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SPOTLIGHT
No.2
DOUGLAS CHORAL UNION
NEWSLETTER
Thank you all for the feedback regarding issue one of Spotlight. But don’t stop there, it’s your newsletter and my commitment to you is to make Spotlight worth reading!
Commitment is actually something I’ve been thinking about this month, and just
how much of a commitment we all make to be part of the Society. There are music
scores and dialogue to learn, props to find and make, costumes to measure, halls
to book, and even newsletters to write! The list is endless when producing and
staging a show. But let’s not forget there are also baby sitters to organise, partners
home alone in the evenings, singing teachers to help learn pieces, ‘taxi of mum and
dad’ to book, and other hobbies or work obligations to rearrange. Subsequently
that commitment we make to the DCU can actually spread far and wide.
Nevertheless, why do we commit to give up our free time during those cold winter
nights, sitting in drafty church halls and asking Liz, patient as ever, to repeat those
alto harmonies over and over? Personally, I do it because I love to sing and dance,
I love to spend my evenings with my friends and I enjoy being part of the big DCU
family. But the best bit for me is taking up a new challenge every year. During those
winter months I’ll pretty much reach every emotional high and low at some point,
pushing myself to be the best I can, and eventually being rewarded for my efforts
with that feeling many of you have experienced - when that curtain goes up at the
Gaiety Theatre on opening night!
But commitment for me and other members of the Society doesn’t start and stop
with Sister Act. Many of us take part in various challenges which require the same
commitment. In my 39th year, I’ll have run my first 5k, 10k and half marathon
races, while for others there has been the Viking Long Boat Race, The Parish Walk
and the Toughmann Challenge - not forgetting the commitment the DCU have
with the Gateway group. It doesn’t stop, and I have such adoration of the DCU
membership for this. We really are a committed bunch of people who I can say
hand on heart I am very proud to be included.
The only limit to your impact is your imagination and commitment. Tony Robbins
TOP FACTS FOR THESPS!
Did you know that the off-Broadway musical The Fantasticks opened in 1960 and finally closed in 2002. That’s a lot of performances to commit to!
The longest theatre performance by an individual lasted 110 hr 46 min and was achieved by Adrian Hilton when he recited the complete works of Shakespeare. One would have to be a committed audience member too!
The most visitors to a musical in a single theatre are 13,044,148 for the musical Starlight Express in Bochum, Germany. There are clearly a lot of committed ‘Starlight’ fans in Germany!
The CommitmentsOverture
louisepetejones@gmail.com
@DCU_iom
Douglas Choral Union
www.douglaschoralunion.im
Lou
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Also showing their commitment, the DCU’s first ever Viking Longboat Team took to the waves last month!
After a rather busy month of work behind the scenes, it is with great pleasure that I welcome you to issue two of Spotlight for another of our now-regular updates.
Well, we now have our talented cast for Sister Act,
the auditions having taken place over the period
13th - 15th July. I had the pleasure and privilege of
sitting in on the auditions with Tara and Andrew,
the Director and Musical Director, and it was clear
from the performances that everyone had put in
a lot of time and commitment into preparing for
their audition.
Tara and Andrew were impressed with the high standard - even though it did
make their job a bit more difficult. However, I know that they are very pleased
with the casting and, like us all, are excited and really looking forward to rehearsals
getting underway. That is of course when the hard work starts as we see the show
taking shape over the coming months. Having said that, it will also be an enjoyable
time for all those involved and I am sure there will be a few laughs along the way.
Liz Dixon, as Assistant Musical Director, is starting music rehearsals on 11th August
in preparation for Andrew’s first visit on 14th September so we will soon be up
and running. A full rehearsal schedule up until the end of the year is currently
being prepared - details to follow.
I would like to take the opportunity to thank all those who auditioned and
put in so much preparation for what can be a nerve wracking experience.
Unfortunately, it was not possible to include everyone but I am pleased that
many of those not cast will be helping out with the show in other ways. For those
in the show, many congratulations and enjoy the next few months.
I had the privilege of sitting in on the auditions and it was clear from the performances that everyone had put in a lot of time and commitment into preparing for them.
Tony Jones
PRODUCTION TEAM
DCU would like to announce their superb production team for Sister Act:
Tara Wilkinson, Director
Andrew Hilton, Musical Director
David Dawson, Assistant Director
Liz Dixon, Assistant Musical Director
David Walton, Stage Manager
Sam Waldron, Wardrobe
Carolyn Christian, Props
Fancy getting involved backstage?
If so, why not get in touch with DCU’s production secretary Neil Callin for info? Everyone is welcome, from complete novices to experienced ‘ninjas’.
Email: neil.callin@gmail.com
First Act
tony-jones@manx.net
@DCU_iom
Douglas Choral Union
www.douglaschoralunion.im2
TonyTONY JONES, DCU CHAIRMAN
After starring as both the 1930s flapper Millie Dilmount in DCU’s production of Thoroughly Modern Millie and Eponine in Les Misérables, Victoria McLauchlan is looking forward to again performing with the Society after a 5-year hiatus, this time donning a habit to play Sister Mary Robert. We caught up with our budding nun to find out more...
After a break of five years, what made you want to tread the boards again?I’ve missed the stage, the people, the buzz, the music
– everything really. And Sister Act is such a fantastic
show I knew from the minute it was announced that
I wouldn’t be able to keep myself away!
What attracted you to the part of Sister Mary Robert in particular?It’s just a brilliant part, with some great singing. Having a rather big voice in
comparison to my height (5’0 - on a good day!) - I just felt as though I was well
suited to the role.
Tell us about your Sister Act audition?I was nervous as it’s been a while since I had an audition and I so desperately
wanted to be part of the show, but Tara and Andrew were welcoming, friendly,
and informal and made me feel at ease. Although they did made me fight for it!
What are you looking forward to most over the coming months?I absolutely cannot wait to be singing “Raise Your Voice” with Danielle and the
rest of the nuns…what a song! I don’t think I will sleep that night!
Sum up Sister Act the musical in 5 words!Funny, Soulful, Uplifting, Energetic, Joyful!
SINGING REHEARSALS
All nuns except Mother Superior
Time: 7.30pm - 10.00 pm
Monday 11 August
Manx Blind Welfare Centre
Monday 18 August
Manx Blind Welfare Centre
Monday 25 August
NO REHEARSALS - BANK HOLIDAY
Monday 1st September
St Matthew’s Church Hall
Monday 8th September
St Matthew’s Church Hall(One further rehearsal this week TBC)
Sunday 14 September
With Andrew Hilton. Details of times and individual calls to follow by email and Facebook posts.
Limelight
www.douglaschoralunion.im3
We are pleased to announce that a new Society website will soon be available
online. Scheduled to go live later this summer, the new website will boast
many new features and will integrate with our Facebook and Twitter pages
to provide a much better platform for all our members. Watch this space!
Stop Press...
For issue two of Spotlight, we asked the membership to tell us about their favourite DCU moment. From Barry Gibb hair and dead racoon hats to turkey drumsticks and chicken soup, here’s what they said...
David ArtusIn Miss Saigon I got to play a pimp that was surround by beautiful near naked
girls…and..er…what was the question again?
Deborah BeckThoroughly Modern Millie. Trying to achieve a full costume change including
wig, behind a door on stage in seconds for the lovely Victoria McLauchlan.
Michael BonnerIt would be tie between Bring Him Home and You’ll Find Me At The Hospital
in Les Misérables. Both Artus classics! Being on the Barricade is my favourite
moment from any show.
Karen CorkhillAfter 28 years with the Douglas Choral Union, it’s impossible to choose one! It
would be Les Misérables for my most emotional moment, Miss Saigon for my
most unforgettable moment, and all the rest, just for the chance to be part of
an amazing group of people on and off stage!
Liz DixonLes Misérables, because I got to be on stage and have the very gorgeous Mr
Artus sing me to sleep in Bring Him Home! (Ed: I totally agree, found it hard to
pretend I was asleep on the barricade!)
Cathy FargherDoing props for Beauty and the Beast was both a joy (making a giant turkey
drumstick) and a headache (keeping track of all those beer tankards)!
Alternatively, silliest memory from a DCU show was from the Sound of Music:
I got caught between cloths when one was flown in just in front of another.
I had to sidle sheepishly offstage along the gap!
Sophie JonesBackstage on Miss Saigon - went to work on costume but managed to get on
stage! Plus the songs are AMAZING! Woop woop, chicken soup!
Soundbites
www.douglaschoralunion.im4
Favourite Nuns
Name: MariaThere’s nothing like a Dame, and this one famously brought the hills of Austria to life in 1965, also making mincemeat of hideous curtains and Nazi-ism with equal aplomb.
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Name: Miss PiggyThe difficult part about picking prime roles for Miss Piggy is her ego. Piggy would, however, put up with a nun’s habit and a whole lot of kids to fall in love with Captain von Trapp. Move aside Andrews! (Hiiii-yaaaa!)
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Name: Brian and CharlieThese two likeable crooks escape a mob boss and seek refuge in a Nuns’ teacher training school. Tell us if this sounds familiar.
4Continued
Rebecca LawrenceI would have to say Miss Saigon. Playing the role of Kim will always have a special
place in my heart and I loved watching the whole team pull together to put on
this incredible production.
Rene ParadiseAnything Goes was my first show and also my first experience on the Gaiety
stage. It proved to myself I could do it, but also gave me the whole DCU
experience, from Committee member to Chairman and now Society tea lady.
‘Who could ask for anything more’!
Andy ‘Sinbad’ SimpsonIt would have to be Les Misérables, that show was amazing, a show where
everyone from the crew, ensemble and main cast felt privileged to be there.
Jonathan SleightSeven Brides! Ace craic with the lads, Barry Gibb hair and a dead racoon hat.
Tara’s usual magic and a poof and his port. SICK!
And there’s more...
www.douglaschoralunion.im
Favourite Nuns
Name: DeloresThis sassy singer escapes a mob boss and seeks refuge in a Nuns’ convent. Sound familiar? They should make a musical of this shizzle!
3Name: MonkeyFor the cast of Avenue Q, look away now! Yes it’s everybody’s favourite puppet, also created by Paul Jomain.
2Name: Mary StigmataJohn Peel called it the ‘most joyous movie ever made’ and who can argue?The Blues Brothers meet their match in Mary Stigmata - the ‘Fat Penguin’. This is classic John Landis, as childish as it is brilliant, complete with a nod to Hitchcock’s Psycho. Watch here.
1Led Zeppelin
Stairway to Heaven
Nina Simone
Sinnerman
The Beatles
Lady Madonna
Bon Jovi
Keep the Faith
Marvin Gaye
Can I Get a Witness
The Beach Boys
God Only Knows
Stevie Wonder
Higher Ground
Dusty Springfield
Son of a Preacher Man
Jimi Hendrix
Angel
Ike & Tina Turner
Proud Mary
AC/DC
Back in Black
We’ve compiled an album of classics suitable for all budding nuns. If you think you can do better, email
your playlist to: louisepetejones@gmail.com
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On August 10th Julia Bratty, Nick Cain and Louise and Pete Jones are taking part in The Fantastic Four Challenge in aid of Anthony Nolan. Louise will be running her first Half Marathon, while Julia will walk the full Marathon distance. Meanwhile, Pete will cycle 300km (the equivalent of Liverpool to London) and Nick will bench-press 10 tons (the weight of an Elephant)!
Julia’s dad, Ivan, along with her mum and DCU stalwart Kath, have been
involved with the Anthony Nolan charity for many years and these four DCU
members decided to show them some support, raising awareness and raising
money. You can help The Fantastic Four in the following ways:
The Fantastic Four
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Join the Anthony Nolan register by visiting www.anthonynolan.org
and answer some simple questions and you could become a lifesaver!
What a great feeling that would be!
Donate to The Fantastic Four by logging on to their Just Giving page.
Leave the team us a message if you like. Donations can also be made
anonymously.
You can also join Julia on her walk as she tours the north. So please
come and keep her company even if you can only spare half an hour
on the day. Julia’s route is outline on The Fantastic Four Facebook page.
Anthony Nolan saves the lives
of people with blood cancer and
blood disorders matching incredible
individuals willing to donate their
blood stem cells or bone marrow
for those who desperately need
lifesaving transplants.
www.anthonynolan.org
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YOUARE AMATCHSAVEA LIFE
www.douglaschoralunion.im
Homeless Dancers,Dream Scene Dancers and Gay Boys:
JULIA BRATTY
KAYLEIGH PARKINSON
LOUISE JONES
GRACE HOODLESS
ROB KINRADE
DAMIAN KNEALE
KIERAN QUINN
GAYNOR DENHAM
SARAH CALLOW
GILL GOSS
Altar Boys and Builders:
TONY JONES
PAUL SELLORS
KIERAN QUINN
ROB KINRADE
Nuns (featured)
BETHANIE CHRISTIAN
JORJA CHRISTIAN
GRACE HOODLESS
KAYLEIGH PARKINSON
LAURA PIGOTT
LIZ DIXON
LYNN FOX
LOUISE JONES
JULIA BRATTY
SOPHIE JONES
RACHAEL BRAIDWOOD
ALICE QUAYLE
LEANNE CAIN
Deloris Van Cartier - DANIELLE BRIDSON
Mother Superior - TRISH FARGHER
Sister Mary Robert - VICTORIA McLAUCHLAN
Sister Mary Patrick - OLIVIA BLACK
Sister Mary Lazarus - JANE SHORT
Monsignor O’Hara - MIKE BONNER
Curtis - TBC
Eddie - LORCAN O’MAHONY
TJ - MARC McCABE-O’KELLY
Joey - DEAN CALLOW
Pablo - DAMIAN KNEALE
Sister Mary Martin of Tours - MANDY GRIFFIN
Sister Mary Theresa - KATH ADAMSON
Michelle - LOUISE JONES
Tina - JULIA BRATTY
Lula-Belle - KAYLEIGH PARKINSON
Madison - GRACE HOODLESS
Ernie - TONY JONES
Cop - PAUL SELLORS
Newscaster - ROB KINRADE
Hooker - GAYNOR DENHAM
Hooker - SARAH CALLOW
Bar Patron/Waitress - LAURA PIGOTT
Pool Player - TONY JONES
Drag Queen - ROB KINRADE
Cab Driver - PAUL SELLORS
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