Right, I'm going to take the plunge and start the first thread, and (hopefully) a popular one at that:

SHOW IDEAS 2010

Come one people, let's have your thoughts!

Shelley

Apparently Ragtime is available for amateurs now.

I heard the CD a long time ago. Musically, it is feasible to do but whether we have the right type of cast, I have no idea. It would be worth investigating though as it received 12 Tony nominations in 1998 and may prove popular with people who want to see a new musical.

Hi Shelley

Hope I am doing this right. Gave my idea for shows at the Exe Mtg last night. It will be interesting to see what other ideas people have.

See you next Wed. for Social

Barbara S

Hello again,

Ok, hopefully you'll have received an email asking for your thoughts on some shows for the 2010 main society show, so here they are again - please leave some comments so we can guage what you guys really want to do!

BLTIZ
7 BRIDES FOR 7 BROTHERS
CALAMITY JANE
HELLO DOLLY
MACK AND MABEL
INTO THE WOODS
RETURN TO THE FORBIDDEN PLANET

Peter has also mentioned RAGTIME in an earlier post, so lets have your thoughts on that too!

Shelley

I like the idea of either Calamity jane (cowboys!!) or Return to the Forbidden Planet as it has some good songs in there! Didn't know, thanks for the song list Shelly! Could possibly be COS's We Will Rock You if marketed well enough as has alot of classic Rock N' Roll songs in it!

If it's Return to the Forbidden Planet, you'd better "Brush up your Shakespeare"

I think Calamity Jane or Hello Dolly are probably the best known shows and there are some good songs for the chorus but it would be great to do Into the Woods or Blitz just for something really different.

It is great to see a varied choice of shows for 2010
It will come as no suprise to many that I would like to see COS perform Blitz
It is a BIG chorus show and the roles cover all ages. Maggie has stage managed this show at the Stag Theatre in Sevenoaks Kent and I constructed the set. It is from this experience that I recommend this production to COS
Trevor

I am unable to make the next Exec meeting and know this subject will once again rear its head. I have looked at available shows via the net and am no further forward really. My concerns with 'Dolly' and 'Calamity' are that they are old boilers that suffer so badly from being hammed up I don't think they project a fresh bright image for the society. We not only need to attract an audience but also a worthwhile cast! Forbidden Planet is a good show but I wonder if our current membership is really up to it....after all its a bit of an excuse for a karaoke in funny costumes and the on stage performers are usually playing the music on the stage. Another concern is that there isn't really a great deal of input from the prospective cast members so how can we know what direction is the most popular. I have my own favorite but it is not a massive company show, not our traditional box office fodder and artistically maybe a little too ambitious for our society if recent productions are anything to go by. By my own volition I accept that we are 'village hall stars' but the Mercury is a very expensive 'village hall' to perform in and our productions really should reflect the quality of the venue and the budget. Sweeny Todd is still high on my list and with the recent film publicity I think there could be sufficient 'halo effect' to help it sell. I've seen Blitz and whilst I remember that it was quite a good show I really would worry about it selling in sufficient numbers. Yes we could hype it up as a Lionel Bart show but that would then beg the question, why has it never been a hit? A headache indeed but I believe a crucial decision to make that should not be rushed into...maybe a ballot of the current membership may be a possibility?

Oh and just to add, 7 Brides....not a chance. Seven men and women that can dance!!!! I don't think we can even begin to embark on that journey.

I think that it is a shame to see a committee member put down the Society and its members on a public forum.

I agree with previous posters that it would be nice to do something a little different like Forbidden Planet, but taking into consideration the need to draw in the public on a two week run Calamity Jane or Hello Dolly seem good choices.

Best Wishes,
A Daniels.