LOCHABER SHOWSTOPPERS

Lochaber Showstoppers is an amateur musical drama group based in Fort William in the Highlands of Scotland.

Formed in 1993 we have presented two shows every year ranginging from Broadway Musicals to Gillbert & Sullivan and reviews to pantomimes.

Having already presented a very successful production of Hello Dolly in May 2007, we have just completed a sell out run  of our  Christmas 2007 pantomime CINDERELLA.  Having returned from our festive break rehearsals are now underway for our next production, Jekyll & Hyde in May 2008.

HISTORY

 

1993 - The Early Days

Lochaber Showstoppers was formed in May 1993 by founding members Douglas Yule, Jackie Wright and Jo Cowan.  These individuals got together and recognised that there was no other dramatic/musical society in the area and were keen to find out if there was an interest locally.  An advert was placed in the local newspapers for anyone interested to attend a meeting in St Mary’s Primary School and, to their delight, more than 40 people turned up.  Encouraged by this, a decision was taken to present Oklahoma! in the November of that year.  Nairn MacArthur was appointed as Director, the late dearly missed Heather Moore as Musical Director and Liz Milroy as choreographer. 

 

Oklahoma was a great success locally with almost 2,500 local people coming to watch the 3 evening performance at the Nevis Centre – this was on the back of a serious marketing campaign (something that Showstoppers works very hard at).  A decision was taken to deliver a main show each year and, if enough interest followed, a smaller Christmas performance.

 

The Shows

From there on, there was no stopping us, with show after show:

 

1993        Oklahoma!                                                      

1994        Guys & Dolls                           

1995        Calamity Jane                                      

1996        Fiddler on the Roof                              

1997        Gilbert & Sullivan Selection/Trial by Jury

1998        Viva Mexico!

1999        Carousel

2000        Me & My Girl

2001        Mikado

2002        My Fair Lady

2003        Oklahoma!

2004        Pirates of Penzance

2005        Irene

2006        Annie Get Your Gun

2007        Hello Dolly!

The above list is what we call our ‘main shows’, but we have also performed X Christmas shows at a variety of venues in Lochaber, some low key, some full blown pantomimes.

 

As we have matured, we have put in place mechanisms for show selection.  This is typically done by a mix of committee and production team members.

 

HOW THE CLUB WORKS

 

Rehearsals

We start our year in August, usually with an AGM, and then launch straight into rehearsals (and auditions) for our Pantomime – this year its 13, 14,15 December).  This gives us approximately 14 weeks rehearsal for the xmas panto.  We take a short break at xmas then launch into main show rehearsals and auditions, allowing us about 16 weeks rehearsal time – the 2008 main show is set for 15, 16, 17 May). 

 

Full Rehearsals are currently held at the Nevis Centre (in the Pheonix Nursery building) and start prompt at 7.30pm until 9.30pm.  They include a short break for tea and coffee mid-way, which is provided by the Club.  Principal rehearsals usually take place on a Wednesday (similar timings) but for 2007 it is proposed that they will change to the Thursday.

 

If you get a principal role, then you must be able to commit to attending all rehearsals, give or take the odd difficulty with holidays etc.

 

As the show approaches, we introduce a Sunday rehearsal, typically about 4 weeks before show week.  This normally operates from 2 – 5pm.  Again, all members must be able to attend these rehearsals.

 

The week of the show is very much ‘full on’ for Lochaber showstopper members (and all our musicians and technical support as well).  You will be required to rehearse the Sunday before the show week, and the Monday and Tuesday evenings of that week (often until 11pm).  This week requires a serious commitment from members and you are therefore asked to think carefully about your ability to take a full part in this before you come on board.

 

 

Members

Our members come from right across Lochaber, with many travelling from afar – Mallaig and Acharacle.  Our membership is open to anyone from the age of 12 and up and tends to be made up of one third young people (under 18) and two thirds 18+ years.  New members are always extremely welcome, especially men where, like thousands of organisations across the UK, we struggle to recruit male members.  For our younger members, Joy Napier is on our committee and has responsibility for helping you to settle in.

 

  

Production Teams

Our typical production team includes a Musical Director (or two), a Director, a Choreographer and a Technical Manager.  This team changes from year to year, with a number of Directors taking the helm. 

 

 

Our Orchestra

We are very fortunate to have been supported year on year by excellent lochaber musicians who give their time freely to our main production.  Some of our stage members have come from the orchestra, and vice versa.

 

Technical Team

Again, we rely heavily on willing hands to help with scenery design and building, sound and lighting board operation and set up, stage management etc, typically about 10 people each year, some of whom come from the cast themselves.  If anyone has a particular skill in this area (or a willing family member) please make it known to a member of the committee.

 

Costumes & Make-up

In most cases we hire costumes, but we do have a substantial wardrobe of our own which we use for some shows, or to supplement hired costumes.  We are also well supported by seamstresses who will often make costumes to our specifications.  We also have our own make up and are always keen for people with make up skills to help out during show week.  Any friends or family members that have skills in these areas would be warmly welcomed by Showstoppers

 

Front of House

Again, we rely heavily on other volunteers around show week to help take tickets and look after the cast back stage.

 

Funding

A main show normally costs Showstoppers about £5000 - £6000 to produce.  Over the years we have managed to buy some of our own equipment (sound and lighting) and this has helped to keep us financially sustainable.  During most of our years, we have managed to cover our costs – sometimes making a loss with a costly main show but a profit on a more cheaply produced xmas show).  Our income comes mainly from ticket sales (typically an audience of approximately 700-800), programme sponsorship and raffle takings. Showstoppers has managed to maintain a relatively comfortable financial position but is always keen to ensure it has some funds in case any disaster hits!

 

 

Committee

There is a strong committee working for Showstoppers – it always has been.  Committee members are not passengers, there are always lots of jobs to be shared out, be it finance, marketing, handling tickets, fundraising etc.  Your current committee is shown below (with a brief note as to their special interest or contribution):

 

Morven Cameron         President                                                          07775 870144

Sheena Coull                Secretary and Vice President                            07737 321299

Alison Boyle                 Treasurer, Costumier, Ticket Office                  07901 978719

Joy Napier                   Youth Development, Archive, Photography       07796 018420

Mark Boyle                  Technical, website                                            07775 515082

Dave Foster                 Technical/Art                                                    07967 525521

Eric MacKenzie            Communications – Newsletter                          07828 889231

Chris Josie                    Newly elected

Lyn Slezas                    Newly elected

           

The committee meets the first Monday of every month (except for July when they get a well earned rest!).  Please make use of your committee, and, where necessary, feed matters through them for the committee meetings.

 

Communication

Like all clubs, we struggle to ensure that club matters and information gets communicated as widely as possible, however, we are all human and working in busy jobs as well as running showstoppers.  We try to communicate key information at rehearsals but we are increasingly also using our website.  There is a strong desire to use email as well so please make sure we have your email address.  Please, if you want to know more about what’s going on, just ask one of your committee members.

 

Membership

All members pay an annual membership for Lochaber Showstoppers.  This is currently set at £35, £20 (over 60 yrs) and £15 (under 18 yrs).  This membership helps to cover the cost of rehearsal venues and insurance, which typically costs about £1200 each year.  Your treasurer will be chasing you for this over the first couple of months with full payment ideally by end of September.  For brand new members, we are happy to allow a settling in period before you take the big step of committing to our next show.  Please note that it is vital that everyone pays this membership – if not, then you are not insured to be on stage.

 

September 2007

 

www.lochabershowstoppers.co.uk