Whatson Notices

Sherbrooke Theatre Co. Inc. 22-Oct-2010 to 06-Nov-2010

'It's My Party (And I'll Die If I Want To)' Agent: Currensy Press Author: Elizabeth Coleman Director: Bob Bramble Theatre: Doncaster Playhouse 679 Doncaster Road Doncaster Melways Reference: 47 E1 Performances: Oct 22, 23, 28, 29, 30, Nov 04, 05, 06 @ 8.15pm Oct 24, 31 @ 5.15pm Prices: $25, $23 Bookings: 1300 650 209 Company Email: sbamoon@tpg.com.au Company Website: http://www.sherbrooketc.org.au/ Synopsis: Ron was told he has three months to live. Tonight his three months is up. He gathers his family to resolve many family issues before he dies - with hilarious consequences.

Torquay Theatre Troupe 04-Nov-2010 to 12-Nov-2010

ALTERED EGOS and GOD WILLING Two One Act Plays Agent: Carol Burls Bruce Olive Author: John Burls Bruce Olive Director: Gay Bell Michael Baker Theatre: Bellbrae Community Hall School Road Bellbrae Melways Reference: Map 409 E9 Performances: Evenings 8:00pm Matinee: 2:00pm Prices: $17 Adult $13 Concession Bookings: 52619035 Synopsis: Altered Egos is a one act play set in a retirement village. Dillman is contemplating marriage with Harriette but both need to call on their alter egos for assistance. God Willing is a chilling one act play that explores the motivation of a youthful terrorist caught between conflicting loyalties.

Mooroolbark Theatre Group 04-Nov-2010 to 13-Nov-2010 Click to Enlarge

"Busybody" Agent: Dominie Pty. Ltd. Author: Jack Popplewell Director: Fiona Carter Theatre: Mooroolbark Community Centre, Brice Avenue, Mooroolbark, VIC 3138 Melways Reference: 37 H12 Performances: 7.30 pm, sherries, Curtain up at 8.00 pm Prices: $15 and $13 concession. Special Prices for Group Bookings. Prices include Entry, Programme, Sherries on arrival, and Tea/Coffee/Cordial/Cake at interval. Bookings: 03 9726 4282 Company Email: mooroolbark_theatre_group@optusnet.com.au Company Website: http://members.optusnet.com.au/mooroolbark_theatre_group Synopsis: Detective Superintendent Harry Baxter is plagued by a head cold and two busybodies – a corpse that vanishes and the officious office cleaner, Mrs Piper, who found it. Trying to glean facts from the morass of Mrs Piper’s chatty verbosity requires all Baxter’s never large store of tact and patience. Motives for murder abound – all the office staff and the corpse’s wife are suspect. His self-control snaps completely when the corpse himself walks in alive and well. But Mrs Piper still insists that there was a body, though she no longer knows whose. Baxter is persuaded to continue his investigations, enthusiastically hindered by Mrs Piper. However, it is she who finally identifies both corpse and murderer and actually obtains a confession. Very typically she then tidies the office and throws away the confession. Other Information: Table Seating, plus BYO any extra Drinks or nibbles.

Foster Amateur Music & Drama Association FAMDA 05-Nov-2010 to 13-Nov-2010 Click to Enlarge

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Agent: Hal Leonard Australia Pty Ltd Author: Conceived by Rebecca Feldman, music & lyrics by William Finn, book by Rachel Sheinkin Director: Nathan Eva Theatre: Foster War Memorial Arts Centre, Main St., Foster Performances: 8:00 5, 6, 11, 12, 13 November, 2:00 Sunday 7 November Prices: TBA Bookings: 5682 1381 Company Email: sgas@dcsi.net.au Company Website: http://www.famda.org.au/ Synopsis: A bright new musical comedy that will warm your heart and tickle your fancy! Join six quirky adolescents as they vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. This fresh musical comedy embraces the weird, welcomes the awkward and celebrates overachieving angst. Composed by William Finn, Spelling Bee includes a full score of infectious and playful songs. Often chaotic, always unique, this hilarious take on American pop culture is a true delight. Life really is pandemonium at The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee! Nominated for an incredible six 2005 Tony awards and winner of two, Spelling Bee will charm and delight with its frivolous Spelling Bee fun.

Peridot Theatre Inc. 05-Nov-2010 to 20-Nov-2010 Click to Enlarge

"Cosi" Agent: HLA Management Author: Louis Nowra Director: Malcolm Sussman Theatre: Unicorn Theatre, Lechte Road, Mt. Waverley Melways Reference: Map 61, F11 Performances: 8.15pm, Matinees on Sunday November 7 and Saturday November 13 at 2.15pm Prices: $23/$20 Concession Bookings: 1300 138 645 (toll free) or 9898 9090 (if using mobiles) Company Email: peridotboxoffice@yahoo.com.au Company Website: http://www.peridot.com.au Synopsis: Lewis Riley, a young, inexperienced university student, is hired by a psychiatric institute to direct a play as part of the hospital's therapeutic programme. The venue is a rundown theatre, the cast are patients with very diverse needs and who are neither opera singers nor Italian speakers and the play is Mozart's "Cosi Fan Tutte" and Lewis' problems don't end there. A much loved Australian comedy with lots of heart and laughter.

Malvern Theatre Company Inc. 05-Nov-2010 to 20-Nov-2010 Click to Enlarge

THE DRAWER BOY Agent: Gary Goddard Agency Author: Michael Healey Director: Kris Weber Theatre: 29a Burke Road, East Malvern Performances: Tuesdays to Saturdays at 8:15 pm Matinees: Saturday 6th November at 2:00 pm and Sunday 14th November at 2:00 pm. Gala Night: Saturday 13th November at 8:15 pm Prices: $20.00 (Concession $18.00). Groups (10 or more): $17.00 per person. Gala Night: $25.00 (Concession $23.00). Bookings: 1300 131 552 Company Email: home@malverntheatre.com.au Company Website: http://www.malverntheatre.com.au Synopsis: Morgan and Angus are two middle-aged farmers who have lived on their Central Ontario farm together for over thirty years. One day, a young Toronto actor, Miles, arrives to do hands-on research for a play he is writing about country life. Morgan is not too thrilled with the self-involved city dweller, and Angus, who is unable to remember that the young actor is even there due to a head injury sustained during World War II. Miles unwillingly stumbles upon the truth about their past and as a result, their lives are forever altered when art attempts to imitate life and the line between truth and fiction is crossed. What begins as an amusing portrayal of rural and urban culture-clash, slowly peels away layers of forgotten truths and lies, exposing hidden secrets of love and tragedy.

Brighton Theatre Co. 11-Nov-2010 to 27-Nov-2010 Click to Enlarge

The Whales of August Agent: Hal Leonard Australia Pty Ltd Author: David Berry Director: Lesley Batten Theatre: Brighton Arts & Cultural Centre Wilson Street Brighton Melways Reference: 67 F11 Performances: Evening 8.00pm sharp Sunday Matinee 2.15pm sharp Prices: Adult $18.00 Concession $16.00 Bookings: 9589 0005 Company Email: enquire@brightontheatreco.com Company Website: http://www.brightontheatreco.com/ Synopsis: It is the mid 1950s and two elderly sisters are living out the summers of their twilight years on a small island off the coast of Maine. Libby, at 86, is a formidable Yankee lady who is progressively shutting down each of her senses. Sarah, a romantic, at 75 is still youthful and vital, and as she watches her sister's decline she begins to grasp at a renewed hope for her own future; she can change, she can grow. Other Information: Patrons arriving late will be asked to wait for a suitable break in the performance before being admitted to the theatre.

Eltham Little Theatre Inc. 11-Nov-2010 to 04-Dec-2010

Blush or Gladys of the Goldfields Agent: Victorian Drama League Author: Werribee Theatre Company Director: Susan Flint Theatre: Performing Arts Centre 1602 Main Rd, Research Melways Reference: 22 H1 Performances: Thursdays - Saturdays @ 8.00pm Prices: Tickets $20 (No concessions) Fundraising for groups available Bookings: 9437 1574 Company Email: webmistress@elthamlittletheatre.org.au Company Website: http://www.elthamlittletheatre.org.au Synopsis: Egad! The helpless, hapless heroine is pursued by the vile villain "Curses"!! until all seems lost, but the honest, handsome hero arrives just in time to save the day - and the girl. All this, and dancers and songs as well in our traditional Music Hall.

The Basin Theatre Group 11-Nov-2010 to 05-Dec-2010 Click to Enlarge

Wedding Games Agent: Shanahan Management Author: Simon Hopkinson & Helen O'Connor Director: Susan Carty Theatre: Cnr Doongalla & Simpson Roads, The Basin 3154 Melways Reference: 66 A6 Performances: 8.15pm: Nov 11,12,13,14,18,19,20,25,26,27,28,Dec 2,3,4. 2.15pm: Nov 21, Dec 5. Prices: $20 includes:- parking, Programme, sherry on arrival, tea/coffee & biscuits at interval, wine & supper with the cast after the show. Bookings: Book online at: www.thebasintheatre.org.au Phone Bookings: 1300 784 668 (between 7 & 9pm only) Company Email: subscriptions@thebasintheatre.org.au Company Website: http://www.thebasintheatre.org.au Synopsis: A sequel to "Lipstick Dreams". It is five years since the girls from the Blue Heaven ladies' hairdressing salon - Jo, Jess, Jenny and Jan - won the talent quest at tiny Burralong's Ming Wah Chinese restaurant. Jess has taken off for Sydney in search of fame and fortune; Jenny and Jeff are still saving up to get married (but now have seven month old twins, Kylie and Danni); Jan has found a new lease on life as the town's number one mover and shaker; and Jo - to everyone's amazement, relief, and horror - is finally getting married. To Jim,of course. Jo just wants to keep it simple, but for the girls at Blue Heaven, nothing - especially Burralong's wedding of the year - could ever be anything less than chaos and mayhem.

The 1812 Theatre 11-Nov-2010 to 11-Dec-2010

Almost, Maine Agent: By special arrangement with Bruce Ostler, Bret Adams, Ltd. Author: John Bariani Director: Helen Ellis Theatre: 3 Rose Street, Upper Ferntree Gully. Melways Reference: 74 F6 Performances: Evenings: 8.30pm curtain up. Matinees: 4pm curtain up. Prices: $22 Bookings: Phone enquiries 9758 3964. Company Email: admin@1812theatre.com.au Company Website: http://www.1812theatre.com.au Synopsis: This is a funny delightful take on life and love in a small mythical town in the far northern Maine. Four actors portray nearly 20 characters with these loosely linked stories of the joys and perils of romance. On a cold, clear, moonless Friday night in the middle of winter, all is not quite what it seems in the remote, mythical town of Almost, Maine. As the Northern lights hover in the star filled sky, Almost’s residents find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and often hilarious ways. Knees are bruised, hearts are broken, love is lost, found, and confounded. A play to end the year with laughter, heartbreak and hope.

The Mount Players 12-Nov-2010 to 04-Dec-2010 Click to Enlarge

Waking Eve Author: Robert Hewett Director: Sonja Prater Theatre: Mountview Theatre 56 Smith Street Macedon Performances: Evening Performances 8pm Matinees 2pm Prices: Gala Performance $30.00 (no concessions) Adult $25.00 Concession $22.00 Bookings: 1300 463 224 or 5428 1557 Company Email: secmountplayers@hotmail.com Company Website: http://www.themountplayers.com Synopsis: Eve's husband was having an affair, died prematurely of a heart attack and left her with a young child. Her life is falling apart. It must be. She's not so sure but her friends remain convinced. She needs to find another man to fit into her life. Or so everyone else seems to think. Waking Eve is an Australian comedy with a light hearted look at suburbia and friendship, with just a touch of romance.

Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre Co.Inc. 16-Nov-2010 to 04-Dec-2010

Daylight Saving Agent: Hilary Linstead & Associates Author: Nick Enright Director: Original production directed by Kevin Trask. Recreated by Angela Glennie. Theatre: 39 - 41 Castella Street, Lilydale. (PO Box 393, Lilydale, 3140.) Performances: Evenings: 8:30pm Curtain Up. Sherries: 8pm. Sunday Matinee: 2.30pm Curtain Up. Sherries: 2pm Prices: Adults: $25.00 Concession: $20.00 Groups (of 10 or more): $18.00 each Season Tickets: $68.00 each (for 4 shows) Bookings: 9735 1777 Company Email: a.t.c@bigpond.net.au Company Website: http://lilydaleatc.com/ Synopsis: Felicity and Tom both have busy lives and demanding careers. Tom is travelling with his petulant protégé Jason, an international tennis star, when Felicity receives a surprise call from an American boyfriend from her past. As she plans a candle-lit reunion dinner, her highly stressed neighbour drops in…and so does her mother. The confusion becomes complete as each of them becomes involved in Felicity’s evening. Written by one of Australia’s most loved playwrights, this is an amusing satire which examines attitudes to love and fidelity.

Strathmore Theatre Arts Group 18-Nov-2010 to 27-Nov-2010

The Last Days Author: Manuel Casha Director: Mel DeBono Theatre: corner of Loeman and Napier Sts, Strathmore Melways Reference: Mel 16 H10 Performances: 8pm evenings 2pm Sunday matinee Prices: $20/$15 concession Bookings: 9379 5348 Company Email: stag_publicity@optusnet.com.au Company Website: http://www.stagtheatre.org/ Synopsis: The Last Days explores the often complex relationship between a man and his roots. In the winter of his life, after the loss of his dear wife Rita, Gianni finds himself yearning for his beloved country of origin that he and his wife left behind after World War II. During 50 years of living in Australia, Gianni established a successful business, and raised a family. But now alone and his children married, with children of their own, he finds himself facing the desire to spend his remaining days in the country of his origin. Opposed by family and friends, Gianni is determined to follow his dream. Is this a result of the loss of his dear wife, or is it a common desire that many migrants face in the evening of their lives? This play opens the door for us to witness “The Last Days” of Gianni in Australia but, in so doing, seeks to ask the questions faced by many migrants universally. Other Information: this is a World Premiere of a new Melbourne play by local Maltese playwright Manuel Casha

Heidelberg Theatre Co. 18-Nov-2010 to 04-Dec-2010 Click to Enlarge

The Pain Killer Author: Francis Verber Director: Joan Moriarty Theatre: 36 Turnham Ave Rosanna Melways Reference: 32 A1 Performances: Thursday to Saturday evenings at 8pm Sunday Matinees at 2pm Prices: $20 Adult $17 Concession $16 Groups of 10 or more Bookings: 94574117 Company Email: htc@htc.org.au Company Website: http://www.htc.org.au Synopsis: The further misadventures of Monsieur Francois Pignon of "The Dinner Game". The lovelorn Pignon is holed up in a Parisian hotel with suicide in mind. In the adjoining room is a hit man poised to complete his latest assignment. Caught between these total opposites is the hapless concierge, who is desperate to finish his shift before disaster strikes. To complete the chaos there is an estranged wife, a psychiatrist, policemen and mistaken identities. It all happens at a breakneck pace. A fun end of season play!

Beaumaris Theatre Inc. 19-Nov-2010 to 04-Dec-2010

I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change Agent: ORiGiN TM Theatrical Author: Book and Lyrics by Joe DiPietro, Music by Jimmy Roberts Director: Danny Forward and Lorriane Ellis Theatre: 82 Wells Rd Beaumaris 3193 Melways Reference: 86G6 Performances: Frid 19th Nov, Sat 20th Nov, Frid 26th Nov, Sat 27th Nov, Thurs 2nd Dec, Frid 3rd Dec and Sat 4th Dec, all at 8pm. Sun 28th Nov at 5pm. Prices: Adults $22, Families (2A, 2C) $65. Subscribers, Concessions, Children under 17 & Groups 10+ $18. Bookings: 03 9583 6896 Company Email: beaumaristheatre@optusnet.com.au Company Website: http://www.beaumaristheatre.com.au Synopsis: A musical exploration of the myriad facets and stages of relationships between men and women. It is presented in the form of a series of vignettes connected by the central theme of love and relationships. The play's tagline is "Everything you have ever secretly thought about dating, romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives and in-laws, but were afraid to admit." Other Information: Tickets must be paid for at the time of booking by credit card or within 7 days by cheque or postal order, or tickets will be released for resale.

Essendon Theatre Co. 25-Nov-2010 to 04-Dec-2010 Click to Enlarge

Table Manners Author: Alan Ayckbourn Director: Tess Maurici Ryan Theatre: Bradshaw Street Community Hall Bradshaw Street (off Buckley Street) West Essendon Melways 28B3 Melways Reference: Melways 28B3 Performances: November 25th,26th,27th @8:00pm November 28th Sunday @2:00pm Matinee December 2nd,3rd,4th @8:00pm Theater Restaurant Style, BYO Food, Drinks 7:30pm sit down for an 8:00pm start Prices: All Evening Performances $15 per ticket All Matinee Performances $12.per ticket *nb. Please note table position bookings will be surrendered if you are later than 15 minutes to curtain up time Bookings: Eileen - 9330 4808 Company Website: http://www.essendontheatrecompany.com/ Synopsis: In Table Manners Sarah and Reg arrive at mum's house for the weekend so that invalid mum's care-giver, Reg's sister Annie, can get away for the weekend. But Annie ends up staying, their brother-in-law Norman shows up unexpectedly, and not long after, so does Norman 's wife Ruth (Annie and Reg's sister). Sarah tries her best to organize a family dinner for the five of them plus Tom, a slow-witted neighbor whom everyone expects to propose to Annie. Sarah can't get much cooperation and doesn't realize that Annie had planned to sneak off with Norman . Norman is incorrigible, Annie is caught between Tom and a fling, mum is upstairs demanding attention, and there aren't six proper chairs. Other Information: ABOUT OUR DIRECTOR 2010 will be Tess Maurici-Ryan's first time directing for Essendon Theatre Company. Still relatively new at the directing game, Tess has directed Key for Two, Shenanigan's Wake, Absurd Person Singular and Relatively Speaking at Sunshine Community Theatre. With over 10 years of experience, Tess has been involved in all aspects of Production, from publicity, to lighting, sound, performance and stage managment. More recently, Tess has been seen performing on stage at Essendon Theatre with This Way Up, Enchanted April, Dinkum Assorted and Things are not what they seem. This new environment and the advantage of work on an actual stage is enough to keep Tess motivated and very excited to get started on the show. With a Passion for English comedy (and Alan Ayckbourn) we're not surprised to see her choice of show this time around.