Retired residents make memories on stage
They look forward to many more fun-filled shows in the future.
POINSETTIA Park Retirement Centre staged yet another successful show, ‘Memories are made of this’, by residents last weekend.
Three performances took place from Friday to Sunday, 30 October to 1 November.
“In the early years, residents participating in the shows used to form groups and practise in their garages when no-one was around, keeping their items and outfits a secret and a big surprise for those attending. For the past couple of shows, practise has taken place in the hall and starts three months before the show. There has always been a tremendous amount of talent among our residents, many of whom are piano players, guitarists, organists, saxophonist, singers, actors and actresses and dancers. A willing hand and heart wherever you look,” said PRO Wendy Lloyd.
The programme consisted of ‘memories’ as Poinsettia Park has been producing shows for the past 20 year or more, and some of the numbers were from previous shows, among them, Running Bear, Walter and Men in Tights. These proved to be popular items and were worth showing again.
One part of the show, ‘music hall’, featured ‘My Old Man’s a Dustman’ and ‘Second-Hand Rose’.
The last half of the programme was named ‘Christmas Eve’, with numbers like ‘Silver Bells’, ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ and ‘I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus’.
The two-hour production also included miming to songs, songs by the Ladybirds and different forms of dancing such as ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ and line dancing.
The cast comprised 33 people with a lot of help from residents working backstage and behind the scenes.
The producer was Diane van der Merwe, assistant producer Denise Grant, cast manager Jenny Lambrink, choreograpers, Dawn Marè and Nicky Stirzaker, musical director and lighting Peter Surmon.
Costumes were made or supplied by residents and the cast.
Stage builders were Andries Botha, Michael Letseka and Albert van der Merwe. Those responsible for stage decor were Andries Botha, Dassie du Preez and Hettie van Aswegan. Curtain controller and set dressers were Len Capper, Chunky de Lange, Denise de Wal and Denise Grant.
Hester Moolman and Wendy Lloyd saw to the hall and entrance hall decor and the Christmas tree decorators were Y Bodeker, C de Lange and J Momberg.
Poinsettia Park produces a show about every two years and previous producers include the late Joy Sahli, a former resident and Wendy Lloyd.
The centre looks forward to many fun-filled shows in the future.
