Finley Winners - Congratulations!

Congratulations to all the nominees and winners last night. Special hat tip to Darlington Theatre for the taking out Best Play & Director. Its great to see Goldfields with some awards in their luggage to take back home as well. The ITA comittee is to be commended on organising an excellent evenings entertainment.

It's a pleasure to be among so many talented people who work so hard for theatre in one way or another. It was a well run show (the backstage crew made it seem easy), good to watch (my 11 year old grand-daughter was enthralled, as was I) and a lot of good people were acknowledged for their efforts this year. And I for one think that releasing the nominees was a great idea, didn't it get people talking early....

Yes, what was the result of announcing the nominations early? Will it become a regular thing? Can someone also list the winners?

Best Play My Very Own Story - Darlington Theatre Players Second Place Play The Vagina Monologues - Playlovers Third Place Play Picasso's Women - Blak Yak Theatre Best Musical Cabaret - Wanneroo Repertory Second Place Musical Eurobeat - Playlovers Third Place Musical By Jeeves - Roleystone Theatre Best Director Katy Mitton - My Very Own Story - Darlington Theatre Players Best Actor Dean Schulze - Art - Old Mill Theatre Best Actress - Joint Winners Analisa Bell - The Vagina Monologues - Playlovers Gemma Northover - Picasso's Women - Blak Yak Theatre Best Other Than Lead - Male Scott Northover - Black Books - Blak Yak Best Other Than Lead - Female Jayma Knudson - Pride and Prejudice - Melville Theatre Best Newcomer Nathan Da Cunha - Blood Brothers - Melville Theatre Best Set Goldfields Repertory - Journey's End Best Costumes Playlovers - Eurobeat Best Musical Direction Craig Dalton - Cabaret - Wanneroo Repertory Best Musical Theatre Performer Dixie Farinosi - Cabaret - Wanneroo Repertory Elizabeth Crewes Award for Front of House Murray Music and Drama Sheila Buchanan Achievement Award Melville Theatre Company - All productions in 2007 Brian Maddocks Adjudicators Youth Theatre Award WA Stage School - How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying ITA Life Memberships were awarded to Kerri Hilton Kimberley Shaw Hall of Fame Award Joey Leonard Top Ten Plays – no particular order Stirling The One Day Of The Year Playlovers Vagina Monologues Old Mill Art Melville Pride and Prejudice Mandurah Vagina Monologues KADS Bus Stop GRADS Birthday Party GRADS The Importance of Being Earnest Darlington My Very Own Story Blak Yak Picassos Women Top 6 Musicals –no particular order Darlington Jesus Christ Superstar Melville Blood Brothers Playlovers Eurobeat Roleystone By Jeeves WA Stage School How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying Wanneroo Cabaret Adjudicators Certificates 1. Tim Prosser – Impressive Committment to Set Design and Dressing for several productions in 2007 2. Goldfields Repertory – Impressive Achievement In Lighting – Journeys End 3. Blak Yak – Ambitious Set Dressing – Black Books 4. Garrick Theatre – Achievement in Makeup – House of Frankenstein 5. Playlovers – Impressive Achievement in Technical Wizardry – Eurobeat 6. Old Mill Theatre – Ensemble Work – Necessary Targets 7. Goldfields Repertory – Outstanding Attention to Detail and Continuity in Costuming - Journey's End 8. KADS – Creation of Atmosphere – Bus Stop 9. Andrew Dobosz – Achievement in Sound – My Very Own Story 10. Playlovers – Artistic Use of Lighting – The Vagina Monologues 11. Blak Yak Theatre – Innovative Staging and Presentation – Picassos Women

Congratulations to all the nominees and performers it was a great night. I had the pleasure of seeing most of the nominated shows and performers and what a difficult choice it must have been. None more difficult perhaps then that of Eurobeat and Cabaret: two very good companies two very good casts and crews, but i belive the better musical won over all. The adjudicators ceretainly have a tough job and as much as i love watching theatre i dont think i would like their job. However what a shame it was to see the Playlovers cast and supporters walk out after Cabaret was announced as the winner and to hear some of the bitching going. I guess the old adage about theatre is alive and well. Surely the Finleys ceremony is about coming together as an industry and thanking each other and supporting each other. I for one am proud of all amatuer and community theatre in Perth and hope that it continues for a very long time. As someone said recently winning is the icing on the cake knowing that people came to your show and enjoyed it, loved it, were moved by it and will be back again is a pretty good reward too. Anyway I hope 2008 is a great year for you all again I unfortunately wont eb around as am moving interstate but chookas everyone.

Congrats to all the winners. Especially to the team at WA Stage School for being recognised for their Youth Work. (If any WA Stage School people read this please pass on to Renae my congrats...) Now onto my question. I was thrilled when I turned on my computer this morning at work and saw the Mandurah Little Theatre version of Vagina Monologues was in the Top Ten Plays. Can anyone shed some light on how this differs from being a nominee? how is it decided (considering the play didnt receive any nominations). Thanks in advance to those who answer. Once again congrats to all. I hope 2008 brings you all full houses, appreciative audiences and passionate performers. - Sky

Well said 'The Shadow'! Your sentiments regarding what the night is about I absolutely agree with. It's just a real pity that some people get a little too serious about things. I must admit that I am a proud member of Playlovers and have been for many years. To hear that some people involved with the club walked out upon hearing the announcement of the Best Musical I think is an absolute disgrace and shows a real lack of sportsmanship. Unfortunately the pettiness of their actions degrades the good name that Playlovers has in the local theatre community. Sadly these actions will be remembered more than any awards the club received on the night. I remember being at a Finley Awards night that was held at the old Church theatre in Northbridge and having to put up with a rowdy exit of disgruntled members of a cast that didn't get a place with their musical. This just showed a real lack of form and immaturity. It also proved that they were performing for all the wrong reasons. So those who did walk out at an inappropriate time on Saturday night need to have a good look at themselves and next time show some respect where respect is due! Congratulations to all the recipients of awards!

Dear Anonymous Shadow, Playlovers' Eurobeat cast did NOT walk out. After I received my award I walked through backstage, through the foyer, was almost knocked over by a large number of non-Playlovers people leaving the auditorium. I do not know which club they were from. I can not tell you whether they were "walking out" or leaving but they didn't appear upset. I returned to my seat. I did not notice any gaps in our section. I was there in time to hear Melissa say goodbye. I was one of the last people to leave the auditorium. Most of my cast stopped to hug/congratulate me (on the life membership) and congratulate Analisa. By the time I reached backstage (I was stopped by a lot of people on the way, including the ITA Vice President who gave me flowers in honour of the life membership), Wanneroo had left (walked out?)and I was unable to congratulate them personally, but I didn't leave until ten to twelve. Anonymous Shadow, I would like you apologise to my cast and crew for slander and apologise for standing behind a pseudonym. Are you afraid that by identifying yourself you will miss out on casting opportunities? Kimberley Director of Eurobeat.

I am a member of the Eurobeat cast and I will not deny that we were disappointed not to win best musical -- anyone would be! When the results were announced I looked around at my fellow cast members, like me they were applauding the winner and had their bottoms firmly in their seats. Perhaps some people did leave at that point -- stayed around to hear the result and left quickly to avoid traffic or to try and get home a little earlier-- perhaps they were mistaken for the Eurobeat cast as the competition was close and I'm sure the whole audience knew how disappointed we would be. It hurts me that The Shadow thought that we were leaving in a form of protest and I won't lie that I am further hurt that Alex believed these accusations as I know he knows the majority of the cast and would hope he thought we held a little more integrity. I have worked with a lot of the members of the cast of Cabaret and made it a point to congratulate them following the show. I did not get to see the production as it sold out quite quickly and was incredibly disapointed as it is one of my favourite musicals. Congratulations to all the winners on the night and all those who participated in the performances.

I was sitting with friends from Playlovers and other Playlovers members were sitting near us and NO-ONE walked out! Some of them didn't even leave the auditorium straight away as they were talking to each other and also congratulating Kimberly. So I am not sure who 'Shadow' thought they saw leave? *Don't Dream It, Be It*

Too the cast and crew and Director of Eurobeat. I apologise for my comments I must have been mistaken I was sitting in the section up the back in front of what appeared to be a mix of Playlovers and Wanneroo people I am only assuming this from the people who were sitting there from the casts and directors and so forth. So I mistakenly assumed that this is what occured because as the Wanneroo people came down a large group of people walked out and from the talk afterwards it seemed that they were none to happy. Anyway i apologise for this confusin and "accusation" I guess one should never assume. No I am not afraid of missing casting opportunites Kimberley, I never have been evryone is entitled to an opinion. Thanks and sincere apologies. Dale

It is interesting that more then one person it appears from these posts noticed the same thing. If Alex (sorry to use your first name without having met you Alex, seen ya alot tho) heard it from someone else then maybe. However I guess people could have just read the previous post. It was a great night congrats all and Eurobeat was fantastic as was By Jeeves and Cabaret. Maybe the the companies could come togther and put something huge on somewhere that would be great to see.

I imagine the Eurobeat cast were so deflated at not winning that they could hardly move out of their seats !! Just Kidding. I a don't consider myself a real theatre expert, but I love a bit of competition. Could this mean that Playlovers and Wanneroo will be putting that little extra in to their shows from now on just to beat each other !! If so that will mean some really great shows in the next few years, I look forward to them all !! Some of you say that the awards are not the real point of putting on a show, but hey, no-one likes to be the bridesmaid !! If winning a nice ornament for the Theatres Bar helps cast and crew put on a better show then I am all for it.

"By working together to promote each other's work, we build a culture of participation in the performing arts that will yield benefits for us all. Remember we all thrive on each other's considered contributions, generous praise and thoughtful criticism". We would all do well to remember the credo of this site.

In defense, please don't be sorry for using my first as that is why it is there. I'm more than happy for people to use my first name!! To follow your thread, I actually hadn't considered posting on the website until I read 'The Shadow's' posting after having already spoken to someone today about what had supposedly occured. From the two unrelated sources I made a decision to post. In my original post I in no way accused the cast of Eurobeat of walking out. A few have obviously made that assumption!! My information was simply that people associated with the club had walked out upon the announcement of the winner of Best Musical. While I do find it hard to believe I was nonetheless disappointed that anyone, let alone a Playlovers person, should rudely leave for what ever reason. It's amazing though how situations can be blown out of proportion. Having now thought about it further and had discussions with further sources I have summised a different reason behind what may have seemed a 'walk out'. (And this just an opinion of mine!!) Possibly people were indeed leaving having heard what they wanted to hear and because time was definitely getting on they went! A case of poor timing! So delving deeper into this issue, maybe the ITA committee need to look at the general flow of the night and look at where time could be shaved to bring the night back to a reasonable length. This is by no means a slur on the ITA committee as I and my wife thoroughly enjoyed the evening. I suppose though that we could be accused of 'walking out' on the Hall of Fame inductee as that was when we had to go for family reasons (10.35PM). So my apologies to anyone who may have been offended by this action!! I do reckon though that a good 20 - 30 minutes could've been shaved off the length of the night and thus not creating the situation that occured .... maybe! To Bree, sorry for any offense. BUT you must understand that I believe that the appropriate respect must be shown what ever the decision and that I am disgusted by poor sportsmanship in what ever forum and will on most occasions have something to say about it, which is my right. I am sorry though if you feel like I have tarred you and a number of others from Eurobeat with the same brush, this was not intended. (and congratulations on your engagement by the way!!) Let us hope that this issue can now be put to bed!

Now that the offending parties have extracted their big feet from their big mouths, perhaps everyone should take a pill and CHILL OUT!! This is the exact reason why I DON'T like theatrical awards - the judging is very subjective and various people are bound to be offended by the results - and then trigger happy observers make assumptions, shoot their mouths off and start fights between clubs! Maybe the Finleys should be scrapped, because it seems to be more devisive than embracing. At the end of the day everyone deserves an elephant stamp, and surely that should be enough. Leave the arrogance and posturing for politicians and just get on with having fun and entertaining the audience - THAT'S WHAT WE DO IT FOR!!

Hear, Hear! Well said!

Thanks Alex! I did see you on Saturday night and wanted to chat but then heard you had gone home to your babies heehee! I understand your feelings towards bad sportsmanship -- i have the same opinions and had it not been my cast that was involved I may have posted something similar. I guess my heckles were raised as I felt like we were getting picked on! But I am sure this was not yours or the Shadow's intentions. Thank you for clarifying this. Hope to see you soon!

for the love of god, why don't you all get a life..you are all substandard at best! well done!

I have to say that all the debate that was prompted earlier on another thread and now all this is why I actually don't like awards nights. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

so - WILL they release nominations again?

Can we now please move on from this topic????

Although, it does give companies that are based a few hours away a better incentive to travel all that way, and encourage them to bring along loved ones who they would like to share their success with. Just a suggestion of course. Oh Norma, nothing wrong with some civil discussion...tut tut.

Oh I do agree - but civil please. I'd call  alot of what  has appeared as a lot less than civil, wouldn't you??

Award's nights are great; they give us all something to strive for, and recognition for weeks upon weeks of hard work is always appreciated! In themselves, nights such as the Finley's aren't a bad thing; it's people's attitudes and reactions that cause such (melo)drama. Perhaps we all need the take a breather, a few minutes to collect ourselves before we take our seats, to remind us of why we're really here? It is, after all, to celebrate our (collective) achievments in amateur theatre, and be entertained by snippets of our contemporaries' productions. To call for the discontinuation of the Finley's is simply ridiculous; to take a look at ourselves and marshal our behaviour at such events isn't.

Award's nights are great; they give us all something to strive for, and recognition for weeks upon weeks of hard work is always appreciated! In themselves, nights such as the Finley's aren't a bad thing; it's people's attitudes and reactions that cause such (melo)drama. Perhaps we all need the take a breather, a few minutes to collect ourselves before we take our seats, to remind us of why we're really here? It is, after all, to celebrate our (collective) achievments in amateur theatre, and be entertained by snippets of our contemporaries' productions. To call for the discontinuation of the Finley's is simply ridiculous; to take a look at ourselves and marshal our behaviour at such events isn't.

I've been involved in Perth community theatre for many years and this year was the first time I'd even thought about going to the Finley's. I went this year (got my seat before the nominations were released) and thought it was a great night out! The snippets were all fantastic, there was a bar, I got to catch up with people I hadn't seen for ages. If you don't like it don't go. I thought it was great and will go again next year.

Can I just clarify that my above post was in reference to the following section: 'Now that the offending parties have extracted their big feet from their big mouths, perhaps everyone should take a pill and CHILL OUT!!! At the end of the day everyone deserves an elephant stamp, and surely that should be enough. Leave the arrogance and posturing for politicians and just get on with having fun and entertaining the audience - THAT'S WHAT WE DO IT FOR!!' so that I am not the next one to get slandered! Altho the other part of the post - some people my not agree, but when is it a crime to have your own opinion or to voice it, people may not like it, but it doesn't make it wrong!

I am a journalist reviewing web-forums and their content outlining social attitudes within the theatrical industry. I have currently been assigned to review the arts in Australia. I am very interested in the awards ceremony mentioned in the postings. Are you Professionals or Amateurs? When I say this I don't wish to offend. I realise a lot of Amateurs have a professional attitude, but there is an immense difference. Could someone please let me know so I can decide whether or not to continue my research and project. Kind Regards Don Scott

The Finley Awards are for the amateur community of Western Australia. Mini-monster puppets customised just for you! at Puppets in Melbourne

The Finley Awards are made each year for the best in Community Theatre in WA. They were instituted in - I think 1975- in memory of Robert Finley, a locally well known theatre lover and great supporter of non-professional theatre. Initially the award was a single award for "The Best Production", but a few years later the award was broadened as it was realised that comparing straight plays with Musicals was like comparing apples with pears! and so there were two awards. In recent years, in fact very recently it was decided to broaden the awards to include categories such as best Actor,Actress, suporting actor m & f and several other categories. The Independent Theatre Association of WA now administers the awards and hold an Awards Evening, usually in January of each year. Hope this helps.

Thank you so much for the information. Kind regards Don Scott NY Times

New York Times man... Donald.. Don't review these people.. it's a twisted circle of clicky wannabees... they're not professionals.. they're just complainers... and they live in Perth... Review something other than this clicky circle of winners... If you check the records.. you'll find that all the winners know each other and the ITA.. which is ever declining due to this ridiculous circle of clicks... So.. save New Yorkers the pain of listening to the Click. The Click! THE CLICK!!! I like that... From now on the ITA and Finley Awards will be known as 'The Click'... I wonder what you have to do to become member of 'The Click'... any fee? The Click! email me Donald.. I will give you names, numbers, dates... all the latest about 'The Click' The Ripper 'He'll rip ya'

Is that a bit like a clique... perhaps.... maybe????

American spelling I believe Clint. Like Check/Cheque.. perhaps... Maybe???? The Ripper 'He'll rip ya'

No... "Clique" is the correct spelling no matter what version of English you're using. (from Dictionary.com, a US site http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/clique http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/click) Mini-monster puppets customised just for you! at Puppets in Melbourne

What is your issue Ripper. Or are you maybe Sting under another guise. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

I say click as I place people with the 'Circle attitude' as the click system... just like cheap flooring.. and lets face it... I like to walk all over the 'The Click' Close your dico and open your imaginations... (from Dictionary.com, a US site http://rippers.dictionary.reference.com/browse/clique http://rippers.dictionary.reference.com/browse/click) Oh and Guys... Love the suit. The Ripper 'He'll rip ya'

Hello again Now I am confused. Whats the click? Don Scott NY Times

Ignore Ripper, Don. Just a troll... Mini-monster puppets customised just for you! at Puppets in Melbourne

Donald the American The 'Click' is an organisation based in Perth, Western Australia that is basically a circle of the same faces that pat each other on the back and annually they give each other Awards at a ceremony that was established for all the right reasons many years ago. Unfortunately as the years have unfolded and egos have inflated, these people (the Click) have come to the foreground. It's quite embarrassing really Donald. The Click, cast, direct, congratulate, sleep with, gossip with, complain with and dictate community theatre. And what’s more Donald, the click stab each other in the back. They’re a ridiculous bunch... I can give you names and the theatres they belong to... It's a silly click system... it's all gone horribly wrong... Most community theatres in Perth are refusing to support the ITA because of 'the click'... The click is made up of teachers, accountants, laywers, chemists, IT specialists to name a few, that at some point in their earlier life dreamt of Acting properly. Hence the birth of the click. But, as you can imagine Donald, the click will never go away... they will die and new clickers will be born... ready and waiting in the wings to be directed by that special ‘click’ who promises the world and delivers a suburb. The Ripper 'He'll rip ya'

In case you don't know my American friend, a troll Donald or simply troll in Internet slang, is someone who posts controversial and quite offen irrelevant messages in an online community forum, such as this one, with the intention of baiting or exciting other users into an emotional response, which I do not. I am the Ripper. My duty is to unmask the ridiculous... As you can see from NA above.. I have to unmask a full body skin.. I think I may just skin this cat Donald. The Ripper 'He'll rip ya'

By all means. But I think you'll find this cat has claws. :) Sorry, couldn't help but use that metaphor. Mini-monster puppets customised just for you! at Puppets in Melbourne

Is this a catfight...??? I am challenged and I love a challenge.. The Ripper 'He'll challenge ya'

Ripper, I have no idea who you are, but it sounds to me as though you are suffering from an acute form of the Small Man Syndrome. Have you tried to make it on the Community Theatre stage here in Perth and failed? You must have, because I know just about all the successful people in our community. And having failed you feel small, and feeling small has made you savage. Poor baby! By the way, you say the theatre groups are abandoning the ITA. Ok, but how come I have just attended the 9th play for this year to be entered in the Finleys? And we have another three or four already booked in to adjudicate? And its only just March? Doesn't sound too much like abandonment to me. Yep, you've guessed it..... I'm one of the adjudicators. One of your dreaded 'click'. Poor little wannabe! Will you be coming to the meeting on March 30th? Everyone who has a problem with the Finleys is welcome to come and tell us all about it. I'll look forward to meeting you.

I think somewhere along the line ppl have forgotten that amatuer theatre is exactly that - amateur. They have forgotten it is a hobby - something they do outside their everyday jobs. Not saying there is anything wrong with that - and some great shows and performers/crew etc.. are showcased - but I think ppl are starting to take themselves FAR too seriously! If you want this to be your profession - amateur theatre is a great starting block - but you then need to take further steps forward to move on. People need to chill out more!! you are doing it for the enjoyment remember!! not the awards, certainly not the money as there isn't any! it's meant to be for FUN!!

I think somewhere along the line ppl have forgotten that amatuer theatre is exactly that - amateur. They have forgotten it is a hobby - something they do outside their everyday jobs. Not saying there is anything wrong with that - and some great shows and performers/crew etc.. are showcased - but I think ppl are starting to take themselves FAR too seriously! If you want this to be your profession - amateur theatre is a great starting block - but you then need to take further steps forward to move on. People need to chill out more!! you are doing it for the enjoyment remember!! not the awards, certainly not the money as there isn't any! it's meant to be for FUN!!

sorry the above posted twice!!

Hello Susan Yes, I am quite small. Infact I'm tiny. But, don't feel sorry for me. I am a failed armature and I am happy looking up at the world and all of you. I always knew you were part of the dreaded Click... I remember having an in-depth discussion with you at Melville on the final night of Cat. You were pleasant. But, since you've joined the click. You've changed damn it. YOU'VE CHANGED!!! Leave the click.. PLEASE! I recently saw 'The sum of us' at the old mill... Great directing! But, of course you know that. 'kiss kiss hug hug darlings' The Ripper 'He'll rip ya'