November 2007 News

Email david@davidspicer.com to order perusals  or to unsubscribe (quote t)


* THE BOY FROM OZ release inspires Australian musical resurgence.
* CARMEN CUBANA - a Latin Pop Opera
* Side splitting new THEATRE RESTAURANT comedies to die for.
* New Youth Musicals - Including TREASURE ISLAND and FOOTROT FLATS.
* Classic Plays - BADJELLY THE WITCH by SPIKE MILLIGAN, FORESKIN'S LAMENT and LADIES NIGHT.
* CRUISIN gets rave reviews in Perth
* FOR SALE the set from EUREKA - magnificent revolve and costumes for bargain basement price
* Visit to Melbourne/Ballarat on December 1 & 2.
*LOLA MONTEZ turns 50.

THE BOY FROM OZ.

I am excited that the release of The Boy From Oz has inspired many theatres to stage entire seasons of Australian musicals.

The World Amateur Premiere of The Boy From Oz will be staged by the Miranda Musical Society Sydney in March 2008 - followed by a season of Eureka in 2009.

CLOC will stage the Victorian Premiere in May and follow with Hot Shoe Shuffle.

The Queensland premiere will be in September at The Gold Coast Arts Centre - which is preparing a magnificent set made for touring.

The Bankstown Musical Society and Canterbury Theatre Guild Sydney are staging an entire season of Australian plays and The Boy in 2008.

In Adelaide, Brisbane and Newcastle theatres are planning to stage The Boy with Paris.

Other bookings have come through by the Orange Musical Society, Tamworth Musical Society and North Queensland Music Theatre.

2009 bookings will be considered over the next few months.

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International Theatrical Agencies have invited me to introduce some very exciting new works to Australia and New Zealand. You can read synopses and even download previews of plays, musicals and pantomimes at the following web-sites.

Plays and Musicals http://www.playsandmusicals.co.uk
Jasper Publications http://www.jasperpublishing.com
Playmarket http://www.playmarket.org.nz/home


* CARMEN CUBABA - A Latin pop Opera. I have a magnificent DVD perusal of an exciting new adaptation of Carmen from Europe.

This has sensational music and dancing opportunities www.carmencubana.com

Set in Cuba in the summer of '94. Where 32,000 Cubans attempted to sail the Florida Straits to the shores of Miami. Our Carmen is one of those people. Her raft, carrying family members and friends capsize and their lives are saved by the Coast guard, but they are delivered to Guantanamo Bay Navel Base, in Cuba and become the first group to be detained indefinitely. Being on Cuban soil, occupied by Americans, is not Carmen's idea of the American dream. Regardless of the danger, she knows she cannot be a prisoner and begins her plot to escape. Under these circumstances she sets her sights on Joe. A shy corporal only interested in doing his duty.


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* Side splitting new theatre restaurant comedies - STIFF and HIGH HOPES.

STIFF....( Australia only ) http://www.aprilphillips.com/pages/stiff.htm This one will make your audience die laughing.

Angel Delight, the illegitimate daughter of a funeral parlour director, inherits the business when her father dies. Before she can sell the business she has to continue to run it as a funeral parlour for a further five years. Unfortunately she knows nothing about the funeral business but a lot about another profession which is the oldest one around. (4M 4 W)

HIGH HOPES by Steve Carter.

"Welcome to High Hopes Airline. Flight 96. Please remember your flight number in case we end up flying upside down." Hold on to your gas mask for a flight to remember direct from Sydney to Auckland. This comedy written by Queensland writer Steve Carter has a new joke every second paragraph. (11 W and 7M including passengers, hostesses and hijackers)


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YOUTH MUSICALS - DOWNLOAD SCRIPTS AT http://www.playsandmusicals.co.uk

CRAZY CAPERS DODGY DEALS. by Chris Goy.

It's 1971 and the "Class of 65" are gathering at a seaside resort for a reunion weekend.

Frankie 'the fingers' Fuller and his intellectually challenged sidekick John 'Duggs' McGee book into the Grand Hotel with the sole intention of tunnelling through to the bank next door. Having asked for Room 1 or 2, their first disappointment is that Reception misheard them and they've been placed in Room 102 on the 3rd floor instead. It gets worse when they discover the school reunion party in the hotel is their old school !


TREASURE ISLAND by Stephen Kinsbury

A jolly salt-encrusted musical adventure on the High Seas!

This universally known story is superbly brought to life with an injection of song, dance and humour. The original plot is woven into a superb musical version, capable of being played by children (12+ years) or adults. All the original characters appear - Jim Hawkins, Long John Silver, Ben Gunn etc but Certain 'liberties' have been taken with RL Stevenson's original plot and words for added laughs.

FREE AND EASY - A KAOKE MUSICAL by Bill Cronshaw

"... slips effortlessly through moments of foot-tapping exhilaration, topical in-jokes, touching drama and outrageous comedy." BBC

Set in a pub in Manchester call the Last Drop - a family owned hotel famous for its Kaoke. The peace is broken by a visit from a brewery consultant who demands a hefty payment or else the pub will be turned into an entertainment centre including Pole Dancing. Uses classic 50's and 60's songs including Rock Around the Clock. These boots were made for Talking.

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New Zealand's premiere theatrical agency Play Market has invited me to offer the best of Kiwi comedy to Australian Theatres.

http://www.playmarket.org.nz/home

Where else should I start but with a musical about.........Sheep.

FOOTROT FLATS THE MUSICAL. by Roger Hall, Philip Norman and AK Grant Estate

Based on the classic comic strip by Murray Ball. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Footrot_Flats

The comic strip style is retained within the story involving the claims of town versus country as Cheeky tries to lure Wal away from the farm. The familiar characters of Wal, Dog, Cheeky, Aunt Dolly, Horse, Cooch, Prince Charles, Dolores and others provide between them two hours of music and laughter. (4M AND 4W PLUS CHORUS)

BADJELLY THE WITCH Play by Alannah O'Sullivan

A lively adaptation of Spike Milligan's popular children's story. Tim and Rose go off in search of their cow Lucy who has been stolen by the wicked Badjelly and her giant servant Dulboot. On the way they meet many characters including Binklebonk, the tree goblin, Silly Sausage, a barking grasshopper, Mudwiggle the super strong worm and the very polite Dinglemouse who was once a banana! (4m 4W)


FORESKIN'S LAMENT Play by Greg Mcgee

"As a play about rugby it's utterly authentic...a comic vein which runs from gross (but menacing) humour to finely ironic wit"

The play catches Foreskin at a point of crisis. With one foot in the rarified world of the university and the other in the playing fields of his hometown rugby club, Foreskin (a rugby nickname) begins to find the two worlds unmarriable. He admires the people in the team for their raw vitality but when these qualities begin to be undermined by personal and team ambition at the sacrifice of the individual and the spirit of the game, Foreskin finds himself unable to move with these changing values. ( 7M 2 W)


LADIES NIGHT - by Anthony McCarten and Stephen Sinclair.

The rags to riches tale of how five Kiwi destitutes rise to the heights of male stripperdom and their own understanding of what the opposite gender want. Yes this was the play which inspired the Full Monty ( 7 M 1 W ).


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CRUISIN AROUND PERTH.

I enjoyed my recent trip to Perth to see a spectacular production of the 50's rock n roll musical Cruisin staring Glen Shorrock and the Murphy brothers.

The Western Australian got it right in their review... "it's bucket loads of fun."

There were many stand out performances none more so than the composer and conductor Rod Christian who led a SUPERB band.

I also visited the Murray Music and Drama Group's performance of Paris which continues this week.

They had excellent singers and a fabulous Trojan horse which you wouldn't believe could fit into a small theatre.


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EUREKA SET AND COSTUMES FOR SALE.

The entire set and costumes from Eureka is stitting in 4 shipping containers in Melbourne.

It includes a nine metre double revolve. It is a donut within a donut.

The centre revolve is six metres the outer revolve is three metres.

It is run by a motor on the side with two cables.

The revolve cost $120,000 to build. But it will be sold.

NO REASONABLE OFFER WILL BE REFUSED.

Michael Harvey would prefer that a theatre which intends to stage Eureka to buy the revolve. However this is an asset which could be used in many different productions.

Also for sale are the costumes and other sets.

Have a look at them.

http://essgee.com/html/Eureka/photos.htm

NO REASONABLE OFFER WILL BE REFUSED.

Email david@davidspicer.com if you are interested. It will open for inspection in Melbourne during early December.


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VISIT TO MELBOURNE AND BALLARAT.

I am visiting Melbourne and Ballarat December 1/2 for the Music Theatre Guild of Victoria's award night.

Please contact me if you like to meet me for a chat.

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LOLA MONTEZ TURNS 50.

Speaking of Ballarat ....2008 is the 50th anniversary of the Australian musical Lola Montez.

http://www.davidspicer.com/lm.htm

I have one booking already Neptune Productions on the far north coast of NSW in the Tweed Civic Centre.

If you live nearby put 22 Aug to Sept 14th 2008 into your diary.

Thank you for reading my newsletter

David Spicer

* The Boy From Oz - amateur rights available now.
* Get a Discount if you follow The Boy From Oz with another Australian musical
* Major pro-am Production of Cruisin the Musical starring Glen Shorrock in Perth.
* Back to the 80's and Disco Inferno accepted into the world's largest music theatre agency in USA
* David Spicer to visit Brisbane this week and Perth in late October - available for lunch.
* Judith Prior scores 40 productions in 07.
* Vale Alan Burke


The Boy From Oz....
My wife and I are thrilled to announce the release of the rights of the most successful Australian musical of all time and the only one to become a Broadway hit ...... The Boy From Oz.

We are honoured that the Producers Robert Fox and Ben Gannon chose my little agency - which began in a small home office and a garage 10 years ago - to represent this iconic work. Now community theatres and new audiences across Australia and New Zealand will soon be able to enjoy this musical tribute to the late great Peter Allen.

I first met one of the show's producers - Ben Gannon - in 1998. I mentioned to him that community theatres might like to do it. And hey presto just 10 years later it is all about to happen.

Sadly Ben Gannon lost his battle with cancer in January. I know he was very excited at the prospect of community theatres in every corner of the nation performing this musical. Performances of The Boy From Oz will be a lasting tribute to his special talent, as well as Peter Allen.

One of the first amateur performances of The Boy From Oz will be something very special.

It will take place in Peter Allen's home town of Tenterfield.

A local amateur theatre will tour The Boy From Oz next year to this remote small country town in the north of New South Wales.

So the journey of The Boy From Oz which started in Sydney - and made it to Broadway and then returned to Australia for last year's amazing arena tour starring Hugh Jackman will return to the place where the Tenterfield Saddler once worked.


HOW TO APPLY

Applications from theatres will be received through out September. Email or send a letter containing your theatre's name, contact details, proposed venue, seat capacity, recent productions, and reasons why you believe your company is best equipped to stage The Boy From Oz in your community.

The edition being released to community theatre is the original 1998 production with book by the late Nick Enright. (I am also very excited to represent one of Nick's great works.)

Yes you need a very specially talented man to stage this show - but also remember the next three biggest leads are female roles. Peter Allen's mother- Marion Woolnough, Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli. This is also a fabulously large chorus show. There are lots of opportunities for your costume department and choreographers to have a ball.

The first ever New Zealand production is scheduled to take place in Auckland in September 08 by the Auckland Music Theatre Company.

I am expecting a stampede from Australian community theatres....all eager to wave their maracas.

The selection criteria for Australian theatres is the ability to stage The Boy From Oz in the biggest venue in your community at the highest standard.

Where there are a number of neighbouring theatres all able to do the show justice then a secondary criteria will be considered.

That is to follow The Boy From Oz with another Australian musical.

In Melbourne the CLOC Musical Theatre will stage the Victorian Community Theatre premiere in May 2008. I am excited that they are following The Boy From Oz with another Australian musical licenced by my company Hot Shoe Shuffle.

http://www.cloc.org.au/currentproductions/currentproductions_nextshow.htm

If CLOC one of Australia's best community theatres can follow The Boy From Oz with another Australian musical - so can any theatre.

For ideas order my catalogue and free CD and visit the DSP Australian musical page at

www.davidspicer.com/aussie.htm

As a special offer a 10% discount on royalties and a 20% discount on book hire will apply to the following shows for any theatre staging any one of them in the 12 months after a season of The Boy From Oz.

The discounts apply to Reg Livermore's Ned Kelly, Lola Montez, Beach Blanket Tempest, Boy's Own McBeth, Cruisin, Paris, Eureka, Ginger Meggs, Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, Humdingers, The Merrry Widow From Bluegum Creek, Ned Kelly's Sister's Travelling Circus or one of the excellent comedies or children's theatre pieces by Peter Pinne and Don Battye.

A 20% discount for royalties will apply for performances of Manning Clark's History of Australia the Musical.

I encourage theatres to use The Boy From Oz to make a further contribution to Australian musical theatre.

CRUISIN THE MUSICAL.

http://www.davidspicer.com/cruisin.htm

The biggest budget DSP production so far will take place in Perth with a pro-am production of Cruisin the Musical.

The Australian rock 'n' roll legend, Glenn Shorrock and the third runner up in 2006 Australian Idol, Chris Murphy, have been signed to play two of the leads at the Regal Theatre opening on 26 October.

Shorrock will play the part of the father in this exciting and energetic musical with book, music and lyrics written by West Australians, Rod Christian and Peter Waterman. Murphy will play the part of Johnny Angel who runs a kids rock n roll club.

CRUISIN', which has been developed over 15 years, is set in the '50s and encompasses the tribulations of the strict traditional immigrant Italian Russo family in Australia coming to terms with the culture shock of living in a new country, as well as with a son who is faced with the dull prospects of being caught up in the family small goods business rather than following his dream of playing guitar and singing in a local rock 'n' roll band.

The tension is also heightened when the parents discover their good Italian girl is a band groupie.

Seven High Schools are staging Cruisin this year. Here is what Alison Morgan from Queen's High in New Zealand said.


"I just wanted to let you know that we have just completed our season of CRUISIN and it has been a huge hit with the students, staff, and community.

It was a great show and the kids got right into it. The songs and dance was just amazing and the students did so well at keeping in their characters.- esp those with an Italian accent!

We had a cast of 50 with a separate group of 18 lead dancers made up of boys & girls who did a fabulous job.

People who came to see it were moved by the story line and were touched by Rosa & Vincenzo and their struggle to adapt to the new life their children were immersed in.

From a directors point of view the songs were easy to teach, loved by the kids straight away and I found it to be a well thought out show that was able to be staged on a very simple set. Our energies went into colourful costume and simple props which meant it was visually spectacular. The students were a bit apprehensive about some of the funny bits but were blown away when they got a laugh from the audience!! "


BACK TO THE 80's and DISCO INFERNO MAKE IT IN THE USA.

For the first time ever Australian written and Australian published musicals have made it into the world's largest musical theatre catalogue.

Music Theatre International is now representing Back to the 80's in North America.

http://www.mtishows.com/show_home.asp?ID=000327

The writer Neil Gooding is rightfully very proud of this achievement.

The show was proven successful in the DSP catalogue then made it to the UK in the Josef Weinberger catalogue and is now spreading across the Atlantic.

Disco Inferno by Justin Sepple which has 100 productions across the world this year will join the MTI catalogue also very shortly.

VISIT TO BRISBANE AND PERTH.

I am in Brisbane from Thursday to Sunday Morning. If you would like to meet me please email me for an appointment.

I am in town to see Peter Pinne's comedy Red White and Boogie staged by Front Row Theatre http://www.frontrow.org.au/current.htm

From October 26 until October 30 I am in Perth to see Cruisin and Paris by the Murray Music and Drama Club.

JUDITH PRIOR.

http://www.davidspicer.com/jp.htm

Recently I read a newsletter from a script centre subsidised by the Australia Council. It lists writers which have one or two productions going. By contrast Bundaberg writer Judith Prior is up to almost 40 productions in 2007 right across Australia and New Zealand.

She is currently working on my next blockbuster school musical.

VALE ALAN BURKE

http://www.davidspicer.com/lm.htm

Sad news came through this morning that Alan Burke the writer of the Book for Lola Montez passed away overnight in Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital.

I had the great pleasure of attending a production of Lola Montez with Alan, Peter Stannard and Peter Benjamin in regional New South Wales just a few years ago.

Lola Montez was first staged by the Elizabethan Theatre Trust in the 1950's and has been staged by more than 100 theatres since - including a record 12 productions in 1988.

The musical includes the most recorded song in Australian musical theatre history Be My Saturday Girl.

Alan was a very charming man. I visited him several times in his smokey apartment in Artarmon on Sydney's north shore. It was walking distance from the ABC TV studios at Gore Hill where he used to work.

Archives from the production abounded.

He maintained his enthusiasm for Lola Montez his favourite musical theatre project into his 80's.

Alan will be sorely missed.

For funeral details contact Michael Shrimpton

shrimpery@yahoo.com


Thank you for reading my newsletter.

Regards

David Spicer

David Spicer Productions Theatrical Agency Newsletter  December 2006

• Catalogue 2007 Out Now
• Eureka the Musical : free perusal available now
• New Play releases : A Fortunate Life, Sense and Sensibility, Mansfield Park
• Back to the 80's in NZ
• Aunty Jack goes to Orange
• Peter Pan Croc Rock
• Vale Jim Sperinck
• Seasons Greetings

CATALOGUE 2007

If you have not received my 2007 catalogue yet please email me your postal address and a copy will be sent immediately. 2007 will be the tenth anniversary of my theatrical agency.

DSP started with one composer in 1997. It now licences more than 100 productions a year in Australia and New Zealand and another 60 in countries including Canada, Zimbabwe, Hong Kong, China, Norway - and across the UK.

The catalogue includes Musicals, Plays, Pantomimes, Theatre Restaurant and Children's theatre.

EUREKA THE MUSICAL

Eureka is an accomplished and entertaining musical" Sydney Morning Herald 2004.

I am very proud to announce the release of the rights to community theatre and schools of the stage musical Eureka.

Sample the sights and sounds of this musical at the Eureka web-site. http://www.essgee.com/html/Eureka/index.htm

Eureka is an award winning musical staged for the first time in Melbourne in 2004. It traces the drama and romance of Australia's only organised civil insurrection. It has many great songs and characters. Already I have a booking from Box Hill High School in Melbourne for September 07.

For the next two weeks DSP is offering free perusal of the Piano vocal script and (ONLY available in this perusal package) a sparkling live recording of the original production.

Free perusal is available to theatre companies and schools. Original set and costumes available for hire also.

NEW PLAY RELEASES

A big welcome to two new writers to DSP Clem Gorman and Pamela Whalan.

Clem Gorman is a prolific playwright who has had 11 plays staged by professional companies in Australia over twenty years.

Available immediately for perusal are:

• A Fortunate Life - fabulous adaptation of AB Facey's classic novel. The story of a parentless boy who starts work on a farm, survives Gallipoli, the Depression and many other heartbreaks but still feels his life is fortunate. Between 10 and 30 principals
  
• A Night in the Arms of Raeleen - a satirical comedy about a teacher who stages a reunion of his old gang and discovers life has moved on.
• A Manual of Trench Warfare - classic play set in the trenches of Gallipoli
  

Jane Austen Adaptations by Pamela Whalan.

Pamela Whalan has written two delightful new adaptations of Jane Austen classics Sense and Sensibility and Mansfield Park.

First staged by Sydney's Genesian Theatre and since staged in Boston. Order your play perusals now.

Back to the 80's in New Zealand

Two of New Zealand's biggest amateur theatre companies have completed successful productions of Back to the 80's this month.

Rotorua Musical Society and Napier Operatic have followed on from the success of Abbey Musical Theatre last year. It is a great end of year feel good show.

The Arcadians in Wollongong New South Wales put away their fluorescent socks and shoulder pads in November.

Aunty Jack in Orange

	Talking about the arts in Wollongong- I jumped on the back of the bike with Grahame "Aunty Jack" Bond and revved  along the Great Western Highway to Orange in December. Grahame and I and Spot the Dog had a howling good time.
Peter Pan the Croc Rock Musical
	Congratulations to Sydney's Regals Musical Society which staged a wildly successful production of Peter Pan the Croc Rock Musical in October. The members enjoyed having children on stage. ( Especially my two children – Lost Boys - Rebecca 10 and Joshua 8.) Audiences enjoyed some terrific family entertainment. And they did well at the Box Office.  The Regals have also completed a live cast recording of their performance. I encourage all community theatres to consider staging theatre for children now and then. Grown ups get lots of laughs as well.

Vale Jim Sperinck

I am sad to report the passing of pantomime writer Jim Sperinck. I had the great privilege of meeting Jim during my visit to London last year.

Jim is the founder of Jasper Publishing and writer of many hit pantomimes including his red hot favourite Panto at the OK Corral. I enjoyed a pint in a lovely pub with this very jolly gentleman. Jasper Publishing lives on. His son is taking over the empire - and is about to launch an exciting new web-site for the company to honour his father's memory.

Season's Greetings

I wish you all a very safe and merry festive season. Hope you return from your Christmas break refreshed and renewed.

David Spicer

2006 News

Australia's favourite theatre restaurant writer - Judith Prior joins DSP
Daryl R Peebles of Tasmania meets Daryl R Peebles of North Carolina.
Graham Pitts classic Emma Celebrazione! set to open in Italy.
First DSP booking in Canada - Die Fledemaus
Cruisin the Musical - kiwi rescue!
Conference meeting opportunities : N.O.D.A in Eastbourne and A.C.T in Sydney.
New email address for DSP david@davidspicer.com

Welcome Judith Prior

Each year more than 40 theatres around Australia stage one of Judith Prior's 16 classic comedies.

From Phantom of the Music Hall to Jest at the West to Pirate Prince to Opportunity Knocks! ( and many more ) Little theatres and schools stage the 'cheeky' comedies usually in theatre restaurant style.

Every imaginable theme is available from Ancient Egypt to Colonial England - to the Wild West to the Aussie outback. Theatres choose their own well known music to go with the script.

Great Lakes Amateur Dramatic Society has staged six.

"we have experienced 'sell out' performances with all of your plays staged by our group over the past eight years

The most successful evenings have always been when the play has been performed in the convivial atmosphere of a dinner show and in smaller country towns, these Judith Prior productions have been one of the highlights of the year and a vital fund-raiser for the community.

Thanks to your plays, Judith, GLADS has been able to raise its profile in the area, generate much needed funds and entertain literally thousands of people . "

Visit http://www.davidspicer.com/jp.htm  to read the first six pages of all of Judith's plays.

Email me on david@davidspicer.com to purchase a script.

Please note this is my new email address. The old one still works but please use this new easy to remember email.



Daryl R Peebles of Tasmania meets Daryl R Peebles of South Carolina.

Daryl Peebles the writer of Shenanigan's Wake, BBQ and Aussie Rules the Musical ( all excellent for theatre restaurant also http://www.davidspicer.com/Plays-dp.htm ) has had the most bizarre encounter with a man the same age with the same name on the other side of the world.

Here is a transcript of the story which appeared on ABC TV news a few weeks back.


Have you ever typed your name into an internet search engine and been surprised at what you've found?

An American Minister, Daryl R. Peebles discovered that a man in Tasmania shared his name - and an extraordinary number of other things besides.

The two men have now met for the first time.

And as North America correspondent, Mark Sinkin reports from North Carolina, the whole town got in the spirit of things.

North Carolina is preparing for a very special guest.

Daryl R. Peebles has come all the way from Tasmania and he's getting a surreal reception... met by a man in a kangaroo costume and someone else dressed as a Tasmanian Devil.

The whole town's caught Peebles fever.

DARYL GRAB
"There were children waving placards and Australian flags on the drive up here from the hotel. I had to shake my head and pinch myself to see if it was real."

Inside the church, the Australian Daryl R Peebles finally meets the American Daryl R Peebles... two men who have lived a world apart but very close together.

DARYL GRABS
"My name is Daryl R. Peebles."
"My name is Daryl R. Peebles."
"I was born in 1949."
"I was born in 1949."
"I have 3 children."
"And I have 3 children."
"I had a child in 1975."
"So one of my children was born in 1975."
"I had a child in 1977."
"And my youngest was born in 1977."
"My father was in a small town."
"My father came from a small town."
"My father worked on a turning lathe."
"My dad worked on a lathe at the paper mill in Burnie."

The saga began 2 years ago when the American typed his name into an internet search engine. He soon discovered much more than an Australian namesake.

DARYL GRAB
TC 10.10 "Perhaps we talk a bit different some times and sometimes we talk like this, but no matter how much we talk inside we're the same - and that's a neat feeling."

Piece to Camera by reporter...
"By now it probably shouldn't be a surprise to know that Daryl R Peebles is an amateur magician and ventriloquist. And so is the other Daryl R Peebles.

They're planning a 2-man show and if it's anything like their shared history, it'll be remarkable.

Mark Simkin, ABC News, Graham, North Carolina."


Surely a booking of one of Daryl's plays in North Carolina is not too far off as well!

Emma Celebrazione! moves to Italy

http://www.davidspicer.com/plays-gp.htm#ec

Graham Pitt's play with choir Emma Celebrazione! - based on the story of Italian immigrant Emma Ciccitosto has been a huge hit around Australia and was revived a few months ago in regional Victoria to packed houses.

The combination of music, pasta cooked on stage and the drama of the relationship between a mother and her daughter make it irresistible.

Next month it will have its premiere in Italy. Perhaps one of the first Australian plays staged professionally in that country.

Now translated into Italian Emma Celebrazione! will be performed by Teatro chrystalis in Bolzano for four performances in September.

If all goes well a national tour will follow in 2007.

Bravo!

Die Fledermaus in Canada

The appropriately named President of the Cowichan Musical Society in Canada - Les Broadway - recently contacted me looking for an excellent
translation of Die Fledermaus.

The Pavilion Music Edition which DSP represents was promptly selected because it has excellent chorus opportunities. http://www.davidspicer.com/oper.htm

Mr Broadway told me that "The Cowichan Musical Society has been performing major operettas and Broadway's for 26 years with full orchestra and sets and costuming. We are a small community with an exceptional theatre that seats 700 with 12 fly lines and a 44 foot presidium. "

The Champagne Ball A new version of Johann Strauss's Die Fledermaus will open next year in Cowichan and tour to a number of other local venues.

Cruisin the Musical The Show Must Go on!

I had the pleasure of seeing Cruisin the Musical for the first time last month at Coverdale Christian College in Sydney's north-west..under the Direction of one of the writers Pete Waterman.

The lead could not do the show - so Pete came up with a novel solution.

He flew in from New Zealand the boy who sung the role a few months back at Waitakere College in Auckland.

The show must go on!

A.C.T. Conference in Sydney

I am helping to co-ordinate the Association of Community Theatre's fifth conference - Stagecraft on the 14th and 15 of October at the National Institute of Dramatic Art.

This will be an amazing weekend of seminars from some huge stars of the stage including Barry Crocker, Nancye Hayes and Stuart Maunder.

Seminars include Gilbert and Sullivan, comedy, voice, stage fighting, characterisation, copyright, publicity and dance.

Price for members of ACT including 3 meals is just $75.

Please visit www.showline.com.au to download a conference program.

NODA National Weekend September 29 to October 1.

Justin Sepple the writer of Disco Inferno is representing me at the NODA National weekend at the Cavendish Hotel in Eastbourne.(England)

This weekend includes special seminars, cabaret and a ball. Come along to either to chat to us. If anyone can attend both - I will be very very impressed!!

David Spicer Productions
274 Military Rd
Dover Heights 2030.
NSW AUSTRALIA.

Email: dspice@ozemail.com.au
On the web http://www.davidspicer.com

March 2006 News

• From China to New Zealand - 100 productions of Disco Inferno world-wide in 2006 - Free Perusal
• 'Paris' in Brighton and Rockhampton
• Pantomime writer makes front page of London Sun : SHOCK
• Aunty Jack returns in Australian tour.
• New releases 'Cruisin' and 'Bunch of Ratbags' get first bookings
  
• Searching for New Zealand virgins
• Best and Worst Musicals on Broadway : DSP Review
  

In December I had the pleasure of meeting Justin in person for the first time at his wedding in England. At first I was a little confused because the photo Justin sent me was ten years old and the person who most resembled the picture was his groomsman. The confusion was soon swept away as Justin and his bride Harri swept the dance floor with some beautiful duets under Disco lights.

Perusal of Disco Inferno and Back to the 80's is free. Email for copies.

'PARIS' in England.

I am very grateful for Justin and Harri for scheduling their wedding a few days before the opening night of 'Paris' in England. The UK premiere of the Jon English and David Mackay's Trojan musical was staged by the Starlight Theatre of Brighton. It was a tremendous success.

The next production is in Rockhampton Queensland from March 24 until April 1 at the Pilbeam Theatre. www.pilbeamtheatre.com.au

Pantomime Shock

While in England I also met for the first time Jim Sperinck - the publisher and lead pantomime writer for Jasper Publications http://www.amdram.co.uk/jasper/index.html. which I represent in Australia and New Zealand. Jim's biggest hit is Panto at the Ok Coral.

Last year Jim was shocked to see that his company made the front page, page 3 ( with a comment from a scantily clad woman ) and the editorial and feature pages of the famous Murdoch rag the London Sun. The front page banner headline was " Bunch of Dopeys" . The big news was that someone complained that one of the pantomimes he publishes was.....politically correct.

Jim tried to explain that his writer Doreen Moger did not censor the word dwarf to avoid offending short people. Rather the reason she called them gnomes to make it easier for amateur theatres to cast the pantomime with their members.... tall people.   But on an on the Sun thundered - even coming up with new politically correct names for the Dwarfs for instance - Dopey : Vertically challenged person with special teaching requirements. Jim just shrugged his shoulders and lapped up the publicity.

Hello Aunty Jack

I am very excited by the comeback of Australian comedy legend and DSP writer Grahame Bond better known as Aunty Jack. http://www.auntyjack.org/

Grahame and the ABC have released the original Aunty Jack series on DVD and he is starting a national tour in a few weeks.

Take advantage of Grahame's unique comedy style by ordering a perusal of his famous comedy 'Boy's Own McBeth. ' http://www.davidspicer.com/bom.htm

Excellent for dinner theatre comedy, community theatre and High Schools. The next booking is by the Orange Theatre Company which is doing a tour of rural New South Wales this Christmas. Have a look at a perusal or Grahame will ' rip your bloody arms off"

New Shows Take Off.

Cruisin

I am delighted to have six bookings for my latest new release 'Cruisin'....including the first production in New Zealand.   The composer has spent his entire summer holidays producing a superb new set of band parts and CD Backing Track.

http://www.davidspicer.com/cruisin.htm

Bunch of Ratbags

Peter Pinne's new musical release 'A Bunch of Ratbags' has received a rave reviews including this one in the United States.

http://www.talkinbroadway.com/sound/dec0805.html

The musical based on a group of rebel teenagers during the rock n roll 50's will be staged this year at Ballarat University. The CD is available with perusal sets. or you can buy it online from Bayview Records or Middle 8 Music.

Searching for New Zealand Virgins

I am very much looking forward to this weekend's conference of Music Theatre New Zealand in the most southern city almost anywhere Invercargill. What a pleasure to take a break from searching through mountains of wheat in Sydney (at a certain Commission of Inquiry I have spent 7 weeks at for the ABC ) and instead search for the best virgins in New Zealand

Lest you get the wrong idea I have been asked to offer a prize for the Virgin of the year...that means someone who is attending a conference for the first time.

THE BEST AND WORST MUSICALS ON BROADWAY

On the way to Justin's wedding and' Paris' I stopped off in New York for the first time.

I compiled this review for Stage Whispers Magazine on Wicked, Spamalot, Avenue Q, The Colour Purple, Hairspray and Beauty and the Beast. Read on if you like.......

Wicked…The untold Story of the Witches of Oz
By Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman

You can't bet on getting into Wicked unless you book four months in advance. I missed out so I called the publicist and pleaded.

" Stage Whispers Magazine is very influential. I might write something amazing. You might take down the quote from the New York Times and replace it with something I might write," I said. It didn't wash.

Instead I entered the lottery. That is the ticket lottery. Every night you can put your name down at the theatre and out of hat 25 people win the right to a $25 seat in the front row.

Imagine my surprise when among the 400 people who entered the lottery 'David Spicer' was one of the winners.

At the front of the stage you can feel the spittle, you can look right up the dress of the Wicked Witch of the West. (If you wanted to)

Wicked has been celebrated by the critics as a new American musical which should run for a decade on Broadway.

At its core the most clever book. It's is based on a novel by Gregory MacGuire a prequel ( just like as in Star Wars ) to the Wizard of Oz.

Like a jigsaw all the pieces fit together sublimely. We learn how the Tin Man, the Lion and the Scarecrow and Oz came to be.

We learn that The Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba is not wicked after all just misunderstood.

Elphaba and Glinda the good witch of the north are school chums but a love triangle pulls them apart.

There are many in jokes. Young Elphaba sighs that some things just make her 'melt away'.

Stephen Schwartz has written a sparkling score . The album has already sold 500,000 copies. My favourite songs were 'Popular' and 'Emerald City'.

The main set is inside a giant clock at the top of the stage is a giant Dragon. It's the inside of a classroom where the children are being taught by a goat who is being persecuted by a new Fascist regime which doesn't believe that animals should have the same rights as people.

This dark undercurrent gives Wicked an edge along with some romance that makes it a complete night of entertainment.

Memo for the publicist of Wicked. Take down the billboard with the quote from the New York Times. Replace it with …." The best show I will ever see for $25" David Spicer - Stage Whispers 2005.


SPAMALOT

By Eric Idle and John Du Prez.

A new musical lovingly ripped off from the motion picture Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The publicist for Spamalot does appreciate the influence of Stage Whispers Magazine.

It's also sold out for months but he was prepared to ensure I received a House seat as long as I paid the market rate of $110 US.

Yes it is expensive but I would not have missed it for anything. My brothers and I spent many hours memorizing great swathes of the movie in our youth.

Alas for died in the wool Monty Python fans Spamalot is a little disappointing.

Yes the Black knight has his arms chopped off, the bunny rabbit decapitates the invaders, the knights say 'Neee' and brave Sir Robin still runs away but more often than not without the sharp edge of the original.

The main problem is that Tim Curry gave a flat performance as King Arthur. He had none of the passion of the original. It was like he was in second gear.

As for the script it was like a committee sat down and said how do we do a Disney version of this.

There is however lots of fresh material and much of it is very funny.

Much like a review through out the musical they start the adventure and send up the genre of Broadway musicals.

Andrew Lloyd-Webber cops heaps. There is a wickedly good song in which a giant chandelier drops down and the leading man and lady sing a song that ' starts in one key and ends in another just as they kiss.'

Eric Idle also notes that another secret to success on Broadway is to have a few Jews in it.

The send up of Fiddler on the Roof was a highlight for me.

But again I got the sense that the true Python spirit was kept on a leash.

In the program there is a hint of what might have been.

Eric Idle has written a spoof 'Message from God' - Just as it gets truly funny at the bottom the page it reads….'The rest of this page has been cut by producers'.

Here is taste of what he wrote.

Message from God.

'Hello many people assume that being God is an easy job. That you simply create a Universe and then sit around for 15 and half billion years being praised for it. But there is much more to it. Especially on Broadway finding backers, lunching with chorus girls…….Then there is the exhilaration of opening night - when you can show off to all your friends who haven't got jobs, the shoddy souvenir gifts from Producers….Okay it is hard on a wet Wednesday matinee with a half empty crowd of almost empty dead people not to wonder why you created a universe in the first place, and those actors they do go on and on, Do you like my hair style, shall I get my breast done and have you ever blown……

Hairspray

By Mark O'Donnell, Thomas Meehan, Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. Based on the New line cinema movie by John Waters.

Australian impresario John Frost needs no convincing about the influence of Stage Whispers. He graciously bought me a house seat. Don't we all love freebees. Especially when the show is such a treat.

What makes Hairspray so fun is the most adorable characters are a fat girl Tracy Turnblad who wants to be a star on the Corny Collins TV show and her mother who is played by a drag Queen.

(Already the writers are salivating at the prospect that when it is one day staged in schools to play the best roles you will have to be overweight or like cross dressing.)

The pretty girl on the TV show is a spoilt brat. Tracy wins a spot on the show and wins the heart of the prettiest boy.

She gets there not by looks but by talent and with a lot of help from her black friends.

They teach her how to move and for her trouble she ends up in prison.

The music is very sweet, the dancing and hairstyles very cute.

They'll be singing Good Morning Baltimore for many years to come.


Avenue Q The Musical

Music and Lyrics by Robert and Jeff Marx Book by Jeff Whitty

By this time I had given up on trying to scam my way into a musical and got in the old fashioned way by buying a ticket at the Box Office.

It was an impulse decision to buy a ticket to Avenue Q. I did not regret it. This is Sesame Street for Adults only or the Blue Muppets. It’s very entertaining.

While Hairspray will one day conquer the schools and amateur theatres of America, Avenue Q will steer clear.

Included on the menu of this musical is puppet intercourse and a very funny song called ‘Internet is for Porn’.

Puppets can do things on stage which humans could not get away with.

I heard someone complain that musicals too often these days `are embedded in history and don’t reflect modern day life.

If that is the case Avenue Q is the antidote. This is a musical for Generation X.

It’s set on a street in New York 20 and 30 some things at the crossroads of their life, a comedian who can’t get any gigs, a man looking for a job after leaving college, a merchant banker who can’t accept his homosexuality and a frustrated school teacher looking for love.

In the opening song they complain about how bad their lives are going.

“What do you do with a B.A. in English” and   “It sucks to be me”

Some of the characters are played by humans others by humans with their hands up their puppets. ( So to speak)

Like the Lion King you can see the puppeteers and they dance and act in tune with their characters.

We follow the soap opera of their lives, and just as in the joke from Spamalot there is even the Broadway standard of a Jewish reference, this time a wedding between the Jewish comedian and his Korean partner.

Eventually the characters learn that instead of feeling sorry for themselves, the true path to happiness is achieved by helping other people.

Aw shucks.

Why does Avenue Q work?

The creator Robert Lopez says.

“If Avenue Q were just a musical about people living in Queens, it would be too literal and probably pretty boring. Musicals usually need a layer of fantasy to work and the puppets do that for Avenue Q. They make characters, who are actually based on us and our friends, much more interesting and entertaining than we are in real life.”

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

By Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, Tim Rice and Linda Woolverton.

It's not surprising that this is still running after a decade.

For me the highlight was the most sumptuous set I have ever seen.

The dancing cutlery and plates scene was exquisite.

Hard to see amateur theatres are going to match it now that the rights are released.

New Zealand theatres have the right idea get a collective together to make it special.


THE COLOUR PURPLE THE MUSICAL

Book by Marsha Norman. Music and Lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray


It was my last night in New York and I was looking forward to this piece backed financially by Oprah Winfrey who played a lead role in the movie.

Here my wonderful journey through Broadway theatre came crashing down. Yes it looked beautiful and there was some nice dancing. But what on earth was going on with the music?

Every cliché of black America was cobbled together and linked together by a narrative which had huge holes in it.

Yes Oprah you know the story, you were in the movie what about explaining it for the poor mugs who have come to the theatre to see it for the first time.

There was no emotional connection with the characters. The only tender moment which woke me was a lesbian kiss at the end of the first Act.

A black American woman sitting next to me admitted “It’s not as good as the book and the Movie. ”

I had a hideously early plane to catch the next morning so I slipped out without seeing the second act.

IN MY LIFE

By Joseph Brooks.

Truly appalling pieces of theatre can still make it to Broadway if you can convince someone stupid enough to put their money into it.

A mug Stockbroker forked out ten million dollars to stage a show described by the New York Times as “ The weirdest musical ever staged on Broadway”

The poster said it all believe it or not in the background were lemons.

Amongst the bizarre characters in this musical were a Queeny angel, a singer song writer with Tourette’s syndrome and an insufferable child actor auditioning for American idol.

The same man wrote, directed and produced this musical described by Time Out magazine as a “turkey”, “deeply weird ” and with characters who “fall in love without chemistry, suffer without arousing sympathy and die only to one’s relief”.

I gave it a miss.

POSTCARD FROM NEW YORK

I was so jet lagged on my first day in New York that when a man and a woman walked into the coffee shop I was in, wearing NYPD uniforms I assumed they from a movie set. Then it twigged…Manhattan Police dress like that.

New York never stopped to make my jaw drop.

What makes it tick? Competition.

Nothing lasts if it is not very very good.

Even the buskers were high quality…superb opera singers and string quartets line the subway.

What I found fascinating about the theatre is the little things.

Everyone gets a free program called Playbill filled with ads. The souvenir programs which you buy have no ads and are value for money.

Many Broadway theatres have no foyer you just walk in to the theatre, and many older theatres have you crammed in like sardines.

I got the biggest laughs from a play I attended called wait for it Jewtopia.

A non Jew wants to find a Jewish girlfriend so he does not have 'make decisions any more.' His Jewish friends shows him the ropes.

My most magical theatrical experience was the Opera.

I attended the opening of a new production of Romeo and Juliet by Gounod at the Met.

What an occasion.

The crystal chandeliers that looked snowdrops and rose in the auditorium when the opera begins, the sumptuous curtain, the extravagant foyer dressed up like a medieval feast for sponsors, the sub-titles on the back of every seat and the program which was individually published for that night.

" The 301^st Metropolitan Opera performance of Charles Gounod Romeo et Juliette"

I had my $35 dollars worth already.

Then the most exquisite singing and sublimely beautiful set, as Romeo and Juliet floated on a bed which resembled a magic carpet floating among the stars.

I can't wait to go back.



David Spicer Productions
274 Military Rd
Dover Heights 2030.
NSW AUSTRALIA.

Email: david@davidspicer.com
On the web http://www.ozemail.com.au/~dspice

October 2005 News

• FREE CD featuring 34 songs including 3 symphony orchestras and 15 stage bands
• New Releases : Wind in the Willows and A Bunch of Ratbags
• Love Letters
• Theatre Trivia
• DSP Office change caused by shameless junket.

MUSICAL SPICE 2

I am very excited to release my 2006 catalogue which includes a Free sampler CD for all theatres, directors and schools.

If you have not received Musical Spice 2 already please email for a copy. david@davidspicer.com Or you can wait until next month if you are a subscriber of Stage Whispers magazine or the newsletter of the Victorian Theatre Trust - both will include the CD.

Musical Spice 2 is spectacular. It features three Symphony Orchestras ( London, Philharmonia and Adelaide) , 16 stage bands and many superstars of the Musical stage in Australia and England. Included are many treasures from Australian music theatre over the last 50 years not available on any other CD. Songs marked with an * are from CD’s available for sale.

TRACK LIST

1. Paris. Thoughts of Home. ( Jon English/ David Mackay)
2. Paris. Trust in Your Heart. Paris sails into Troy with Helen after escaping with her from Sparta : London Symphony Orchestra.
3. Wuthering Heights ( Bernard J Taylor ) I Belong to the Earth. Lesley Garrett sings this magnificent aria as Cathy with the London Philharmonia…courtesy Silva Screen Music.
4. pride and Prejudice ( Bernard J Taylor ) Being Here with You Beautiful duet between Jane and Bingley the first time they meet at the Ball
5. Essgee Pirates (Gilbert/Sullivan/ Melvyn Morrow/ Kevin Hocking) Pour oh pour the Pirate Sherry
6. Essgee Pirates How beautifully Blue the sky. From live performances by Jon English, Simon Gallaher. These tracks give the flavour of the magnificently updated Essgee Pirates, Mikado and HMS Pinafore.
   
7. Beach Blanket Tempest ( Dennis Watkins/ Chris Harriott ) To the Ends of the Earth
   Gidget the faithful spirit/genie to Vince Prospero flies in on a surfboard in this surf rock musical inspired by Shakespeare.
   
8. Boy’s Own McBeth ( Grahame Bond/ Jim Burnett) Out Damn Spot …the dog. Riotously funny song as students do everything they can to fail an exam.
   
9. Cruisin.. ( Rod Christian/ Peter Waterman ) Goodbye Caruso, Hello Elvis. New release: 50’s/60’s rock musical about a ‘good’ Italian boy who wants to defy his family and become a pop star.
   
10. Rock Apocalypse ( Adrian Cross/ Simon Haynes) Ruler of the World Former Rock n roll superstar goes mad and plots to take over the world in B Grade movie science fiction parody.
11. Buskers and Angels ( Jon English ) Potential Angels. A once famous Busker meets a girl on the street. She becomes his angel before fame takes its price.
12.   Ned Kelly ( Reg Livermore/ Patrick Flynn ) Gonna Robba A Bank. The Kelly gang run amuck inside the Bank of New South Wales – Jon English as Ned. Staged in 1978.
13. 13 Eureka ( Harvey/Gordon/Edwards/Sensczuk) Eureka Medley A sample of this magnificent new musical set in Ballarat performed by Barry Crocker and cast. Courtesy Eureka the Musical copyright. 2004.
    
14. Lola Montez ( Peter Stannard/ Peter Benjamin/Alan Burke…courtesy Bayview records ) Southerly Buster and Be My Saturday Girl. Beautiful medley of this classic Australian musical also set in Ballarat. Stages 100 times since 1958.
    
15. Rosie (Frank Hatherley/ Peter Stannard) Never Wait Until Tomorrow New musical about Australia’s very own Eliza Doolittle. Rosie sold flowers and sang in Sydney’s Martin place for decades. Staged in 2005
16. A Bunch of Ratbags. ( Peter Pinne/ Don Battye.. courtesy Bayview records and Magnormous Musicals ) New Release: A funny, abrasive and confronting look at teenage delinquency during the rock n roll 50’s in Melbourne.
17. It Happened in Tanjanblanca (Peter Pinne/ Don Battye/ John Michael Howson… courtesy Bayview records) She’s coming to town today (Delicious send up of the Golden era of Hollywood movies in the 40’s.
    
18. The Good Fight ( Nick Enright/ David King) Hands of a Fighting Man. From the world premiere season at WAAPA. The Good Fight follows the legend of Les Darcy, Gallipoli and The Western Front.
    
19. Atlantis ( Adam Vuijic/ Melinda Coates) Goodnight Atlantis Chorale from this sweet musical set in a doomed city as a girl searches for love...suitable for youth groups or schools.
    
20. History of Australia the Musical (Robertson/Watson/Romeril/ Armiger/ Dreyfus/King) Cricket Song Meet Manning Clark Historian, Time Traveler and Cricketer . Staged in 1988
21. Aussie Rules the Musical (Daryk Peebles/ Fran Armstrong) Poowong Flats Club Song ( Cheeky musical set in the locker room, footy field and club of the battling Poowong Flats rats.)
22. Ned Kelly’s Sisters Traveling Circus ( Frank Hatherley/ Jeremy Barlow) Theme (Comic play with music for small or large cast based on Kate Kelly’s actual show. )
23. Snugglepot and Cuddlepie the Musical ( Peter Combe/ May Gibbs) The Big Bad Banksia Men. ( Adelaide Symphony Orchestra helps the gumnut children through a magical but dangerous bushland journey.)
24. Jack and the Beanstalk ( Peter Pinne/ Don Battye …courtesy Bayview records) Pantomime. ( From a series of musicals full of laughs, great tunes and magnificent CD backing tracks.)
25. The Emperor’s New Clothes ( Peter Pinne/ Don Battye …courtesy Bayview records) Back Up On Top ( Geraldine Turner as the fashion designer upset that she is being usurped by con men.)
26. Pirates Parrots and Penguins ( Mark Clark ) Leopard’s song ( I love Penguins …yes I do- specially for lunch.)
    
27. Ginger Meggs and the Missing Link ( Jim Graham/ Gary Down ) The lad is Growing Up ( A sample of the terrific backing piano track to this classic youth musical.)
    
28. Peter Pan the Croc Rock Musical ( Alexander Mckenzie/ JM Barrie ) Tiger Lily rag and Croc Theme ( Sample backing track of pop update of Peter Pan – one of three editions of to choose from.)
    
29. Burger Brain ( Dennis Watkins/ Chris Harriott) Hamburger’s Today Tomorrow the World ( Sample backing Pop youth comedy musical set in a Fast Food outlet )
    
30. Wind in the Willows ( Jones/Mckenna/Grahame) Poop Poop Poop. (Sample backing from this sparkling new adaptation of the Kenneth Grahame classic.)
31. Around the World in 80 days. (Sue and Arch Dyer) Escape Music ( A shorter teaser from one of the six musicals written by Sue and Arch Dyer especially for primary schools.)
    
32. lown who lost his smile ( Jim Graham/ Greg Crease) Theme ( Sample backing of this delightful musical for juniors set in a circus.)
33. The Legend of Noble Norris ( Darren Vallier ) Chop His Arms off. (Sample backing from the world of nasty knights, naughty nuns and a dragon
34. Success ( Bernard J Taylor ) The Marketing Game ( Bonus track/reward for listening to the whole CD – learn from this musical the secrets of getting full houses every night…listen carefully)
    
    **********************************************************
    

NEW RELEASES

WIND IN THE WILLOWS

Based on the classic by Kenneth Grahame - this is a sparkling new musical adaptation by Juran Jones and John McKenna. First staged by the Roo Theatre of Kiama. When the Mole becomes tired of spring cleaning he ventures out to the river where he meets the Water Rat. Together they embark on adventure through the wild wood. Cast 27 Principals and chorus. Orch: Flute, Brass, Strings, B Guitar, Horn, Keyboard, Vibraphone, Bass and Cello.

A BUNCH OF RATBAGS
A funny, abrasive and confronting look at the teenage Bodgie and Widgie gangs of the late 50s in inner city Melbourne. With its themes of social belonging and acceptance, and the struggle of a generation of youth to find its place in society, the show is as relevant today as it was in 1966 when it first opened at the late lamented Emerald Hill Theatre. Written by Australia's most prolific music duo, Peter Pinne and Don Battye, it features an eclectic score, that mixes rock 'n' roll, music-hall and big ballads, to exuberant life.

A brand new album is available from Bayview Records www.bayviewrecords.com and Middle 8 Music www.middle8.com from October 31

" I haven't had so good a time at a musical this year. a classic." Owen Richardson, Sunday Age 2005

Script and score available now from DSP Cast 6 M and 4 F

_______________________________________

SOME LOVE LETTERS FROM HAPPY THEATRES,SCHOOLS AND THEIR AUDIENCE.

" An exhilarating night of entertainment...our students had a fantastic time...given many incredible memories" Lynfield High NZ on Disco Inferno.

" last night my husband and I had the privilege to attend " Paris" put on by the Guilford young students at our beautiful Theatre Royal in Hobart. It was absolutely first class. Maybe some one will see some sense and do a bigger production some time as it is an excellent play and story and on the big stage would be surely spectacular. Jon English is a very talented man. well done " Kathy Davie

" the show is a absolute smasher and I would like to be able to do again in the future. Thanking you once again"

David Williams Music Director Essgee Pirates Lowanna College


THEATRE TRIVIA CHALLENGE

*Three composers of musicals are featured on the front cover of Musical Spice 2. Two are performing, one is very small. What are their names?

*Charlie's Getting Married at Last.

In my last newsletter in March I inadvertently misled you... DSP writer Dennis Watkins did not write the lyrics to Charlie's Getting Married at Last released in 1981. What he did do in fact was mime the lyrics on the video clip and composed the the song on the B side of the record. oops.

Anyway....I received two entrees to the competition to update the lyrics to make it more appropriate to Prince Charles wedding mark 2.

Hi there!!!

I love getting your updates and loved the challenge of Charlie's lyrics - so here's my version (well, 3 of them!):

*******************
Charlie's getting married once more
To the dog that showed up at his door
He's not too bright - love at first sight?
And Her Majesty has fainted on the floor.

Charlie's getting married this year
With a grin that goes from ear to ear
He says it's true - he always knew
He'd marry a girl with a large rear.

Charlie's getting married again
From a young chick to an old hen
The time has come - he's had his fun
Poor Charles is getting married again!

by Racheal L. Johnson (30 March, 2005)
*******************

It might give you a laugh at least!

Cheers!

Racheal


From: Michael Gaylard

Here's a quick stab


Charlie's getting Married once again
To an old flame, a real Plain Jane.
The Queen is quite unhappy. The Duke's an unhappy chappy.
Coz Charlie's Getting Married once again.

Years and Years they've sweated for this day
The only thing to do now is to pray
Coz Charlie's getting married once again.

MG

****************************************************

DSP Office Change Caused by shameless Junket.

From November 9 until November 30 the Office of DSP will only have a skeleton staff.

My assistant will be able to meet basic perusals only during that period. Please place substantial orders before then. I will still be on email.

I have the onerous duty of first visiting New York on a 'fact finding mission' .

Then I will be honoured to attend the UK Premier of Paris by the Starlight Theatre of Brighton....near London.

Even though this will be the 11th production of Paris - it will be the first time the co-writer David Mackay (who started work on the project in 1989) has actually seen the show performed.

(The 12th production next year will be in Rockhampton Queensland in March at the Pilbeam Theatre.)

I am also honoured to attend the wedding of the writer of Disco Inferno Justin Sepple.

He may well propose a toast at the reception to the 20 theatres and schools who have booked productions of Disco Inferno since it was released through Josef Weinbergers only a few months ago.


Thank you for reading my newsletter.

Email to unsubscribe.

September 2005 News

Musical Spice 2 - demo CD now available

34 songs . 3 Symphony Orchestras. 24  Stage bands. Free for Producers, Theatre groups, Directors and Schools. Details here (PDF document)

Email now   for  your  copy:          david@davidspicer.com

March 2005 News

New Release    : 'CRUISIN' - New 50's Rock Musical.
'Paris' Workshop and productions in 3 countries.
'Disco Inferno' and 'Back to the 80's' snapped  up by the UK's biggest theatrical agent.
Aussie Gilbert and Sullivan exported to the sunny Spanish shores.
Rosie...the Melba of Martin Place.


CRUISIN the Musical by Pete Waterman and Rod Christian.

I am very excited to announce my new release  Cruisin...a fifties rock musical that will excite community and school theatre.

Cruisin - is set around the 1959 Battle of the Bands... 17 year old Vinnie Russo is desperate to shake off the shackles of his strict Italian family  and become a rock star.  As the lead guitarist of the Cruisin band he loves Girls, Elvis, Rock and Roll and Guitars.

But his father Vinzenzo is determined that his son will  dump his Aussie girlfriend, settle down with a good Italian girl and work in the family small goods business.

It has  a lots of laughs, dancing and  21 original songs which draw on the pulse of the original rock n rollers.

  A major pro-am production of Cruisin will be staged in Subiaco Perth next year.

Order your perusal script, score and DVD now.

'Paris'

The Jon English and David Mackay musical 'Paris'  will be staged by seven theatres and schools in England, Australia and New Zealand this year.

The production which centres on the love between Paris and Helen of Troy has been extensively reworked since its successful opening in 2003/04 in Sydney and Melbourne.

David Mackay  flew from London to Sydney to take part  with Jon English in a workshop last year and last month the creative team from Gosford in New South Wales spent time in London assisting in more updates.

The revised musical has some new songs and a different approach to the ending.

Email me if you would like details of shows in Gosford, Canberra, Ipswich, Hobart, Auckland, Blenheim ( NZ )  and in November at the Theatre Royal Brighton.

Paris is also exciting interest in the United States. Stay tuned.

DISCO INFERNO and BACK TO THE 80's.

These two musicals are my  most prolific shows with 75 productions booked in 2005 in Australia and New Zealand.

Now England's largest theatrical agent Josef Weinberger has agreed to licence these two shows in the UK. ( Starting soon )  We expect they'll sweep the UK as they have downunder.

These shows are so popular there are two  towns in New Zealand... Hamilton and Palmerston North where both productions will be on this year.

In Bundaberg Queensland ( a small town )  there will have been two production of each over the last two years.

Email for a perusal script now.

Essgee's Gilbert and Sullivan.

This year there will be a record 18 productions of Essgee's Pirates, Mikado and HMS Pinafore in Australia, NZ, England and wait for it....Spain.

  The Footlight Theatre Group is made up of British ex-pats near CALPE  ALICANTE on the Spanish Shore.  They  are the finest exponents of Gilbert and Sullivan in all of Spain.  They are also the only exponents of G and S in Spain.

The group is promising - other expats and bemused locals  a jolly good time  watching the Essgee edition of the Mikado.

There might be a late casting opportunity for  David Beckham  and Shane Warne if he can make there with his family  in time!

Frank Hatherley...new musical.

  DSP writer Frank Hatherly is having a sparkling year...

In November The New Theatre in Sydney is staging his comedy 'Manly Mates' - centred on a riotous day with a corrupt NSW Premier and his Police Commissioner.     

*There's  to be a revival in Sydney of his Play 'My Henry Lawson'.

*The Marie Clark theatre in Adelaide  is staging 'The Merry Widow from Bluegum Creek'.

  and as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Elizabethan Theatre Trust    ...Frank is writing a new Australian musical - " Rosie "   with Peter Stannard the composer of 'Lola Montez.'

'Rosie'.  will be staged at the Independent Theatre in North Sydney in August.

It is a fabulous story about a real life woman who sold flowers in Martin Place for 30 years and sang to her customers.

She dreamt of being a star - but never made it.

I have had pleasure in singing some of the delightful songs at concerts and readings.

OLDER NEWS

  NEW CATALOGUE AVAILABLE NOW
'PARIS' CONCERT NEAR BROADWAY
'BACK TO THE 80'S'  ON THE WEST END ( ONE NIGHT ONLY)
'DISCO INFERNO' FREE PERUSAL
GOVERNOR GENERAL WATCHES 'BEACH BLANKET TEMPEST'
ENGLISH PANTOMIMES BY JOHN MORLEY
AUSTRALIAN MUSICALS EXHIBITION & Eureka!
MEET GRAHAME 'AUNTY JACK' BOND

NEW CATALOGUE:     My 2005 catalogue is out now. If you don't have it already please email me your snail mail  address.

PARIS NEAR BROADWAY:    Less than 18 months after I helped give the Jon English and David Mackay musical  'Paris' a new lease on life the epic rock musical about the Fall of Troy and the Power of Love is knocking on the door of the world's musical theatre capitals.

In May, Foundry Productions  www.parismusical.com held a spectacular concert/backers audition  in New York  of 'Paris' before a who's who of Broadway producers.    Producer Chris Higbee's interpretation : casting all of the Trojans as Black Americans proved very popular.

Following the success of the concert - a number of  major regional productions are being planned in California in 2005.

Chris hopes to return one day to New York - but a few streets away!

In London, The Starlight Theatre of Sussex will stage 'Paris' in April next year - before a possible short tour of regional centres.

Near Sydney - the outstanding production of Paris at the Laycock Street Theatre  Gosford  - which had 93% capacity - will return in February next year - under the new banner of Working Light Productions.

David Mackay is flying from London next month  to workshop this production with Jon English.

Congratulations to Stella Entertainment for it's brilliant production in Melbourne  in Jan/Feb which scored a  rave review in the Melbourne Age  www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/01/30/1075340836692.html and  well done also to Paris pioneers Regals Musical Society, Palmerston North Boys High NZ and St Peter's College Adelaide.

Other productions in 2005 are planned in WA, Queensland and Auckland.