Cast for "Monsieur Goes A Hunting" announced in Muswellbrook

Auditions for Monsieur Goes A Hunting were successfully held on the 3rd and 4th February at Muswellbrook Library. Many familiar and new faces were in attendance over the two nights.

They were certainly memorable nights for the production team who could feel this was going to be a great show, just by the calibre of talent at the auditions. Some auditionees came prepared with a piece to perform, while others risked it all and tackled the script for the play directly. Prepared or unprepared, everyone was fantastic. The laughter and shouts of surprise from the Production Team and audience made it a worthwhile night for all involved.

It is a cast of ten; seven males and three females and MATS are proud to present them to you.

Rob Tesoriero – Moricet

Rob is a dedicated friend of MATS whose face you would recognise from previous MATS productions. He is a Muswellbrook local who has been involved in many shows and describes them as “great fun, whether you’re building sets or hiding your voice in the choir, you are part of something great.” Monsieur Goes A Hunting gives Rob the chance to play way outside his comfort zone. He will need to overcome his shyness and attempt to flirt with a woman on stage in front of an audience, plus his own wife. Needless to say he will probably lose his pants.

Alex Skailes – Leontine

Being a country girl, Alex and her partner moved to Muswellbrook from sunny Queensland a few years ago. Teaching Drama and English while there, she has since studied again and is currently Relieving Head Teacher of Special Education at Muswellbrook High School. Alex has been a member of MATS for a few years now and been involved in two productions: Oliver (2012) and some audience members may remember Alex for her dance moves while performing as Bronwyn from The Narcissist (2013). Alex auditioned for Monsieur Goes A Hunting because she likes to be out of her comfort zone. “People looking at you, the tension in the air – the thought of forgetting lines – yep – right out of my comfort zone.”

Eric Lengling – Duchotel

Eric moved to the Upper Hunter in 2011 with his family and currently works in Safety. This will be Eric’s first production with MATS and his first performance since leaving school. Eric enjoys giving presentations at work to large groups of people – “this is performing of sorts.” Eric decided to audition for Monsieur Goes A Hunting after hearing the call of a MATS member looking for men to audition. Little did he know he’d end up with a lead role. In Eric’s words, “My wife gave me conditions: As long as I am not kissing other women AND we can still go to the Denman Food and Wine Affair. One out of two isn’t bad.”

Alastair Christie – Birabeau

Alistair has been a member of MATS since the late 80's when MATS performed regular melodramas out at McCullys Gap Hall and would tour the districts performing at the School of Arts in Merriwa and at the Denman Town Hall. Shows such as The Wild and Woolly West (1990) and Murder in the Red Barn (1996). He is a life member performing in Musicals and plays and using his practical talents to build stages and sets in different venues around town, never to give up on one day Muswellbrook having a performance venue to showcase the continuous stream of fantastic music, voice and dance performers emanating from this deserved country town.

Rayna Russo – Madame Spritzer

This is Rayna’s first MATS production, but not her first experience with the arts. She spent her teen years on stage; dancing, singing and acting. She attended Hunter School of the Performing Arts for dance, her passion continued beyond the class where she became a dance teacher. She had been very fortunate to share the stage with the likes of Daryl Braithwaite, James Reyne, Gary Sweet and more. After 10 years of finding herself, she picked up her guitar and started to write and dance once again. Getting back into acting was the next natural progression for Rayna. In her own words “Out of this experience I hope to find my guts, some glory and a few friends along the way!!!”

Jean Pierre – Angus Hobbs-Haigh

Angus is one of the MATS kids, having grown up with Mum and Dad’s involvement with MATS. Last year, Angus graduated from St Joseph’s Aberdeen after completing his HSC. While at school, Angus took part in two school productions: a backstage runner for Disco Inferno (2009) and an Oompa Loompa in Charlie (2011). Angus made a brief cameo appearance as the Baby Blues Brothers in MATS’ Shake Your Tail Feather (2006) and played a minor lead, Noah Claypole, in Oliver (2012). After finishing school, Angus though it would be great to revisit what he loves doing before moving forward into his post-schooling career.

Marie – Caitlin Furlong

Caitlin's first MATS experience was a chorus role in the 2000 production of Bye Bye Birdie. Shortly after that Caitlin left Muswellbrook to attend university and pursue a career in journalism and PR. During that time she worked as a reporter for Prime Television and ABC Radio. Caitlin resigned from her position as Communications Manager with GrainGrowers in Sydney last year and returned to Muswellbrook to enjoy a more laid back lifestyle. Caitlin hopes being part of Monsieur Goes A Hunting will be just as much fun as her last turn on the stage. She thinks playing a maid will be a challenging role because she hates housework.

Allan Boyle – Inspector Vidal

Allan Boyle resides at Turanville with his wife and five sons. Allan’s first experience with MATS was his involvement with the musical Oliver (2012). Allan played a number of roles, the most notable, Mr Sowerberry the undertaker. In Allan’s words “It was simply great fun and a great experience to be involved in and would do something again if the opportunity was available.” When it comes to the arts Allan is not a new arrival, he also plays the drums for local band, ‘The Crippled Chickens.’ A five-piece band featuring variety of rock, country rock, blues and anything from the 60s through to covers of current music. Keep an eye out, they could be gigging anytime soon.

Policeman – Phil Duffel

Being a country boy, Phil and his partner moved to Muswellbrook from sunny Queensland a few years ago. Wait a second, haven’t we heard this before?………yes we have a couple in the cast. Phil has the task of watching his partner Alex being seduced by a wannabe adulterer, but has the satisfying role of potentially arresting them. Phil is currently a local bus driver and enjoys the variety of challenges it brings. Having endured Alex’s dramatic pursuits, he is not new to the world of the arts and has helped MATS with constructing and building projects for previous productions. An extra pair of legs and arms are always appreciated by MATS. This however, will be Phil’s first time performance as an actor.

Policeman – Ryan Langford

Ryan has lived in Muswellbrook for 11 years and currently works for AGL Macquarie, servicing both Liddell and Bayswater power stations as a Payroll Assistant. Since joining MATS in 2010, Ryan has gradually increased his role and responsibility within the society. He took on the role of Assistant Stage Manager for Annie (2010), Assistant Director for Oliver (2012) and the big step to Director for The Narcissist (2013). Playing a Policeman in Monsieur Goes A Hunting will be Ryan’s first role on stage with MATS, he usually likes to lurk backstage in the shadows with fellow stage ninjas. Ryan is often accused by the lighting team of wanting to be on stage, it is not Ryan’s fault they turn the lights on prematurely.