Musical Theatre
Saturday 3rd August 2024
VENUE: Balaklava Town Hall – See Eisteddfod Venues page
CONVENOR: Chris Fisher
ADJUDICATOR: Mark Oates
Mark has just returned from his debut with Opera Australia, reprising the dual roles of Duncan/Dunstan in Watershed: The Death Of Dr Duncan, following it’s Ruby Award Winning Adelaide Festival Premiere in 2022. “Mark Oates gave a compelling performance as the voice of Dr Duncan and former SA premier [sic] Don Dunstan.” “…the elastic voice and penetrating stage presence of Mark Oates…” Sydney Arts Guide (Paul Nolan) – 5 stars. “This performance did the work proud…Oates [is] strong, clear and fully committed…” Limelight (Phil Scott) – 5 stars
Mark was recognised by the Adelaide Critic’s Circle for his body of work in 2022 as well as winning his second award for the portrayal of Jean Valjean in Les Miserables.
In 2022 Mark premiered the dual roles of Ian Duncan and Don Dunstan in the Ruby Award winning Watershed: The Death Of Dr Duncan for the Adelaide Festival. Previous Adelaide Festival appearances are Mozart Requiem (2020), Street Singer Bernstein Mass (2012) and Ruffiak Le Grande Macabre (2010). Also in 2022, for State Opera South Australia Mark performed Lt Tom Radclyffe Voss and Gastone La Traviata, Jack in the national tour of Love Burns, Bright Lights Big Dreams and the first orchestral workshop of When The Rain Stops Falling. In 2023, Mark appeared as Basilio Marriage of Figaro and The Defendant Trial by Jury, also appearing across the rest of the G&S Fest and Macbeth.
Further highlights with the company include Beadle Bamford Sweeney Todd, Jack Love Burns, Njegus The Merry Widow, John Styx Orpheus in the Underworld, The Cantor Maria de Buenos Aires (co production with Leigh Warren Dancers/Adelaide Festival Centre Playhouse and at the Brisbane Festival).
An in-demand concert artist, Mark also tours nationally and internationally with Aerial Artists Australia. Mark also works extensively as a mentor with the Adelaide Cabaret Festival (Class of Cabaret, Come and Try Cabaret days, Take the Stage Drama days) and Primary Schools Music Festival.
DISCIPLINE INFORMATION
Entrants MUST read the Syllabus Notes for Saturday for detailed information and the Rules & Conditions of Entry
Sections will include solo and ensemble (2-4 voices)
SEE SYLLABUS page for details on how to enter.
Musical Theatre Sections Start times
Depending on number of entries, some SECTIONS may be divided, combined, cancelled or have entries CLOSED EARLY when capacity is reached
9.00am – Junior Musical Theatre Solo
10.30am – Open Musical Theatre Solo
11.15am – Senior ‘A’ Musical Theatre Solo
1.15pm – Senior ‘B’ Musical Theatre Solo
2.15pm – Intermediate ‘A’ Musical Theatre Solo
3.00pm – Intermediate ‘B’ Musical Theatre Solo (Des Ross AM & Joyce Ross AM Memorial Award)
ANNOUNCE MUSICAL THEATRE SOLO CHAMPION and ROGER MANUEL MEMORIAL AWARD
4.20pm – Musical Theatre Ensemble (2-4 voices) – Open
(NONE in 2024 – Musical Theatre Ensemble (2-4 voices) – Junior)
ANNOUNCE MUSICAL THEATRE ENSEMBLE CHAMPION
(See the Programme page for full program)
DES ROSS AM & JOYCE ROSS AM MEMORIAL AWARD
(Intermediate Musical Theatre Solo)
DESMOND GLYN ROSS AM & JOYCE ROSS AM
1928-2002 and 1928-2023
Des Ross AM, Salter Springs farmer, community and a State leader and Joyce Ross AM, teacher and pioneer of regional community arts in South Australia, have both left an indelible mark on the Arts scene of Balaklava and surrounding areas.
The Des Ross AM and Joyce Ross AM Memorial Trophy for Intermediate Musical Theatre, awarded at the Balaklava Eisteddfod Society annual competitions, commemorates Des and Joyce’s encouragement of emerging performing artists.
Joyce, a graduate of Elder Conservatorium of Music, and teacher with a passion for music and singing, was the first secretary of the Balaklava Community Arts, having been one of the youngest members when it was known as the ‘Balaklava Choral and Music Lovers’ Society’.
Joyce’s vision to save the old Balaklava Courthouse building (est. 1913) from demolition, established the Balaklava Courthouse Gallery as a sub-committee of Balaklava Community Arts Inc. in 1991. The Gallery became an independent entity in September 1992 and continues to offer regular exhibitions by South Australian artists and creatives throughout the calendar year.
During Des’ chairmanship of the Libraries Board of SA, he facilitated two concerts by Balaklava High School music students staged in the historical Mortlock Library, North Terrace, and two exhibitions of work by local and regional artists in the foyer of the State Library.
Des and Joyce’s contributions to the arts have significantly enriched the cultural landscape of Balaklava and surrounding areas and will always be remembered.
ROGER MANUEL MEMORIAL AWARD
(Musical Theatre Solo Champion and Vocal Solo Champion)
ROGER JOHN MANUEL
2.12.1946 – 24.10.1995
Roger Manuel’s family donated the Roger Manuel Memorial Award in his memory after he died in 1995 at the age of 48. Roger learned to play the button accordion as a young boy and went on to play drums in a rock band. He was a talented musician and could play a tune on just about any instrument. Roger’s family decided an award for an Eisteddfod entrant in his memory was a fitting memorial.