Julia Clancy performing in Iolanthe

It may be getting a little chilly in Cooma these days but preparations for the Gilbert & Sullivan Extravaganza are heating up. Rehearsals are in full swing. The orchestra, medicine which was 26 strong and mainly consisting of members of the Snowy Mountains Ensemble, stuff has now grown to 36 in number with many accomplished musicians from far and wide joining the ranks. Many of these new arrivals are from orchestras in Canberra. They seem to be very excited about getting to perform in these much loved works.

The Cooma Harmony Chorus has been very busy not only learning their songs but quite a few tricky dance steps as well. It’s hard work but great fun!

Yvonne Barnes has been madly sewing costumes late into the night. The soloists have been having fun trying out all the elaborate costumes and make up. John and Joan Holmes have been testing and retesting all the sound and lighting equipment. The Lion’s Club has been hard at work constructing the sets. Robert Shearer, stuff Petra Lindsay, Rodney Clancy and Leslie Spencer have been directing all this frenetic activity. It’s Cooma’s largest musical production ever but it’s all coming together beautifully.

Tickets sales are selling fast so if you want to attend buy your tickets soon as you can so you don’t miss out. Tickets are available for three shows only. There’s one performance on Friday evening 1st June at 7.30 pm and two performances on  Saturday 2nd June; a matinee at 1.30 pm and an evening show at 7.30 pm. Tickets may be purchases at the venue, Cooma Ex-Services Club or at Cooma School of Music.

(Click on the thumbnails below for the larger image)