http://www.sots.org.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.sots.org.nz en-us Mon, 06 Apr 2026 14:48:09 +1200 Rocketspark http://www.sots.org.nz/blog/post/116363/the-magic-begins/ Set construction has begun for Blackadder Goes Forth, and it's always a treat to see what our talented set designer Michael Catherwood comes up with - how will he recreate a WW1 trench? Rehearsals will be underway shortly and audiences will be treated to another great show in April. Can't wait!... Tue, 16 Jan 2024 21:49:33 +1300 http://www.sots.org.nz/blog/#post116363 http://www.sots.org.nz/blog/post/106484/hoofing-it/ If there is one thing Robyn Gardner excels at, it's getting people dancing. No matter who they are or what their previous dancing experience is, Robyn can get them looking like professionals, presenting a brilliantly choreographed spectacle to delight an audience. And Screen Scenes will do that many times over.I had the pleasure of sitting through a rehearsal this week and was wowed by the dance routines. Disciplined, visually appealing and performed by a bunch of ordinary folks, some with very ... Thu, 29 Jun 2023 12:14:27 +1200 http://www.sots.org.nz/blog/#post106484 http://www.sots.org.nz/blog/post/103416/why-we-like-to-play-around/ Against a background of early One Act Play festivals and a previous small compilation show called Ages and Stages, the idea of having a travelling show came to our minds back in 2017. Our initial concept was two fold: to have a little fun by providing something different for our members, and to bring live theatre out to people who may not have come in to see some of our shows before.We had come across some great little One Act plays through an English play writing competition call... Wed, 19 Apr 2023 08:17:01 +1200 http://www.sots.org.nz/blog/#post103416 http://www.sots.org.nz/blog/post/100273/midnight-reflections/ Having a little bit of a Hitchcock tendency in me, Peter Colley’s chiller-thriller “I’ll Be Back Before Midnight” instantly appealed when I read it in 1990. The Society got behind it, and in 1991 we staged the play with Andrew Simpson playing Greg, Anneta Payne as Jan, Lorraine McLean in the role of Laura and the late Sandy Jackson as George. The play proved a favourite with audiences at the time, and resulted in a very successful season.Now, usually that would be tha... Sun, 12 Feb 2023 19:34:38 +1300 http://www.sots.org.nz/blog/#post100273 http://www.sots.org.nz/blog/post/93948/following-in-his-fathers-footsteps/ Young Matthew Brook is making his first appearance on our stage as Pitt the Even Younger, and is doing a great job. His father Nick, aka Edmund Blackadder, sets the bar high but Matthew is showing early signs of matching Dad's talents.  "I am glad to be a part of Blackadder.," says Matthew, "I can prove to myself and others that I am a good actor. I like the way that different expressions and movements add different effects. Before the play I am quite nervous but I have the support of my co... Thu, 10 Nov 2022 08:04:55 +1300 http://www.sots.org.nz/blog/#post93948 http://www.sots.org.nz/blog/post/93650/a-thespian-of-note/ Haydon McLeary is no stranger to the stage and so is well cast as The Fabulous Mr Enoch Mossop, one of a pair of actors who get caught up in the web of Edmund Blackadder. "I'm enjoying being back onstage after Covid," says Haydon, who has appeared in many productions over the past years and brings a wonderful comic energy to his performances. "Just don't mention the Scottish play!"... Thu, 03 Nov 2022 14:56:10 +1300 http://www.sots.org.nz/blog/#post93650 http://www.sots.org.nz/blog/post/92832/blackadder-begins/ The cast of Blackadder 3rd and director Selena Aitken-Boyle are well into rehearsals now, just a few short weeks away from opening night on November 18.  Donna Osborne, production manager, is very excited to be involved the show, which features three episodes of the popular TV show, as she missed out on being involved when SOTS took on Blackadder 2nd a few years ago. "It was very successful last time round, everyone loved it,' she enthuses. Blackadder 3rd is set in Recency England, a c... Sat, 22 Oct 2022 21:27:02 +1300 http://www.sots.org.nz/blog/#post92832 http://www.sots.org.nz/blog/post/84118/onwards-and-upwards/ The pace is picking up, and we have the end in sight! Phase One was the demolition. Phase Two, the laying of all those pink support beams and the packing to make things level. But with Phase Three, the laying down of new strong floor boards, things are starting to get exciting! There is a new cunning plan for our raised seating areas too - the top level (which you will remember was enclosed with our famous picket fence) is now going to have storage underneath it, and the middle level w... Sun, 19 Jun 2022 03:03:47 +1200 http://www.sots.org.nz/blog/#post84118 http://www.sots.org.nz/blog/post/83870/into-phase-2/ Things are moving fast now that the new floor is down.  Already, work has started on the new tiered seating which will improve the theatre experience for our audiences, ensuring everyone has a good view of the stage. A clever design will allow the lower levels to be stored away when not in use, so a larger floor area can be used without us having to lug great heavy platforms out of the way. ... Sat, 11 Jun 2022 22:12:30 +1200 http://www.sots.org.nz/blog/#post83870 http://www.sots.org.nz/blog/post/83203/looking-ahead/ Rodd, Brent and Wayne from SOTS were privileged to have a sneak peek at the progress of the auditorium space of the Clutha Community Hub recently. The SOTS team have been working with the Clutha Community Hub Trust, and specialist Rob Peters from Theatre Systems, by providing advice and expertise in lighting and sound requirements for the new space, thus ensuring it is fit for purpose for theatrical, dance and many other school/community performances.... Sat, 21 May 2022 02:24:30 +1200 http://www.sots.org.nz/blog/#post83203