|
||||
 |
|||
|
|||
|
|||
|
|||
|
|||
|
|||
HISTORY OF JUNIOR DRAMA
The Inglewood Dramatic Junior and Intermediate Drama Club began in 1975 under the supervision of Doreen Long, Mary Gyde, Joanne Smith, Joan Ertel, Neville Henry and Sharren Bocock. Their aim was:
To Please The Children
Club afternoon meetings were held the first Saturday of every month beginning in March/April. In August and September meetings would increase in frequency to fortnightly when plays were in rehearsal – then weekly until the performance. From 2.00pm until 4.00pm classes cost only $1.00 per year for Juniors and $2.00 per year for Intermediate. Children were taught the basics of theatre etiquette, introductory acting skills, role playing and guest directors were invited to speak. Each year a major production (or two) was staged – invariably involving two matinee and one evening performance. Children were auditioned, cast and then rehearsals began with these enthusiastic youngsters being involved in all aspects for staging the production – from publicity (poster competitions), to make up to costumes to props – they helped with it all. Full houses were virtually guaranteed as family members and friends flocked to Cue to see these young actors excel themselves and consistently exceed the expectations of family and directors alike.
In 1978 the main supervisors of the group consisted of Mary Gyde, Doreen Long, Ken Dickle, Carolyn Rowley and Christine Stachurski in conjunction with many enthusiastic and supportive parents and friends of the participants.
By 1985 – the ten year period saw in excess of 300 young members attend the Junior and Intermediate classes. There was a dedicated core of young actors who were long term members, many who attended for only one year but with the vast majority committing to their drama classes for two – three years at least.
Goldilocks and the Three Bears November 4th-9th 1985 Productions were many and varied. In 1980, when membership reached an all time high of 73 students, the class was split into three and each group staged their own play – a tremendous effort and no doubt requiring much patience in the confines of the ‘old’Cue.
There were wonderful productions and where possible we have included more information on each play:
"The Great Quillow" directed by Sharren Bocock (1976)
"East of the Sun; West of the Moon" written and directedby Mary Boekman (August 1977)
"Drama In A Garden" directed by Mary Gyde and Ken Decke (August 1978)
"Alice In Wonderland" directed by Doreen Long, Mary Gyde and Zane Jarvis (1979)
"The Storytellers" directed by Doreen Long, Mary Gyde, Lesley Jackson and Jocelyn Cloke - four plays (October 1980)
"Bad Jelly the Witch" directed by Mary Gyde (1st-4th December 1983)
"The Pied Piper" directed by Doreen Long and "The Dyspeptic Ogre" directed by Mary Gyde (8th-11th November 1984)
“Goldilocks and the Three Bears" directed by Doreen Long (1985)
"Fairy Fay" by Doreen Long
"The Sleeping Beauty" directed by Doreen Long and Vida Hansen
"Kaos" directed by Les Emslie
"Christmas Magic" by Denise Lahood and Anna Mundt (December 1989)
"Magic Hand" directed by Anna Mundt and Denise Lahood (1990)
"The Goblin and the Sneeze"
"The Garden Of Live Flowers"
"The Tale Of Good Faith"
"Mother Fox and the Tiger"
"Village Circus"
"Gruzzle Fummit and the Nobody's From Nowhere"
"Animal Maker"
Not only did the involvement of these youth within the theatre assist in promoting Cue and acting as an interesting and fulfilling ‘hobby’ but the children utilized their new found confidence in other arenas. Cue floats within the Inglewood Christmas Parade were awarded first place twice – Bad Jelly the Witch and Fairy Fae – the costumes and decorations of course second to none! When young actress Kim Susans broke her leg it was a very different hospital visiting room with her fellow actors taking time out to dress in costume and visit her just to raise her spirits!!
“In a newspaper article (1981) the following points were made – “As popularity and enthusiasm has increased the demand for a production is the ultimate aim – proving that the junior section is here to stay. It is always pleasing to observe the progress and development of children and in theatre opportunities are provided for building attributes pertaining to the individual; to the group; and to society in general. It has often been said that our juniors are our future in theatre – most of them will be, but it is inevitable that some of our talent will be lost to universities, colleges and training schools or other bright city lights. So let it be remembered that the experiences gained whilst being a member of the Junior Drama Club has not been in vain instead, has provided basis skills necessary for application to future potential careers in live theatre or television. A quote from a well-known newspaper critic sums it up – ‘it is always refreshing to see young people performing on stage, as from their ranks the polished actor emerges. One hopes that the Inglewood Dramatic Society will continue to foster its young talent. It deserves the full support of the society and the people of the town.”
The closing of the Junior Drama Club was brought about mainly by the inability to find suitable adult supervisors/tutors to manage the keen youth within our community. Unfortunately, Doreen Long and Mary Gyde – long time stalwarts of the group were unable to continue. Les Emslie stepped into the breach for a period but ultimately the Junior Club folded and is still in recession today.
Some keen young actors have found roles within the Cue’s production programme over the years – most notably “Alice In Wonderland” directed by David Ertel in 2002, the first production in the new TET Cue Theatre. Since then two local boys have also appeared in Heather Harrison’s “Shadowlands” (2006) and we hope for the opportunity to once again encourage budding young actors to ‘tread the boards’ at Cue. years!
JUNIOR AND INTERMEDIATE MEMBERS IN 1985 INCLUDED: Kevin Gyde, Shelley Payne, Erin Hogan, Donna Madgwick, Paul Williams, Sonia Agnew, Kirsty Johnston, Ross Johnston, Debbie Hanson, Sarah Greensill, Heidi Dombroski, Tania Fisher, Bridget O'Sullivan, Rebecca Pickering, Geoffrey Quinn, Helen Shaw, Shona Spurdle, Wendy Spurdle, Louise Swafford, Adele Wilson, Janine Joyce, Keren Hayman, Adrian Ellmoos, Catherine Clarkson, Kris Anderson, Toni Anderson, Scott Armstrong, Meredith Holland, Karen Phillips, Rochelle Turnbull, Karlie May, Tracey Manley, Lynley Wicks, Renee Simpson, Deborah Williams, Susan Lash and Chantelle Hamilton.
INAUGURAL JUNIOR DRAMA MEMBERS 1975
Michael Gyde, Kathy Gyde, Maree Gyde, Gendi Souness, Judy Codd, Linda Codd, Matthew Walker, Annette Grinder, Peter Northcott, Gail Clough, Margaret Ayles, Terry Read, Brian Allan, Clare Richardson, John Biesiek, Joanne Harrison, Simon Cayzer, Daryn Long and Eleanor Boekman.
