Page 23 - OT_70th Anniversary
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This was an enjoyable comedy for the cast Although our cast members/players are our
and audiences alike. Five women ‘faces of the Octagon’, there are very many
inheriting a derelict theatre, imagine the literally behind the scenes who have
chaos, and - yes - it happened! helped throughout the years to give our
audiences the experience that is THE
Octagon. They are those who don’t seek
nor get seen in the spotlights nor make the
programme headlines.
To all those unpaid and unsung heroes
who attend our regular working bees, wait
at tables, launder the tablecloths, wash the
dishes, clean the washrooms, serve the
refreshments, take the photographs,
arrange the publicity, distribute the posters,
take the minutes, pay the bills, make the
repairs, remove the rubbish, seat the
'Curtain Up'
Our next production was to have been audiences, organise the dining room, apply
'Plaza Suite' but unfortunately we were for funding, maintain the databases, source
unable to cast the play. We therefore the music and sound effects, apply for
decided to bring the next planned play performance rights and music licences,
forward a wee bit and fortunately the timing engineer the lighting, manage the cast and
of this was more suited to the would-be crews, source the props, dress the cast
actors so 'Penny Blue' by Vanessa and sew the costumes, design and build
Brookes, directed by Wendy Berridge, was the sets - and those volunteers who
brought forward. previously did the catering – my gratitude
and thanks. It is my pleasure to work
among you.
Carol Freebairn
President 2018
'Penny Blue'
Carol directing the 2017 Green Room working bee
NOTES:
Most of the content in these historical notes was originally
compiled by Jim Montgomery, Keith Thomson and Barry
th
Freebairn for the 50 Anniversary and were edited and condensed
by Richard Harris, Margaret Adcock and Barry Freebairn.
Our final production for 2018 is to be a Later came the 60 Anniversary edition thanks to the efforts of
th
musical revue to celebrate the life of the Bob Bullivant
th
society, so ... Before we knew it, we were about to celebrate our 70
Anniversary in 2018 and it became a combined effort of Carol
Freebairn (author), Pete Romer (photography) and Wendy Fulcher
'Here's to the next Inevitably, between us, we will have got some things wrong –
(editor and compiler).
10 years!!!!' important omissions/errors and even some of the maybes. We are,
dates, events maybe? Please accept our apologies for any
after all, performers and lovers of the arts rather than reviewers!
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