Welcome to 2009

One year closes, and another great year for Panorama Theatre begins!  We are thrilled to have Carmen Powell at the helm of another exciting production.  Carmen’s own company is up for 10+ awards at the soon-to-be held  Lyrebird Awards, which is a reflection of her talent, enthusiasm and preparation.

Carmen has worked backstage for Panorama previously,  [all those in “42 ^nd Street” will recall her calm, organised assistance], and so has relished the opportunity to return to Panorama once more!

Bryn Bowen, Musical Director, is a Panorama stalwart, having performed on stage, and played in orchestras for our company.  His musical talent, and his ability to impart his wealth of knowledge, ensures that he is held in esteem by the Panorama community.

Karen Pottinger, of course, [also known as “Luke Vare’s mum”, and as a keen supporter of this company], will undoubtedly bring, in her role as choreographer, a standard of creativity and skill   that cannot be surpassed.

Our cast, all 14-21 years, will bring a brilliance and energy to “Guys & Dolls”  ....  a well-maintained reputation of which Panorama is proud to boast.  Again, there are a number of new faces in the Company; Panorama is renowned  for providing opportunities to youth to excel both on stage and behind the scenes, allowing opportunities that senior companies cannot or do not offer.  This was reflected in a speech given at the recent Music Theatre Guild Awards, when Panorama was praised both for its standards of production and the opportunities it continues to generously offer.

Our performers are encouraged to balance home, school/uni and work commitments and it is justified to say that their results reflect that this can be done most effectively, given the success of our 2008 VCE and Uni students.  Educators universally comment that continuing a community activity is imperative to students’ well-being, and the Panorama rehearsal and performance schedule reflects our support.  There is no excuse for dropping out of a show – rather the emphasis needs to be on reinvigorating the approach to time-management, and recognising the financial commitment that Panorama’s hardworking committee invests in each and every performer and production.

When one looks at cast and crew lists of senior companies within the wider peninsula region, names of “Panorama graduates” on production lists abound.  All who are heavily imbued with the determination to keep Panorama’s name in the spotlight it so richly deserves, continue to be thrilled with these folks’ success.  However, as sometimes is the case, what Panorama has provided is sometimes forgotten.  It is hoped that many of our past performers and crew will have the opportunity to reflect upon the incredible opportunities for development, which were so generously proferred, and  volunteer to assist in some capacity in a future production.

This opportunity to also taken to thank companies who continue to demonstrate their interest in our prestigious company – particularly Mornington CEF Players, Frankston Theatre Group and Rosebud ASTRAL Theatre Company.

Our Annual General meeting soon approaches.  There are opportunities to be on committee but we all understand that this is not everyone’s interest.  In every show, there are many tasks, and the old adage ‘many hands make light work’ is SO true!  Come along and join in; say what you CAN offer!

2008 Music Theatre Guild Awards

All those who travelled to Ballarat in early December were thrilled to hear Lizzy Garnsworthy’s praise of Panorama Theatre Company and its contributions to youth theatre.  Lizzy also mentioned her admiration of the standard of production which Panorama always strives to present.

There were many nominations and commendations for members of the Panorama family, both past and present, and our warmest congratulations is extended to you all!

NOMINATIONS 2008

          Dancer’s Award

                Matt Holly, The Wedding Singer

          David Harrison, The Wedding Singer


    Gladys Moncrieff Award for First Performance in a Featured Role

                Mark Rees, Fagin, Oliver!

 COMMENDATIONS 2008

                Choreography

                Katrina Eley, The Wedding Singer

                Female Performer in a Supporting Role

                Catherine Booth, Rosie, The Wedding Singer

Tessa Fox was presented with a Judges’ Award for her portrayal of “Linda”  in Panorama’s  Victorian premiere of “The Wedding Singer”.  Tessa is a long-standing member of Panorama and will be appearing as a specialist dancer in our April production,  “Guys & Dolls”. Well done, Tessa !

GUYS AND DOLLS

Rehearsals start bcak on the 30th January, at the studio at PCT, at the Mornington Peninsula Community Theatre Site.