SEASON 2005

Experience the joy

adamson theatrecompany

A scene from My Fair Lady, Campus Musical 2004

The Adamson Theatre Company at Wesley College St Kilda Road attracts, engages and switches on the talents of some 400 students in our four major productions annually.

Youth in conflict with the adult world has emerged as a linking theme of our core program for 2005, a season of truly fresh and appealing plays and musicals that are bound to engage and entertain you. As patrons of the Adamson Theatre Company, you are a vital part of our success story, and we thank you whole-heartedly for your unfailing generosity and support.

Certainly, given the nature and composition of our company, this focus on youth could hardly be more appropriate. There is always something especially captivating about student theatre done well, and this is never truer than when youth are playing themselves, when real live twenty-first century young actors have opportunities to step across barriers of time and place into the shoes of, for example, Romeo and Juliet, those youthful victims of their respective families’ mindless enmity. Season 2005 also introduces you to an idealistic Antigone in conflict with Creon, her loving but chillingly pragmatic uncle; in Footloose, to a courageous Ren, the high school boy fresh out of Chicago who is able to get a whole town dancing again. And then there are those innocent children of Hamelin, lost to the world when the townspeople refuse to honour their debt to the Pied Piper. The adults, you will note, are by no means always right!

In sharing our celebration of youthful ideals and experience, you may be assured of the Adamson Theatre Company’s ongoing and absolute commitment to the highest professional standards. The dedication and expertise of staff who make these amazing productions happen, the talents and extraordinary commitment of our casts and crews, from the girl or boy who drove the last nail into the set to the singer who stopped the show – it’s the stuff that dreams are made of. The stars seem closer! For those ATC alumni featured in the latter pages of this brochure, and many more like them, dreams of future careers in the performing arts have proved to be realistic and we congratulate them on their outstanding achievements.

To you, our immensely valued patrons, and to those who have yet to experience the joy, we extend a warm welcome to our spectacular Season 2005.

Tony ScanlonDirector

Youth reaching for the stars

Antigone by Jean Anouilh

The best-known and most frequently performed of Anouilh’s many plays, Antigone was conceived during the German Occupation of Paris and first performed during 1944 with World War II still in progress. As a fresh reworking of the Sophoclean tragedy set in Thebes some 2500 years earlier, the play initially drew both praise and blame from both sides of the political fence. There could be little doubt in anyone’s mind that the eponymous heroine Antigone represented the uncompromising, if barely visible, spirit of Free France, or Creon those who collaborated with the Germans, if need be, in order to keep the country running.

Disagreement arose, however, as to which of the two characters was more sympathetically presented, and there were those who saw Antigone’s martyrdom as sufficiently “meaningless” to render Creon, by default, the true hero of the piece.

Antigone, however, typical of Anouilh’s theatre in general, seeks less to make a statement than to reflect the many ambiguities of life itself. Today Antigone still speaks eloquently of youth and age, idealism and compromise, to audiences yet unborn at the time of its first performance.

Evenings at 7.45pmMarch 17 18 19

Adults: $15.00 Students: $10.00Adamson Theatre, Wesley College

Bookings 9522 2412www.adamsontheatre.net

the adamson theatre company presents senior college students in

A city in chaos. Two conflicting points of view...

Romeo + Julietby William Shakespeare

When Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet exploded on to cinema screens around the world in 1997, featuring Leonardo Di Caprio and Clare Danes in the title roles, there can be no doubt that its message to youth fell on wholly receptive ears. Here were recognizable characters in a contemporary setting: swords had been exchanged for guns; the action was immersed in dazzling colour and the pace frenetic; the soundtrack blasted out the anthems of today. To borrow the words of its adoring adolescent fans, it was ‘awesome... totally cool’!

Significantly, of course, the play’s essential language was retained and nothing of importance was lost in the telling of the story. Hence our unapologetic acknowledgement of this film as the inspiration for our production, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to its creator who has generously granted us permission to draw freely on its extraordinary imagery and ideas.

The story itself is timeless: a pair of ‘star-cross’d lovers’ sprung from the loins of fatal foes, the Montagues and the Capulets. Only by the needless deaths of their children can these families’ ancient grudge be mended. In our production, watch out for a Victoria Police Commissioner Christine Nixon lookalike as ‘Commissioner Prince’! Baz Luhrmann’s Verona Beach becomes contemporary St Kilda, with the big mouth at Luna Park ever smiling grimly down on the bitter ironies inherent in the tragedy.

Evenings at 7.45pmMay 25 26 27

Adults: $15.00 Students: $10.00Adamson Theatre, Wesley College

Bookings 9522 2412www.adamsontheatre.net

the adamson theatre company presents middle school students in

My only love sprung from my only hate.

Footlooseby Dean Pitchford & Tom Snow

One of the most explosive movie musicals of recent memory now bursts on to the live stage. When seventeen-year-old Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, Ren is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. What he isn’t prepared for are the rigorous local laws, including a ban on dancing, the brainchild of a local preacher determined to control the town’s youth. The plot thickens when the preacher’s daughter sets her cap for Ren, and her roughneck boyfriend tries to sabotage the newcomer’s reputation.

This is exuberant entertainment, bursting to life with music, romance and sensational dance. Footloose celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people, guiding them with a warm heart and an open mind.

One of the most explosive movie musicals of recent memory now bursts on to the live stage. When

seventeen-year-old Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, Ren is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. What he isn’t prepared for are the rigorous local laws, including a ban on dancing, the brainchild of a local preacher determined to control the town’s youth. The plot thickens when the preacher’s daughter sets her cap for Ren, and her roughneck boyfriend tries to sabotage the newcomer’s reputation.

Evenings at 7.45pmAugust 9 10 11 12 13

Afternoons at 2.00pmAugust 13

Adults: $25.00 Students: $15.00Adamson Theatre, Wesley College

Bookings 9522 2412www.adamsontheatre.net

the adamson theatre company presents St Kilda Road students in

Move over “Grease”, there’s a new kid on the block!

It Happened In Hamelinby Ann Pugh & Betty Utter

Based on the legend of the Pied Piper, as retold by Robert Browning in his famous poem, this delightful musical fantasy proved to be a smash hit with audiences when it was first produced by the Adamson Theatre Company in 1985. A great story, catchy tunes and clever lyrics - it was a production that simply couldn’t miss, and it will be our pleasure and decided privilege to present it to a whole new generation.

Fleshed out with a range of zany characters, from the outrageously pompous Otto von Freudelstrom, mayor of Hamelin, to Zezperellda, the town’s inept wizardess, the show is exciting and innovative, balancing the exuberant humour it introduces to what was always a grim tale with just the right amount of pathos. The inherent moral lessons are certainly there, but never at the expense of genuinely refreshing and spiritually uplifting entertainment.

No one who saw our original production could possibly forget the hauntingly beautiful melody and poignant lyrics of ‘It Isn’t Any Fun’, performed by Johann, the lame boy left behind when the children of Hamelin disappeared forever. This was a Kleenex moment if ever there was one.

Evenings at 7.30pmOctober 26 27 28

Adults: $20.00 Students: $15.00Adamson Theatre, Wesley College

Bookings 9522 2412www.adamsontheatre.net

the adamson theatre company presents junior school students in

The Piper must be paid!

Marat / Sade by Peter Weiss

The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade (to give the play its full title!), was first produced at the Schiller Theatre in Berlin in 1964. Earning instant acclaim as a landmark drama of the twentieth century, it broke new ground in its stunning experimentation with theatre of cruelty, a genre identified with the work of French dramatist, Antoine Artaud (1896-1948).

In reviewing its original New York production, TIME Magazine described the play as “... a hypodermic needle plunged directly into one’s emotional bloodstream. It hypnotizes the eye and bruises the ear. It shreds the nerves; it vivisects the psyche – and it may scare the living daylights out of more than a few playgoers!”

Be assured that the Year 11-12 IB Theatre Arts students will be pulling

out all stops in bringing key scenes of this extraordinary play to life. Expect a production that will shock the senses!

Evenings at Time HereDate Here

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the adamson theatre company presents Year 11/12 IB Theatre Arts students in

Be afraid, be very afraid!

Conference of Birdsby Farid-Ud-Din Attar

i bla commod exerosto ea con vercil enibh ex et lorpero conullum duis nonsenibh essisim ver in ex exer ad del ent praesed eugait, conullutat. Iqui blan henissi.Cipisi blamcon hendre dolor sequis nostio odit non hent adigna facip ea facip ero con hendignisit lortionsed magna feugait nulla facipisl dolore magna am illa feugait, consequ ismolobore duismolor sequisc ilissisi blamconsent lutatem quat ad eugait laor ad eugueros nulput etue dit niam dolenim autem quamcon veraesenit autem zzril dolortions nit ad magniam quatin velisl del illaore te tetuero ex et praessit lore min vel ullamco rerosto enibh elit vent in ullamet ulput ectem velis alis nos eros adit luptat la faccum iureros nim quamet la commodolutem quat, quisim velesenim dolobore dolore veliquamet vulla faccum dolorti onsent lorpero do core con utem del ent ad min eugiam, quamet delisis doloborer sum dolortin ut venisim zzrit, vel exero dit nis niat.

Ommy nonse eugueraese del utpat. Ut wissecte modip et iurero dionsec tetumsa ndigniam iureet utat in utem doloborpero odo cortie molenibh elit iriust

Evenings at Time HereDate Here

Free EntryAdamson Theatre, Wesley College

Bookings not essential

the adamson theatre company presents Year 11/12 Theatre Studies VCE students in

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For more than 25 years, the Adamson Theatre Company has proved to be a training ground, awakening many students to the possibility of a career in the performing arts.

The following pages selectively feature a number of our alumni who have followed their dream in this direction, making their mark in the performing arts scene both in Australia and overseas, and we congratulate them on their success. No doubt ATC patrons of longer standing will recognize their faces and share our pride in their achievements. Of course, there are many, many more faces still to be added to this burgeoning hall of fame. Watch this space!

Full biographies can be accessed on our web site at http://www.adamsontheatre.net/spotlight. We are currently archiving the details of numerous alumni who fall into this category, and would welcome your contributions.

Christopher GabardiWesley College: 1982-1987

“The ATC gave me an opportunity to experience the thrill of performing on stage... and I became addicted to it!”

Sophie RaymondWesley College: 1986-1991

“Being able to ‘try on’ so many different roles in a school environment has been invaluable.”

Tom WrightWesley College: 1980-1985

“The ATC played an enormous part in my becoming an actor, not just for the experiences of performing and learning stage carpentry, more for the philosophy of a liberal arts education...”

Nicholas Cooper-BrownWesley College: 1997-2002

“Just a little over two years ago I was working backstage for the Adamson Theatre Company, and now I’m being offered work on Broadway!”

Vallejo GantnerWesley College: 1986-1992

“The production values were far higher than a lot of the professional productions I’ve seen and done since... It was the camaraderie, the experience of being part of an environment where there was no slacking off.”

Rachael TiddWesley College: 1983-1988

“Without those theatrical experiences I would never have pursued a life in the arts. Put simply, the Adamson Theatre Company is the reason I became an actor.”

Booking Information

Online By Credit Card @ AdamsonTheatre.netWhat could be more convenient than having the ability to purchase your tickets with reserved seating from the comfort of your own home? No more queuing, No more waiting as you have done in the past with normal reservations.

Our state-of-the-art system allows you to see the venue map for each performance, select the currently available seats that best suit your requirements and pay for them securely with your credit card or bandcard. Just look for the ‘Buy tickets now!’ button.

You will no longer be waiting to receive your tickets in the mail. The Adamson Theatre Company now uses an eTicket system that allows you to print off your theatre tickets at home using your own printer. To find out more about our ticketing, visit http://www.adamsontheatre.net/boxoffice.

By PhoneCall our box office on 03 9522 2412 any time. If you call outside of our designated office hours simply leave your request on our automated system and a member of our friendly box office team will call you back promptly.

Over The Counter SalesThe box office will be open for over the counter sales for three weeks prior to each production. Please note that we accept cash, cheque, credit card and bankcard. Check out web site to view box office opening times at http://www.adamsontheatre.net/boxoffice.

Educational InstitutionsA number of great savings are available for group school bookings for all of our performances. Please contact the box office for more information.

It’s never been easier to book tickets for Adamson Theatre Company performances!

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A scene from My Fair Lady, Campus Musical 2004