Throwback Players
Throwback Players was created to bring fresh and thought provoking theatre to a wide audience. Throwback aims to use ensemble pieces to encourage wide involvement in theatre in a friendly and social atmosphere, while producing shows relevant to people our age. With the rise of television and American mainstream cinema, we believe the appeal of theatre needs to be updated to compete with such mediums. In Semester 1 2008, Throwback Players presented the highly topical and thrilling Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
Director: Gavin Ballard
Producers: Matt Ead, Kat St Lawrence
gavin-at-gavinballard.com or matthew.ead-at-gmail.com
www.sweeneytodd08.com
University of Melbourne Music Theatre Association
The University of Melbourne Music Theatre Association (UMMTA) is a completely student run theatre group producing music theatre of all types, eras and scales. We offer members of the university community the opportunity to get involved in all aspects of putting on a musical, including creative, technical, production and instrumental roles. Since 2002, we have staged two productions each year including Pirates of Penzance, Jesus Christ Superstar, Cabaret, The Pajama Game, Fame and, most recently, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown.
In October UMMTA is presenting the 1960s classic, Sweet Charity, telling the story of Charity – who wants to be loved so much she has lost sight of who she is. Charity sings, dances, laughs and cries her way through romances with the “animal-magnetism” hero, the “ultra-chic-continental” hero, and the “impossible-to-believe-but-he’s-better-than-nothing” hero. Wonderful musical numbers include Big Spender, If My Friends Could See Me Now, Too Many Tomorrows, There’s Gotta Be Something Better Than This, I’m a Brass Band and Baby, Dream Your Dream.
To be directed by Artistic Director, Caitlin Adams, Sweet Charity will be a production on a grand scale and will be staged in the Union Theatre in Week 10 (October 15-19). For more information see our website www.ummta.org, send an e-mail to contact-at-ummta.org or join our mailing list (via the website).
The Germanic Players
The Germanic Players have been around Melbourne Uni for 20 years. We put on a show every year in German. This does not automatically qualify us to be the coolest theatre group on campus, but we think that is merely because we are largely misunderstood. For some reason, the German language isn’t nearly as trendy as it should be. But I ask you: where would your average The Age journalist be without the handy addition of the word über (as in über-cool) to their vocabulary?
Enter Germanic Players: here to once again reinstate German as the über-trendiest language on campus. It also helps that there are loads of über-great plays written in German. For instance – did you know Brecht was actually a German? Of course you did.
In any case, Germanic Players are Melbourne University’s only German Theatre group. In 2008 we are performing Der Besuch der alten Dame (The Visit) at the Guild Theatre, Union House in second semester, Week 5 (27 – 30 August). This is a classic play by the Swiss-German playwright Friedrich Dürrenmatt, which deals with love, money and revenge. And yes, the show is all in German. But so are most of the good movies on SBS.
Taco Teatro
Taco Teatro is a new group in 2008. In producing Spanish language plays we aim to spread a love of both Spanish language and Spanish theatre to both uni and school students and the broader community. Taco Teatro’s first semester production was Rojo Amanecer, based on a film of the same name.
Melbourne University’s Flare Dance Ensemble
A student-run dance group which aims to provide opportunities for university students to indulge in the many expressions of dance including the chance to learn, teach, choreograph and perform dance pieces including jazz, hip-hop, ballet, contemporary and ethnic dances. We perform yearly at the hottest nightclubs and events around Melbourne plus an annual production around October to showcase the talent of our members.
Flare also offers free classes at the start of semester and other get-to-know-eachother activities to create a friendly and hopefully lifelong friendship building environment for anyone interested in dance. If you’ve got the heat, take it to the floor. We look forward to performing with you.
Contact us at: enquiries-at-flaredance.com or simply visit our website www.flaredance.com
Melbourne University Shakespeare Company – MUSC
Melbourne University Shakespeare Company was founded in 2006, with the initial goal of “funkifying” Shakespeare, and generally “bringing sexy back” to the work of The Bard, as he is commonly referred to by people, and by other people as well.
MUSC’s debut production was a colourful rendition of Taming of the Shrew; a bombastic bonzanza of codpieces, bright tights, iPods, and general Shakespearean silliness. We followed that with Loves Labour’s Lost, EMO-STYLE! In ’07 we took some old-favourites and gave them the MUSC treatment. Episode One: A Midsummer Night’s Dream….. done OUTSIDE! Puck, Bottom, Quince, Titania, Oberon and co. graced the grasses before the Bailleu library, drawing wary glances from the students above, and cheers and applause from those who chose to bring a rug and attend the festivities. The year took a new direction, Becc Feretti bringing Romeo and Juliet to sell-out audiences in a raw and artisitically daring production, where everyone played Romeo, everyone played Juliet, and everyone knew the ending. Such was the complexity and sheer beauty of the production, that it took home the coveted ‘Production of the Year’ award at 07’s Cabaret and Awards Night.
And now 2008…. there are dark clouds on the horizon. First semester = The Tempest. Second semester = Macbeth
Chinese Theatre Group
Chinese Theatre Group (CTG) is a well-established non-profit student theatre group at the University of Melbourne. Since 1990s, we have produced plays that explore the many facets of Chinese culture and society. Besides, CTG caters students with an avenue for learning and participating in theatrical productions both off and onstage. CTG also provides an opportunity for students to meet new friends and to fulfill their leisure time.
In first semester 2008 we presented an original production The Tailor’s Masterpiece. In second semester we present 「美人计」 The Beauty Entrapment
Thirteen years ago CTG began with an English musical play entitled Lady White Snake. We later explored several Mandarin and then Cantonese productions, which coincide with our aims in promoting Chinese culture. Among them are The True Story of Ah Q, I have a Date with Spring, The Family, OhTouchwood! and a mandarin version of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night which was nominated Best Performance by Union House Theatre in 2005. We look forward to more people joining in the family and to continue to create outstanding performances and last but not least to preserve interest and passion for theatre among students.
Medleys – The Med Revue
Now in its 87th year, Medleys is continuing the proud tradition of winning over audiences and critics alike with ‘hilariously entertaining’ – (www.stageleft.com.au) original comedy. The show is comprised entirely original work, a number of hilarious sketches and a dazzling musical, set to the sounds of a live ten-piece band.
The show has always enjoyed great audiences and good reviews and most shows have sold out over the years. in 2008 we will uphold the tradition with a fantastic and talented cast.
This show is hilarious – The Age
Medleys is also a non-profit organisation and each year donates all proceeds to charity. Last year Medleys supported the Suicide Helpline Victoria and Ekshonge.
Email: Medleys.producers-at-gmail.com
www.themedrevue.com
Chinese Music Group
Chinese Music Group (CMG) is a non-profit organization that provides students with the opportunity to participate in various Chinese cultural and music-related activities. The highlight of the year is CMG’s Annual Musical Production, which showcases the musical skills and acting abilities of our members, as well as the talents of our production crew. In recent years, CMG has staged original productions, including The Tunnel, Karma and Tails.
In second semester 2008, we are proud to present to you another original musical production, What Binds Us. A story revolving around six friends who reunite ten years after a devastating fire changed their lives. Though they have moved on from that incident, each still carry scars that burn beneath the surface.
Regular CMG meetings include social gatherings, club activities and performance rehearsals offering committee members, actors, dancers, musicians and music lovers the chance to immerse themselves in the CMG ‘family’. CMG is currently the only Chinese group of its kind in Melbourne.
