The curtain goes up for 2003….

Our year commences with Alan Bennett’s The Madness of George III, directed by Les Zetlein.  Our staging facilities will be put to the test for this production with a cast of 26.  The play has enormous diversity with depth of characters, a balance of comedy and touching intimacy against a backdrop of power and history. The costumes are as resplendent as the eighteenth century itself and with all this you can expect to see a riveting production.

Heading the talented cast will be Tony Busch who has the title role, with Elizabeth Slee as his Queen and David Lockwood as Dr Willis. 

King George is remembered most for losing America and being mad, his other achievements mostly unknown.  He was a kind hearted devoted King who showed compassion and his reign of 60 years, was the second longest in British history. A cultured monarch, his keen interest in books was the beginning of the British Museum national library; he founded and paid the initial cost of the Royal Academy of Arts.  He was the first  King to use English as his first language and to study science and had his own astronomical observatory.  His keen interest in agriculture earned him the nickname Farmer George.

As the nation was, to a large extent, still controlled by the King and appointments to public office came from him, the very survival of Government was threatened if the King were ill or seemingly mad.  If power shifted to the Prince of Wales so did the ministry appointments, and those who were ‘in would then be out’. 

Alan Bennett has written a confronting and dramatic account of decline in a ruler’s authority and status when beset with a medical condition of which doctors of the time had no knowledge.  His eccentric behaviour impeding his ability to rule, with physicians imposing treatment ranging from the ridiculous and bizarre to the downright torturous, it is amazing that the King survived at all.

Come along and experience this delightful play with some beautifully wry (and typically Bennett) observations about the nature of kingship and politicians… and doctors.

Performance dates - 30^th April to 3^rd May and 6^th to 10^th May 2003 at 8 pm
Saturday Matinee   -  3rd  May  at  2 pm
Group Bookings - 15 or  more  $7 per person. Please phone Tarlee on  8294 1306 by no  later than Mon. 14^thApril
Ordinary Bookings - open  Wed. 16^th April at Brighton  Stationers  and  Newsagency, Shop  8, Brighton  Shopping  Centre, 525 Brighton Road, Brighton. Phone  8296  8902

Season Tickets to Shows 2003

Our book of four vouchers to use over three productions is now available. Please print a form from our web site or telephone for one to be posted to you.

Annual General Meeting

On the 13^th February we held our AGM.  Thank you to all those members who came along.  The committee for the ensuing year are; Les Zetlein (Chair), Vicky Wray, Judy Nimmo, David Evans, Rosemary Taylor, Isabella Norton, Ric Mepsted, Andrew Horwood and Sandra Preston.

		Committee 2003: L to R Ric Mepsted, Andrew Horwood, Rosemary Taylor, Les Zetlein, David Evans, Seated: Sandra Preston and Isabella Norton. Absent Vicky Wray and Judy Nimmo
Life Membership was bestowed upon Ric Mepsted (right) in recognition of his dedicated work to the Players over the past 29 years.  Ric trod the boards for the first time with the Players in 1974 in Baa Baa Blacksheep (directed by Isabella Norton) and over the years we have seen Ric in There goes the Bride, Too Soon for Daisies, Tom Jones and Penny for a Song to name just a few.  Work commitments limited Ric’s theatrical availability for a few years, but he not only returned to the stage, he has dedicated hundreds of hours to set construction and fund raising as well.  Since retiring from work Ric, with the support of lovely wife Diana, is another dedicated member determined to see that there will always be a St Jude’s Players.  After the official meeting and supper Ruth Sabine gave a slide presentation of Historic Adelaide including some early photos of the Queens Theatre.

Wedding Announcement
Mary-Jane Minear, life Member of St. Jude’s Players and former director, actor and treasurer will marry John Thompson on Sunday 18^th May at Windsor NSW, close to where Mary-Jane now lives.  We wish them both a long life of health and happiness together.

The St Jude’s Players other shows for 2003 are…

Laughter on the 23^rd Floor
Directed by Judy Menz.  Season commences on the 30^th July and will run to the 9^th August 2003.
( Warning:  This show contains strong language )

A hilarious play by Neil Simon set in New York in 1953.  While America watched I Love Lucy, Father Knows Best and Leave it to Beaver the team of writers for the Max Price TV Variety Show kept the jokes and gags coming thick and fast and importantly his show on air !

and  then  our  very  own Harold  Minear  has written another masterpiece
A Load of Bullamakanka
Directed by Rosie Aust. Season commences on the 5^th November and will run to the 15^th

Anyone who would like to audition for a role in this production should contact Rosie by telephoning 83574254.

Gift  Ideas  -  Caps  and  Tops
with  the  St  Jude’s  Logo
from  just   $7.50   available  from Embroidery   SA   Pty   Ltd
8 Seaforth Avenue, Somerton Park SA 5044
Telephone:    8358  5100     Fax:    8358  5122
E-mail:     sales@embroideryofsa.com.au

Keeping you informed
Since we had our crisis meeting last year we have found it necessary to re-organize our volunteer list into manageable groups under four sections with team leaders.  This way we can make sure everyone who wants to participate in any aspect of production, can do so.  Drop us a line anytime at the above address or by e-mail, if you have any questions or any suggestions.

Spotlight readers are reminded
If you are not already a member, you can join in the fun of being actively involved with St Jude’s Players.  It takes 3 months to put a show together, you can see and learn about set construction, costumes, lighting, props and prompt….you don’t know what you are missing!  It doesn’t matter if you have one hour to spare or 10 hours over the 3 months it all helps.  A $5 annual fee allows you to be invited to members only functions and voting at the AGM.  Telephone for details or join by printing a form from our web site.

Work shops
Due to the overwhelming response to our workshops there will be more arranged in the near future.

Web Site
Information regarding all aspects of St Jude’s Players can be found at our web site - stjudesplayers.asn.au

From London Mansion to Paris Streets
A Tribute to the late Keith Shutter

Last October St Jude’s Players lost a very dear friend.  Keith Shutter aged 76 died at Teneriffe in Queensland where he and his wife Barbara had retired some years ago.

Keith never trod our stage as an actor but, as a most creative scenic artist, he brought to life many of our sets.  His sense of period, location and colour made him one of the very best artists Adelaide has known.

We, at St Jude’s, had the very good fortune to have Keith’s expertise for many of our productions – Irma La Douce and Mack and Mabel to name just two.

He started his career as a signwriter with Ozone Theatres, then with a partner went into the commercial art business producing first class posters, displays and murals etc.  He was also a most active member of the Burnside Art Group contributing to group exhibitions and mounting a number of solo shows.

He worked for many of Adelaide amateur theatre groups, including the Therry Society, Blackwood Players and St Jude’s.  After his move to Queensland in 1994 he became actively involved with the Queensland Musical Theatre and the well known Twelfth Night Theatre.

Keith was a funny man – always ready to make us laugh.  He was a generous man and clever – but most of all, he was our friend.

We extend our sympathy and good wishes to Barbara and his family.  
 – dedication by Harold Minear

Annual Members Dinner
On the calm, warm summer evening of Saturday 8^th February, members of St Jude’s Players gathered at Swimmers Restaurant at the Seacliff Hotel for the Annual Members’ Dinner.  Whilst enjoying a sumptuous meal, we listened to the sweet impressive tones of Toby Martin’s voice and guitar, watching the sun set into the Gulf of St Vincent and felt a sense of pride and privilege to witness this special and unique sight of Adelaide.   

Answer to Brain Teaser GR  Oct/Nov 2002
From the word SPARKLING take away one letter so as to leave a new word.  Without disturbing the order of the letters continue this process, creating a new word each time until you have a one letter left.

Sparkling, sparking, sparing, spring, sprig, prig, pig, pi, I.

….and the new Brain Teaser:

“My first is in sailor,

 My second’s in gain;

 My whole, though oft shot at,

 Has never been slain.”

Brain Teaser supplied by Jan Houltby

Did you know

When St Jude’s Players began in 1948 there were forty two members and The Players are the longest running suburban theatrical company in South Australia.

We  wish  you  a  very Safe  and  Happy  Easter