Welcome  to  a  New  and  Exciting  Year  of  Theatre  in  2004
Special   Presentation for   the  Adelaide   Fringe   Festival
“A   Touch  of  Dickens”
an  adaptation  by John  G.  Sands

Assisted  by  Ric  Mepsted
Directed  by  Harold  Minear

See the characters of Charles Dickens come to life before your eyes.  This year we are pleased to present as a production for the Adelaide Fringe 2004, John G. Sands’ original masterpiece A Touch of Dickens.  John was an original cast member of the RAF Gang Show, which toured the world during World War II.  His began his theatrical career as a teenage tap dancer, touring the top theatres of the UK and subsequently appearing in many live television broadcasts.

Always interested in legitimate theatre, John appeared with the English Repertory Theatre Company in Devon and later opened his own theatre in London.  Then followed a series of tours with Tod Slaughter and Jenny Lynde in Sweeny Todd and Mariah Martin in the Red Barn, followed by a stint with Cecil Gray’s Court Players, a summer season with the Frances Yates Company in Kent, and an extended season with the Richmond Players.

After emigrating to Adelaide in the 1970s, John performed in several radio plays for the ABC, featured in television commercials, and appeared in the recent film Tish directed by John Howard.  Noteworthy was his appearance in Shakespeare’s Tempest during the 1998 Adelaide Fringe.

Since 2000 John has produced his own one-man show featuring original adaptations of Charles Dickens’ novels, entitled A Touch of Dickens, now part of the official Adelaide Fringe program.

John has a long association with St. Jude’s Players with performances in Night Watch, Waiting in the Wings, And A Nightingale Sang and The Sunshine Boys.  In addition John is always there with a helping hand for all the Players’ productions.  We urge patrons not to miss this extraordinary show by an extraordinary man of theatre.

Performance  dates

Week I:
St Jude’s Hall, 444 Brighton Road, Brighton
4–6 March at 8pm.  Matinee Saturday 6th at 2pm

Week 2:
Promethean Theatre, 116 Grote Street, Adelaide
9–13 March at 8pm.  Matinee Saturday 13th at 2pm.
Bookings – FringeTIX  Box  Office  or  online  at:      www.adelaidefringe.com.au

Christmas Party

A great time was had by all at the Players’ Christmas party, held on December 13.  Just for a bit of variety, instead of the usual mini-pantomime we had a ‘Red Faces’ talent quest, with guest judges Diana Mepsted, David Sabine and Peter Goers.  There was no lack of contestants, all competing for the $50 first prize. The standard of performance ranged from extremely nervous to highly polished, with every shade of talent in between. The winners were: 1st place ($50) – Audrey Weigh for her very funny ballet portrayal of ‘The Black Swan’; 2nd place ($25) – John Sands for his multi-character monologue ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’; 3rd place ($10) – Paul Bock and his niece Sinead for their rendition of ‘Something Stupid’.  It was all great fun and gave those not usually on stage an opportunity to showcase their talents.  So what will YOU do for next year? (Photos by Kerry Edwards)

The Judges	The Winner! Audrey Weigh

 The Cast from “A  Load  of  Bullamakanka”

On our last production: “That great old vaudevillian George Wallace, the original Boy from Bullamakanka, would have enjoyed this lighthearted poke at personalities and current affairs” — so said reviewer Russell Starke.  Director Rosie Aust and the cast had a great time presenting Harold Minear’s excellent revue.  Both the original music by David D’Angelo and his piano skills were a treat, and with Mel Tickle on drums and Ian Fleming on guitar, the audience was soon in toe-tapping mood.  The audience went out humming Robert McCarthy’s “Bullamakanka” theme tune every night.  The cast of eight included veterans Megan Humphries, Deb Walsh and Haydn Madigan, together with Joanne McDonald, Kay Saunders, Greg Janzow and Paul Richardson.  In his debut performance, Paul Bock was an inspiration and hopes to be soon cast again now he has the stage bug! 

Raffle Winner

Congratulations to Mrs Poulton, winner of the magnificent raffle conducted during the production of “A Load of Bullamakanka” and drawn on the final night.

Become a Subscriber and Never Miss A Show!

Our book of four discount vouchers to use over three productions is available now. Telephone 8296 2628 or print a form from our website.

 

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St.  Jude’s  Productions  for  2004

“Same  Time  Next  Year”
A bittersweet comedy by Bernard Slade
Directed  by  June  Hines
Starring  Ron Hughes  and  Rachel Burfield
April 20 to May 1, 2004

Relatively  Speaking
A comedy of mistaken identities by Alan Ayckbourn
Directed  by  Norm  Caddick
July 27 to August 7, 2004

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Special Event for Members and Guests Only