by Pinelands Players | Nov 30, 2024 | Newsletters
Pinelands Players‘ Season Finale: Celebrating Music, Memories & New Beginnings. AdLib – November 2024
As 2024 draws to a close, we reflect on a year filled with artistic triumphs while looking ahead to our exciting festive finale.
Subway Sessions Encore
Our October musical showcase built on June’s success with:
🎹 Two nights of performances (overcoming alarm-related tech hiccups with good humour)
🎤 Stellar acts including Terry Lloyd-Roberts, Melissa Sanderson, and fan-favorites Macaw
👏 Special thanks to Joy Millar for curating this celebration of Cape Town’s musical talent
Game of Names: Season 2 (29 Nov – 8 Dec)
The wait is nearly over for this revival of our hit musical game show!
🔀 40+ songs prepped across categories (only 22 performed each night by chance!)
🎡 Interactive gameplay featuring:
In Loving Memory
We honour two beloved members:
🕯️ David Millar – The society’s legendary chef/entertainer remembered for his papier-mâché dragon and cricket match breakfasts
🕯️ Teddy Davies – Our cherished choreographer whose “slap thighs, clap hands” signature move lives on
Community Theatre Spotlight
Support these local productions:
🎭 mAnJE! MaNJe @ Magnet Theatre (6-16 Nov) – Mythic Cretan tales reimagined
🧶 Red Riding Hood @ Masque Theatre (13 Dec-12 Jan) – A musical twist on the classic
Save the Date!
14 December – Our magical Christmas gathering at the Clubhouse
“Theatre is the art of making memories tangible”
Download full AdLib – November 2024 newsletter for audition notices and tribute pieces
by Pinelands Players | Aug 29, 2024 | Newsletters
Pinelands Players‘ Mid-Year Update AdLib – August 2024: Exciting Developments & Upcoming Productions
As winter wraps Cape Town in its chilly embrace, we’ve been busy behind the scenes preparing an exciting lineup of theatrical delights to warm your spirits!
Clubhouse Transformation
Our beloved clubhouse has undergone a major revival since Legally Blonde‘s triumphant run. After successfully:
✓ Clearing Artscape Theatre in record time during February’s strike
✓ Sorting through mountains of props and set pieces
✓ Storing key items off-site through Rob’s logistical genius
We’re now turning our attention to the attic – watch this space!
Subway Sessions Success
The 15th June saw our first musical soirée of 2024, featuring:
🎶 Three talented acts in an intimate setting
🍲 Hearty food and warm camaraderie
🎤 Joy Millar’s brilliant musical curation
Stay tuned for our next session – perfect for new performers!
Future Productions Pipeline
Our open call yielded six thrilling proposals, now being carefully evaluated based on:
Community Theatre Highlights
Support our fellow societies:
🎭 Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors @ Milnerton (16th Aug-8th Sep)
🎹 The Piano’s Got Soul @ Milnerton (27th Sep)
🎻 Yeomen @ G&S Cape Town (Romantic opera)
🕵️ Murder on the Nile @ Masque Theatre (Agatha Christie classic)
Save the Date!
❄️ 31st August: Game of Names auditions
🎄 14th December: Our magical Christmas gathering
“Theatre is the art of looking at ourselves” – Augusto Boal
Download full AdLib – August 2024 newsletter for audition details and behind-the-scenes photos.
by Pinelands Players | May 31, 2024 | Newsletters
Discover Pinelands Players‘ AdLib – May 2024 Newsletter: A New Chapter for Cape Town’s Favourite Theatre Society
As your newly elected Committee, we’re thrilled to share our first newsletter of 2024, celebrating our vibrant community theatre family and looking ahead to an exciting future.
AGM 2023 Highlights
At our 3rd March AGM, we bid farewell to three dedicated Committee members – Laura Bosman, Tina Gough and Shaun Browne – whose contributions shaped our society. We welcomed fresh talent while retaining experienced leaders in new roles:
Celebrating Our Legacy
We’re still buzzing from Legally Blonde: The Musical‘s phenomenal success – a tough act to follow! Special thanks to director Kyla Thorburn and musical director Barend van der Westhuizen for their visionary work that’s left Cape Town talking.
Farewell to a Theatre Legend
We celebrated Richard Whittaker’s contributions at an emotional farewell as he relocates to Mossel Bay. From building Hairspray‘s 2019 set to Legally Blonde‘s iconic revolving stage, Richard’s craftsmanship has enriched Cape Town’s theatre scene.
What’s Next?
Our 3-year vision includes:
🎭 *2024*: Strengthening our community through Subway Sessions, play readings and clubhouse upgrades
🎤 *2025*: Small/medium productions (we’re reviewing exciting proposals!)
💫 *2026*: Planning another spectacular large-scale show
Dates for Your Diary
Stay Connected
We’d love to hear your ideas at pinelandsplayers@gmail.com or @pinelands_players on social media. Here’s to creating more magic together!
“Theatre is the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being.” – Oscar Wilde
Download the full AdLib – May 2024 newsletter for more behind-the-scenes stories:
by Pinelands Players | Mar 15, 2016 | Newsletters
Discover Pinelands Players’ AdLib – March 2016 Newsletter: Behind the Scenes of Cape Town’s Beloved Theatre Society
Step back into 2016 with Pinelands Players‘ official newsletter, AdLib – March 2016, and explore a pivotal year for this celebrated Cape Town amateur theatre group. This edition offers exclusive insights into:
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Committee changes with farewells to longstanding members and welcomes to new talent
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Upcoming 2016 productions including My Dog’s Got No Nose & Hovering and Shout! The Mod Musical
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Highlights from the Annual General Meeting and society updates
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The group’s vision for community theatre in Cape Town
Why this matters for theatre enthusiasts:
- Historical context – Documents Pinelands Players’ evolution as one of the Western Cape’s most active theatre societies
- Exclusive content – Includes never-before-digitized details about 2016 productions and member spotlights
- Local arts legacy – Showcases how amateur theatre adapted to challenges pre-COVID
“Two heads are better than one! But remember: There is always a solution.” – Tanya March, 2016 Committee
Perfect for:
- Theatre historians researching Cape Town’s performing arts scene
- Former members reminiscing about 2016 productions
- Anyone curious about how amateur theatre societies operate
[Download the full PDF newsletter] to explore rehearsal insights, member tributes, and the society’s creative problem-solving ethos.
by Pinelands Players | Jul 19, 2015 | Newsletters
Discover Pinelands Players’ AdLib – July 2015 Newsletter:
AdLib – July 2015: Step back into a thrilling year with this exclusive look at Cape Town’s beloved theatre society preparing their James Bond musical extravaganza Shaken, Not Stirred.
Featured in This Edition:
🎭 Spotlight on Shaken, Not Stirred
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Director: Kyla Thorburn | Musical Director: Justin Wardle
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11 performers + 8-piece live band celebrating 50 years of Bond music (1962-2012)
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Production dates: 2-10 October 2015 at New Space Theatre, Cape Town CBD
🌟 Star-Studded Cast Reveal:
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Lovely Ladies: Melissa Sanderson, Chenara Fenton, Martine Kawalsky, Lizette van der Merwe & Alecs Besier
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Dashing Gents: Lloyd Kandlin, John Lambrou, Matthew de Klerk, Renco Griesel, Simon Thompson & Jacque du Toit
🍸 Save the Date:
✈️ Chairman’s Cruise Diary:
📢 Member Corner:
Why This Matters for Theatre Lovers:
1️⃣ Historical Gem: Documents PP’s ambitious musical productions pre-COVID
2️⃣ Local Arts Legacy: Shows how amateur theatre rivaled professional standards
3️⃣ Exclusive Content: Never-before-digitized cast lists and creative insights
Perfect For:
• Bond fans & musical theatre enthusiasts
• Former cast members reminiscing
• Researchers studying Cape Town’s theatre scene
[Download the full PDF newsletter] for more behind-the-scenes Bond prep and the Chairman’s full cruise report!
by Pinelands Players | Jun 19, 2015 | Newsletters
Step into 2015 with Pinelands Players’ June Newsletter
AdLib – June 2015: Discover audition calls for Shaken, Not Stirred, clubhouse musical evenings, and Cape Town’s theatre scene updates from this historic amateur theatre group (established 1948).
Highlights from This Edition:
🎤 Upcoming Events:
🎭 Audition Spotlight: Shaken, Not Stirred
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Creative Team: Director Kyla Thorburn | Musical Director Justin Wardle
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Venue: New Space Theatre, Long Street CBD (2-10 October 2015)
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Audition Details:
💎 Production Preview:
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8-piece live band + sensual choreography
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Iconic Bond themes from Shirley Bassey to Adele
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Full audition notice attached to email
📜 Theatre Community Updates:
🎶 Victor Hugo’s Wisdom:
“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words…”
Why This Matters:
🔍 Historical Record: Documents PP’s first venture to New Space Theatre
🎬 Creative Process: Rare look at pre-production for Bond musical
🤝 Community Building: Shows collaboration between Cape Town theatre groups
Perfect For:
• Aspiring performers researching 2015 auditions
• Theatre historians studying venue changes
• Bond fans curious about musical adaptations
Download the full PDF newsletter for audition requirements and club night details!
