ALMOST, MAINE The Stirling Players Written By: John Cariani Directed By: Ben Proeve Play Summary: “Welcome to Almost, Maine, a place that’s so far north, it’s almost not in the United States. It’s almost in Canada. And it’s not quite a town, because its residents never got around to getting organized. So it almost doesn’t exist. One cold, clear, winter night, as the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, the residents of Almost, Maine, find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and hilarious ways. Knees are bruised. Hearts are broken. But the bruises heal, and the hearts mend—almost—in this delightful midwinter night’s dream.” "Almost, Maine" features several vignettes of everyday characters from the same quiet town, all navigating the experience of love. Some are finding it for the first time, some have lost it, and some are trying to rediscover it. Each scene is intimate and all but one feature only two characters, and have different, quirky ways of representing love that push past the boundaries of realism. Roles Available: 6-8 actors aged 18 – early 30s, actors of any gender, ethnicity, background and experience encouraged to audition. Details of the vignettes and characters are available on The Stirling Players website: www.stirlingplayers.org.au Rehearsals: Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons, either in the Stirling Community Theatre or a nearby hall commencing around April Performances: Friday 11th & 18th July at 7.30pm Saturday, 12th July at 3.00pm Sunday, 13th July at 3.00pm Saturday, 19th July at 2.00pm and 7.30pm Venue: Stirling Community Theatre Avenue Road, Stirling Auditions: Tuesday 22nd and Thursday 24th October, 7:20pm-10pm Venue: Stirling Community Theatre Avenue Road, Stirling More Information: Contact Ben Proeve on or email ben.proeve @gmail.com THE MIKADO - OR THE TOWN OF TITIPU SA Light Opera Society (SALOS) Written By: W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan Directed By: Pam Tucker with Musical Director Helen Loveday Act I A year ago, Nanki-Poo, the son of the Mikado in disguise as a musician, met Yum-Yum and fell in love with her. But Yum-Yum is betrothed to her guardian Ko-Ko. When Nanki-Poo hears that Ko-Ko has been condemned to death for flirting, he thinks that he can now marry her. However, Ko-Ko has instead been raised to the rank of Lord High Executioner. Although Yum-Yum is thrilled to see Nanki-Poo again, they cannot marry. So, when a message from the Mikado is received commanding an immediate execution, Ko-Ko persuades Nanki-Poo to be the victim, on condition that Nanki-Poo can enjoy a month of married bliss with Yum-Yum beforehand. All agree to this seemingly satisfactory solution when Katisha, an older woman who the Mikado has promised can marry Nanki-Poo, arrives to expose Nanki-Poo. Act II Ko-Ko discovers that traditionally the bride of a beheaded man must be buried alive, so Yum-Yum decides that she will maybe not marry Nanki-Poo after all. It is announced that the Mikado will visit, so Ko-Ko bribes the town dignitary Pooh-Bah to swear that Nanki-Poo has already been beheaded. He then tells Yum-Yum to go off and marry Nanki-Poo to keep him quiet. The Mikado arrives and is keen to hear that an execution has taken place but Katisha notices Nanki-Poo’s name on the warrant of execution and tells the Mikado. He immediately sentences the culprits to death and the only way that Nanki-Poo can safely come to life again is for Katisha to be married to someone else – so Ko-Ko obliges. The story of the Mikado in context… Although set in Titipu, it is a satirical commentary on British politics Gilbert’s operettas are well known for their witty, satirical libretto; expressing political opinion by poking fun at the British establishment. The Mikado was set in the fictional Japanese town of Titipu, but it is a well-known fact that Gilbert intended this to be a ruse for its true setting, Britain. One of the main issues poked at in the operetta is that of capital punishment. Gilbert uses The Mikado to parody some of the ‘crimes’ that were punishable by death, in the opera it’s flirting. Roles Available: The traditional CAST required – (more information available at the Info night!) The Mikado of Japan (bass or bass-baritone) Nanki-Poo, His Son, disguised as a wandering minstrel and in love with Yum-Yum (tenor) Ko-Ko, The Lord High Executioner of Titipu (comic baritone) Pooh-Bah, Lord High Everything Else (baritone) Pish-Tush, A Noble Lord (baritone) Go-To, A Noble Lord (bass-baritone) Yum-Yum, A Ward of Ko-Ko, also engaged to Ko-Ko (soprano) Pitti-Sing, A Ward of Ko-Ko (mezzo-soprano) Peep-Bo, A Ward of Ko-Ko (soprano or mezzo-soprano) Katisha, An Elderly lady, in love with Nanki-Poo (contralto) Chorus of School-Girls, Nobles, Guards and Coolies Rehearsals: Wednesday and Friday evenings Performances: April 24 to 27 evenings and Matinees (Sat/Sun) 5 performances Venue: The Tower Arts Centre, Pasadena Information Night: INFORMATION Night for prospective Cast – Monday October 14 @ 7.30pm At St Elizabeth Church, Oaklands Park Auditions: AUDITIONS – Monday October 28, by appointment – book times at info night or call Pam 8294 6582 Venue: Rehearsals and auditions held at St Elizabeth of Hungary Church, Dwyer Ave, Oaklands Park. More Information: Contact Pam Tucker on Pam 8294 6582 or email geoffpamme1@bigpond.com