DDYT Reunion - Part 2 (no it's not the cruise yet!)

Hi everyone

 

Thanks for a fantastic time in Toowoomba.  The memories were wonderful and the years seemed to melt away.  My favourite moment was when we had mostly sat on the floor after the slideshow and were just chatting together.  I am so glad to have caught up with a bunch of very special people again!

 

But ........ Just when you thought, "well that's it and wasn't it great''  we are organsing a second part to the whole thing!

 

As you know Jim Cotter is here in Canberra and we would like to present him with a plaque similar to the one we gave to Rob. Sadly Jim was unable to make it to Toowoomba so we ared bringing the reunion to him.  (well a mini-version anyway)

 

We will be having lunch at my place on Saturday 7 July from 12.30pm.  I thought that there may be people in the relatively near vicinity who may wish to join us  (eg Sydney people)  If you would like to come please let me know by Thursday 5th July so we can organise for enough food and grog to be available.

 

My address is:

 

16 Garrad Court

Charnwood  ACT

 

(directions can be given but it's not hard to get to)

 

My phone number is 0417 247 875.

 

 

Cheers

 

Naomi

 

 

Email from Gayle Cullinan! (permisson given to forward to blog)

Hi Rick- how are you, my friend?  Hope the reunion went well - i look forward to hearing about it. Also thank you for getting Robert in touch with me - that is great - although what a shame it came only as I'm leaving Aceh after long posting for new ventures - read on....now I might need the contact details for mark in new york....

 

Meanwhile, here is my latest news.....

 

My time in Aceh with the tsunami reovery posting just flew by and was remarkable life experience...fantastic!!

but I've got a fantastic new posting and so will be saying goodbye to Oz for a while.
I have been offered an opportunity simply too good to refuse – as global staff counsellor with UNICEF based at United Nations Staff Well Being Unit Headquarters in New York. 

I'm still can honestly say that I haven't done this by design, as much as serendipity and twists of fate, with hard work thrown in for good measure. I am sincerely passionate about my field of trauma and counselling, but I have also always dreamed of having a simple life - goodness knows how I end up with such full on career path. Now the UN for goodness sake - and a global position -Lordy, big stuff for a little ol' girl from country Toowoomba! Please indulge me the excitment as well as being a bit overwhelmed....

My new role will focus initially primarily on developing UN's global response to emergencies such as pandemics, terrorism and sudden outbreak of war (eg when staff have to be evacuated or remain in lockdown, including support for families left behind and helping staff continue to provide essential services during crises), for staff such as peacekeepers and core emergency staff. I will be traveling extensively – alas, not to the Caribbean as I would like….more like places where everyone is leaving instead of in the tourist brochures.

I will now be moving to New York, based at UN Headquarters. Please feel welcome to stay in touch. Hopefully our paths will cross again someday.

 

Email: gacullinan@hotmail.com

Aust ph: 0431801892

Until we meet again,
Gayle CULLINAN

Thoughts from Robert Kingham (section lifted, with permission, from email to Rick)

 

 

 

I feel as if I've come back through the looking glass

 

The general level of apprehension early in the evening was so extraordinary. I think we all wondered whether we would have anything to say to one another. Did we have anything that linked us other than a youthful experience? It seems we did. We do. It was very wonderful to be able to reconnect with a part of my life which I thought was lost forever. And I realize the pain of thinking I'd lost it was what had distanced me so from my past life for so long. I don't think I was the only one to feel like this. Somehow since Saturday it is ok. One life consists of so many bits. This week I understand better it is ok to have baggage, and even better to have friends. And to be proud of both. What you, Michele, Jeff and Leo have done is a wonderful thing. Thankyou is inadequate.

 

 

Genesis/Bottom's Contact List has now been sent

Rick has now emailed the contact list to everyone so check your INBOX for the email. There is an attachment to the email containing the contact details. The contact list is in an Excel spreadsheet format ("genesis reunion contact list.xls").

If you don't have Excel (or compatible software) installed on your machine, you can download the free OpenOffice software from the SourceForge site.

There is a portable version that allows you store and run the application form a potable device such as iPod, USB flash drive, CD, etc (you can take the removable device from machine to machine and run the programs without need to install it).

Click here for the OpenOffice.org Portable version

If you would prefer it in a CSV or other format, let us know and we'll see what we can do.

Email from Gayle Cullinan (Acting team Genesis) - sent to Rick some time back!!

Hi Rick,

well, the plans look great! thank you so much for all the hard work. I'd
love
to come, and had hoped to be able to get there, but alas, I'm still
overseas
working in Aceh, Indonesia with the tsunami recovery program. I'm in charge
of
psychosocial programs here so cannot get away at that time. when i get the
next
chance over next few weeks, i will write a speil about what i'm up to. also
wish i could access my old photos but eveyrthing is in storage since i was
posted to indonesia.

i enjoy the cinbtact - keep in touch!

love
gayle

Emails - from Karyn Simmons

Email 1:

Hi Rick

Arrived back in Bangkok in the early hours of Wednesday morning and am
still unpacking and recovering! I can still barely believe we all got
together after 30 years! It was an absolute BLAST and I am so pleased I
was able to attend - despite being breathalysed in Toowoomba at 2am Sunday
morning on my way to my cousin's house! (No problem with being over the
limit - more cups of tea than alcohol!)

I am so fascinated by all the different things people have been doing -
what a variety of life experiences! - the transformation from teenagers on
the Downs to grown-ups (with spectacles!) is amazing!

Absolutely please keep in touch and I really look forward to the DVD.
yours, from the tropics,

Karyn

Email 2: Cherry Ripes and Koalas

Have unpacked everything and family now full of
Caramello Koalas and Cherry Ripes! So pleased to be home again but
thinking
enviously of all the cool air and big blue skies in Queensland as I sit
here
at 9.30am and it is 35 degrees already and there's that wonderful Bangkok
pollution haze outside - thank goodness for aircon!!!

Have a good weekend!

Karyn

Email from Kate Foy

Hi Rick

many thanks for all the great work you did in order to get last Saturday night together so brilliantly.  It was a wonderful gathering of souls, and you are spot on I think to be so moved.

As promised, I spoke with Joseph Mitchell Queensland Theatre Company's Youth and Education Manager about accessing the blog etc. for archival purposes.  He is keen to speak with you, and has given me his card to pass on.  I'll slip it in the mail, and leave you to contact Joe to further this.  

I also reported to the board how thrilled I was to hear 45-something men and women speak so positively about what that long-gone initiative of QTC did and continues to do for their lives.  I think all were very impressed.  I know Youth and Education continues to have a very high priority in the company's vision.

Anyhow, thanks again.  I'll keep an eye on the blog of course, and if there is anything I can do to assist, please let me know.

Warm wishes

Dr Kate Foy

Chairman 

Queensland Theatre Company

0409-135186

 

Email from Andrea Dye

Hi Rick,

I just wanted to thank you on behalf of myself and Mike for a memorable
occasion. We thoroughly enjoyed the evening and Mike was particularly
impressed with the love and passion that was evident in everyone there. He's
never been involved with a group of people in such an intense environment as
we experienced with "genesis" and "Bottoms".

My photos did not turn out as well as they could have due to camera problems
(also camera operator problems I must admit) but I will send through what
I've got once I have a chance to play on my PC at home.

Once again, thanks for all of your hard work...you're a legend!

Love,

Andrea Dye
Administrative Officer
Faculty of Business
University of the Sunshine Coast
Tel: (07) 5430 1284
Fax: (07) 5430 1231

Thanks for the vision and determination to organise the reunion - from Leo Keane

Hi Michelle/Rick

I just wanted to say 'thanks' to you for having the vision and determination to organise the Genesis/DDYT reunion.

I had long wanted to be able to thank Robert, Rick, Lloyd & Jim for the enormous effort they invested into us when we were kids (or as Rick preferred young 'people'). I wanted to be able to thank them once I had sufficient life experience to comprehend the type of effort required to mount such a project and overcome the challenges that would have beset them.

If you hadn't initiated the reunion, I doubt I would ever have honoured that promise.

With deep affection and love,

Leo

Email from Josephine Frankland

 

A big thankyou guys for putting it all together. I found I was hanging out last Sat night with the same teenagers I hung out with 29 years ago. And we were still as funny and silly as we were then. I look forward to getting the email list. xxx  Josephine

 

Email from Mary Stuart!

 

Thanks Rick,

 

I think it was a tremendous occasion…interesting, bizarre, and really warm fuzzy stuff! I had a great conversation with Camilla, as I gave her a lift back to Brisbane.  I would love to have talked to you some more, and will be in touch next time I'm up in Toowoomba….I come up once a month to see my parents. I was very impressed by your achievement….congratulations, and once again, many thanks.

Mary Stuart

 

Hi from Rick - how are you all going?

Hi everyone,

 

Just wanted to say hi and again say thank you to all of you who were able to attend the reunion night/breakfast.  Your being there, made for a very SPECIAL evening.  And if you weren't able to make it, we were sorry we missed you, but there's talk of getting together in 5 years time!!  We'll keep you posted!

 

I felt absolutely overwhelmed by the whole occasion and in a very good way!  What a gift, to be able to meet you all after 29/30 years!!

 

Jeff's Dad is currently downloading the film from the evening and then Jeff and Leo will be working on editing the footage from Saturday evening.  This will then be added to a 'work in progress DVD' that Leo is putting together and then when all is complete, Leo will be sending you all a DVD (or two), with memorabilia to keep forever and ever!!  If you weren't able to make the night, we would still like to send you a DVD, so please send me your updated address details.

 

If you did not write your address details in the 'visitors book' on Saturday night, could you please email me your updated address/phone details.  This info will be added to a list, and sent to you all.  This way we can stay in touch with each other, when we so choose. (If you do not want your info put on the list, please let Rick know ASAP).

This list will not be published on the BLOG, but sent to your separate email addresses only.

 

Now that the reunion has 'been and gone', I know that there are many of us that have made connections with others and will be staying in touch.  Wonderful!!  Mission accomplished!

 

Might you also consider to continue to share some thoughts on the BLOG ( & eventual Website), so that we can keep the momentum going.  I think that it would be a shame to lose the connections that we've recently experienced.  What do you think?

 

Leo came over last night  to collect some of Naomi Nicholson's album memorabilia, including a GENESIS script!  These images and script, along with Josephine's copy of the Bottom's script, will be added to our DVD compilation package!!!   Can't wait!

 

Well that's it's for me, for the moment, but I will continue to update you all, as best I can, with any info and developments!  Remember that if you want to share anything on the BLOG and you can't work out how to do that, simply send me your email and I will forward it directly to the BLOG.

 

If you email me/us and do not want your email published on the blog, please make a point of saying something like 'Not for Blog'.

 

Still a bit in awe of 'our gathering' and the significance of that.  Significant for me, because it shows that even after 30 years, the candle flame of friendship has not been 'blown out'. 

 

Love and hugs,

Rick

 

PS:  If you do not want to continue to receiving emails, or if you would like your email address deleted from our list, please let Rick know.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See you at the reunion!!!!!!!!!!

That's it for BLOG posts (from me) folks until after the reunion!

It looks like the search for a copy of the Genesis & Bottoms script has yielded results. They will hopefully be up within the month. Also more memorabilia for scanning has been promised. More blogging to come by the sound of it!

Rick caught up with Naomi Nicholson last night for dinner. Naomi is all pumped up for tonight. She will be joining us (Rick Ireland, Jeff Williams, John Dowton, Leo Keane and possibly Learna) this morning at the Empire for the set-up.

Bring a good supply of tissues with you :)

Down Memory Lane #15 - Empire too good to go

The Chronicle
Editorial, 16 May 1977

Empire too good to go

Destruction of the Empire Theatre would be just as sacrilegious to theatregoers as the dismantling and removal of the Mother's Memorial would be to a large section of the Toowoomba public.

Toowoomba needs a theatre like the Empire. The city is big enough to be on the national circuit for leading stage shows and leading stars, but the remodelled City Hall Theatre lacks sufficient seating capacity and professional musicians will not use the infamous orchestra pit.

... Click here for the article

Letters To The Editor
Rick Thompson (Administrator),
Darling Downs Youth Theatre,
4 Burns St, Toowoomba

'Empire an all-rounder'

I refer to your editorial (T.C. 16-5-77) expressing the opinion that the Empire should be retained as a theatre.

Having worked in the Empire with the kids of the Darling Downs Youth Theatre onb "genesis" and having been involved in mounting a major Youth Theatre project on the Downs over the past four months, I can only agree totally with the sentiments expressed in the Editorial.

What we have as a community with the Empire Theatre is a unique and very exciting opportunity.

For too long in Queensland and overseas we have seen cultural centres being built at tremendous cost to the community without sufficient care being given to who is going to bear the running costs in the future, and who is going to use the place. Bricks and mortar do not make a theatre as the Darling Downs Youth Theatre has demonstrated. It took many weeks of hard work to turn the Empire from a building back into a theatre.

... Click here for the article



LINKS:

ALBUM - Michelle McIntyre

Slideshow - Michelle McIntyre

21 Days of easier Blogging!! (Post)

Blogging - Become an Author (Slideshow)

Down Memory Lane #14 - "genesis" review - The Pittsworth Sentinel

The Pittsworth Sentinel (Thursday, June 9, 1977)

GENESIS
- A.M.

It is an old story, but one that can still be told; About men who loved; and lost thier friends to death and learned they lacked the power to bring them back to life.

This is the story of Gilgamesh and Enkidu. This is the story of Adam and Eve, of Noah and his wife. Genesis is the story of mankind.

It was around this story that the musical play evolved.

Through realistic scenes, excellent though sometimes weird lighting effects, splendid acting, descriptive manoeuvres for the change of emotional moods through a synopsis of scenes.

The first was The Creation and the story of Adam and Eve with their attendant sorrow. Then the epic of Gilgamesh, who was King of Uruk in ancient Babylon about 1000 years before the book of Genesis was written. The story portrays the meeting, the love and the loss of his friend, Enkidu.

The third story was that of Noah, his wife and the ark. This was a truely stirring scene. A parade of the animals which entered the ark being the highlight.

The masks worn by the animals which wobbled, crawled, wriggled and strutted around the auditorium were masterpieces of careful design and exquisit workmanship which must have kept the workers busy for weeks.

The detail was infinite and such masks deserve to be carefully preserved for future productions, for such workmanship will never be improved upon.

The storm and the rising of the waters in this scene were frightening, thanks to sound effects.

The final scene, The Rainbow, was sensitive and delicately presented, especially the moments Gilgamesh spent with the silver rose singing "Death is not the end".

This theatrical adventure was prepared in four months which meant hard work for every member of the company. Forty-two young people became quite dedicated to their job during that time and worked like Trojans, guided by the professional team from teh Queensland Theatre Company.

The construction crew built the set known as "the helmet" which was a feat of engineering, the result being a dramatic edification.

Top marks to the designers and dressmakers. Calico, dozens of yards dyed to earthy colours, was used for the basic foundation garment - t-shirt and flowing flares - girls and boys were dressed alike.

Ornamentation was provided by peanut shells and nuts being woven into embroidery with coils of rope for the more elaborate robes worn by Noah and other male characters.

The fantastic head-dresses could have been inspired by those worn by native high priests preparing for special rituals.

The completely imaginative costume worn by the Bull of Heaven was another to remember with pleasure, as were all the ceremonial robes.

Another amusing setup was the almost freakish orchestra, which at times was almost overwhelming. Fortunately, for most of the time the sounds produced were quite pleasant. A novel idea was the string of plough discs banged with gusto along with the drums. The sound from whatever they called it was equally unusual.

Singing was tuneful and the choreography was good although a couple of the dances were quite long. However, the dancers swirled and swayed with such enthusiasm they inspired the audience.

The Bush Fire, danced under the fierce flicking glare of vivid red lights was a really hot number.

The acting was sincere and unaffected all through. The boys stole the show there.

The fight between Gilgamesh and Enkidu was a really good one, no holds bared. Judo throws were freely used and the audience felt very bruised by the last punch.

The first entrance and final exit of the cast splendidly suggested early Greek theatre.

The final night is to be in the city of Brisbane where one hopes it will be as well received as it has been on the Darling Downs.

A quote used by the players was: "To laugh is to love - And to love is to live - So we make the world love - And make the world laugh."

Let us remember Genesis by using this quote ourselves.

Click here for the article


LINKS:

ALBUM - Michelle McIntyre

Slideshow - Michelle McIntyre

21 Days of easier Blogging!! (Post)

Blogging - Become an Author (Slideshow)

Down Memory Lane #13 - "genesis" On Tour - Brisbane - St John's Cathedral

"Genesis" the result of five months of dedication
By Nan Gorey Wood

A VAST rainbow cloak spread on St. John's Cathedral stage during the finale of "Genesis" on Saturday is symbolic of five months of "fantastic" creation.

In prosaic terms, the rainbow of dyed baling twine knitted by the 42 school-age company, expresses joy in the first production of the Darling Downs Youth Theatre (DDYT).

Saturday's productions at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Cathedral will represent the 14th and 15th stagings of "Genesis."

It would not be too fanciful to dub "Genesis" the Darling Downs' Chorus Line. Like the hit American musical, "Genesis" has been inspired by its cast.

As in Chorus Line, taped observations - "Genesis was an involvement with people who made me really happy and I love them all" - are played during the finale.

The production I saw was staged in a defunct Warwick cinema with the acoustic sensitivity of an empty barn.

What mattered was not the lost words but the occasional drowning of speech and lyrics by over - enthusiastic sound effects.

What comes across is the disciplined exuberance of a 14 - 18 year old company whose acting and singing for most part is surprising good.

Threads for the pre-chosen theme were garnered kilometres apart during months of accepting, rejecting, re-writing, composing, and long discussion.

Thirteen Downs' productions have led to Saturday's grand finale.

Initiated in January, DDYT's "Genesis" was no undertaking for the faint - hearted.

Backed by $7000 from the Queensland Theatre Company, stalwarts from the education division of Q.T.C. provided the springboard.

Originator Robert Kingham, Rick Thompson and Lloyd Nickson are artistic director, administrator and design co-ordinator respectively.

Composer Jim Cotter of Canberra, was given a grant by the music board of the Australia Council to help with the lyrics and music.

Supported by headmasters of several Downs' schools the first such decentralised programme in Australia had its headquarters in Toowoomba.

Secondary school students who applied and were accepted are from Toowoomba, Warwick, Pittsworth, Oakey, and Clifton.

Actors (20), writers (4), designers (11), directors (3), and Technicians (4) worked on the production after school, every weeke-end and during May holidays.

The company designed and made the costumes and stage effects, they work the lights and sound.

Symbolism is the name of the game. The 105 - minute musical has four scenes in which the Old Testament in "Begatomania" plays an amusing role.

Borrowing from the Old Testament, "Genesis" is about "men who loved and lost their friends to death and learned they lacked the power to bring them back to life ... the story of man".

Violent Gilgamesh, symbolised by a bikie's helmet, the anonymous modern mask, represents both ancient and modern.

His power symbol on stage is a theatrical tour de force.

As an exercise in theatre "Genesis" speaks for itself. Even more important to the cast has been the wildly successful exercise in co-operation and friendship.

Click here for the article


LINKS:

ALBUM - Michelle McIntyre

Slideshow - Michelle McIntyre

21 Days of easier Blogging!! (Post)

Blogging - Become an Author (Slideshow)

Down Memory Lane #12 -'Genesis' back to Toowoomba

circa 11 June 1977

Empire Theatre replaces the Dalby venue for the June 18 performance

'Genesis' back to Toowoomba

The musical play "genesis", being presented by the Darling Downs Youth Theatre, is to return to the Empire Theatre for two more performances.

This was announced yesterday by the administrator of the Youth Theatre Mr Rick Thompson.

Mr Thompson said: "We had originally planned to bring the show back to Toowoomba before the final performances in Brisbane, but there wasn't time. So we have decided to cancel the Dalby performance and return to the Empire as a final farewell to the Darling Downs."

"Genesis" opened in the Empire Theatre on Thursday, May 12. It was the first time the Empire had been used as a live theatre for more than 10 years.

"All the schools and the Institute were on holidays during the opening season so a lot of people missed out," Mr Thompson said. "We have had many requests from schools and the public to do more performances here in Toowoomba because previous performances generated such interest."

The play is the result of 4 1/2 months of work by more than 40 young people from all over the Darling Downs.

On the past three Saturday nights it has been presented at Stanthorpe, Pittsworth and Oakey. Tonight it goes to Warwick.

The Darling Downs Youth Theatre is a Queensland Theatre Company project which has been run as a pilot scheme for the development of youth theatre throughout Queensland.

Click here for the article


LINKS:

ALBUM - Michelle McIntyre

Slideshow - Michelle McIntyre

21 Days of easier Blogging!! (Post)

Blogging - Become an Author (Slideshow)

Down Memory Lane #11 - "genesis" On Tour - Oakey

Friday, 3 June 1977

"Genesis" could best be described as a modern rock musical with costumes and set designed and made by the members of Youth Theatre.

"Genesis" opened in Toowoomba on May 12 at the Empire Theatre, and has since played at Pittsworth and Stanthorpe.

The play on tour is the last stage of the Youth Theatre's activities. The Youth Theatre is a pilot project for youth theatre in Queensland and is run by the Queensland Theatre Company.

All the technical and stage set-up is done by the young people in the Youth Theatre themselves under the guidance of three professional theatre people from Brisbane. The young people have learned to make the necessary changes to the shape of the show to fit the different places in which the play is presented.

Next Saturday, the rock musical will be presented in Kings Theatre, Warwick.

Click here for the article


LINKS:

ALBUM - Michelle McIntyre

Slideshow - Michelle McIntyre

21 Days of easier Blogging!! (Post)

Blogging - Become an Author (Slideshow)

Down Memory Lane #10 - "genesis" On Tour - Pittsworth

May 1977

"Genesis" Coming to Town

"Genesis" a musical play created by the Darling Downs Youth Theatre is coming to Pittsworth.

Over the past months forty young people aged between 14 and 18 years have been working with a small professional theatre staff from the Queensland Theatre Company on "Genesis" which will play at the Pittsworth Town Hall on Saturday, May 28.

Participants in the youth theatre production have come from Warwick, Clifton, Pittsworth, Oakey, Toowoomba and other centres on the Downs.

The young people have written it, directed it and composed the music and songs and designed the sets.

There are costumes made from knitted baling twin and macrame and bunya nuts. There are masks made from paper mache and paper mosaic, so the show promises to be unique.

The Queensland Theatre Company has mounted the Darling Downs Youth Theatre as a pilot scheme for the further development of regional youth theatre throughout Queensland.

It is first production of its kind in Australia.

The young people from the Youth Theatre will be in Pittsworth during the week before Saturday, May 28 to set up the lighting for the show and all the work involved in getting ready for the performance will be done by the young people themselves.

Click here for the article


Genesis Here on Saturday

The Pittsworth Town Hall will be transformed this Saturday.

Forty young people from the Darling Downs Youth Theatre are setting up during this week for their inaugural production "genesis".

All kinds of music has been written for "genesis". One of the songs was written by the two local girls in the youth theatre - Karyn Simmons and Michelle McIntyre.

... Click here for the article


LINKS:

ALBUM - Michelle McIntyre

Slideshow - Michelle McIntyre

21 Days of easier Blogging!! (Post)

Blogging - Become an Author (Slideshow)

Still more to come ...

Alas I had hoped to complete all the entries leading up to tomorrow night's reunion before work this morning. I have fallen short of this goal. I probably hit enough keystrokes, but on a chilly winter's morning before sunrise is not a good time for a two-finger typist to try. Lots of backspaces, deletes and 'oh sugar, the caps lock is on again - ohhh and for that long - start again..

Hopefully tonight it will be all done so that anyone keen enough can read it all tomorrow morning. If only Toowoomba had a Starbuck's eh?!!!

PS: With the entries this morning, you may not have seen Jim's message for us. Unfortunately he will not be able to make it to the reunion tomorrow.

Click here to see Jim Cotter's message.