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Dear Member or Patron
Welcome to our 2007-2008 session! I hope that you’ve enjoyed a good summer and are feeling enthusiastic and excited about the coming Lyric season! This promises to be a great year, with a return to HMT planned for May 2008 with a fantastic show – “Witches of Eastwick”. Those members who have been actively involved over the past session will know that there has been a real buzz at the prospect of this show – flying and all - and I would like to encourage each and every member to consider becoming involved in this production …..more later!
We held our General Meeting on Tuesday 28th August – thanks to those of you who attended. I hope that those who managed to be there enjoyed the “technical review” of “Buddy” and felt inspired to be involved again! It was great to see a mixture of members old and new present at the meeting and I would like to emphasise my view that therein lies the greatest strength of The Lyric. We are very fortunate to have a core membership which has a longstanding association with and commitment to the Society and it is the blend of those members with our newer members that I believe makes The Lyric unique. One only has to look at our last two productions – “The Full Monty” and “Buddy” – to see the teamwork amongst our very diverse membership which made both these shows so successful, with members, old and new, involved in a whole variety of roles, from helping out with ticket sales to working backstage to performing onstage! Long may that continue!
“Buddy”
Our May show “Buddy” was incredibly successful and those who were onstage, I’m sure, will vouch for the “buzz” that was almost tangible both amongst cast members and our audiences. Financially, the show did extremely well – we made a considerable profit and credit is due to all involved in contributing to that success. Thank you!
Thanks again also to our fantastic production team – Gavin Davidson, Laura Lamb and Ben Torrie – who did an amazing job! The technical review reiterated that for everyone!
Concerts and “Witches of Eastwick” – form indicating intention
If you have not already done so, please return this form, which was sent out recently by Gavin by Monday 3rd September. The original date for return was 28th August, but some members have not yet indicated their intentions for the coming season.
This is very important!! The audit of these returns will inform new member auditions. As a result of the size of the set and the technical requirements of Witches, Craig, our Director, has indicated a nominal number for the size of the cast, with the proviso that any existing member who wishes to take part, may do so. This potentially means that we may only audition for a particular group, or even not at all! It is essential that we have an accurate view if members’ intentions before we hold auditions. If you have not indicated your intention by 3rd September, we shall assume that you do not wish to take part in “Witches of Eastwick”. On this occasion, there will be no room for flexibility, so please, do not miss out!
“Fees”
Please remember that membership fees are now due, in fact, by 31st August! Fees for this year have been set as follows:
Membership fee £40
Performance fee (concerts only) £30
Performance fee (concerts and Witches of Eastwick) £100
Performance fees, for those involved in the concerts only, are due before the commencement of these concerts in November. For those involved in Witches of Eastwick, the concert element of the performance fee should be paid before the concerts and a further 20% paid prior to auditions for Witches of Eastwick. The remainder of the performance fee must be paid by Easter 2008. Should you wish to make arrangements to pay your fees in instalments, please do contact Susan Begg (Tel: 735030). Susan has even investigated the option of members paying by standing order and she is keen to tailor payment methods to suit individual members.
Tivoli – Doors Open Day, Saturday 8th September
Once again we have been asked to provide a short programme of entertainment as part of the Tivoli Doors Open event. We shall be performing at 11.30am, for around half and hour. The programme will be based on the music used for the Kincorth concert and a rehearsal will be being held on Tuesday 4th September, Holburn West Church at 7.15pm. We need as many members as possible to be available for this – it is a good opportunity to promote the Lyric and advertise our upcoming ventures. If you have music, but are not able to attend, please contact me or Aileen Hunter to arrange for its return, as we shall require all available copies.
The organising committee have also requested help with serving teas, providing home baking for the cake and candy stall and in conducting tours of the theatre during the course of the day. If you are able to help in any way, please contact Celia Walker or Craig Pike.
“Witches of Eastwick”
It cannot be emphasised enough that “Witches of Eastwick” is a show for the whole company. Remember that our aim is to represent a diverse small town community – there are no restrictions! It makes no difference your age, your dancing ability, mobility etc. etc. – we need you! Our production team will be able to take account of the whole range of people on stage, so please do get involved. This is a great opportunity to be onstage at HMT, as part of a fantastic show. Miss it at your peril!
At the General Meeting, Society members approved Shona King as choreographer for “Witches”. Shona, of course, is a member of the Society, with a proven track record in choreography and she comes highly recommended. I am sure that everyone is looking forward to working with her!
It is intended that rehearsals for “Witches of Eastwick” will begin on Tuesday 20th November and auditions will be held before Christmas. More details will be available in due course.
“Witches” – Launch party
This event will be taking place at the Patio Hotel on 1st November 2007. The intention is to invite members of the press, as well as sponsors and potential sponsors, to officially “launch” “Witches of Eastwick”. Needless to say, this will be a fancy dress event and friends and family are welcome!
Please put this date in your diary now….. the evening will incorporate a welcome and “mingle” session, food (stovies), a short programme of entertainment by Society members and a disco. If you are planning to be involved in “Witches of Eastwick” you need to be there!! Tickets will be priced £10, to include food and a welcome drink.
Fundraising – Concerts
Please remember that a prerequisite for taking part in “Witches of Eastwick” is participation in the series of concerts planned for November. Dates are still being finalised and full details will be available shortly. We have definite dates as follows and are waiting for others to confirm:
Holburn West Church - Tuesday 6th November
Woodside Church - Thursday 8th November
St Marks Church - Saturday 10th November
These concerts will be run on the basis of a 50-50 split of the takings between the church involved and ourselves. The programmes will be basically the same, but not identical for each concert, to take account of members’ availability etc.
Tickets will be priced £5, with audience members being asked for a donation for refreshments. We shall be asking Society members to donate home baking and raffle prizes, where the church permits us to hold a raffle. Please bear this in mind and start baking!
Fundraising events this year, as ever, are of paramount importance and it is essential that each and every one of you plays a part! We shall be encouraging you to attend all fundraising events and to bring as many people as you know – dates will follow as soon as events are finalised.
Final Words
This year has the potential to be a fantastic one for the Lyric, with an outstanding show and a return to HMT – whether it realises its potential depends on a huge effort from all of us working together in the course of the year to make all of our ventures – the Tivoli Open Doors Day, our Concerts, our other fundraising and publicity events and ultimately “Witches of Eastwick” – a huge success. I have absolutely no doubt that we can pull it off and I look forward to seeing each and every one of you during the session.
Jen Sutherland
Chairman
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