This is the poster for the Hobart Run. Sorry, I don't have a poster for the new run in Launceston.

In Februrary 2009 Old Nick presented a new play by Paul McIntyre. Well, it’s been picked up by Centr Stage and is being performed at the Annexe Theatre, Centre of Performing Arts in Launceston from 10-13 March. Book online here, or phone Theatre North on 6323 3666.

The show is directed by David Quin.  Here are the program notes:

Paul McIntyre – Bio

Paul McIntyre graduated from the Centre for Performing Arts at the University of Tasmania in 1994. The same year Paul co-wrote the play ‘That Guy’ with fellow CPA graduate James Haslem, which went on to be named ‘Best Tasmanian Play of 1994’ by theatre critic Wal Eastman. In 1995 Paul began working for the ABC in Hobart, writing scripts for radio and TV. Despite his full time commitments with the National Broadcaster, Paul continued writing for theatre (‘Shooting Cupid’, Mainstage Theatre Company, 1999) and directing, (‘Amadeus’, Mainstage Theatre Company, 2000, ‘Fools’ Old Nick Theatre Company, 2001, ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’ Hobart Rep 2002). Paul began writing his third full length play, ‘Who Knows’, in the winter of 2006. Nine drafts and five public readings later ‘Who Knows’ premiered at the Peacock Theatre in February 2009 and was also featured at the 2009 National Play Conference.

Paul McIntyre – Writers notes

When I first had the idea for ‘Who Knows’ it was little more than the image of a fan dressed as an Ice Warrior sweltering in the heat of a Hobart summer. It wasn’t much to go on which is probably why it took me a number of years to actually put pen to paper. Eventually, in the winter of 2006, I was hit by inspiration in a second hand clothes shop in Auckland listening to ‘I’m Too Sexy’ by Right Said Fred on the radio. Looking back, the original draft seems embryonic and somewhat niave but thanks to a dedicated band of Hobart’s best performers (you know who you are) the script developed into the glistening and shiny creature you see before you. My heartfelt thanks goes to the BBC for their constant support and trust. Also I would like to pay tribute to all the writers quoted in this evening’s performance – without them this play would never have been possible – no, really!

Also, there is a vague rumour that the play may also get a production run in Canberra.

First off, new registrations are now authenticated by a reCAPTCHA process (those boxes where you type a couple of words to prove you are human and not a spambot). This means I don’t have to approve each new member. You have no idea how many attempts there have been to register fake users so this site can be spammed for cheap drugs and Russian brides.

I have also added this process to the comments box, and removed the requirement that you become a member to leave a comment. I’ll review this after a while and see how it’s going.

This one in the Tasmanian Times makes some interesting points.

Scott Farrow talking to Michael Veitch on ABC Local Radio (thanks ABC).

Here is the Australian Stage review.

I’ll add more when I get the time (the show keeps me rather busy).

Scott Farrow will be on ABC Local Radio 936 tomorrow (Monday, 1st March) at 2:30 talking to Michael Veitch!

Excellent result!

Also, Craig will be interviewed tonight (Sunday, 28th February) at 9:50pm on Joy, the Melbourne Gay and Lesbian radio station. You can listen on-line by clicking here, and you can find out more here.

And if you feel passionate about how some Senators have abused their power, you can always write to the Mercury.

And a quick message to the ABC saying how much we appreciate them wouldn’t hurt.

I won’t mince words here. I’m pissed off. And this is not some publicity stunt to promote the show. I really wish we and the ABC had been left to do what we normally do.

Because of some ill-informed, incorrect allegations by two Tasmanian senators while under parliamentary privilege at a senate estimates committee meeting, our current production, Keating!, will now not be mentioned on the ABC.

We will not get the normal coverage that local theatre productions get.

We will not get the chance the perform a song or two on Tim Cox’s Live At The Centre segment.

We will not be mentioned on the ABC at all.

And Craig Wellington may never be asked to work at the ABC again.

Why is this? Because some parliamentarians feel that parliamentary privilege gives them the right to say anything they like, true or untrue, for any reason, without fear of consequences. Basically, they abuse this privilege for their own gain.

See the attached PDF document for all the details.

And these same parliamentarians will wonder why they are held in such low esteem by the community.

Edit: Here are links to the story in The Mercury and Tasmanian Times.

Edit edit: Here is a link to the Crikey article. You need to be a subscriber to see the whole thing, but you can get a free 21 day trial

Gazing into the future

Here are some rehearsal pictures for the upcoming production Keating!

There are also some pictures of the start of the makeup process. Don’t worry, we don’t give away how the characters will finally look. To see that, you need to book now!

Sunday February 28 @ 2:00pm
-or-
Monday March 1 @ 7:30pm.

Here’s a link to Google Maps just in case you need it.

Can’t print out the form? Don’t worry about it. We’ll have forms you can fill out when you arrive – just bring yourself.

Want to really have a good time? Bring a friend. Or 27. (prize given if you bring 27 friends (the prize is a thumbs up)).

Need more information? Email us!

Don’t know what Uni Revue is? Read on after the link…

Who is Old Nick?

Old Nick is a Tasmania’s premiere amateur theatre company, and has been presenting the annual Uni Revue and other theatre since 1948.

What’s the Uni Revue?

The Revue is an irreverent, satirical parody of topical matters both local, national and international. Essentially, it’s a pisstake of things that have happened in the past year. We take everything from politics to music, TV shows to poo jokes and put them on stage. It’s 90 minutes of singing, dancing and telling jokes.

Do I have to sing, dance or tell jokes?

Yes. You will do at least one of these three things. You don’t have to be good at doing them, you just have to be willing to. There’s also places for people who want to work backstage, in costume, in set design/building, in writing or developing jokes or in the band. Just fill in the form and let us know what you want to do.

Do I have to get naked?

No. Nudity is optional and makes no difference to your place in the revue. In fact, we won’t even ask you about volunteering for nudity until well into the rehearsal period.

What are the requirements for being in the revue?

You must be at least 18 years old.

You must be available for rehearsals and the Hobart and Launceston performances. You need to be free Tuesday & Thursday nights and all day Sunday from March until May. You need to be able to spend a week in Launceston (fully paid for by Old Nick) for the week May 21 – 28.

You need to want to have fun.

Do I have to be a uni student?

No. You can be a student, a full time worker, unemployed or a pensioner. If you’re 18+ and willing to have a go then you’ve got what it takes.

Bookings are now open for Keating! You can book at the Theatre Royal in person, by phone on 03 6233 2299, or online by clicking here!

You can check out all the details, including cast, here.

Update 19/1/2010: All positions mentioned below have been filled. Thanks to all those who responded.

Our next show, Keating! The Musical, has a number of backstage positions still to be filled. These are:

• Assistant Stage Manager
• Sound Designer
• Lighting Designer
• Costume Assistant
• Hair and Makeup Designer

If you are interested in any of these positions, or know of any that may be, please email the production office for details.

We have found a more reliable provider of skip bins, so we are going to try to cleanup Letitia St again! Hooray!

This will happen on the Saturday, January 30 starting at 10am. It will also incorporate a cleanup of the wardrobe area, so any help for that and general cleanup duties would be welcome.

There will be a BBQ as well, presided over by our President, Graeme Paine OAM.

If you can help, please email me.

And we still have some items being stored for other theatre companies (yes, Casey, I’m looking at you) so these need to go on or before that saturday, or you know what will happen…

Finally!

However, I’m not sure about the name “Cassie X”….

Casinova is done, and the results are presented here. The Unicorn disks are in a bit worse shape, and will take longer to do.

To hear the files from Casinova, click the “read the rest of this entry” link.

Don’t expect great quality. The recording has a bit of reverb from the venue. I’ve cleaned up the recordings as much as possible.

The audio files are actually stored as YouTube videos, for various reasons. However, if you would like the MP3 files, email me and I’ll send them to you.

There are eight items, but the last is split into two parts due to YouTube’s restriction of 10 minutes per item.

The first is the opening number and sketch:

The second is a take on Romeo and Juliet:

The third is a send up of a local TV fitness presenter of the time, Sue Becker:

Next is a visit to Tasmania by pop singer Normie Rowe:

This one is a mix of things presented as a TV news magazine program. Very similar to the current Revue’s News segment:

Next is a commentary on TV preachers:

The compulsory psychiatry sketch:

And the last is a two parter on Tasmania’s race into space:

…and Tony Manley singing songs from past revues!

Some pictures can be seen here.

From Don Hopkins, the Theatre Royal operational manager:

“Just a short note to thank you, in particular and Old Nick in general, for your support on our open day. It was a great success for us, we think about 1,000 people through the doors on the day, your contribution was appreciated greatly by all of us at the Theatre Royal.

Cheers

Don”

Thanks to everybody who helped to setup the room or man it during the day.