Appeal is delighted to have obtained the performing rights to the East Anglian Premiere of WORKING.

This exciting show is based on a book by Studs Terkel and was adapted for the stage by Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso.

With a fantastic score by Stephen Schwartz (‘Godspell’, ‘Wicked’, ‘The Bakers Wife’ and the recent film ‘Enchanted’) Craig Camelia, Mary Rodgers and Susan Birkenhead, Micki Grant and James Taylor.

The characters of WORKING are everybody you know! The situations are everyday situations, but this musical is anything but ordinary! A different look at the seemingly humdrum lives of working people reveals behind the Monday to Friday drudge a myriad variety of hopes, dreams and aspirations, yet a pride in their daily routine.

From the upbeat ‘All The Livelong Day’ the haunting melody of ‘Nobody Tells Me How’ the fun ‘It’s an Art’ to he triumphant finale, this exciting new musical is not to be missed.

Auditions were held in February and cast as follows: -

Mike Dillard - Duncan Broatch
Al Calinda - To be cast
Amanda McKenny - Sarah Hodge
Rex Winship - Peter Phillips
Rose Hoffman - Sheila Garnham
Babe Secoli - Helen Wheatley
Roberto Nunez - David Jones
Conrad Swibel - Scott Ward
Kate Rushton - Jane Robinson
Roberta Victor - Cath Steel
Candy Cottingham - Maureen Whelton
Grace Clements - Lorena Cenci
Anthony Coelho - Mike Wren
Frank Decker - Ryan Fenton
Heather Lamb - Jo Reeder
Sharon Atkins - Katy Darnell
Enid Dubois - Sarah Hodge
Dolores Dante - Sally Scurrell
Joe Zutty - Peter Phillips
Tom Patrick - Scott Ward
Maggie Holmes - Helen Waller
Ralph Werner - James Wade
Charlie Blossom - David Jones
With - Lisa Whiting, Tory Charles, Chloe Conway, Sam Harvey, Tom Mayhew & Gemma Wallace

Details of ticket prices, special offers etc

This year our chosen Charity is ABC For Reading (Accuracy by Colour)

ABC is a relatively unknown charity that does very valuable work helping people who have ‘Irlen Syndrome’ or Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome.  The condition affects the light signals sent from the eyes to the brain, distorting shapes-especially the written word which pulsates from the page while the letters, words and lines run together into a jumbled mass. The condition which is believed to affect about 15 per cent of the population, can stay undetected because a Scotopic person often appears to be, someone who is just lazy and lacking in concentration. Many children with ADHD have been found to have the Syndrome. Wearing glasses fitted with light filtering lenses can alleviate the problem, and effectively change a child’s life.

How we can help

Once a child has been diagnosed with Irlen Syndrome it is important that they are given the appropriate coloured lenses as soon as possible.

These lenses cost in the region of £300 and in many cases more than one child in a family is found to be affected. This can place an enormous financial burden on a family.

The local branch of ABC has in place a scheme where by parents of children diagnosed with the syndrome are offered an interest free loan in order for the child to be given the special lenses as soon as possible. This loan is repaid at a rate that is manageable to the family.

You can find out more at www.abcirlen.org.

The ESTAA Awards took place on 19th March 2005 at The Elizabeth Hotel Copdock. This Year Appeal received three nominations; Michael Ryles - Youth Achievement, Jo Whelton - Achievement in Direction, and Best Musical and Sound. All three nominations were for Godspell at The New Wolsey Theatre June 2004.

Michael Ryles took part in the evening's entertainment with Harry Waller (Godspell Choir), Hannah Lloyd (Guys & Dolls cast) and several other young performers from local companies; Jo Reeder (Guys & Dolls Cast) choreographed the entertainment assisted by Jane Robinson (Guys & Dolls cast). It was an excellent display of the talent of the future.

The main event was obviously the awards and they were entertainingly distributed by Helen McDermott, assisted by many of the sponsors and their representatives. John Whelton and Richard Healey collected the award for Best Musical and Sound on behalf of the Godspell cast, crew and production team.

In addition John Whelton was named the dream Panto Musical Director for his involvement in Humpty Dumpty at the Spa Pavilion this Christmas.

The awards were great fun and the evening was a lovely chance to meet people from other local groups. Many thanks go out to the ESTAA team who once again provided an excellent evening out.