THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE:
Over the last few months the Production Team and Cast have had so many changes thrown at them – change of date, illness, people having to drop out due to other commitments and even the Monday of show week did not go to plan as the scenery arrived 6 hours late throwing the technical rehearsal into disarray. Everyone connected with the show must be congratulated for the professional way they dealt with all that happened prior to and during the show.

HALF A SIXPENCE: TUESDAY 26TH - SATURDAY 30TH OCTOBER 2010.
Dates for your diary:
Wednesday 24th February: Annual General Meeting at 7.30pm. Please note only paid up members are allowed. The “Get- Together” which follows at 8.30pm is open to everyone.
Wednesday 24th March: Workshop at 7.30pm.

AUDITIONS: Wednesdays 7th and 14th April and Sunday 18th April

REHEARSALS:
Company rehearsals each Wednesday from 5th May until 20th October at 7.30pm and Sunday afternoons 26th September 3rd, 10th and17th October.
ALL THE ABOVE EVENTS WILL BE AT ST. ANDREWS HALL except Sunday 10th October venue to be confirmed.

CAST: We urgently require some male singers/dancers over age 16.

MEMBERSHIP: Unchanged from last year.
Acting Members; Adults - £25.00 per annum
Under age 18 years at time of Show - £15.00 per annum
Non-Acting Members; £15.00 per annum.
All membership fees must be paid by 1st July 2010 or you may not be in the Show.
You will also be asked to pay a Costume Fee of £15.00 and £1.00 at each Company Rehearsal, which goes to offset the cost of the Rehearsal Room.

COSTS: The costs of staging productions at a large Theatre (The Plaza seats 1300 people) are escalating each year. In “Millie” every member of the cast had at least 3 costumes at cost of about £18.00 each plus the cost of wigs. The combined Costume and membership fees do not even cover these items. Our shows are of a very high standard and cost almost £40,000 to stage. If we wish to continue putting on shows to this same standard, more effort must be put into ticket sales and helping with the distribution of posters and leaflets. Three members managed to sell over £1000 of tickets each, some sold NONE at all, others only 2 or 3. Everyone should be able to sell at least 20 tickets. Ticket sales are our main source of revenue.

FUND RAISING: During 2009 we had three events, - two candle “parties” and a Christmas party/concert. These raised about £600. Our thanks to Pauline Browne for organising them and to those who supported them. We need more of these events -ideas will be welcome.

110th ANNIVERSARY:  The Society was founded in 1900 and we would like to mark this momentous occasion by holding a Celebratory Dinner/Ball probably in September. We need a small sub-committee to organise the event. Please contact Pat Marney (0161 427 7121) if you would like to help.

 MANCHESTER MUSICAL AWARDS:  Saturday 12th June 2010 at the Longfield Suite, Prestwich: This is always an extremely enjoyable evening with good food, good company and a chance to meet members of other Societies. Last year Steve Harrison won the award for “Best All Round Performer” for his role as “The Music Man”. This made the evening even more enjoyable. Please make a note of the date.

SHOWCASE 2010 at the Lowry Theatre Salford - Sunday 11th July 2010. We have been asked to replace Romiley Operatic Society at this prestigious event for this year.

OBITUARY: We were sad to hear of the death of Frank Buckley on December 11th 2009. Frank had been our Treasurer for many years and then our Auditor until 2008.

Sincere thanks to everyone who was concerned in any way with the show and especially family and friends whose support is invaluable.