They are for the guild procession rehearsals. As we have said before we would like everyone to attend at least 2 rehearsals (more if possible).

It would also be great if as many of you as possible could get to the first one as there is no Mack and Mabel rehearsal on that day.

The dates and times are as follows…
Sunday 5 August – 12pm – 5pm
Sunday 12 August – 10am -12pm
Sunday 19 August – 10am – 12pm
Sunday 2 September – 10am – 12pm

For rehearsals that are 10am-12pm it would be advisable  to bring some lunch  if you are in Mack and Mabel as you will have a rehearsal starting at 1o’clock.

Bruce McLaren – Best Leading Actor in a Musical - La Cage Aux Folles

Neil Townsend – Best Artistic Direction of a Musical – La Cage Aux Folles

Best Musical – La Cage Aux Folles

Best Pantomime – Aladdin

We were thrilled that Neil Townsend won in his category adding a second regional award to our collection!

Mack Sennet                                     Mark Kendall

Mabel Normand                               Lucy-Ella Smith

Lottie Ames                                       Kirsty Chapman

Frank Wyman                                    William Buckley

Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle                 Bruce McLaren

Charles O. Bauman                          Geoff O’Hara

Adam Kessel                                      Matt Williams

Ella                                                      Louise Anson

Freddie                                               Ali Roocroft

Andy                                                    Joe Pollard

Thank you to everyone who auditioned – the audition panel were blown away by the incredibly high standard and the production team now know what a hugely talented company we have!

The part of William Desmond Taylor is not yet cast and if anyone is interested in auditioning please call Ruth on 01772 721835 for more information.

Dance auditions (tap) will take place this Thursday (3^rd May) at 7.30pm and all the company are called to a read through on Thursday 10^th May.

The scores and scripts will be available at the welcome meeting on Monday but if anyone wants to have a copy before then to give Ruth a call on 01772 721835.

The other groups who participated in Guild Voices were Preston Orpheus Choir, Preston Opera, Preston College, Preston Cecilian Choral Society and the Lancashire Youth Concert Band.

The event was held on Saturday 31st March at The Guild Hall.

More photos can be seen in the Society Facebook Group.

Peter Taylor joins us as director, Edward Rugman as Musical Director and Lorna Cookson makes a welcome return to choreograph the big tap number in the show. Bruce McLaren will assist Edward as chorus master.

Peter is an experienced director from Lytham who has achieved great NODA success with his outstanding productions including Blood Brothers (Fylde Coast Players), Billy Elliot (Clifton Academy), The Railway Children (Morecambe Warblers) and Jekyll and Hyde (St Annes Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society). Peter is also the Taylor of Cuffe and Taylor Event Management whose events include Lytham Proms, this year featuring our own Alfie Boe. 

Edward is from the Fylde and is a highly qualified musician with a wealth of experience of musical theatre. He studied at the RNCM in Manchester and is currently MD for Blackpool Operatic Players’ production of Titanic to be staged at The Grand Theatre this week.

Both Peter and Edward list Mack & Mabel as one of their favourite musicals and are both delighted to join the Society.

The introductory evening for the show will be at Harris Primary School on Monday 23rd April at 7.30pm and everyone is welcome to come along to find out more about this fabulous musical.

Further information on auditions will be posted on the website in the next couple of days with initial principal auditions being held on Sunday 29th April.

We look forward to seeing you on the 23rd! Please telephone Ruth on 01772 721835 for further details.

Preston Musical Comedy Society’s official Preston Guild 2012 production will be staged at The Charter Theatre from 18th to 22nd September – to find out more come along to our welcome meeting on Monday 23 April at 7:30 at Harris Primary School.

The production team will present their plans and answer any questions. Auditions will be on 29 April so make sure you come along and don’t miss out on what promises to be another outstanding show!

Our winners:

Bruce McLaren – Best Actor (Male)- La Cage Aux Folles

Joe Pollard - Best Actor (Male) – Jack & The Beanstalk

Dan Kings & Julie Oldfield - Most Entertaining Performance – Aladdin

Neil Townsend – Best Director – La Cage Aux Folles

Eddie Regan – Best Director – Aladdin

It wasn’t just a night for the individuals, everyone who was involved in La Cage and Aladdin should also consider themselves to be winners of an award as we also got:

Best Musical - La Cage Aux Folles

Best Overall Production – La Cage Aux Folles

Well done to everyone! Now what to wear next year to collect the next batch….

The cut off point for the awards year had been moved to bring the District Two year in line with the North West Region year. This means that the period covered for these awards was 1st August 2010 to 31st December 2011. We received a record number of nominations this year and we hoped that as many members and friends will attend as possible, as it promised to be a great night. Our nominations were as follows ;

Musicals

Bruce McLaren – Best Actor (Male)- La Cage Aux Folles

Neil Townsend – Best Director – La Cage Aux Folles

Best Musical – La Cage Aux Folles

Pantomimes/Compilations

Gavin Tyrrell – Best Supporting Actor (Male) – Aladdin

Dan Kings & Julie Oldfield – Most Entertaining Performance – Aladdin

Donatella Banks – Best Actor (Female) – Jack & The Beanstalk

Alice Salisbury – Best Actor (Female) – Aladdin

Joe Pollard – Best Actor (Male) – Jack & The Beanstalk

Eddie Regan – Best Director – Aladdin

Best Staged – Aladdin

Best Pantomime/Compilation – Aladdin