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