New Plymouth Operatic Society

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Latest Newsletter - January 2012

Previous Newsletters - December 2011

She's dancing like the Stars

Taranaki Daily News – 03/05/2011 Reporter: Kate Saunders

Tap dancing lessons are paying off for Krystal Tofts. This week, the 24-year-old will tackle the leading role of Peggy Sawyer in the New Plymouth Operatic Society's version of the production 42nd Street. Despite plenty of performing experience, Tofts is not a trained dancer, so undertook intensive tap lessons. "I put a lot of time into it and had private lessons even before the main cast got together. In my lunch hours I would have a bit of a play around." A bank teller by day, Tofts balanced her day job with a heavy rehearsal schedule and said there had been plenty of learning curves in the final lead-up to the performance. "It's been time consuming. We've learnt a lot about what we can and can't do with the set and most rehearsals have gone for long hours, sometimes up to 10." Playing Peggy Sawyer was her first major role, and while she said it was nerve-wracking, she also said she knew what to expect. That may be because Toft's partner, Mark Leuthard, is an old hand at musicals and regularly performs for the operatic society. He had been instrumental in helping her learn her lines and by giving feedback after rehearsals, she said. "A lot of partners don't understand what's involved, but he does. "I don't have to worry about him complaining about me being at rehearsals all the time." Tofts first watched 42nd Street performed in New Plymouth when she was 11 and said she remembered walking away thinking it was "awesome". With a story line in which her character lands her first leading role in a Broadway musical, there are parallels to her own life. "When the role came up I was excited but I didn't have high expectations for getting it. I had to put a lot of work in to get to the audition process," she said. And she may be hoping her performance has a similar effect to that of her character's. "I think everybody's going to love the fact that Peggy turns out to be that break-out character." The show opens at the TSB Showplace on May 5. Tickets available from ticketmaster.co.nz or TSB Showplace Box office.

Talent Tackles Boradway show

Taranaki Daily News – 13/04/2011 Reporter: Kate Saunders .

Musical theatre director Robert Young reckons Taranaki drama talent is right up there. That is exciting for the internationally regarded director, as he leads a young cast through rehearsals ahead of the opening night of the New Plymouth Operatic's production of 42nd Street next month.

Young has returned to New Zealand after several years directing in Australia, and has been impressed with what he has seen during the intensive rehearsal required to put the show together. "I think particularly the young ones, it's a credit to the local dance teachers. They have certainly held their own." He said it was a good opportunity for the cast, some of whom are still at high school, to learn step for step the original Broadway choreography of a show.

It will be the fifth time Young has directed 42nd Street, but he said he did not tire of it because each cast brought their own colour to the performance. He loved the fact it was an uplifting show. “ particularly like musicals that have a positive message – that idea if you work hard and believe in something the sky is the limit. At the moment in the world we need happiness, there's too much doom and gloom." He last ran the production in New Plymouth 14 years ago and said a whole new set and costumes were being used this time.

The biggest challenge would be getting the set props, which had come from Broadway, into the theatre. "We're doing the revival version, which has an amazing tap stairs routine and special encore." That has meant the cast has been learning tap dancing since last year, as well as practising their singing, dancing and acting. But by opening night, Young said he would be relaxed, having handed over the show the night before. "My job's done then. It's a bit like being a parent, you've got to let the kids fly."

The show opens at the TSB Showplace on May 5 and with tickets selling well, the season has been extended for an additional four performances through until Saturday May 21.

Actor pulls on Maggie role like an old shoe

Taranaki Daily News – 01/04/2011 Reporter: Kate Saunders

Familiar feet will be treading the boards when the production of 42nd Street opens in New Plymouth next month. Glenys Horsfall is returning to the role of Maggie Jones, which she last played onstage for the New Plymouth Operatic Society 14 years ago. "It was such a fun show last time. When I came back I realised I'd missed theatre and I wanted to ease my way back in gently," Ms Horsfall said. She has been based in the United Kingdom for the past decade, after spending 25 years teaching dance and drama in New Plymouth. Her return to New Zealand late last year had given her the opportunity to spend more time in the garden and with friends, and also reprise an enjoyable role. "I had to relearn my lines but it's surprising what comes back. It's like putting on an old shoe and seeing despite the years that it's still comfortable." She describes her character as a "hoofer from way back with a motherly eye and a warm heart". "That's me, actually. I guess it's a bit typecast," she said.

The part is not a dance role, but Ms Horsfall admits that with her background she may join in during some of the numbers. "That will be a challenge, to make old bones creakily get going again, but it's fun too." She will also be kept on her toes by a youthful cast, and director Robert Young, whom she used to dance with in Auckland years ago. The audience would leave the theatre uplifted after watching a show which was visually exciting and full of razzmatazz, she said. And she too, will be glad to reunite with an audience which could contain many people she knows. "It's very impersonal overseas. Now that I'm back I enjoy this cosy little city by the sea. I can now appreciate the laid-back casualness of New Plymouth after experiencing the hustle and bustle overseas. "Plus, she said, culturally the city has always had a good music and theatre scene. "The operatic society is a very strong one”. "There are good people with experience that spans years and that counts for something when you're putting a huge production like this on."

Miss Saigon - October 2009

Miss Saigon Review by Jo Hills - Taranaki Daily News - 9 October 2009

Taranaki Midweeker Feature - 16 September - Season Extended

Taranaki Midweeker Feature - 9 September - Props and Costumes arrive

Taranaki Midweeker Featrue - 2 September - Mark Leuthard

Melissa Nordhaus Cast to play Kim in Miss Saigon

The Sound of Music - June 2008

Review - by Harry Brown

Taranaki Midweeker - 25 June 2008

All in the Family

Taranaki Midweeker - 4 June 2008

Philippa Drinkwater Feature