Greasepaint News

News

Greasepaint News

Sad News...-

About one of the stars of the original film version of "Singin' In The Rain". Donald O'Connor, who played Cosmo Brown combining comedy and acrobatics in the show stopping "Make 'em Laugh" number died on Saturday 27th September, 2003 his daughter said. He was 78.

O'Connor, who had been in declining health in recent years, died of heart failure at a retirement home in Calabasas, his daughter Alicia O'Connor told The Associated Press.

In a brief statement his family said that amongst his last words was the following quip: "I'd like to thank the Academy for the lifetime achievement award that I will eventually get."

O'Connor won a Emmy, but never an Oscar. Songs in movie musicals are often touching or exciting, but O'Connor performed a rare feat with a number that was laugh-out-loud funny.

"Someone handed me a dummy that was on the stage," he recalled in a 1995 Associated Press interview. "That was the only prop I used. I did a pratfall and we wrote that down. Every time I did something that got a laugh, we wrote it down to keep in the number."

The American Film Institute's list of the top 100 American films ever made ranked "Singin' In The Rain" at No. 10.

Dates For Your Diary-

New Theatre Company:

Company, at The Cope Auditorium, Loughborough University

13th-18th October, at 7:30

ESNA:

Oklahoma!, at Loughborough Town Hall Theatre

25th-29th November at 7:30pm (Plus Saturday 2:30pm matinee)

Christchurch Theatre Club:

The King And I, at Loughborough Town Hall Theatre

17th-24th January, 2004 at 7:30 (Plus 2:30 matinees)

Act 1:

Little Shop Of Horrors, at Hind Leys Theatre, Shepshed

21st-24th January, 2004 at 7:30pm (Plus Saturday 2:30pm matinee)

Congratulations...-

To our very own Don Lockwood, Lyndon Perry who, after much training and hard work, completed the Great North Run in what I'm reliably informed is a very good time, while also raising money for charity! Kudos to you Lyndon, and well done!!

Happy Birthday Greasepaint!!!-

On Saturday September 6th Greasepaint members past and present celebrated the passing of the companies 10th anniversary. As ever, the event was a massive success! The evening was black tie and everyone made a tremendous effort. The food was magnificent and the entertainment, in the form of a 16 piece big band (with "guest" vocalists!) and a disco was first class!! Huge thanks must go to Darryl Clarke who organised the event with help from Shane Perry, Louise Brown, Debby Phillips and Emma Healey, amongst others. Watch this space for pictures!!

2004 Season (One more time!)-

Since the Town Hall announced their closure next year, to allow for the re-development of the auditorium, we have been racking our collective brain trying to think of what show to do and where to do it! Well, a decision has been reached, and in typical Greasepaint style it's just a little bit different! :-) Click here to go to our future shows page for all the details.

Singin' In The Rain Auditions-

The auditions for 'Singin' In The Rain' were held from 6pm on 30th June and as usual, everyone did themselves proud, making casting this show as tough as ever! See our Current Show pages here for casting details. Well done everyone!

A Chorus Line-

Well, we did it again! Huge congratulations to everyone who was involved in "A Chorus Line". It was a massive success, due in no small part to the dedication of the cast, every one of who put in a first class performance. To everyone involved, on stage and off - you should be very proud!! WELL DONE!!!!