More about Oliver!

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The Scene

It is mid-1830s in England; a difficult time for many. Most people hardly had two pennies to rub together. The poor had no legal protection and were subject to living in very base conditions in workhouses or were forced to sleep amongst the filth on the streets. Most had no education and turned to begging or crime just to get by. Many families who found themselves in debt ended up at workhouses, spilt up, and children, from orphanages or poor families, were made to work long hours in dangerous conditions. This was a dark time for the English lower-class, just before the chartist movement which campaigned for equal rights. This was a time when the barest from of equality existed. So for the fortunate and wealthy, times could not be better. Most owned stately homes and country parks. They could afford an education and a fashionable lifestyle. Although most tried to turn a blind eye to the needy, they detested the idea of these destitute people gaining the upper hand and rising from their own station.

The Story

We open on a workhouse in a small town just outside of London, in which Oliver Twist and his fellow orphans are forced to work themselves to the bone for the tyrant Beadle, Mr Bumble, and the equally mean-spirited matron, Widow Corney. They are rewarded at the end of a hard day’s work with the worst food imaginable, but are reminded they must thank the lord for anything they should be so lucky to receive.

After finishing his meagre portion, Oliver is dared by the others to ask for more! Affronted by the young boy’s “greed”, the Governors instruct Mr Bumble promptly to be rid of him. Oliver is put up for sale to the highest bidder in town. He is purchased by an Undertaker to work in his parlour, and finds that indeed his existence truly could get worse. Convinced there must be more to life, he makes a break for it and narrowly escapes to the outside world.

A week later, he arrives in a bustling Victorian London and immediately meets the skilful and sly, Artful Dodger, a boy of similar age who earns his living picking-pockets of wealthy Londoners. Dodger takes Oliver under his wing and welcomes him to his new place of residence, the thieves’ kitchen. Here he is introduced to the mastermind of pilfering, Fagin, and his gang of child pick-pockets. Whilst Fagin looks after the waifs, they all sit under the watchful eye of a dangerous and violent robber, Bill Sikes. Sikes’ girlfriend Nancy also keeps close ties with the gang, but has a kind heart and tries to make the dim days brighter wherever she can. Oliver quickly becomes one of Fagin’s pupils; however his career comes to an abrupt halt when he is nabbed by constabulary on his first job. But in a stroke of fate, he is taken in by the man he was accused of robbing, the charitable Mr Brownlow. Fearing Oliver may rat him and his crime ring out, Fagin seeks the help of Sikes and Nancy to kidnap Oliver back…

Directed by Mardi Schon

All tickets $25 – click the Book Now tab

Performances

Sunday March 10th - Juniors in the morning, Chorus from 1pm

Prepare a 3 minute song from a musical that displays your range and shows off some acting ability.

Bring comfortable shoes as everyone auditioning will be required to learn a dance routine.

Chorus Auditions will be conducted in small groups. The format will be:-

• 5 minute vocal warm-up – whole group
• Individual song
• 3 minute song in musical style (CD/Ipod backing)
• 15 minute Choreography
• 5 minutes teach dance
• 5 minutes dance together
• 5 minute prompted run thru

If you are auditioning for a speaking part; these will be performed only at callbacks. Prepare a 2 minute monologue. You may wish to use props. Please do not wear costumes.

Monday 11th – Lead Roles

• 5 minute vocal warm-up – whole group
• Individual song/monologue
• 3 minute song in musical style (CD/Ipod backing or piano accompaniment)
• 2 minute monologue
• 15 minute Choreography
• 5 minutes teach dance
• 5 minutes dance together
• 5 minute prompted run thru

Tuesday 12 / Wednesday 13 – Callbacks

Cold read from the script

Character Breakdown

Oliver Twist: the protagonist of the story. He is a lonely orphan boy born in the workhouse. Age 8-13. Soprano.

Nancy: Bill Sikes’s lover. She takes a liking to Oliver and treats him like her own child. 21-32. Alto.

Mr Brownlow: Oliver’s grandfather, a man of wealth and breeding. Age 50-75.

Bill Sykes: Nancy’s brutal and abusive lover, a burglar and eventual murderer. Age 30-45. Baritone.

Mr Bumble: the pompous beadle of the workhouse in which Oliver was born. Age 45-65. Baritone.

The Artful Dodger: the cleverest of Fagin’s pickpockets, he introduces Fagin to Oliver. Age 13-16. Soprano.

Mr Sowerberry: he and Mrs Sowerberry take Oliver in and use him in their funeral business. Age 40-60. Baritone.

Mrs Sowerberry: she and Mr Sowerberry take in Oliver and use him in their funeral business. Age 40-60. Soprano.

Mrs Corney: the matron of the workhouse where Oliver was born, later marries Mr Bumble. Age 45-55. Soprano.

Charlotte Sowerberry: the rude but also flirtatious daughter of the Sowerberrys. Age 14-19.

Noah Claypole: The Sowerberrys’ apprentice, he bullies Oliver about his mother and enjoys a flirty relationship with Charlotte. Age 13-20.

Bet: Nancy’s friend, one of Fagin’s former pickpockets. Age 16-28. Alto.

Charley Bates: one of Fagin’s pickpockets. He is Dodger’s sidekick.

Mrs Bedwin: house-servant to Mr Brownlow and caretaker of Oliver. Age 45-65. Soprano.

Please note the role of Fagin has been pre-cast.

The Scene

Billy Buckett is set in 1959 in Wickford, a small Essex town in England. This is the colourful era of Teddy Boys and Judies, with milk bars, coffee houses, quiffs, bouffants, drape jackets, drainpipe trousers, crepe-sole boots, crinoline dresses and flatties – just as the world is awakening to the teenage revolution & the music that drives it wild: rock’n’roll!

The Story

Nineteen-year-old mechanic Billy Buckett oozes musical talent, rock’n’roll charisma and a couldn’t-care-less cool. Orphaned during the Blitz, the wanna-be pop idol yearns to swap his overalls for fame and fortune, but his soul is crying out for the love and acceptance he has been denied all his life.

When Billy falls in love with the vivacious and beautiful Janette Burns, daughter of Billy’s powerful boss, Arthur Burns, he finally finds someone who truly understands and believes in him. At first Billy and Jan keep their relationship hidden from Arthur, but when the secret slips, the consequences are devastating. Billy fights back the only way he knows how – through rock’n’roll. Can he find the happiness he craves? Not if Arthur Burns can help it.

Exploring the social conditions of a bygone era, and filled with fabulous 1950s-inspired original songs, Billy Buckett is laced with drama, pathos and a delightfully daffy British sense of humour.

Billy Buckett will have you rockin’ in the aisles!

Performances

Directed by Cath Mundy and Jay Turner

All tickets $25 – Click the Book Now tab

CASTING ANNOUNCEMENT

Here they are! The cast of Billy Buckett, the world premiere full production at Crete Street Theatre, Beenleigh:

BILLY BUCKETT: Steve Dorrington
JAN BURNS: Lauren Innis-Youren
LITTLE JAN BURNS: Laura Mooney / Keiley West (shared role)
HELEN BURNS: Linda Hall
ARTHUR BURNS: Ian Maurice
BIG TED: Douglas Rumble
MAUREEN: Allison Nipperess
BRIAN: Scott Young
MARTY: Lachlan Clark
SHIRLEY: Jermia Turner
BETTY: Kate Davies

CHORUS/ENSEMBLE & UNDERSTUDIES: “Factory Girls / Judies”
Daina Dickins (Jan understudy)
Lynne Braithwaite (Helen understudy)
Ashleighh Cates (Betty understudy)
Tiffany Harvey
Nikki McMahon
Talitha Glazbrook
Leeana Tamati
Ainsley Raymer
Rachel McDonald
Bianca Armstrong
Row Blackshaw
Britt Pukallus

“Garridge Lads / Teddy Boys”:
Phil Maas
Matthew Malone
Samuel Gregory
Mitchell Walsh

A-chord was founded in 2007 and is open to anyone over the age of 16 who has a passion for singing.

We perform regularly at the theatre and by invitation at other events and venues, in fact anywhere that we have an excuse to sing!

Rehearsals are held at the theatre on Tuesday nights between 7pm – 9pm.  Anyone wishing to join must become a member of Beenleigh Theatre Group (annual membership $25) and we also have a $2 per week sub to assist with our overheads.

Check out our Facebook page: A-Chord – Beenleigh Theatre Group.

If you would like further information, please contact Christopher King seekingmusic@live.com

There is a hive of activity behind closed doors for much of the year. If you are not keen on being on stage then one of the following activities might suit your skills.

All theatrical workers start off on Level 1 as trainees in their particular field. As you gain experience check off each position you have mastered.