Liam Rudden: There's gold in them thar theatres

Published on Friday 23 January 2009 15:09

ALL across the Capital, unpaid actors are locked away in their rehearsal rooms as the first shows of the amateur theatre season approach. And not just in the city.

Out west, The Livingston Players are gearing up for their next production, the Scottish premiere of a new musical called Rush! And you could be in it.

Powerful and moving, the musical tells the story of immigrant gold miners and their quest for instant fortune in the gold fields of New Zealand in the mid-19th century.

Just as Duncan and Sarah McKenzie arrive in the 'new country', Jackie O'Fea brings news of the first gold strikes.

So, leaving his family for the diggings with a promise to return, Duncan seizes his chance for freedom from the near-slavery of 19th century working class life.

On his quest he is joined by his friends Nathan and Millie Hall who, along with O'Fea and his nephews, the Lomax brothers, seek their fortune.

However, at the diggings, tragedy strikes. Nathan is drowned in a flood on the Arrow River leaving Millie a widow. She is cared for by the other miners in the camp and particularly by Joe Lawson who cuts her wood for the coming winter.

But Millie's winter comes early when she is assaulted by O'Fea, with only the Lomax brothers as witnesses. Then, when Duncan strikes gold, his euphoria is short lived as a young miner, Dan Nolan, is murdered by the Lomax brothers. Duncan is accused of the crime and after an absurd trial, he is sentenced to hang. Can Sarah save him? And can anyone bring O'Fea and the Lomaxes to justice?

With such a strong storyline and a modern score, Rush! demands the resources of a large company to succeed.

In particular it requires a number of young men in the 18-30 age group to portray the hard-living miners of the age. And this is where you come in.

Rush! is set to be one of the first major performances in the new Brian Duguid Auditorium of the Howden Park Centre in Livingston and Alex Kemp, president of The Livingston Players is appealing for new members to come forward to join the company to perform in this exciting new show which will run from Tuesday, May 19 to May 23.

Previous stage experience is not necessary but a commitment to attend all rehearsals every Monday and Thursday, from 7.30-9.30pm, in Camondean Church Hall, Fells Rigg, Deans, is essential.

If you're interested e-mail Alex at [e-mail]

There are still principal parts to be cast. Time to get panning.