The Committee

The Stage Club Committee 2010-2011

President ~ David Hickman <email>
Vice President ~ Elena Scherer
Secretary ~ Foofie Gunawardena
Treasurer & Business Manager ~ Eileen Hickman
Artistic Director ~ Nick Perry
Wardrobe ~ Hilary Richardson
Publicity ~ Ma'an Santos <email>
Cultural Attache ~ Valérie Guichard
House & Special Projects ~ Anna Vardy
Social ~ Sue Penrice Tyrie
Technical ~ Rob Cady
Webmaster ~ Peter Webb (ex-officio) <email>

President’s Annual Report for the year ended February 28, 2010. 29-04-10

In my closing comments in last year’s address I said that “I trust that we can continue the camaraderie, friendship and mutual respect within our membership for yet another banner year.” I am pleased to report that has been the case and that the past year was also one of the Club’s most successful ever – both artistically and financially – aided by strong support from The Arts Fund for which we are very grateful. My thanks go to those members of the Committee who lasted out the year and to our Business Manager, Eileen, all of whom are standing for re-election. Without their commitment and guidance The Stage Club would not run as smoothly as it does.

For the first time in 15 years we presented a total of six productions, including for the first time ever two highly successful productions in French directed by Emmanuelle LeBris. Another pantomime, Aladdin, written and directed by Barry Woolhead and A Midsummer Night’s Dream abridged by Barry were sold out and other traditional fare - Season’s Greetings and Daisy Pulls It Off, both directed by first timers for the Stage Club – Mini Elliot and Nikki Perry, respectively, attracted lots of accolades and generated cash. My thanks go to all of these directors for their talent and hard work and to Elena Scherer for her very considerable assistance in producing Daisy Pulls It Off.

Membership numbers have flourished with a 50% increase on top of a 20% rise the previous year. A large number of the new members find us on the Internet and thanks to Peter Webb we continue to receive a large number of hits. I encourage all of you Facebook users to invite all of your Singapore social networking friends to become friends of The Stage Club in order to further our publicity reach.

Several Social events have been held and were well attended including a great Annual Dinner Dance themed as the 1960’s and 1970’s and a poolside Christmas party – both at the Tanglin Club. Social events as well as rehearsal and after show parties have been improved not only with the advent of air conditioning but also a water dispenser and a wet bar. My thanks go to Rob Cady for his cabinetry and plumbing and to Nan Sandford for keeping the ants and roaches at bay.

While we bask in a current peak of success, I need to caution that the year ahead is full of greater challenges, not the least as our security of tenure in the Club house would appear to be at risk due to management and policy changes at our landlord company. Booking of theatres is becoming more of a challenge. We do, however, have some exciting things ahead of us including Old Thyme Musical Hall and Sleeping Beauty at the clubs’ in September and November, respectively, and a production at DBS/SRT in October. Therefore, after a short summer break there should be no shortage of activities to satisfy your thespian urges.

Thank you all for your attention and support and I trust that you will enjoy the social evening ahead.