CURTAIN UP - LATEST NEWS

As Chaplin opens to a near-full audience tonight, we are already looking ahead to next year's Youth Show. Théâtre de Marens has been booked for the performance dates of 27th-29th August 2027. We are inviting proposals to be submitted as soon as possible!

Please contact chair@gaos.ch with any questions.

Calling all those interested in joining the Fringe - anyone who would like to take on musical direction, join a band, perform, produce, sing, dance, and is available on Wednesday afternoons for rehearsal at GAOS HQ.

Our next performances will likely be in January 2028, and the tentative theme will be "Radio Fringe", broadcasting memorable moments from the 1940s to the present.

The Fringe needs you!

If you wish to get involved, please contact Brian Allardyce.

All are welcome to attend a meeting of past, present and new Fringers on Wednesday, 30th September, from 14h to 16h, at GAOS HQ.

GAOS is delighted to announce that its next spring production will be The Witches of Eastwick, coming to the Théâtre de Marens in Nyon from 3–6 June 2027, directed by Margaret Mathieson & Sebastien Miazza.

Based on the movie starring Cher, Susan Sarandon, Michelle Pfeiffer alongside Jack Nicholson, this exciting and wonderfully mischievous musical promises a vibrant mix of comedy, magic, mystery and unforgettable characters, offering audiences an evening full of energy, wit and theatrical spectacle.

As preparations begin, GAOS warmly invites expressions of interest from anyone who would like to be part of this production, whether on stage, backstage, in a creative, technical, musical or organisational role. If you are interested in joining the adventure and helping bring this magical story to life, we would be delighted to hear from you. We are particularly in need of a Musical Director.

Synopsis

Set in a quiet New England town, the story follows three women whose lives begin to change in unexpected ways after the arrival of a mysterious and charismatic stranger. As old routines are disrupted and hidden possibilities come to the surface, the town is drawn into a whirlwind of charm, temptation, laughter and supernatural intrigue. Without revealing too much, The Witches of Eastwick is a bold, playful and entertaining show that celebrates friendship, transformation and the thrill of discovering what might happen when ordinary life suddenly becomes anything but ordinary.

A reminder that our 2026-27 Committee will be elected at the AGM, so please consider whether you would like to step forward and seek election. All roles are open to candidates wishing to put themselves forward. If you have any questions about what’s involved, please contact chairman@gaos.ch

Our brilliant Publicity and Assistant Publicity leads, Chris Cartwright and Lauren Stocker, will step down after providing amazing leadership. Thankfully, they will remain on our publicity subgroup to continue to lend their expertise. We are looking for new Committee members to replace them so, if you have knowledge, experience, or interest in publicity, marketing, media, or social media, please consider joining us. If you have any questions, please contact publicity@gaos.ch or assistantpublicity@gaos.ch

Mark your calendar! The next Annual General Meeting will take place on Sunday 11th October. We will gather at HQ from 17h00, with the meeting beginning at 17h30, followed by a potluck.

Details and documents will be provided soon.

In the meantime, feel free to send any proposals for motions to secretary@gaos.ch

Zone Lumière (https://www.zonelumiere.ch) is a French-speaking amateur musical theatre company based in Geneva (Troinex) who bring together passionate people of all ages and backgrounds to create high-quality shows in a welcoming and collaborative environment.

Every three to four years, they produce a brand-new show, with original music, script, lyrics, and choreography. Our current project has been underway with the new participants since January 2026, and we are looking forward to performing it in March 2027.

We are reaching out because we are still looking for a choreographer to join our adventure. Ideally, we are hoping to find someone willing to volunteer their time, in the same spirit as the rest of our company. We would be delighted to find someone interested in creating at least three or four choreographies for the show, and if they would like to contribute more, that would be wonderful. The biggest requirement is that the person should be motivated, even if it is their first experience in this role... everyone has to start somewhere !

We are also happy to welcome additional dancers, as we are currently looking to expand our dance ensemble.

If you are interested please email info@zonelumiere.ch

Mark your calendars for 12th July, when tickets go on sale for Chaplin: The Musical. GAOS members receive a 15% discount for two weeks, using the code TRAMP. (Remember you can use the code as many times as you want, but please do not share it outside of the society).

With music and lyrics by Christopher Curtis, book by Christopher Curtis and Thomas Meehan, Chaplin: The Musical is based on the real-life story of Charlie Chaplin, the iconic film actor, writer, producer and director. The musical spans the comic's entire career, from his first performance as a child in 19th-century London to his tearful acceptance of an honorary Academy Award in 1972. It dramatises the making of his legendary films, telling the touching story of the man who makes the world laugh as his legendary screen persona, the Tramp, but struggles to find happines in his own life.

The GAOS Committee wishes to share that Bindu Kapur is stepping down from her role as Secretary for personal and professional reasons. We are delighted that Aurélie Laporte has agreed to join us and would like to warmly welcome her to the role, with deep appreciation to Bindu for her precious contributions. Read more about Aurélie on our Committee webpage here.

After several well-attended days of auditions, the cast has now been selected for this year's panto, Hansel and Gretel. You can find the full list here, under "Cast and Creative".

Congratulations to everyone selected, and thank you to everyone who auditioned.

A group of stalwart choristers have been braving the heat to learn a spectacular programme of 13 big chorus numbers from Broadway shows, ranging from old-time favourites like Singin' in the Rain to recent blockbusters, like Hamilton.

They are very keen to show you the result, so please join them on Sunday 12th July, at 17h, in the Salle Communale de Commugny. Free entry, with a retiring collection which will be donated, after costs, to Aide Suisse à la Montagne. An apéro will be offered at the end.