OUR DRAMA TEAM GETS TOP PLAY AWARD

Pilgrim Productions, the drama group that shelters under the wing of Pitt St Methodist Church won the award for Best Production for the main amateur drama organisation in Auckland. The award was for its 2009 production of 84 Charing Cross Road and was presented by the Auckland Community Theatre Trust in March.

The company also won award for Best Actress in a leading role (Lynne Webster) in the role of Helene Hanff, a New York writer who had an amazing friendship via correspondence with the manager of a London bookshop. Other awards for the same play were for Best Ensemble (the overall teamwork of the entire cast), Best Director (Richard Purro), Best Stage Manager (Mary Boyd), and Best Properties (Glenda Matchett).

Former Pilgrim chairman Bruce Weston was also nominated for Best Actor in a leading role. The top picture shows Weston and Webster, on opposite sides of the Atlantic, but still in close contact by mail.

The picture below shows Mary Boyd and Glenda Matchett with their trophies.

The picture below right, shows Pilgrim chairman Marion Hines (left) holding the trophies for Best Production and Best  Director, Mary Boyd, Glenda Matchett and Lynn Webster with their awards, and Karen Yates holding the trophy for Best Ensemble, with other actors from the ensemble, Kerry Thornton and Geoff Barlow in the back row.

Lynne  Webster also won the Best Actress award for Pilgrim's other play last year, The Day They Kidnapped the Pope.

 If you can't beat them, why not join them?

Like to join this winning team? As well as the stars who make the above awards, Pilgrim needs people to do publicity, people to paint sets, etc, etc.

Interested? Contact chairman Marion Hines, on 376-6583 or marionanddavid@orcon.net.nz.

PITT ST CHURCH OFFERS SINGING SCHOLARSHIPS

Pitt St Methodist Church has become a training ground for young musicians and they are jumping at the chance.

The scheme is the brainchild of choir director Robert Howell, who teaches music at a number of schools and has been offering individual tuition to his students in the form of vocal scholarships. They get free tuition provided they sing in the Pitt St choir for a year, including rehearsals.

Robert comments: "Pitt St Choir is undergoing an exciting period of growth and activity as more talented young singers join us. "We sing a variety of repertoire from challenging and beautiful renaissance/Tudor anthems to contemporary music.

"Singing in a church choir reaps wonderful benefits of musicianship, sight-reading skills, ear-training skills, social interaction, and having great fun!"

The scholarship scheme was very successful in its first year, 2009. Six students took part (see picture).

How to apply for a scholarship

To apply for scholarships, please contact the choir director Robert Howell by telephone 535-5493. 

Read more about the choir and hear them in action: