Anyone who has ever attended a performance at the Bay Playhouse knows very well what happens to them in the theatre.
They may drink a glass of wine in the foyer, perhaps buy a program, and then wander through into the auditorium where they are shown to their seats by a friendly usher.
The music changes, the house lights go down and the stage lights come up on a stage covered with scenery, where, very shortly a variety of actors and actresses will speak, sing, and perhaps dance for their entertainment.
But have you ever wondered how this all happens? Are there, perhaps “theatre fairies” involved?
Well there are fairies, and sometimes they are even seen on the stage. For example, next year’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream will feature a number of fairies, in a woodland, in that magical time of the year, the height of summer.
But most of the fairies are in fact just people, who all gather together out of their love for theatre.
And this Saturday (18/11) you will be able to meet some of those people as they show you the secrets of the Playhouse!
Bay Theatre Players will hold an Open Day from 10am to 2pm at the Playhouse in Gregory Street.
Please come along, look around behind the stage, see the “green room” where the actors wait to go on stage, take a look at the lighting and sound systems in the auditorium and the special lighting box from which they are controlled.
Everyone is welcome. Bring along your questions and your friends, enjoy some morning tea and a lunchtime sausage sizzle.
And if the thought of becoming a “theatre fairy” yourself appeals, find out how to become involved. Everyone has something they can bring to a theatre so come along on Saturday and take a look.
The following day, Sunday, is one example of how people are getting involved in BTP’s next production, The Dream. We shall continue to read the play – one of Shakespeare’s best known and best loved stories.
And at the end of the reading, audition information will be made available to all who would like to “tread the boards” next year, or become involved in some other way.
Please come along on both days if you wish and meet some “theatre fairies”!
And, tonight (November 15), our last but one play reading for the year, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time will kick off at 7pm. And, on Sunday (November 19), the final youth play reading of the year, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, will start at 2pm.
