Annie at the Regal

Sun, 30 Mar 2008, 03:35 pm

Asta32 posts in thread

Yep kids it's time for another Asta review so be prepared for bitchiness and backstabbing galore. This weeks review is for Theatrebits production of Annie at the Regal Theatre in Perth. I could sum up this production in one word - AMAZING - but I won't leave it at that cause you all know I am a girl of very few words. Theatrebits had a bad run of publicity with its last big production of Cats. bitching was rife on this website about whether it should have advertised itself as an amateur company because the general public wouldn't know based on the ticket prices. I am not a general public theatre goer but I did go with a large group of them and the concensus was this show was fantastic. Lets do it Asta style and break it down for you (I apologise for any misspellings of people's names, I lost my programme and so am doing this by memory): The Good!!! Annie and the orphans: I saw the production yesterday at the matinee and the little girls playing the orphans were simply brilliant. They had clear strong voices and beautiful characterisation. Even when the focus was off them they continued to act. They were simply brilliant. Special mentions must go to Annie was was simply adorable and carried the show very well. Every time she came on stage the whole show lifted. ANy kid that can continue to sing a ballad while holding onto a wildly dog gets two very big thumbs up. Molly! What a voice this girl has on here. Look out for her in a few years time, simply brilliant. Bob playing Daddy Warbucks: His singing wasn't great but then neither was the singing good in the movie version. This is the kind of role that needs someone strong and with the right look. Bob was amazing. His first entrance onto stage lifted the show out of a slump it was in and he continued throughout the show. The chorus was gorgeous. They always looked excited to be there. Special mentions to Mikaela Briggs. Her singing was gorgeous and what a dancer. Someone told me she is quite young too...another one to look out for. The blonde boy who did the tapping in the radio scene was amazing too. Everytime he came on stage whether it was as a policeman or member of the crowd he stood out. Normally I would then say what I didn't like about this show but I enjoyed it so much that I am not going to belittle the efforts of a fabulous cast and crew for putting this together. All I can say to those critics of Theatrebits is that they definetly have their place and they proved it with this production. Theatrebits has found itself as a company responsible for discovering new talent and putting it on stage for all to see. Well done

And making a profit on the

Sun, 30 Mar 2008, 08:42 pm

Walter Plinge

And making a profit on the ignorance of its audience. I'm not going to comment on this particular show as I haven't seen it (and don't intend to) and I'm sure that everyone involved has worked very hard and should be commended for contributing their time to raise some degree of money for Cancer. However... Its all well and good for this company to put an amateur show on and good on them for taking the risk, but charging professional theatre prices ($75 top price and $55 for A reserve) is DISGUSTING! It is quite simply daylight robbery and needs to be stopped - not just this company but the copycats like it - the MS Society included. Yes, their "proceeds" go to the foundation. Fabulous - but exactly what monies are being skimmed off BEFORE it goes to the charity? I'm sure (well, actually I KNOW) that the directors and producers get their cut - with the cast and (usually) orchestra getting NOTHING. Again, nothing wrong with that - amateur theatre is FINE, but keep it what it is and what it deserves and don't charge professional prices. And if you need to charge that much to cover costs, DON'T USE THE REGAL! There are cheaper venues around. These types of companies are damaging our industry in Perth and those who are trying to better it. Audiences will go to these shows, pay top price for tickets and booking fee (and don't forget parking, meals, babysitting, etc), see an amateur production (which will not be value for money) and very frequently will not see anything else (including professional theatre) for the rest of the year because they can't afford to see anything else (or alternatively tar all local theatre with the same brush). This impacts other theatre who are struggling to get audiences. Hence, touring theatre will not come here. Does anyone else see this? THIS NEEDS to be discussed. We, as theatre people, need to discuss this. It is extremely important or there will be nothing left to be worried about. Mr D.

Thread (32 posts)

Threaded Flat

Annie at the Regal— Asta30 Mar 2008

And making a profit on the— Walter Plinge30 Mar 2008
Couldn't agree more— Walter Plinge31 Mar 2008
Response to Mr D comments— Walter Plinge1 Apr 2008
As a avid supporter of all— Walter Plinge3 Apr 2008
- These people have asked to— Walter Plinge3 Apr 2008
  - Costs— Walter Plinge4 Apr 2008
Not that I necessarily— Walter Plinge3 Apr 2008
Asked by people on this— Walter Plinge4 Apr 2008
- Costs— Walter Plinge5 Apr 2008
  - Then surely they can— Walter Plinge6 Apr 2008
    - Accountability— Walter Plinge6 Apr 2008
      - ···
        But don't businesses also— Walter Plinge6 Apr 2008
Is the Price is in the Pudding?— Walter Plinge4 Apr 2008
- As a musical director for— Walter Plinge4 Apr 2008
Well— Logos4 Apr 2008
I have always seen it as 3— Walter Plinge5 Apr 2008
sorry bad spelling at the— Walter Plinge5 Apr 2008
Theatrebits obviously doesn't read this site— Asta5 Apr 2008
thankyou asta— Walter Plinge6 Apr 2008
Surely the public has a— Walter Plinge6 Apr 2008
David,My point was that— Walter Plinge6 Apr 2008
Apologies Smiley— Walter Plinge7 Apr 2008
Annie was a success— Walter Plinge18 Apr 2008
- A mother reviewing her child— Walter Plinge18 Apr 2008
OH HENRY!!!!!— Walter Plinge19 Apr 2008
- THAT IT NOT THE POINT!— Walter Plinge20 Apr 2008
Lets be realistic people. — RichardLOZ1 May 2008
- Well aren't you a— Walter Plinge1 May 2008
  - It is exactly the point. — RichardLOZ2 May 2008
    - So how much money did the— Walter Plinge2 May 2008
    - Go Richardloz— Walter Plinge2 May 2008

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