Proudly Presents

Secret Bridesmaids’ Business

Directed by Amy-Louise Anderson

Elizabeth Coleman’s

Season runs Feb 2 - Feb 23, 2019Thursday, Friday, Saturday Evenings @7:30pm

Sunday Matinees @ 2:00pm

Bookings 5532 2096https://www.gclt.com.au/booking.php

21a Scarborough St., Southport(behind the Westpac drive-through bank)

DIRECTOR - Amy-Louise Anderson

Amy has had a long-time association with Gold Coast Community theatre, both on and off the stage. As an actor she has appeared in a range of productions, most recently THE DOGLOGS at Javeenbah. While this is her first time as director at GCLT, she has appeared on stage in THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST and ABIGAIL’S PARTY and worked on the creative team of WEST SIDE STORY. Her directing credits are many and varied, and include a range of plays and musicals, sometimes as many as 4-5 a

year, most recently directing FORBIDDEN BROADWAY and AFTER JANUARY for Javeenbah. Amy is an established teacher at Marymount College and member of the NAPA family, as a teacher, director, private acting tutor and dance mum. This production sees Amy revisiting SECRET BRIDESMAID’S BUSINESS for the second time, after playing to role of Lucy at Javeenbah 18 years ago. Having nearly doubled in age since she last played with the text, Amy has thoroughly enjoyed discovering fresh perspectives in the work. The experience of working with this cast of actors, the designers and the creative team behind SBB has been nothing short of joyful. Amy would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Lawrie Esmond and Helen Maden who have generously given of their time and expertise to bring this spectacular set together. She would also like to acknowledge the special place Del Halpin played in the early days of the work and in the hearts of the cast. Every person who has given creative and logistical input have left their mark on this production, but the director’s final word must be to the infinitely warm, collaborative and downright hilarious cast.he laughter has been plentiful. The friendship you see on stage is real.

MEG - Michelle Macwhirter

ANGELA - Kate McNair

Michelle is thrilled to return to the stage after a long break, with her last GCLT role being Mary Brenham in our contry’s good in 2008. Her performances at Brisbane Arts Theatre have included Nevzeta in MISS BOSNIA (2005) and Madame de Tourvel in DANGEROUS LIAISONS (2004). In 2001, she won GCLT’s Best Supporting Actress Dolphin Award for her role as Michelle in STRIPPERS. Most recently, Michelle has turned her hand to writing. She

participated in Playlab’s 2016 Incubator program, writing the full-length play CLAN which formed part of HOTA’s 2017 Playwright Season. Her short plays have been performed in Short+Sweet Festivals in Sydney, Auckland and the Gold Coast, with FOR OUR KIND winning second place in its heat in 2013.

No stranger to the GCLT stage, Kate has appeared in a number of productions in leading roles since we first saw her in THE BOYS in 2011 - this was followed by COSI in 2012, THE REMOVALISTS in 2014, WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? in 2016, and most recently BARMAIDS in 2018. She is recipient the Gold Palm Theatre Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her portrayals of both Nancy in BARMAIDS and Martha in WHO’S

AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? Kate is excited to be involved in this production playing alongside a fun cast under the guidance of the inspiring Amy Anderson, and she hopes you enjoy the show!

LUCY - Kate Learmonth

COLLEEN - Virginia Leaver

Kate, like Lucy, just loves drama! Last seen on stage in THE DOGLOGS at Javeenbah Theatre Company & SYLVIA at Tugun Theatre Company, she is very excited to be playing a human role for the first time in two years! Kate is a local secondary school teacher and has been itching to play Lucy since teaching this Australian classic a few years ago. Not to be confused with Kate McNair or ‘Kate from work’, Kate hopes you enjoy a champas and SECRET BRIDESMAIDS’

BUSINESS - and, yes: in that order!

Virginia has been involved in community theatre for many years now - her most recent appearance was as Helen in OBSESSION and Florence in BILLY LIAR, both at Javeenbah Theatre Company. The last time Virginia was seen on-stage at GCLT was as Vernadette in Jim Dixon’s THE DIXIE SWIM CLUB. She joined the cast of this production relatively recently, but is delighted to have been given the opportunity to perform with this talented group - she

may (and then again, may not) be the senior member of the group but her experience is a welcome addition to a diverse cast!

JAMES - David Law

NAOMI - Susannah Kwan

David has appeared on stage and screen in productions including FLIPPER, THE WAYNE MANIFESTO and THE TEMPEST. Graduating from Bond Uni in 2007, David has been working in the film and television industry since, gathering musical and dramatic credits that include OLIVER!, THOR, BLACKROCK, AWAY and GREASE. As the only man in a cast of women, he has (secretly) thoroughly enjoyed his time in SECRET BRIDESMAIDS’

BUSINESS and wants to be sure to remind you that the character of James is NOT what’s he’s like in real life - really!

Susannah has been intermittently involved with Gold Coast community theatre for the better part of the last eight years. After playing one of the Ronettes in Spotlight’s LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (2010) and the crazy southern girl, Jolene, in DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS (2011), she took some time off to complete her journalism and teaching degrees. In 2015 she returned to community theatre, in Javeenbah’s production of FORBIDDEN BROADWAY and has had trouble staying away

from productions ever since. After a string of ‘good girl’ roles, such as Maria in GCLT’s WEST SIDE STORY (2016) and Cosette in Spotlight’s LES MISERABLES (2017), Susannah is excited to be playing the troublemaking Naomi Bartlet in SECRET BRIDESMAIDS’ BUSINESS.

PRODUCTION STILLS

James & Meg

PRODUCTION TEAM & CREWDirector Amy-Louise AndersonAssistants to the Director Jocelyn Moore-Carter

Georgia KruegerStage Management Jocelyn Moore-Carter

Di FrancisGeorgia Krueger

Set Design Helen MadenSet Construction Lawrie Esmond

George PulleyGary Learmonth

Blair SempleSet Painters Helen Maden

Amy-Louise AndersonSusannah KwanLouise AndersonFlynn Anderson

Lighting design Lawrie EsmondAndrew Borg

Sound Design Lucas CameronLighting & Sound Operation Lucas CameronCostumes & Props Amy-Louise Anderson & CastPhotography & Programme Shane CaddayeMarketing Michelle Macwhirter

James & Meg

UPCOMING PRODUCTION

~ 8 performers ~~ 22 musicals ~

~ Over 40 songs ~March 29 - April 14

Thu / Fri / Sat 7:30pm, Sun 2:30pmBookings 5532 2096

https://www.gclt.com.au/booking.php21a Scarborough St., Southport

(behind the Westpac drive-through bank)

Directed & Conceived by Shane CaddayeMusical Direction by Mary Walters