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DEREK TREEBY 
My first production for Cue Theatre was ‘Caravan’ in 1987 and proved to be a winner with the Inglewood audiences. Written by McDonald MacDonald (an Aussie) The cast included Geoffrey Darling, Christine King, David Ertel, Paul Kennedy, Diane Claughton, Margaret Doyle. and including the artistry of Alan Stevenson. All the backstage crew were local and even the ‘Crit’, David Hill which was unusual in the ranks of theatre but who found the play ‘A sextet with hormones in hyper drive. It was so popular that I took it to Little Theatre in New Plymouth and this time had the talents of Jim Green. Another booked out show of course.
My next production for Cue was a play called ‘A Month of Sundays’ by Bob Larbey which starred David Ertel, John Smith, Beth Hill, John Shepherd and Denise LaHood. It was my second experience using the small stage and I found it perfect for the play, a cosy atmosphere that suited it so well. The newspaper crit said "It was a powerful drama so realistic it almost scared me". "A moving insight into the reality of moving into a rest home that many of us are feared to face." Jo Hills.
I was very pleased with the talented work from the cast. The play was not about doom and gloom but had some hilarious one liners to give it balance and the cast delivered them so professionally.
‘Lend Me a Tenor’ by Len Ludwig was one of my favourites. The newspapers reported that " Anything La Scala can do Cue Theatre can do faster. The show was worth seeing for the curtain call alone, 75 seconds of choreographed chaos that invokes mayhem on the pedestrian crossing. It is also worth seeing the energy, the handsome flower arrangements , the perambulating fruit bowl and Maggie’s undies and of course there is nothing quite like as enjoyable as a little light music". Denise LaHood, Mark Snowden, Kevin Koch, David Ertel, Doreen Long, Beth Hill, Joanne Baxter, Jim Williamson and musical coach Elaine Schreiber.
Who was the ‘Crit‘? None other than Inglewood’s own (at the time) David Hill.
In all I have directed just over 17 productions for Cue in the last 18 years and have enjoyed every one. Cue theatre now has a brand new theatre in which just about every aspect of theatre can be achieved - from projected scenery, stereo sound and the very latest lighting units. A lighting and sound box from which operators can and do produce an array of very spectacular effects.
It always amazes me the talent that comes through the doors to appear on Cue’s stage. Even casting some so called ‘difficult’ plays such as ‘Sylvia’ by A R Gurney in which a ‘human’ dog has to be believable and ‘Lion In Winter’ with its 10 second scene changes are all easily executed with these new facilities. There is a tremendous amount of Inglewood talent abound and we are very lucky to have had the professional Heather Eggleton gracing Cue Theatre’s Stage. The Theatre has built a distinguished reputation and now has audiences and actors coming from New Plymouth, Stratford, Hawera and beyond to experience working with the friendly Cue people. Who would have dreamed of having such a grand theatre on one’s doorstep? If I had the chance to do it all over again? I would, unhesitatingly, without a doubt. It has been a privilege.
Extract from ‘Nakid’ Magazine – a supplement of the Taranaki Daily New July 2006:On Derek Treeby…. “Never be late for a rehearsal,” he states. “People stand around chatting and what you get is a tired group of actors.” … Christine King says everything she has learnt, she has learnt from him. “He knows so much and is so willing and able to pass it on.” It sounds familiar.
Derek Treeby