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Last updated: September 29, 2009

SEPTEMBER UPDATE

* THE STORYKEEPER finished its 2009 season with its 50th show on 2nd September.   Another very successful year with great feedback from kids and teachers.

* THEATRE FOR SCHOOLS 2010.  A meeting has been arranged for anyone who would like to produce (or direct, perhaps?) a project as part of ARENA's 2010 Theatre For Schools program.  The meeting will be on Monday 5th October at 7pm at 58 Temple Street, Victoria Park.
* COMMUNITY THEATRE 2010. We are open to suggestions as to what we may do next year.  A few ARENIES have some ideas that will be pursued at future meetings.  Have you got anything you'd like to propose?

*CONSTITUTION COMMITTEE. A meeting will shortly be arranged to revamp the constitution to reflect our current operations.  Hopefully to be all done, so it can be formally proposed at the ARENA Festive Party.
* SMOOCHKATT AWARDS AND FESTIVE PARTY.  Write this in your diary right now, folks!  SATURDAY 12th DECEMBER will be the ARENA Festive Party and Awards Night.  Details of the Smoochkatt awards will be sent out in early November.  These are in-house awards that anyone in ARENA can be nominated for, as well as voting on.
* MAYLANDS VENUE.  Kelly is to send off a letter to the Bayswater Council in regards to the old Maylands Library possibly becoming a community theatre venue - for if it does become one, ARENA would like it as our home!
* FUNDRAISING 2010.  An Improv/Theatre Sports Night will be organised by Theo and Jess.  The Pony Club Canteen will continue as long as we can properly "staff" it.
* NORTHANGER ABBEY.  Starts this week, so gedda-along to see it! 

DRAMAFEST

"Unattainable" by Jessica Messenger will be presented at Dramafest on Friday 25th September at 7.30pm, the second of four plays on that evening.  Dramafest 2009 is being held at the Xanten Centre, St Norbert College, 135 Treasure Rd, Queens Park.  Tickets 9255 3366.

"Unnattainable" was recently presented at the South West Drama Festival, earning a Best Supporting Actor Award for Theo Messenger.

NORTHANGER ABBEY

based on the novel by Jane Austen

adapted for the stage by Tim Luscombe

directed by Theo Messenger

performed by Michelle Berg, Jesse Way, Cassey Vagliviello, Jason Sibley, Jessica Messenger, Tim Burrows, Jane Sherwood, Cally Zanik, Simon James and Gail Lusted.

"No one who had ever seen Catherine Morland in her infancy would have supposed her born a heroine".

When Catherine is invited to Bath, many diversions are expected.  Things get even better when she meets the handsome and strange Mr Tilney.  However, the exaggerated claims of  her alleged wealth, and the stoking of her fertile imagination give rise to calamity when she is invited to Northanger Abbey.  The gossip-ridden Tilney residence hides many a dark secret ...

Scandal!  Intrigue!  Empire Waistlines!  This is a fast moving and thrilling ride for all, Jane Austen fan or not, and is ARENA's latest community theatre production.  Northanger Abbey will be presented in October at the Old Mill Theatre, South Perth, and then Phoenix Theatre, Hamilton Hill.

OLD MILL THEATRE

cnr Mends St and Mill Point Rd, South Perth.

OCTOBER :  Fri 2nd, Sat 3rd, Fri 9th, Sat 10th, Wed 14th, Thurs 15th, Fri 16th, Sat 17th at 8.00pm.

Sun 4th & Sun 11th @ 2.00pm.

PHOENIX THEATRE

cnr Carrington & Rockingham Rds, Hamilton Hill

OCTOBER :  Thurs 29th, Fri 30th, Sat 31st at 8.00pm.

Tickets :  $20 Full, $15 Concession

BOOKINGS

phone :  9362 4080

email :  bookings@arenaentertainment.com.au

AUGUST MEETING

Held on Monday 3rd August.  A detailed copy of the Minutes is available to Members upon request.  The following are the highlights of what went on ...

*  Unattainable by Jessica Messenger will be ARENA's entry into this year's South West Drama Festival and Dramafest

*  We will look into renting a storage space for our increasing scenery pieces.  Kelly has created a Costume Room in a shed at her place, which may also be the best place to store our props.

*  New storage boxes will be purchased for the past 20 years of paperwork.

*  In regard to Fundraising, ARENA will continue to run the canteen at Pony Club events, but Quiz Nights will be now be done bi-annually.  There is an idea to run a Theatre Games Night in January as a different type of fundraiser.

*  More discussion was held on getting an ARENA van, which will be a big help with all productions, particularly an increased Theatre For Schools Program which is planned for 2010.  And speaking of such, info will be sent to Members, posted on this website (see our Theatre For Schools webpage) and the Theatre Australia website seeking scripts for new productions for next year.

* December 12th has been "pencilled-in" as the date of the ARENA Festive Party and the awarding of the Smoochkatt Awards (ARENA's "Oscars"), which will cover productions from 2007-2009.

* A draft proposal of Membership Benefits was accepted and will be forwarded to Members.

JULY UPDATE

*  The next Committee Meeting will be on August 3rd.  Contact us for details.

*  The Pony Club Canteen on Sunday 19th raised over $750.00 for ARENA.  We still need volunteers for the remaining Pony Club Canteens this year, so let us know if you can help out.

*  NORTHANGER ABBEY has been cast by director Theo Messenger.  The folk in the production are :  Michelle Berg as Catherine, Jessica Messenger as Isabella, Jane Sherwood as Mrs Allen, Les Lee as Mr Allen, Jesse Way as Henry, Tim Burrows as John, Jordan Sibley as James/Frederick, Cassey Vagliviello as Eleanor, Simon James as General Tilney, Cally Zanik as Dorothy/Alice and Gail Lusted as Mrs Morland/Jane Austen.  Crew are sought for this production performing in October at the Old Mill Theatre in South Perth, so if you are interested in joining the team, then let us know.

JUNE UPDATE

*  ARENA's Third Annual QUIZ NIGHT proved to be a great night out and raised over $1K for the coffers.

*  LOST THE PLOT concluded its inaugural school's season, but still has its school holiday performances at the Don Russell Performing Arts Centre in Thornlie, on Tuesday 14th July at 11.00am and 1.00pm.

*  THE STORYKEEPER hit its 50th show booking.

*  Auditions for NORTHANGER ABBEY are coming up on 17, 18, 19 of July.

*  Dramafest and South West Festival submissions have been called for and decisions will be made soon.

*  ARENA renewed its membership to the Independent Theatre Association.

QUIZ NIGHT

Arena Arts & Entertainment is holding it's third Quiz Night Fundraiser.

Where: Hyde Park Hotel, 331 Bulwer St North Perth

When: Sunday 21st June 2009

Time: Doors open 6pm, Quiz starts 6.30pm

Cost: $10 per person, Tables of 8

Bookings: Open mid May. 9362 4080 or email arenaquiz@arenaentertainment.com.au

The table with the best name will win a prize.

The Hyde Park serves lovely food, and the bar is open til 10pm so come along and make a night of it. Sorry no BYO.