Drama on the Central Coast
Many talented actors and actresses call the Central Coast home and world class theatre is a common event.
Information by Terry Collins-
The central coast has a long and colourful theatrical history with groups
such as Gosford Musical Society, Wyong Drama Group and Woy Woy Little Theatre
active for many years.
The now defunct Gosford Players, which operated out of Wamberal for many years,
was another group at the forefront of theatrical activity.
In recent years, the theatre community has grown and standards have improved.
The Wyong Musical Society formed to give GMS a run for their money and provide
alternate musical theatre entertainment.
The Entrance Theatre Company shone bright for several years giving us some high
quality musical presentations before folding.
Similarly The Entrance Youth Theatre, which provided a wonderful opportunity for
young people to get involved in theatre.
One of the brightest lights on the theatre scene is recent years was Central Coast Theatre Company which ran for some years out of Ourimbah Campus's space The Hangar at Ourimbah and gave us perhaps some of the finest drama we have seen on the coast. The group's productions of Waiting for Godot and Gulls stand out as benchmark productions.
For a time, a breakaway group from GMS, the Fringe Theatre Company, gave us some
highly enjoyable theatre (remember Amadeus?)and during the term of Don Craig as
manager of Laycock St theatre, the theatre's own fledgling company presented
such memorable shows as Leader of the Pack and Stepping Out.
The 4th Wall Theatre shone bright for only a couple of years, with the promising acquisition of a new theatre space at Erina, and gave us a much lauded production of Godspell before unfortunately going bankrupt.
In even more recent years, the Mad Cow Theatre Company has expanded from its
program of drama courses to present some wonderful drama at its North Gosford
space - including a memorable production of Cosi - and may hilarious nights of theatre sports.
The Ad Hoc Theatre is perhaps the latest company to emerge on the coast some
eight or nine years ago.
Performing first at a school hall, and later at Gosford Regional Gallery and
then Peninsula Theatre, the company has brought some thought provoking drama (
Equus, Agnes of God, One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest) and some high quality
children's pantomimes to the community.
For the past two years the company has been heavily involved in a joint venture
with ARAFMI, involving members of the mental health community in a mainstream
theatrical production.
LAYCOCK STREET THEATRE
Wyong Drama Group Information
GREENWAY CHAPEL
Tickets $20 per concert available at the door (limited
seating). Pre-purchase tickets by
forwarding cheque and details. to “2007” Concert Series”. 460 Avoca Drive,
Green Point. 2251.
PEARL BEACH COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL
Tickets Adults $33 incl GST,
Child $15 Incl. GST.
Enquiries 4344 2319
Bookings 4344 2138
CENTRAL COAST COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION
Sunday Free music afternoons are now held at the Wyong RSL Anzac Road Wyong from 12.30pm on 3rd Sunday each month.
Phone Lyn McKenzie 0414 322 547 for further information.
CENTRAL COAST LEAGUES CLUB
CENTRAL COAST JAZZ SCENE
Every Sunday from 2-5pm at Central Coast Leagues Club, Dane
Drive Gosford.
President Dot White 4325 2733,
Secretary Rod Gale 4322 4591
Mail to PO Box 1360 Gosford 2250
SING AUSTRALIA CHOIR
This is a Nation wide choir singing from a common song
book. No auditions, just turn up at
the Central Coast Leagues Club, 7.30pm, Monday evenings for 1 1/2 hours “Sing
In”. Ask at the desk which room
has been allocated. They also
sing at Nursing Homes and Villages and special functions.
Phone 4369 1161 or 4329 5639 for enquiries.
SPIRIT OF THE COAST HARMONY
A 5 week introductory program will start on 14th
November - 12th December for interested people going along to try
4-part harmony singing for the first time.
The group sang at the August Citizenship Ceremony at
Gosford Council and in the past under their old name, sang at Wyong Citizenship
ceremonies.
They are available to sing at functions.
Phone Wilma Walsh on 4328 1089.
Thanks Mavis. 4365 5045 Team coordinator is Shayne Schuj.
MOVIE APPRECIATION GROUP
Movie buffs meet at the Avoca Theatre on Wednesdays at 12 noon to view films followed by discussions. Also on Thursdays. Organiser Elaine Odgers-Norling. Phone the Theatre 4382 1677 for bookings. Info Line 4382 1777.
info@avocabeachpicturetheatre.com.au
U3A also have a Film Appreciation Group which meets at the Theatre on Wednesday morning for the 10am session.
BOTTOM LINE PRODUCTIONS
For further information about Bottom Line Productions please ring 614 2252 7715
WOY WOY LITTLE THEATRE
Booking office opens two weeks before performances 10am to
2pm Peninsula Theatre. Phone 4344 4737.
For information about Woy Woy Little Theatre phone 4341 2931. Mail PO Box 13 Woy Woy 2256
AD HOC COMMUNITY THEATRE and
Central Coast ARAFMI
Bookings 4323 3233
WYONG MEMORIAL HALL
Evenings 8pm Wednesday 10 October
Matinees 2pm Tuesday 9, Wednesday 10, Thurs 11,
October. Bookings 4353 4353