3.                  Our strong bond with the Rose Centre has seen various improvements in the theatre to which we have contributed – the off stage screen in the dressing room never ceases to provide cast and crew with endless hours of enjoyment – our way of watching those who are watching us!  The move towards the mezzanine, whilst slowly progressing, is progressing!  A brief is now with the architect and we are awaiting initial plans which the Rose Centre will submit to the Council for approval and for, hopefully, funding. Company Theatre will need all its resources and funds to be able to contribute towards that funding.  

4.                  The completion of the mezzanine won’t be too soon for Company Theatre!  As the Rose Centre is becoming more popular under Richard’s excellent management, we have unfortunately had to source outside rehearsal space for more days than we care to!  That of course is an additional cost for our productions but besides that, it is always nice to be “at home” in the Rose Centre for rehearsals.  Our comfort zone so to speak!

5.                  We had a wonderful send off for 2008 –  “Death of the DJ” - a Murder Mystery evening organized by Alastair and Richard.  Such a great evening and so popular we must repeat this next year.  One table even told me they loved it so much they could fill all the tables with their friends! I replied that provided they were members we would accommodate them!

The three productions lined up for next year are:  Relatively Speaking by Alan Ayckbourn directed by Lynne Davis; Tom Dick and Harry by Ray and Michael Cooney directed by David Adkins and Murdered to Death by Peter Gordon directed by Sherry Ede.  We welcome your help for these productions and for the incoming Committee.

Definitely my final year as President! I would like to thank the committee for their support during the past year which at times has been arduous – one reason being that we are so small in number!  I have a few regrets, one being that I could not finalise the Production Manual that has been circulating all year!  Even with a small committee it takes time to flow through, receive feedback, compile, edit and finalise!  Also the wardrobe desperately needs attention and has been put on the back burner, once too often! Then again, I have to leave some work for the new committee!

I am proud of Company Theatre and the productions we stage.  Those of you who know me know that I have not, do not and will not consider that we are a community theatre group.  We are amateurs with a professional standard. Long may that last!

On behalf of the Committee of 2008 I would like to thank all those who support us so steadfastly and who will support the incoming Committee in 2009 and beyond.

Regards

Sue Gross

President