We are looking forward to new adventures for Pilgrim in the coming year.  But first a report on our latest production 84 Charing Cross Road.

84 Charing Cross Road

Huge thanks to our magnificent director, Richard Purro who led the team to produce an outstanding production of this classic play.  We were well served by a dedicated and talented cast and crew (see Awards item later) and received warm acclaim from our audiences.  We are pleased that this was a good choice for us and for you!

Farewell to Bruce Weston

Some sad news for us at the end of the year was to hear that our former Chairman for many years, Bruce Weston, is leaving Auckland and therefore stepping down from the Pilgrim committee.  Bruce retired from his full-time work in December and is moving to Blenhiem to live. The committee gathered at a BBQ at Mary and terry Boyd's house to farewll Bruce, and Marion Hines spoke of his committment of more than 25 years to Pilgrim on the committee as well as on the stage.  One of the highlights was when Pilgrim hosted a special evening to launch the publication of five plays that Bruce had written: Plays for the Journey. Pilgrim have taken all five plays on tour around the churches in the region.  Auckland's loss is Blenhiem's gain and Bruce will no doubt be entertaining the people of Blenhiem, and inspiring churches with plays in the future.  Thanks Bruce for all you have so willingly given to Pilgrim over the years.

2009 Theatre Award nominations

We are very pleased to announce that we have have been recognised by the Northern Area Performance Theatre (NAPTA) Awards and the Auckland Community Theatre Trust (ACTT) for our 2009 productions. We have received the following nominations:

NAPTA

The Day they Kidnapped the Pope

Best Actress in a Play – Lynn Webster as Sara Leibowitz

84 Charing Cross Road

Best Actress in a Play – Lynn Webster as Helene Hanff

Best Actor in a Play  –  Bruce Weston as Frank Doell

Best Play  –  84 Charing Cross Road

ACTT

The Day they Kidnapped the Pope

Best Male in a leading role – Anthony Carroll as the Pope

Best Male in a supporting role  –   Dennis Petrone as  Irving  Leibowitz

Best Supporting Female  –   Lillian Shaddick as  Miriam Leibowitz

Best Set Design  –   Chris Webb

Best Properties  –   Mary Boyd

Best Costume Design  –  Marion Hines

84 Charing Cross Road

Best Female in a leading role –  Lynn Webster as Helene Hanff

Best Male in a leading role – Bruce Weston as Frank Doell

Best Director –  Richard Purro

Best Male in a supporting role  –   Andrew Gordon as  William Humphreys

Best Supporting Female  –   Kerry Thornton as Cecily Farr

Best Supporting Female  –   Karen Yates as Maxine Stuart and Megan Wells

Best Female in a minor role  – Glenda Matchett as Joan Todd

Best Male in a minor role  –  Geoff Barlow as Mr Martin

Best Ensemble

Best Costume Design  –  Gwyneth Glover

Best Set Design  –  Peter Carr

Best Stage Management  –   Mary Boyd

Best Lighting Design  –   David Powell

Best Sound Design  –   Peter Carr and Jacqui Rice

Best Properties  –   Glenda Matchett

The NAPTA awards will be announced on 27 February 2010 and the ACTT Awards on 6 March 2010. 

2010 Production

So what’s on the boards for the coming year?  Well, after those award nominations we believe we have a hard act to follow!!  The committee has had one evening reading scripts and we are still choosing the best to offer you.  We will announce the production and director in our next newsletter. 

New members always welcome!

We are always welcoming of new theatre enthusiasts, so if you know of anyone wanting a new hobby (no experience required) please let them know about us.  We are a happy group that enjoy making new friends and can provide training in various areas of interest, whether on stage, back stage or on the administration side.  Contact Marion Hines Ph 376 6583.

In the meantime, we hope this newsletter finds you well.  We wish you many blessings in all you do in 2010 and leave you with the words from a hymn by Joy Dine –

God who sets us on a journey to discover, dream and grow,

lead us as you led your people in the desert long ago.

Journey inward, journey outward, stir the spirit, stretch the mind;

love, for God and self and neighbour marks the way that Christ defined.

©  Joy Dine