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

I have always seen it as 3

Sat, 5 Apr 2008, 11:54 am

Walter Plinge

I have always seen it as 3 sections: Amateur - No pay Pro-Am - The Production Team are paid, actors not, regardless of parts of which there are few companies in Perth who operate this way) Pro - Everyone is paid As to companies paying for Lead's to get better quality, I have never seen it happen personally, but I am sure it does. The MS Society was mentioned, they are raising money for charity, yes, but they also wanted a professional Production team at least, so the Production Team/Creatives (ie Director,M usic Director, Band etc...) are paid, but the performers are not and go into the show knowing this. I think as long as he boundaries are drawn and the performers know what is to be expected upfront, then they have a choice to do the show or not and there should be no complaints. As to what happens to the money made by Amateur companies from shows - it would be nice to think the money goes back into the company for their next production. I will agree with some of the above comments tho - DON'T choose a venue you cannot afford and expect to be able to charge ridiculous prices and expect people to come. I don't know much about Theatrebits, but I have noticed that this is the first show in conjunction with the Cancer Council, so hopefully for their sake the Cancer Council is seeing the benefit - but it doesn't excuse the ticket prices etc.. for what was, very obviously, and AMATEUR production of CATS. I saw the professional version in London for a quarter of that price. Another thing I find very odd.... for both their shows so far they never credit and production team on the poster - not even the Director of Music Direct or Choreographer. Why is this?

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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