FUNTASTIC!
ARENA's VARIETY NIGHT
To add some extra money to ARENA's coffers in order to support more Community Theatre Projects this year and next year, it was decided to have a one-off performance night of various acts to entertain friends and family and regular ARENA supporters.
We hired the Willetton Sports Club in order to present the show "cabaret" style with audience sitting around tables, and organised a caterer to provide some "finger food" to fill up some stomachs. Of course, there was also access to the Club Bar.
Saturday the 19th of February, 2005 was the Big Night. We bumped in that afternoon and put up some flats, which were then beautifully decorated by Shannyn and Ellen with black, red and gold cloth (even though it took them more than a few hours to do!). We also put up some lights and set up a sound system for recorded music and microphones.
At 8.00 p.m. things kicked off!
ACTING UP!
Directed by Joanne Williams
Simon James was the MC for the First Half, writing some very silly (read pathetic) jokes to link the acts together. And these Acts were :
A HEALTH ANNOUNCEMENT
Peformed by Johan Smit as Professor Himmelplatzen, fielding questions from plants in the audience (that's the acting type, not the vegetative type, ahem).
RUBBER DUCKY
A Barbershop Quartet version of this classic song, sung by Andrew Milne, Joanne Williams, Meagan Welsh and Ellen Jurik, with Rubber Duck Squeezing and Bubble Blowing by Johan Smit and Laurie Ormond.
A SCENE FROM "TWELTH NIGHT"
"The Seduction Scene" (of course) written by . . what's his name again? Oh, yeah, William Shakespeare, with Amy Welsh as Viola, Robert Whitehead as Malvolio, Ellen Jurik as Olivia, and Gail Lusted as Maria.
THIS SONG NOT VALID WITHOUT COUPON
A list of random instructions, with Andrew Milne singing as Placebo Flamingo (the Fourth Tenor the other three rejected) and supported by Shannyn Nicholas on Piano.
THE CHOICES WE MAKE
A domestic drama written by our very own Kelly Van Geest. With Johan Smit as Tommy, Andrew Milne as Darryl, Kelly Van Geest as Kat and Shannyn Nicholas as the Policewoman.
HANDS UP YOUR STICKS
Based on the classic comedy sketch by Peter Cook, an inept bank robber manages to pull of a heist. Jeremy Malcolm as the Robber, and Robert Whitehead as the Bank Teller.
CLASS
A song from "Chicago" - but one that was cut from the film version. Which probably explains why we did it! Sung by Joanne Williams and Meagan Welsh with Shannyn Nicholas on Piano.
ANOTHER SCENE FROM "TWELFTH NIGHT"
"The Gulling Of Malvolio". A very amusing bit from the Bard. Performed by Robert Whitehead as Malvolio, Ellen Jurik as Olivia, Gail Lusted as Maria, Michael Lamont as Sir Toby Belch and Shannyn Nicholas as Fabian.
YVONNE DESCENT
Yes. A female children's story teller presenting a rather interesting version of "Henny Penny". Yes. Performed by Andrew Milne.
AGNES ANGST
A monologue performed with gusto by Amy Welsh, from the play "The Search For Meaningful Life In The Universe" by Jane Wagner.
THE MAGNIFICENT MUSTAFA AND THE AMAZING SHARON<
Apparantly a Magic Act. Delightfully silly and dodgy "llusions", devised and performed by Jeremy Malcolm and Ellen Jurik.
THE TEMPEST BALLETAlso called "Two Lyotards And One Bulge", a creative dance interpretation of Shakespeare's play. Performed by Michael Lamont and Johan Smit, with commentary by Amy Welsh (if that was supposed to make anything clearer!)
THE GREAT BELL
A very daft acapella song led by Andrew Milne and supported by Joanne Williams, Meagan Welsh, Jeremy Malcolm, Ellen Jurik, Kelly van Geest, Laurie Ormond and Jill van Geest and Shannyn Nicholas.
The Second Half of the show were Scenes based on the works of Terry Pratchett.
DISCWORLD UNPLUGGED!
Adapted and Directed by Simon James
SHAWN OGG MAKES AN ANNOUNCEMENT
This attempt at Royal Announcing was performed by Jeremy Malcolm.
THE DISC EXPLAINED
Yes, the usual "through the fathomless deeps of space" speech with some extra bits thrown in and delightfully performed by Jayma Knudson.
IGOR AND THE BORDER GUARD
A scene expanded from Carpe Jugulum where Igor meets a brain-challenged Lancre Guard. With Michael Lamont as Igor, Amy Welsh as The Border Guard, and Robert Whitehead as the Voice of The Count.
DEATH AND GOLF
A frustrated caddy tries to teach The Grim Reaper all about this "exciting" game, but he just doesn't get the point of it all. Ellen Jurik as Death's Minion, Johan Smit as the Body of Death, Robert Whitehead as the Voice of Death.
NANNY OGG HAS AN IDEA
A roving Teller chats about such Discworld characters as Cohan the Barbarian and C.M.O.T. Dibbler before being interrupted and politely "mugged" by Nanny Ogg, who also comes up with an idea to publish a book of her recipes. Laurie Ormond as the Teller and Francesca Philips as Nanny Ogg.
A GUIDE TO AHNK-MORPORK
Drumknott introduces the audience to some unique features of the city such as it's . . "river", before being interrupted by Lady Sybil Ramkin - who explains her sanctuary for swamp dragons - and Mrs Palm - who chats about her "ladies of negotiable affection". Lord Vetinari watches over it all. They all end up suggesting recipes to pass on to Nanny Ogg. With Shannyn Nicholas as Drumknott, Robert Whitehead as Lord Vetinari, Joanne Williams as Sybil Ramkin and Gail Lusted as Mrs Palm.
TOO MANY COOKS
Mrs Scorbic clashes with Sharleen and Beryl over what food to serve a visiting dignitary to Lancre. With Jill Van Geest as Mrs Scorbic, Mary Briggs as Sharleen Ogg and Kelly van Geest as Beryl Ogg.
A BROUHAHA
Featuring the entire Discworld Cast, everyone ends up in a lot of arguments until Nanny Ogg steps in to create some community spirit by leading them all in a thumping rendition of The Hedgehog Song.
FUNTASTIC's CREW
Meagan Welsh, Mary Briggs, Alex McKenna and Kat Kayne. Front of House by Carina Butcher.
Despite pumping out over two and a half hours of entertainment, the night seemed to go rather quickly. It was certainly a success. After costs (venue hire, catering) we made $1000.00, which we are very pleased with.
Now the question is . . Is there going to be another Variety Night??