Youth theatre show in Pearl Beach

The Pearl Beach Youth Theatre group will present its first production entitled Little Gypsy Gaye at the Pearl Beach Memorial Hall in January next year.

Pearl Beach Progress Association communications officer Ms Lynne Lillico said the Pearl Beach Youth Theatre group began last year at a bus stop outside the Pearl Beach Memorial Hall.

"Meeting their children off the school bus, new residents with theatrical skills and parents of young children keen to be on stage decided to form a theatre group," Ms Lillico said.

"They called it the Bus Stop Theatre Craft and began meeting on a regular basis.

"Unfortunately, due to a number of unforeseen events, the group disbanded.

"Pearl Beach residents Diane Orton and Geoff Miller heard about the children's musical and contacted the Bus Stop members and began rehearsals for Little Gypsy Gaye earlier this year."

Ms Lillico said Little Gypsy Gaye was written in the 1930s with words by Molly Masters and music by Evelyn Wales.

"Members of the youth theatre group have adapted it slightly for a 21st century audience and for the cast of 12 children aged eight to 15 years and three adults," Ms Lillico said.

"The story is about the events that take place on the 10th birthday of a girl called Gaye. "During the one-hour musical Gaye and her fellow gypsies (mainly children) display their skills in music, dance, basket-making, mending pots and pans, hunting and fishing, as well as fortune telling."

At the end of each performance, a lucky door prize will be drawn and cast members in their colorful costumes will mingle with the audience as they sell inexpensive items at the Gypsy Market Place stall.

"Members of the Pearl Beach community have provided their expertise and assistance with costume design, set preparation, choreography, musical direction and photography," Ms Lillico said.

"Musical director and production coordinator Diane Orton is delighted with the dedication and enthusiasm shown by the youthful cast members and promises a show that the whole family will enjoy."

Proceeds from the show will be donated to the Central Coast School for Children with Autism.

Performances will be held on Friday, January 9, and Sunday, January 11, from 2.30pm.

Entry to each performance is $10 per person and $5 for children under 12 years

For more information, contact 4344 2319.

Press release, 1 Dec 2008 Lynne Lillico, Pearl Beach Progress Association