Our resident Stage Manager, Mark Barrett, recently proved he’s not full of hot air…at 1,500 feet above the Yorkshire Dales in a hot air balloon, Mark proposed to his girlfriend Emily Rockliff. Needless to say, Emily obviously said yes and is still on a high!

Bad puns aside, on behalf of all of us at HSAP, we would like to wish Mark and Emily every happiness for the future.  Congratulations!

Our resident Stage Manager, Mark Barrett, recently proved he’s not full of hot air…at 1,500 feet above the Yorkshire Dales in a hot air balloon, Mark proposed to his girlfriend Emily Rockliff. Needless to say, Emily obviously said yes and is still on a high!

Bad puns aside, on behalf of all of us at HSAP, we would like to wish Mark and Emily every happiness for the future.  Congratulations!

The auditions for High School Musical (being staged at Ashville College from 12 - 17 July 2010) were held on 16th January.  There was a great turnout and we are pleased to have cast all of the principal roles and formed the company.

Congratulations to everyone who successfully auditioned for a place in this show!

We are delighted to announce that HSAP has been asked to stage two cabaret performances of “Fabulous at 40” at the NODA North East Annual Conference to society member delegates from all over our Region.  It is a great honour to be asked and great fun to participate!

The cabaret will be called “Get This Party Started” after the opening sequence from the original show.  Rehearsals will start in early March and cast members will be contacted shortly.

“Fabulous at 40 – A Celebration of Musicals” rounds off our Anniversary year and is packed full of well known songs from Musical Theatre over the 40 years of our existence, from more traditional musicals to those on the West End stage right now.

More than 40 performers took part and presented a dazzling vocal and visual show featuring songs from We Will Rock You, Hairspray, The Sound of Music, Buddy, Notre Dame de Paris, Sunset Boulevard, Avenue Q, Hello Dolly, Billy Elliot and many more!

The audiences enjoyed a wonderful musical evening at Harrogate Theatre, which was looking very smart after its summer refurbishment!

Our Gala Dinner and Cabaret is rapidly approaching and the sub-committee are beavering away to ensure it is a happy and successful occasion.

The date is Saturday 17th October and the venue is the St George Hotel (opposite the Royal Hall).  We start the evening at 7.30pm with Bucks Fizz and the chance to browse an extensive display of HSAP memorabilia from the past 40 years – including photographs, programmes and press cuttings which will bring back a few memories we’re sure!

Then, along with our special guests, Phil Willis MP and Chris Ingram NODA Regional Rep, we shall enjoy dinner whilst being entertained by a very special “home grown” cabaret – definitely not to be missed!  There’s even a celebration cake to enjoy!

Tickets are going well but there is still time to take this unique opportunity to get all dressed up and celebrate with friends old and new – or should we say past and present!

Ring Sue Kelley on 01423 883070 to order your tickets as soon as possible (and those of you who haven’t paid yet please get your money to Sue asap!)

Don’t miss “Old Time Music Hall” at Harrogate Theatre on Saturday 26th September, in aid of the Theatre Restoration Fund and St Michael’s Hospice, and featuring the HSAP Concert Singers!

Our wardrobe manager, Sandra, along with able assistance from her husband Steve, has completely overhauled and organised the HSAP wardrobe department!

We now have quite an extensive array of costumes for hire – if you’re interested please contact Sandra on 07810 887080 for further details.

Harrogate Male Voice Choir and HSAP share the same birth year!  And as a joint celebration, the HSAP Concert Singers are joining forces with them on Saturday 4th July for a special celebration concert at Starbeck Methodist Church Hall.

Tickets will be on sale soon and may be in short supply as it’s not a very big venue and is sure to be a popular event!

Letters with information about the 2009 AGM will be sent to all Friends and Performers shortly, but do put the date in your calendar now:  Wednesday 10th June, 7.30pm at the Harrogate Conservative Club.

Please do come along and support your society and if you feel that you would like to contribute to the future of it, what about standing for committee?  Being on the committee and being part of the decision making process is all about giving something back, for the pleasure the society has given you as a performer.

We will announce our 2010 productions at the AGM!