Valley Artists

Date: 20-Jan-09
Author: Valley Artists

‘eclecticA', it's a wrap!

Director's Report

After three months of work by fifty eight members culminating in seven public performances to a total of 430 people, ‘eclecticA' cleared out of Laguna Hall on November 30th.

All involved expressed joy at their accomplishment. Eight new theatre pieces including a full length play were presented with all actors playing multiple roles (old young, young old, men women, women men, such is the way of the thespian).

I heard a few complaints about the length of the evening's presentation. Happily, theatre is not constricted by the formats of other media and all productions vary in length. Apologies to those who didn't appreciate (at the very least) the amazing value for money. To make it up to you our next presentation will be no longer than twenty three minutes (including a twenty minute interval). Really.

As usual, Valley Artists lifted its flap to first-timers, this time in writing, acting, directing, and technical production. With Valley Artists the opportunity always exists for people to learn and use new skills, and to pass on any they might already possess. In theatre a huge diversity of skills are essential to any production.

My thanks to those folk brave enough to give it a bit of a go. My thanks also to the older hands who are so willing to share their knowledge and skills for the benefit of the whole.

Personally, I had an exciting journey and learnt a lot about both myself and playmaking. I could not have completed the task without the energy and thinking of all concerned. We did it. Finally, my thanks to the company for their faith, trust & hope in allowing me to direct this new work. I know me, and I probably wouldn't have.

Alan Glover Director (Ret'd) ‘eclecticA'

PS. I must express my personal regret that some scripts were missed in the initial play building process. Writers, please hang on to those scripts and write more as other opportunities will be along. Meantime, I will work to improve VA's mail distribution network.

Merry Xmas to all and thanks for the community support throughout 2008. See you all in April '09 for our next production of 'The Rise and Fall of Little Voice', to be directed by Janine Oliver.