Relive the past with “A Night to Remember”

Warragul Theatre Company will mark its 20th anniversary with “A Night to Remember” at the West Gippsland Arts Centre this weekend.

The show, with four performances, will take a look back at past shows staged by the company.

“The whole aim of this show is to represent every show for the past 20 years in a concert style performance,” said Caroline Allen. “Past cast members and new cast members are coming together to represent the last 20 years.”

From “The Pirates of Penzance” in 1998 to “Song Contest: An Almost Eurovision Experience” in 2017, no show is missed.

Tickets are $38 for adults, $35 for concession and $31 for youth under 18.

The gala night, optional on Saturday night, is $53 for adults, $50 for concession and $46 for youth under 18. Beginning at 6pm, the tickets includes one house drink, finger food and a talk from a life member.

For bookings or further information, contact the West Gippsland Arts Centre box-office on 5624 2456 or visit wgac.org.au.

A simple request to act as a rehearsal pianist has led Graeme Patterson to a 20year involvement with the Warragul Theatre Company.

Graeme, who has been involved in every company production, will sign off after “A Night to Remember” due to relocating to Inverloch.

The past president, treasurer and secretary admits “I’ve done just about everything there is” … except watching a show.

Having sat in the orchestra pit over the past 20 years, Graeme said the closest he got to watching was an open orchestra pit in the 1998 “Pirates of Penzance”.

Although he admits watching pirates swing across the orchestra pit on ropes probably wouldn’t meet OH&S standards today.

Pulling out his vast knowledge of the theatre company, Graeme says 950 different locals have been involved in the cast, orchestra or crew over the past 20 years.

“Some have done just one show and disappeared,” added Graeme. “Other idiots like me have done the lot.”

Graeme is joined by Michael Winterton and Michelle Carrigy in having been part of an overwhelming majority of the company’s 23 shows.

The “A Night to Remember” cast includes (back row, from left) Kirrily Howden, Simon Fraser, Esther White, Hayley Abery, Sam Stephens, Tristan Cullinan-Smayles, John Black, Toby Just, Graeme Marriott, Paul Beaumont, (middle row, from left) Joanne Wolsley, Tammy Tily, Danielle Green, Caroline Allen, Fiona Camp, Elyse Clyde, Natalie Heels, Michael Winterton, Kathy Ross, Dorothy McMahon, Daniel Burton, Ben Heels holding Mitchell, (kneeling front row, from left) Elizabeth Wolsley-Alomes, Libby Rogers, Dominique Holmes, Adie Perry, Tracie McDonald, Janelle Forrest, Brenda Patterson, Sami Lee Coulter, (sitting front row, from left) Teagen Rogers, Ashlee Jennings, Maddi Bransgrove, Tara Matthews, Shari Ward and Rachel O’Dwyer. Absent is Cory Bruerton.

Above: “Phantom of the Opera” in 2014 was recalled as Warragul Theatre Company’s biggest ever productions. It starred Terry Lay as Phantom and Taylah Trew as Christine.