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Note from the Director
Over the last year we have been looking for plays with entertainment
and more; the more this time being the opportunity to raise money for
the Leukaemia Foundation.
I have two special reasons for taking on this challenge: firstly the show is
set in my home county Yorkshire and in Skipton where my family still
resides and secondly by producing the calendar we can help people find
better treatment for leukaemia. "Calendar Girls" is a warm entertaining
romp telling a true story.
I have been lucky to assemble a talented team whose support has been
essential in producing a play. I hope you will all enjoy the performance.
Regards
Howard Oxley
From the Director
Howard first appeared on stage in Wyong in 1984 and since then has
appeared in over 50 plays in
numerous lead roles. With a penchant for comedy, over the last few
years he has been "Basil Fawlty" in 9 episode of the well known British
comedy “Fawlty Towers.”
Directing is not new having crafted previous full length productions and
in 2010 the award winning one-act play "The Boat".
At present not only is he busy directing but is president of the group and
is actively involved in the development of the new performing arts centre
while trying to promote theatre in the Wyong shire.
He would like to thank a few special people. Joshua Maxwell’s expertise
in design and his talent for theatrical production make him one of the
brightest young talents on the coast today. He is truly a young man to
watch. John Pastor is a bubbling cauldron of enthusiasm with internet
and publishing skills second to none. He would also recognize Paul
Ractliffe who is a veritable master of sound production.
Without these three and his “solid as a rock” Production Manager Jenny
Newman whose management and organisational skills are without equal
there would be no show.
Calendar Girls by Tim Firth
Presented by The Wyong Drama Group
by arrangement with ORiGiNTM THEATRICAL, on behalf of
Samuel French Ltd. London.
Based on the Hit Mirmax Film
The Story of Calendar Girls
“At first glance it should look like your classic WI calendar, jams, cakes and sewing
and all that. Except for one thing the ladies are not naked, they're nude.”
Wyong Drama Group is proud to present Tim Firth’s comedy stage play of Calendar
Girls, directed by Howard Oxley.
Based on the Miramax motion picture, Calendar Girls is a true story of a group of
Yorkshire women who decide to create a cheeky new way to raise money for
Leukaemia Research after Annie’s husband dies from the illness at an early age.
The ladies plan to discreetly pose nude while engaged in everyday activities, such as
baking and knitting, in order to raise funds. However their fellow Women’s Institute
members threaten to balk at almost baring it all!! Gradually, these prim tea-andcrumpet ladies come around and learn to delight in their newfound pluckiness and
status as international sensations
Director Howard Oxley says this production, as well as having a hilarious script, “is
warm, loving, honest and sad”.
To date the Calendar Girls have raised over seven million pounds for cancer
research.
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The Setting
ACT I Knapely WI headquarters and John’s hill
ACT II The WI conference London, Knapely WI headquarters and John’s hill.
Time - the present.
R&B Jerusalem" played by Rodric White. Recorded by Brent Murphy
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Cora
Denise Pastor
Chris
Ruth Jordon
John
Duncan Mitchell
Annie
Cathy De Vries
Rod
Marc Calwell
Jessie
Kelly Humphries
Lady Cravenshire
Celia
Denni Prior
Ruth
Debbi Clarke
Marie
!
Margaret Holdom
Brenda Hulse
Lawrence
Elaine
Liam
Julie Bailey
Julie Bailey
Scott Russell
Tiffany Duncan
Cameron Oxley
Cathy DeVries – Annie
Cathy has been a member of the Wyong Drama Group since 1998 and has been in
many memorable plays including “Don’t Dress for Dinner”, “The Fourth Wall”, “Little
Women”, “Cosi”, and played Polly in all three “Fawlty Towers” productions which
broke box office records. Cathy has also performed for WDG’s annual Central Coast
Theatrefest. “Caged Birds” which Best Production and “Repent at Leisure” which won
Best Set, Best Costume and Best Direction. Cathy is very humbled to play the role of
“Annie” and to be part of this wonderful and talented cast. “Calendar Girls” is such a
beautiful and moving play, Cathy feels privileged to portray a character facing the
challenges that affect so many people who are struck down by cancer.
Ruth Jordon - Chris
Ruth has been a member of Wyong Drama Group for nearly three decades. In that
time she has performed in approximately forty productions and was most recently
seen in the roles of Teresa in “The Memory of Water” and Aunty Iris, in “Two Weeks
with the Queen”. Some of her favourite productions include” Last of the Red Hot
Lovers”, “Soul Mates”, “Two Into One”, “Hotel Sorrento”, “Noises Off!”, ”Don’t Dress
for Dinner”, “Stepping Out” ,”Maggie’s Getting Married”, “Kid Stakes”, “Picasso at the
Lapin Agile”, “Move Over Mrs Markham” and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”. She
has also represented Wyong Drama Group in a number of festival plays, for which
she has won several acting awards and is the festival’s coordinator. Her performance
in “Calendar Girls” is dedicated to her father.
Denise Pastor - Cora
Denise enjoys both musicals and drama, having performed with Gosford Musical
Society, Wyong Musical Theatre Company and Wyong Drama Group. Denise has
been with WDG since 1996 and has played many roles, including Mary in “The Boat”
in Wyong Theatrefest 2010 and Mum in “Two Weeks with the Queen” in 2012. Denise
is thrilled to be playing “Cora” and opening the show.
Denni Prior – Celia
This is Denni's third role with Wyong Drama Group having previously performed in
“Loot” and Central Coast Theatrefest’s “Not All Fruitcakes Have Nuts”. Most of
Denni's acting "career" has been spent in Sydney performing with companies such as
Lane Cove Theatre, Hunters Hill Theatre and Insomniac Theatre. Denni has
completed studies in screen acting but her first love remains the stage. Having
performed in many shows this is the first time she had to bare all!!
Kelly Humphries – Jessie
Kelly first joined the Wyong Drama Group as Sybil in 9 episodes of Fawlty Towers.
She also appeared in “No Sex Please, We’re British” in 2009. Enjoying both comedy
and musicals, She has also performed with Gosford Musical Society in “70 Girls 70” in
2008 and the wonderful “Boy from Oz” in 2010.
Having spent quite a few years of her life either on stage or on radio, she particularly
loves live theatre and the excitement and adrenalin that it brings. Kelly performed with
the Bay Theatre Players in Batemans Bay for 9 years and after moving to the Coast
joined The Edge Theatre company and the Central Coast Theatre company. She is
so excited to be part of “Calendar Girls” and the charity it supports. She says “It is a
heart warming story filled with laughter and emotion. It’s what you WONT see that
makes this play so wonderful to be a part of
Enjoy”.
Debbi Clarke - Ruth
Debbi has spread her loyalty very faithfully over the last 17 years between
Wyong Drama Group and Gosford Musical Society appearing in over 10
productions for each. Her favourites for GMS have been “Les Miserables”, “70
Girls 70” (playing Fritzi) and 2012’s “Jekyll and Hyde”. Her first production with
WDG was “Stepping Out” in 1997 and “Calendar Girls” sees a return to the
stage with a large predominantly female cast that has made it such fun. Debbi’s
last 2 performances with WDG were “Inheritance” and “Cosi”, so joining the cast
for a light hearted comedy that WDG does so well has been a source of great
fun – and she hopes the audience thinks so too.
Margaret Leslie Holdom - Marie
Margaret is no stranger to audiences at the Wyong Memorial Hall. Although this
is her first performance with WDG, she has performed leading roles with WMTC
since 2000, her favourites being Adelaide in “Guys & Dolls” and Reno in
“Anything Goes”. Also for WMTC she co-directed two shows, and directed
Dames At Sea in 2004, “The Pirates of Penzance” in 2009 and Calamity Jane in
2012. She performed the lead role of Golde in “Fiddler on the Roof” for Gosford
Musical Society in 2011. Margaret brings a wealth of experience to the stage,
having been involved in Community Theatre for 35 years. She performed with
many Sydney theatre companies before moving to the Central Coast. Calendar
Girls is Margaret’s first straight play, and she relishes the challenge of
presenting a character without bursting into song or dance. She is greatly
looking forward to the experience.
Julie Bailey – Lady Craveshire & Brenda Hulse
Julie, an active member of WDG for over 27 years, was last seen in “The
Memory of Water” as Vi, the enigmatic mother of three feisty daughters. She has
enjoyed a variety of roles both on and off the stage, the most recent including:
the cameo role of Janet Rimmington, the Commander’s wife, in “Chase Me
Comrade” (2011); Hannah, the March family’s maid in “Little Women” (2011);
and Mother Raphael in John Misto’s “Harp on the Willow” (2010). Julie is very
pleased to be part of such a talented cast in this moving and hugely entertaining
play. What a delightful way to contribute to The Leukaemia foundation!
John - Duncan Mitchell
Wyong Drama Group welcomed Duncan back to the fold as Frank in “The
Memory of Water”. He has been a member of WDG for over 15 years and has
performed in many productions including “Noises Off” ,”Arsenic and Old Lace”,
“Fawlty Towers” and “Chase Me Comrade”. He has performed for other
companies on the coast and also took a turn at writing his own short play for the
Central Coast Theatrefest. The role of John is a far cry from that of the Stu the
lobster in “In The Tank” at this year’s Central Coast Theatrefest.
Rod - Marc Calwell
Marc has been with WDG since 1998, appearing in productions that include “Hot
Taps”, “Wanted: One Body”, “Love’s a Luxury”, “Picasso at the Lapin Agile”,
“Fawlty Towers” and most recently in “The Memory of Water”. Marc has also
appeared in many musicals in Sydney and here on the coast such as; “Guys and
Dolls”, “West Side Story”, “Annie”, “Calamity Jane” and “The Wiz”, “The Pirates
of Penzance”, “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Eurobeat: Almost Eurovision”. Marc
is thoroughly enjoying being in this production, which is not only a funny play,
but one that also has a great cause and message attached. Marc hopes you
enjoy this wonderful play.
Lawrence – Scott Russell
This is Scott's fourth show with Wyong Drama Group. He joined us as Laurie, in
”Little Women”, in April 2011 then played Petrovyan in ‘Chase Me Comrade”. He
has appeared many times with Wyong Musical Theatre Company from quite a
young age, most recently in “High School Musical” and “Jesus Christ Superstar”
in 2011, and in 2012 as Francis Fryer in “Calamity Jane” and Starkey in “Peter
Pan” and this year in “Eurobeat”. Scott’s last role with Wyong Drama Group was
that of Colin in “Two Weeks With The Queen” and he has enjoyed being with the
ladies of the Knapeley WI to produce such a wonderful calendar.
Elaine - Tiffany Duncan
This is Tiffany's third on stage role with Wyong Drama Group since joining in
early 2012. Her credits include the November 2012 production of “Two Weeks
With the Queen” as "The Nurses" and as an ensemble member and most
recently playing Amy Lee in the 2013 Theatrefest production of “Laundry and
Bourbon”, for which she won Best Supporting Actress. Tiffany is thrilled to be
playing the role of Elaine and is excited to be part of such an amazing
production as “Calendar Girls”.
Liam - Cameron Oxley
Originally a junior in Xtract, Cameron has appeared previously for Wyong Drama
Group in "Chase me Comrade", “Fawlty Towers” and "Two weeks With The
Queen". He has just finished performing in "Eurobeat" for the Wyong Musical
Theatre Company. Cameron has been busy juggling the role of Liam in
“Calendar Girls” with a busy schedule completing a degree in sound engineering
in Sydney.
Thank Yous
ABC Radio Central Coast, CC Express Advocate, Wyong Musical Theatre
Company, Jean Marie Millinery, ASLE, Margaret Hardy – Multi Arts
Confederation, Lakes Mail, Local Coffeechat, Sign Image, Chronicle
Newspaper Wyong, Snap Printing Gosford, Mountain News, Village
Grapevine, Coast FM 96.3 (Coast Arts), 2GO Radio Central Coast, Lakes
Printers.
PATRONS ARE ADVISED
This play contains some coarse language. Strobe effects are used during this
production. Flash, still and video photography of the production is STRICTLY
prohibited. There will be a 20 minute interval with refreshments available for
sale from the canteen.
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Production Team
Director
Assistant To Director
Production Manager / Prompt
Production Designer & Technical
Manager
Stage Manager / Stage Crew
Lighting Design
Sound Design
Technical Crew
Set Building
Wardrobe Team
Make Up
Publicity
Bookings & Box Office
Front of House
Photography & Video
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Howard Oxley
John Pastor
Jenny Newman
Joshua Maxwell
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Sharon Deane & Jessica Mackillop,
Nik Lyons & Joshua Maxwell
Paul Raclitffe
Ron Baker, Geoffrey Griffiths & WDG Members
Barry Sampson, Charles Styles, Bruce Gibb & WDG
Members
Wendy Potter & WDG Members
Helen Schuman
Ros Ellis & John Pastor
Sally Bartley, Jenny Newman, Robyn Wedlich & WDG
Members
Wendy Potter, WDG Members & Theatre Buffs
Andy Kabanoff & Ian Abbott
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Joining Wyong Drama Group
WANTED NEW MEMBERS: We need
members of all ages who would be
interested in assisting in all aspects of
theatre. Our meetings are held on the
first Tuesday of the month in the Green
Room behind the Wyong Memorial Hall.
For further information on Wyong
Drama Group check out our website:
www.wyongdramagroup.com.au
OR
email:
[email protected]
Theatre Buffs
If you would like to join the Theatre
Buffs to help with front of house or
behind the scenes at our shows
contact:
[email protected]
for further information.
We need a home:
Due to the impending demolition of the
Wyong Memorial Hall in 2014 we are
looking for a performance venue
incorporating a meeting room and
storage space.
Please show your
support for Wyong Drama Group by
lobbying Wyong Shire Councillors and
Federal and State members.
APRIL 2014 SEASON
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ALL MY SONS by Arthur Miller
Directed by Pam Campbell
Auditions late October 2013.