Issue 3 2021
Image credits:
Allan Rowsell
Contact us:
Our mailing address
Pymble Players Inc.
PO Box 203, St Ives 2075
E: theatre@pymbleplayers.com.au
W: pymbleplayers.com.au
F: facebook.com/PymblePlayers
“‘Where are we going, Pooh?’ ‘Home, Piglet. We’re going home because that’s the best thing to do right now.'” —A.A. Milne
From the President
Dear Present and Past Members
May I start by wishing all of you the best of health and the patience to cope with these ongoing extraordinary pandemic challenges. Again, I would like to express utmost appreciation to our loyal subscribers, patrons, committee and volunteers, all of whom have steered us through these trying times.
Well, we finally managed to present our production of Blithe Spirit in June after delays of 13 months due to Covid. Even after that long period of starts and stops, we still had to cancel the final four shows of the season due to the latest Covid outbreak. A difficult decision but regrettably the right decision. Bump-out still to go, dressing rooms still to clear and end of play celebrations still to toast!
Our gratitude and admiration go to director, Sarah Lovesy and the cast, crew, front of house, ticketing management, committee and all involved in this highly successful sell-out production for their patience and positive attitude in making this happen. Congratulations to all our PP team.
Our next play Building Blocks will be directed by Rob and Leah White who brought you the very successful Natural Causes in 2019. Building Blocks is another touching and hilarious comedy in which playwright Bob Larbey (The Good Life, A Fine Romance) and a top-class cast and production team will bring smiles and groans of recognition to all those who have ever been involved in home renovations … and a few warnings to those who have not! We have scheduled this play as late as possible in the year for obvious Covid related reasons, so performance dates are 3-28 November 2021.
In planning for 2022 your PP committee has considered the need to manage continued Covid uncertainties and the government’s phase two strategy which aims to see the end of lockdowns in 2022 with successful vaccination rollout.
With that as our backstory we have decided the following strategy for 2022:
Three plays to be announced on the PP website later in 2021
No subscription season with performance dates to be announced in 2022 on a play-by-play basis
Reward the loyalty of our subscribers and patrons with affordable flat ticket pricing, group concessions and continuing our whole of theatre arrangements for community fundraising
We are looking forward to welcoming you all to the November season of Building Blocks. Further information will be provided closer to the time.
Best regards,
Warren Blood
President
It’s a Wrap!
Blithe Spirit 2-24 June 2021
Written by: Noël Coward
Directed by: Sarah Lovesy
Witty, elegant and one of Coward’s most popular comedies.
Bravo. Bravo. Blithe Spirit cast and crew were at last able to produce 16 brilliant performances for the entertainment of patrons and friends of Pymble Players. We had a great success with a sell-out season (albeit cut short by COVID!) and outstanding reviews by Stage Whispers and Reviews by Judith (and Friends). The cast rehearsed tirelessly to develop their characters, to explore the nuances in the dialogue and to find the mischievous fun in this 1940’s play. The crew are also to be highly commended as they went out of their way to help create my directorial vision within lighting, sound, costumes, props and a wonderful set that disintegrated. I was so proud of every cast and crew member.
Thank you one and all.
Dr Sarah Lovesy – Director
Cast: Edith – Bernadette Miflin / Ruth Condomine – Karen Pattinson / Charles Condomine – Dan Ferris / Dr George Bradman – Michael McCrann / Mrs Wioleta Bradman – Iwona Abramowicz / Madame Arcati – Diane Howden / Elvira – Chantel Ciano.
Our Next Play
Building Blocks 3-28 November 2021
(Pending Covid-restrictions)
Written by: Bob Larbey
Directed by: Rob & Leah White
Bob Larbey nails the torture of renovating.
Jim and Mary Baxter are in the middle of one of life’s major traumas. They are building an extension on to their house. A great deal of their time is consumed in negotiations with the builder, the charming but evasive David. By turns hilarious and touching, this well-observed comedy will bring smiles and groans of recognition to all those who have ever been involved in this situation – and a few rueful warnings to those who have not!
Naturally, everything goes to plan, - but does it?
Members’ News
Angela Smith and Rene Bartel
PP stalwarts Angela Smith and Rene Bartel have both been battling injury. Two remarkable, stoic Englishwomen. Both ladies would welcome contact from their friends within PP.
Angela is currently a patient at Lady Davidson Private Hospital. Her indomitable spirit remains intact, albeit having to endure a lengthy time away from her home. She is very keen to return (especially as home is tantalisingly close, just up the road). We wish Angela the very best for her recovery.
Rene is back home, having undertaken respite care and physiotherapy after a fall. She is in good spirits and has just celebrated her 99th birthday. She summarised her philosophy on life … “I woke up this morning, realised I was still alive and thought, right I’ll make the best of it.”
Geoff Jones, Membership Manager
Thank you to all our Front of House and Box Office volunteers
The two productions presented so far this year gave us and our patrons unprecedented challenges dealing with Covid curve ball regulations. You and our patrons coped remarkably well. You are the public face of Pymble Players Theatre and you dealt with these challenges with good grace and humour, and in so doing kept the welcoming atmosphere of our theatre alive and flourishing.
Thank you to each of you for giving your time, often more than once, to manage the box office and the front of house desks. You all needed to follow unfamiliar guidelines, with the ever-present Covid hindrance in the back of everyone’s mind, and you rose to the occasion splendidly. See you at the next production.
What a group!
Jill Klopfer, Front of House Manager
ACTORS, CREWS AND AUDIENCES
Our thoughts go out to all our friends and colleagues associated with theatre companies and associations around Sydney who have had to disrupt, postpone, or cancel their planned performances for the remainder of 2021 and into 2022 because of further Covid restrictions. We hope that you are all soon back on stage producing great theatre. Our thoughts and immense appreciation also go to audiences who have supported their theatre by diligently adopting Covid-measures to attend performances or supported their theatre during disrupted seasons by donating back the cost of their tickets. Where would we be without you. Thank you!
Lets’ keep in touch! Send us your editorial contributions to theatre@pymbleplayers.com.au with Noises Off Contributions in your subject line.
Your Covid-19 safety
It’s great to have been back in 2021 as we share our love of live performance on the Pymble Players’ stage. The health and safety of our members, audience and volunteers is paramount. Pymble Players continues to follow the guidelines provided by New South Wales Health, and industry peak bodies such as Live Performance Australia. We monitor and update our procedures in line with these guidelines. These measures aim to reduce the likelihood of spreading Covid-19 via our theatre. For information on what we are doing to keep you safe click here.
