Latest Theatre News

And I promise we won’t breathe a word about the World Cup, our beautiful stadiums, or whether the 50 000-seaters in Rustenberg, Nelspruit and Polokwane (where?) will ever host more than 500 fans again. Nor are we taking any wagers on the chances of our Bafana Bafana Boys reaching the final. We’ll leave that to the loyal supporters of Peter Mokaba* (who?).

Having cleared that up, did you hear the news? We have news! Never accuse The Company of hiding its light under a bushel. It’s not the first time that The Company has trodden the professional theatre boards, but it is the first time that this is to happen at The Heritage Theatre.

This will happen from 21st September to 3rd October when The Company performs “One Hit Wonders” at The Heritage. Requested by Heritage impresario Gary McKenzie, and co-directed/ choreographed by The Company’s Fiona Barnes-Snyder, the show pays tribute to the songs and artists who have had a number one hit, and then never been heard of again...

It’s a great concept, reviving some really great, sometimes iconic, music, and you’re sure to keep asking yourself: “Wow, I wonder what happened to them?” Hence the title: One Hit Wonders. Okay, not really, but some of you may remember that The Company mounted this show – to huge acclaim – in the early part of the decade (OMG, was it that long ago??). Some of the original cast members have moved on, and Fiona will give the choreography a fresh lick, so we’re in for a treat.

Check the press and Heritage website (www.heritagetheatre.co.za) or The Company website (www.cota.co.za) for booking details.

But before that happens, AUDITIONS!

Remember that Company shows are open to all, are NEVER pre-cast, and are ALWAYS looking for bright new talent as singers and/or dancers. The only proviso is that The Company is an amateur group: this means that although we perform like professionals, we don’t get paid to do so.

So don’t give up your day job just yet. But many of our members have gone on to the professional theatre, so am/dram is the ideal avenue for gaining some experience of “real” theatre, and seeing whether you’ve got what it takes.

Back to the auditions for The Heritage show! These will take place in the afternoon of Sunday 18th July 2010, at Westville Athlectics Club (123 Maryvale Road, Westville) from 2pm. We are looking for approximately 12 cast members to perform for a two-week run from 21st September to 3rd October. Ideally, you must be able to dance, sing, and perform (“act”). It’s vital that you come prepared to the audition with your own pre-prepared audition piece – a backing CD track & /or a choreographed dance piece.

You will be expected to attend rehearsals at least 2-3 times a week, in Westville, and more often as we approach the opening night. You’re responsible for your own transport to and from rehearsals and performances.

And so on to other matters. By now some of you would have attended the AGM on 3rd June and been brought up to date with The Company’s activities. Thank you to the members who attended, and especially to those who have volunteered to guide The Company through the next year or two on the Committee. They are:

• Chairman: Neil Snyder
• Treasurer: Doug Shewell
• Committee: Jaco de Wet, Linda Didlick; Meghan Moore; Kerry-Lee Brown (welcome)
• Unofficial Member: Derek Griffin (scribe abroad)

It was also good to see members and friends supporting our May social outing to The Heritage to see our long-standing Company member Jaxx Majoor perform in “24 Hours on Broadway”. She certainly stretched herself as lead female vocalist & absolutely held her own! Hope you all enjoyed it.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Here is the test to find whether your mission on earth is finished: If you're alive, it isn't.
Richard Bach, writer (b. 1936)

Good thinking, huh?

See you at the auditions!

Break-a-leg!

COTA Committee