Camberwell Showtime

Camberwell Showtime began in 1965 in the tradition and format of the original London Gang Show which ran from 1932 to 1974. Its 43 years led to a flood of similar Scout shows around the world, including dozens in Australia.

For its first 18 shows Camberwell Showtime followed the tradition revue format of songs and comedy sketches, but in 1984 the local team decided to forge a new style which was Australian, contemporary and youth-centred.

The shows became thematic, rather than of a revue style. Through music and comedy, the scripts have tackled family-oriented themes including peer pressure, conformity, consumerism, substance abuse, developing sexuality, even contraception. Musically, the traditional orchestra segued from piano, drums and brass to a live rock band, usually on-stage with the cast.

Tackling contemporary issues for a broad age-range is like walking a tight-rope. Camberwell Showtime is a family-based show which focuses on young people aged 8-18, but it must also entertain and interest younger children and adults through to grandparents.

The show enjoys a unique reputation for original music, strong comedy and testing the boundaries. Apart from the local audience of more than 3000, each year the show attracts hundreds of supporters from throughout Australia, and occassionally overseas (UK, NZ, Asia).

People

All 250 people involved with the show are volunteers. Leading the team is a 10-person Management Team which run the major divisions of the show: Administration, Parents & Supporters, Personnel, Production, Promotions, Technical and Finance.

The show is fully written and directed by young people. Most script writers and composers are cast members, aged 11-24. All the song and scripts are written by up to 80 show members who attend our two annual writing weekends. During these weekends we sometimes bring in outside "professionals" to help the writers develop their writing skills.

The show provides leadership opportunities to many young people. The average age of the Cast is 14. The average age of the Production Team is 17. Department heads in the Technical Team are often teenagers. (The head of lighting in 2004 was a 16-year-old) The cast is divided into 16 small teams called Patrols; Patrol Leaders are aged from 14 up.

Philosophy

The show accepts all applicants from Scouting and Guiding in Boroondara District - no-one fails the audition. Everyone gets a change to perform on stage or work in one of the Technical Departments. There are no "stars" - everyone gets a special part in the show, a time when they are featured. This partly explains the strong team spirit that is evident at the theatre.

Camberwell Showtime - like Scouting and Guiding - is primarily an educational activity. The young people may focus on the fun, friendship and excitement, but the real goal is learning. With outside assistance, both professional and volunteer, we continually strive to lift the skill base of the organisation. This includes short-term residencies (eg: drama, singing), mentoring (eg: in technical areas), and throuh visits to outside organisations (eg: lighting and audio companies, theatres).

The show also conducts an audience survey each year to determine the parts of the show they liked and disliked and we always attempt to tailor the show to our audience - this must be working as the show's audience grows every year.

We encourage parental involvement as this makes for a healthier show, and good communication within families. We enjoy strong support from parents with assistance in Catering, Costumes and maintenance of the show's Scenery and Costumes halls.

Community Impact and Benefit

Camberwell Showtime is acknowledged by the City of Boroondara as its largest youth performing arts activity. Over Camberwell Showtime's 46 years thousands of young people have been directly involved in the show, while tens of thousands of the local community have been entertained.

The show is open to young people aged 11 up in Scouting of Guiding in Boroondara. Unlike other theatre groups, Camberwell Showtime accepts everyone who joins and does not audition on talent. The aim is that the people who don't have confidence and skills, will gain the most from participating in the show. Every year the show receives many letters from parents commenting on the great new confidence and skills that their children now have.

Camberwell Showtime does not aim to develop young people for careers in the entertainment and media industries but many former show members have gone on to enjoy success in these fields. Steve Vizare was a cast member in the late 1960s, as was Tom Gleisner.

John Safran cam to national fame in the ABC series "Race Around The World" (directed by former Camberwell Showtime director Stephen Jones). He talked about his experiences in Camberwell Showtime and Scouts in his SBS series "Music Jamboree" and "John Safran vs. God".

Paul Reardon, a cast member in the early 1990s, has starred in TV shows including "Wedlocked" and featured in advertising campaigns locally and internationally.

Michael Ingvarson started the Abba tribute band Babba, with which he tours Australia and Asia. He was the shows music director between 1991 and 1995 and a cast member between 1986 and 1990.

Former technical director and cast member David Wilkinson was only 20 when he was accepted into NIDA's elite technical production course. David believes the skills he gained through his participation in Camberwell Showtime helped get his place. David is now London-based and works fulltime as production manager for productions touring Europe, South Africa and Australasia.

More recently former cast member Andy Lee last year had his own national TV series "Hamish and Andy" on the 7 Network.

Other former Showtimers work in technical areas at the ABC and other broadcasters, and in lighting and audio companies. Others have written and performed their own Comedy Festival and Fringe shows at venues such as La Mama.


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Camberwell Showtime The 2010 show, 'No Strings Attached', is currently in rehearsal. Have you booked your tickets yet?	About Camberwell Showtime Camberwell Showtime began in 1965 in the tradition and format of the original London Gang Show which ran from 1932 to 1974. Its 43 years led to a flood of similar Scout shows around the world, including dozens in Australia. For its first 18 shows Camberwell Showtime followed the tradition revue format of songs and comedy sketches, but in 1984 the local team decided to forge a new style which was Australian, contemporary and youth-centred. The shows became thematic, rather than of a revue style. Through music and comedy, the scripts have tackled family-oriented themes including peer pressure, conformity, consumerism, substance abuse, developing sexuality, even contraception. Musically, the traditional orchestra segued from piano, drums and brass to a live rock band, usually on-stage with the cast. Tackling contemporary issues for a broad age-range is like walking a tight-rope. Camberwell Showtime is a family-based show which focuses on young people aged 8-18, but it must also entertain and interest younger children and adults through to grandparents. The show enjoys a unique reputation for original music, strong comedy and testing the boundaries. Apart from the local audience of more than 3000, each year the show attracts hundreds of supporters from throughout Australia, and occassionally overseas (UK, NZ, Asia). People All 250 people involved with the show are volunteers. Leading the team is a 10-person Management Team which run the major divisions of the show: Administration, Parents & Supporters, Personnel, Production, Promotions, Technical and Finance. The show is fully written and directed by young people. Most script writers and composers are cast members, aged 11-24. All the song and scripts are written by up to 80 show members who attend our two annual writing weekends. During these weekends we sometimes bring in outside "professionals" to help the writers develop their writing skills. The show provides leadership opportunities to many young people. The average age of the Cast is 14. The average age of the Production Team is 17. Department heads in the Technical Team are often teenagers. (The head of lighting in 2004 was a 16-year-old) The cast is divided into 16 small teams called Patrols; Patrol Leaders are aged from 14 up. Philosophy The show accepts all applicants from Scouting and Guiding in Boroondara District - no-one fails the audition. Everyone gets a change to perform on stage or work in one of the Technical Departments. There are no "stars" - everyone gets a special part in the show, a time when they are featured. This partly explains the strong team spirit that is evident at the theatre. Camberwell Showtime - like Scouting and Guiding - is primarily an educational activity. The young people may focus on the fun, friendship and excitement, but the real goal is learning. With outside assistance, both professional and volunteer, we continually strive to lift the skill base of the organisation. This includes short-term residencies (eg: drama, singing), mentoring (eg: in technical areas), and throuh visits to outside organisations (eg: lighting and audio companies, theatres). The show also conducts an audience survey each year to determine the parts of the show they liked and disliked and we always attempt to tailor the show to our audience - this must be working as the show's audience grows every year. We encourage parental involvement as this makes for a healthier show, and good communication within families. We enjoy strong support from parents with assistance in Catering, Costumes and maintenance of the show's Scenery and Costumes halls. Community Impact and Benefit Camberwell Showtime is acknowledged by the City of Boroondara as its largest youth performing arts activity. Over Camberwell Showtime's 46 years thousands of young people have been directly involved in the show, while tens of thousands of the local community have been entertained. The show is open to young people aged 11 up in Scouting of Guiding in Boroondara. Unlike other theatre groups, Camberwell Showtime accepts everyone who joins and does not audition on talent. The aim is that the people who don't have confidence and skills, will gain the most from participating in the show. Every year the show receives many letters from parents commenting on the great new confidence and skills that their children now have. For example... "Our son has had a fantastic time in the show and we can honestly say that of all the activities he has been part of, Showtime fired his imagination, gave him a taste of real teamwork and exposed him to many new experiences and positive feelings." - Lizzie & Owen Thomas, Canterbury "Showtime has given me a focus and a need to learn how to prioritise competing pressures." - Cast member, 15 "They are putting into practice the Scouting ideals and values of caring, sharing, learning by doing, and above all, enjoying." - Gerald Davis, Kew Camberwell Showtime does not aim to develop young people for careers in the entertainment and media industries but many former show members have gone on to enjoy success in these fields. Steve Vizare was a cast member in the late 1960s, as was Tom Gleisner. John Safran cam to national fame in the ABC series "Race Around The World" (directed by former Camberwell Showtime director Stephen Jones). He talked about his experiences in Camberwell Showtime and Scouts in his SBS series "Music Jamboree" and "John Safran vs. God". Paul Reardon, a cast member in the early 1990s, has starred in TV shows including "Wedlocked" and featured in advertising campaigns locally and internationally. Michael Ingvarson started the Abba tribute band Babba, with which he tours Australia and Asia. He was the shows music director between 1991 and 1995 and a cast member between 1986 and 1990. Former technical director and cast member David Wilkinson was only 20 when he was accepted into NIDA's elite technical production course. David believes the skills he gained through his participation in Camberwell Showtime helped get his place. David is now London-based and works fulltime as production manager for productions touring Europe, South Africa and Australasia. More recently former cast member Andy Lee last year had his own national TV series "Hamish and Andy" on the 7 Network. Other former Showtimers work in technical areas at the ABC and other broadcasters, and in lighting and audio companies. Others have written and performed their own Comedy Festival and Fringe shows at venues such as La Mama.	Upcoming Events There are no Upcoming Events scheduled at this point in time. Purchase Tickets Tickets for the 2010 show are now on sale. Download the Booking Form and order your tickets now!

About Camberwell Showtime

People

Philosophy

Community Impact and Benefit