Dear Auntie - The Grey Panthers

Dear Auntie - The Grey Panthers

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    Brown's Mart Theatre, Darwin City

    5 shows: November 22 - 24, 2001

    A grab bag of entertainment, song, dance, theatre, and end of year frivolity. Find out why Auntie always knows best! Do we want our wishes to come true?  Have you ever wondered where wisdom originates? Where do "old wives" tales come from? Why do older people seem to know so much? Do you dare consult the oracle - the handbag of truth?

    Once again those magnificent women the Grey Panthers, took to the stage for a night of entertainment, song, dance, theatre, and frivolity. In the end the audience discovered why Auntie always knows best!

    Members of the Grey Panthers all told tales about the way in which society tries to pigeon hole seniors, telling them how they ought to behave, and what they might or might not be allowed to do.

    In retaliation these grand matriarchs told us that it is not unusual for older people to be active, to behave outrageously, to try new things and to mentor the younger generations. This group of active seniors are not afraid to wear purple, tell blue jokes or deal with black moods.

    This show was for anyone who believes in living life to the extreme! 

    Directors' Notes

    Dear Auntie, how do you know when you have arrived?

    The Grey Panthers have been in existence since 1988. Since that time, they have continually delighted Darwin audiences. They have created a large body of work, which includes four full length performances (notably Old Spice Club, Healthy Wealthy and Wise, and Reluctant Retirees) and many smaller ones. They have had the opportunity to work with many artists (including Sarah Calver, David McMicken, Joanna Barrkman, Merrilee Mills, Anja Tait, and Karyn Sassella). They have been special guest performers for several Tracks Productions, as well as for other individual artists and organisations.

    “Dear Auntie” has provided us with an opportunity not only to revisit some of these favourites, (some which have only seen the light of a single performance) but also to welcome many new members to the group with new songs and dances.

    It has been a pleasure to work again with our “Aunties”, an experience that constantly reminds us of how much we still have to look forward to. In creating this show, we have drawn heavily on the women’s own experiences and writings, and we thank them sincerely for making such bold offerings. Be prepared to laugh, cry, and maybe even blush a little bit as the Grey Panthers lead us on this voyage of insight.

    Creative Personnel

    Writer/ Arranger/ Director: Merrilee Mills
    Co-Director / Choreographer: David McMicken
    Lighting design & Rigger: Matthew James
    Lighting Operator: James Forrest
    Sound Operator: David McMicken
    Live Musician: Merrilee Mills

    Cast

    Lucy Aylett, Kath Baldwin, Betty Ballinger, Barby Barclay, Kay Brown, Bette Chapman, Beryl Darben, Nora Francis, Audrey Gorring, Crena Hemmings, Bobbie Johnstone, Elaine Marlow, Lois Penman, Shirley Somers, Hanna Stamm, Audrey Svara

    Scenario

    Prologue

    All The Way/One For My Baby: Frank Sinatra

    Scene 1: Body

    • My Hands Tell The Story: Anja Tait, Sung by Kay Brown
    • With These Hands: Silver & Davis.
    • Super Women: Anja Tait.
    • Absolutely Everybody: Holden Ingram Hicks: Sung by Vanessa Amorosi
    • Pass Me By: C. Coleman

    Scene 2: Older

    • It’s Not Unusual: a revamp of that old Tom Jones number. Words by Merrilee Mills
    • Retirement Medley: words Merrilee Mills.
    • I Feel Lucky (line Dance): Mary-Chapin Carpenter
    • Young At Heart: T. Bennet & S. Colvin

    Scene 3: Hope

    • Ah Poor Bird: Traditional. Arranged Merrilee Mills
    • Hope Medley: Arranged Merrilee Mills
    • Look for the Silver Lining: B. De Sylva & Jerome Kerne.
    • Sunny Side of the Street: McHugh & Fields
    • Pennies From Heaven
    • You’ve Got A Friend: Carole King

    Scene 4: Hot ‘n’ Spicy

    • The Lady is a Tramp: Frank Sinatra & Luther Vandross
    • Spice up Your Life: Spice Girls
    • Epilogue

    Thank You

    Claire Kilgariff, Darwin High School, Darwin International Buddhist Society, Darwin Entertainment Centre, George Peat, Brown’s Mart Community Arts, Fiona and Tim for their Babysitting and general Gentleman’s duties, Yoris and Daniel for putting up with us over these times. Our Front of House Volunteers: Daniel Alderman, David Taylor, Nicole Cridland, Nilda Pedruco, Helen van de Burg, Neil Ludvigson. And the staff of Brown's Mart Theatre, Darwin

    Tracks 2001

    Artistic Directors: David McMicken and Tim Newth
    Office Administration: Heather Richards
    Bookkeeper: Lynn Bramham
    Production Manager: Eunice De Ramos
    Multicultural Artist in Residence: Betchay Mondragon
    Grey Panthers Coordinator: Merrilee Mills

    Committee Members:  David Taylor (Chair), Jackie Wurm (Vice-Chair), Glenn Bernardin (Treasurer), Kyleigh Hindson/Rukshana Ramachandran (Secretary/Public Officer), Ken Conway, Nicole Cridland, Kay Brown, Tania Lieman (Ordinary Committee Members), David McMicken and Tim Newth (Ex-Officio Members)

    Photo: Nicole Cridland. Dancer: Elaine Marlow.
    Photo: Nicole Cridland. Dancer: Kay Brown
    Photo: Nicole Cridland. l-r Crena Hemmings, Nora Francis.
    Photo: Nicole Cridland. front centre around to left. Crena Hemmings, Shirley Somers, Bobbie Johnstone, Kay Brown, Audrey Gorring, Nora Francis.

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    "It’s the dead of the night, and we’ve all gathered here,

    Having waited so long for the coast to be clear

    Because once every week under cover of dark

    We’ve a secretive business on which to embark."

    Merrilee Mills, Dear Auntie

    Tracks Dance Company Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.

    Tracks Inc is proudly sponsored by the Northern Territory Government.

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