in December

an unexpected hybrid show just for laughs over the Christmas/New Year break.
Co-written by Grant Bailey ... Don your Boas and Spats and be prepared to be a participative radio audience!

The last word

"I laughed and I cried"  JJ , RM

"We loved the show, so much undercurrent of real life stories, gentle opening but then a nice pace as the stories unfolded. We had a tear in our eye in the closing scene, was very poignant " S&J
"Loved this show - thank you for writing such an eye-opening, heart-warming story"  KN
"Loved it from start to finish ....never saw that ending coming!"SG
"...the characters were so real.....loved the songs ... " RR
"...I think this is your best work to date - so very different from the last 2 productions....can't wait to see what you come up with next" JB

At the end of the Season, Table Manners received wonderful audience response - these are just a few of the written comments.
Huge thanks to a highly dedicated and committed Cast and hard working crew.  I've loved working with this team.
The Set worked surprisingly well in this venue - it made for a very intimate audience experience which everyone loved.
In typical theatre tradition, we toasted the end of the show with a celebration at the local pub - along with the expected 'show awards' .....and a witty ditty from Marise! [a tradition of her own!]


And for those who couldn't make it to a performance, the
Table Manners CD  is now available for purchase.

Just a few weeks away from opening night for the new production Table Manners and we're excited!  
After a couple of BIG productions - in pure farce - it feels good to be getting back to an intimate and meatier project.  
A great Cast is doing a grand job, an album of new songs has been recorded and the discs are on their way, and our first Tech/Dress session is coming up this week.
Here's a potted summary of the show:
It's all happening at the Jazz Piano Bar and Restaurant where Jane is haranguing Cyril, Sydney is waiting yet again for another no-show, Flick is skulking with greedy intentions, Arthur can't figure out what day it is, and Jasmine is daydreaming over a charming Dane as she keeps the orders coming.  There's travel plans, and wedding plans, and secret development plans ....and many a slip twixt the cup 'n the lip!  There's daydreams, 'n sweet dreams, 'n fond recollections, and a nightmare or two for some! 

.....There's plenty of laughs to go around, some great songs to enjoy, and lots of food for thought.
Opening September 16 for a 2 weekend season - just 5 performances.  The Dungeon, Adamstown.
Tickets are available online at a generous discount:  www.ticketebo.com.au/tables 

 Cast:  Karen Hall; Marise Wilson; Harold Von Finster; Grant Bailey; 
Cherie McKinnon

Soup's up

As I'm head down-tail up getting ready for this year's SOUP! event, I'm reflecting on the fact that this is the tenth year of the annual winter event.
Where the heck did that decade go?!?!?
And I'm thinking of all the people that have participated in SOUP! over the years .... some have gone on to bigger and better, some have plateau'd, and some have faded into obscurity.  Bit like the rest of life really.
And how adventurous we were with SOUP! in some years - especially when we moved from the Teralba hall into the quaint and charming ReX theatre in Bolton Street.  How tiny is that stage?!  Yet we managed to get dance troupe's, circus performers, theatre sets, and full bands accommodated for some zany nights. 
The city logistics have forced a move to The Dungeon this year and who knows what the next 10 years [if there IS another decade of life left in SOUP!] will bring to the event.  But omigosh.... 'the
little event that could' has certainly grown legs!  And it's walking through it's community - as a true community music event should.
VIVA LA SOUP!

{check the SOUP! page on this blog for details}