Michael Politi. Headshot for The Sound of Music, Taken in 2020
It is with much sadness that we bring you the news that one of our long time QP family members Michael Politi passed away at the South Coast in his favourite place on the beach. It has come as a great shock to us all. There is no news as yet when his funeral will be. It seems Michael had a massive heart attack while walking along the beach.
Michael was the Musical Director for QP’s next show The Sound of Music and over the years performed with QP in shows and was Musical Director for our last performance of Mikado.
He touched many lives and was a lovely, gentle man. Michael in all his wisdom would say let’s all keep going and enjoy life. He was a very special man and will be greatly missed.
Michael Politi in Queanbeyan Players’ production of Kismet 2014
What an unusual start to 2020 we have all had! In amongst it all Queanbeyan Players are still here! We had a very successful AGM in early March and would like to introduce our new committee: President: Alison Newhouse Vice President: Christina Philipp Treasurer: Benjamin Martin Secretary: Janette Humphrey Committee: Carmel Bourke Tony D’Abrera Gail Giuliano Anna Greenwood Jenna Hinton Janetta McRae Joe Moores David Tricks
Congratulations to all!
In 55 years this is the first time QP have had to postpone a show. The Sound of Music Commenced rehearsals in early February. With an amazing cast and dedicated production team we accomplished a great deal in six weeks of rehearsals, so much so we had had a run of Act 1. This was before everything came to a screeching halt with COVID-19. We had stopped rehearsals 2 weeks prior to the official Social Distancing measures came into play. We made this decision for the health and safety of our cast and production team. Then we got notice from the Queanbeyan Palerang Council that The Q was postponing all future shows for at least 6 months. All going well our new dates for Sound of Music is in October. The whole cast were naturally disappointed but are all enthusiastically waiting to return to rehearsals and we are all looking forward to bringing Sound of Music to The Q stage. Keep safe and healthy and we will be back soon!
Queanbeyan Players are proud to announce the cast for our June 2020 show – The Sound of Music. Co-Directed by Alison Newhouse and Anthony Swadling, Musical Direction by Michael Politi and Choreographed by Jodi Hammond.
Principals- Maria – Lydia Milosavljevic Abbess – Louise Gaspari Captain – Michael Jordan Elsa – Tina Robinson Sis Berthe – Sarah Powell Sis Margaretta – Dale Rheynolds Sis Sophia – Lauren Welfare Max – Terry Johnson Franz – Peter Smith Frau Schmidt- Rachel Horne Admiral – Chris Bennie Baron – Hugo Walker Herr Zeller – John Potter
Rolf – Samuel Dietz Liesl – Kay Liddiard Freidrick – Joss Kent Louisa – Charleigh Byrne/Sienna Heaver Kurt – Willum Hollier-Smith Brigitta – Ebony Gagel/Erin Stiles Marta – Anneka Hollier-Smith/Gabriella Heron Gretl – Lola Hamlyn-Harris/Edith Baggoley
Nuns Chorus – Katrina Wiseman Tara Davidson Christina Philipp Maria Dennehy Jill Young Christine Rufflet Kath Temple Jane Faulder Lenore Cupitt Shelley Salzke Cathy Cleary Pip Russell-Brown Debra Byrne Margie Roser Alana Wade Mary Mullamphy
Postulants – Lauren Evans Kate O’Brien Jackie McIntyre Annika Presser-King Anna Tully Brittany Lewis Emily Hosie Annabelle Ferrington Lillee Keating
Male Chorus – Ben Martin Rylan Howard Joe Moores Zac Izzard
The Queanbeyan Players AGM is on Tuesday 10 March 2020 in the The Acacia Room at The Kangaroo Leagues Club Richard Avenue & Stuart Street, Crestwood Qbyn NSW Time: 6.00pm Dinner – Dining area – everyone welcome to have dinner first 7.30pm The Acacia Room – AGM
We would love to see you all at the AGM! All positions will be declared vacant. For more information and nomination forms please contact our Secretary Janette Humphrey at queanbeyanplayersinc@gmail.com
When – Sunday 23 February Time – 10.00am – 2.00pm Place – 18 Barrow Place, Queanbeyan Lunch and Drinks will be supplied
Below is a list of some of the things we will be endeavouring to get done on the day: Cutting down dead vegetation. Breaking up pieces of set no longer needed Raking up leaf litter and rubbish. Possibly dismantling the giant stairs Taking all steps/stairs out and checking depth for safety standards. Going through paint cans and either keep or throw out. Rubbish timber in the skip. Tidying up and sorting the screws. Travel trunks need finding and decisions made about which ones to keep. The Glass Chandelier needs to assemble so a photo can be taken, ready for sale!
Things we are looking for to make improvements: If anyone has some spare sections of roofing material eg Colourbond fence pieces, a new cover needs erecting over the lean to at the back of the sheds.
Volunteers need to wear suitable clothing and covered shoes. Volunteers also need to bring tools and safety glasses etc. QP has limited tools.
Unfortunately the day will not be suitable for small or younger children. With all the large pieces to be moved around the she there will be safety issues. We would love to see people coming out to help even if it is only for a short time that you can spare.
The Pirates of Penzance A Queanbeyan Players event supporting bushfire recovery
Saturday 29 February 2020
Rehearsal from 10.30am – performance at 7.30pm
Acacia Room, The Roos Club, Queanbeyan
Come and sing The Pirates of Penzance with the Queanbeyan Players on Saturday 29 February to raise much needed funds for bushfire relief.
All singers are welcome to come and join the chorus. There are no auditions, and you don’t need to know the music – we will spend the day learning the chorus parts before a concert-style performance in the evening, featuring principals from past QP productions. You won’t need to memorise any music, as we’ll perform with books. Matt Greenwood will teach the vocal parts and conduct the performance. You’ll also be sent the music and a link to midis beforehand.
The suggested donation for participation is $20. All funds raised will go to St Vincent de Paul NSW’s Bushfire Appeal.
To participate or for more information, contact Anna Greenwood at annamgreenwood@outlook.com with your contact details and voice type, and she’ll send you more details. (You don’t need to contact Anna again if you’ve already emailed her.)
If you love Pirates but don’t want to sing, come and join the audience. The performance will start at 7.30pm, and tickets will be available at the door for a suggested donation of $15.
Thank you to The Roos Club for allowing us to use the Acacia Room at no cost.
The hills are alive with The Sound of Music AUDITIONS! That’s right…auditions are now open for our next show. Visit the Auditions page or email Janette at janette@webone.com.au for an audition pack and to book a spot. Audition dates for Children are 7/8 Dec and for Adults are 14/15th Dec in Queanbeyan.
We are excited to announce our wonderful cast for our next show – OLIVER! Opening 27th of September.
Oliver – Willum Hollier-Smith Dodger – Joss Kent Fagin – Anthony Swadling Bill – Michael Jordan Nancy – Emily Pogson Mr Bumble – Chris Bennie
Bet – Alyssa Anderson Noah – John Whinfield Charlotte – Lillee Keating Charlie – Finn Dunne Widow Corney – Tina Robinson Mr Sowerberry – John Potter Mrs Sowerberry – Sarah Powell Old Sally – Philippa Russell-Brown Mrs Bedwin – Alison Newhouse Dr Greenwig – Patrick “Patthew Stowey” Stoney Mr Brownlow – David Leigh
Youth Chorus Freya Rowell – William Best Annabelle Moloney – Sabrina Robinson Eleanor Graham – Violet Izzard Brodie Robinson – Des McRedmond Bianca Lawson – Tadhg Loadsman Ebony Gagel
Adult Chorus Anna Levy – Dale Rheynolds Lauren Welfare – Kay Liddiard Maddy Calder – Benjamin Martin Anna Tully – Jackson August Yasmin Medforth – Mackenzie Rae Abby Maskell – Shaylie Maskell Marli Haddeill – Michael Row
Congratulations to this wonderful cast!
To participate with the show please submit an expression of interest with which role(s) you would like to help with.
Auditions for Queanbeyan Players’ production of Oliver are now open.
Children’s auditions:
Saturday 11th and 18th May
Adult auditions:
Friday night 10th and 17th May with some to be held on
Saturday 11th and 18th May.
Email Janette at janette@webone.com.au for an audition pack or to book an audition.
“Consider Yourself” part of the family and get in quick as spots are sure to rush out the door!!!
