Following an extensive audition process, The Last Maharah has been cast. See the Cast List and find out more at www.lastmaharajah.co.uk.

The prinicpal roles have been cast for The Pirates of Penzance, but we still need as many people as we can get to sing in the chorus. To be involved, just come along to the first rehearsal, or email the director, Sarah Hargreaves. It's going to be a great fun weekend away, and with only six rehearsals it will be a roller-coaster ride of a concert!

What a delight it was on the occasion of a somewhat significant birthday just recently, to be taken on one side by David Phipps-Davis and given the news that I had been awarded the honour of being made a Life Member of Imperial Productions (Opera as was). In fact I slightly surprised myself by how moved and grateful I was.

Imperial Opera/Productions is extremely important to me, it has been a major part of my life since I helped found it 29 years ago, and remains a very important to me, notably in the friends I have made through the society. It all began in January 1979; a bunch of friends who were rehearsing for the ICOS production of 'The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein' were sitting in the upstairs lounge of the 'Southside Bar' at Imperial College, musing, over copious amounts of well earned alcohol, as to what part they would play in the society when the production was over.

Last year we held a few play readings, which turned out to be great fun and were well attended, so in 2008 we're going to try to arrange one every month. We should be able to find an interesting and varied programme - so there should be something for everyone! Here is the updated schedule for the coming months:

• Wednesday 12th March - An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde - contact Sarah
• Friday 25th April - Hamlet by William Shakespeare - contact Dave
• Friday 23rd May - The Rivals by R.B. Sheridan - contact Ashley
• Friday 20th June - Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare - contact Sarah
• Thursday 17th July - Gas Light by Patrick Hamilton - contact Steve
  

Our Annual General Meeting was held on Wednesday 16 January 2008, where most importantly we chose the new committee for the year. The following members were elected:

Chair: David Phipps Davis
Having led Imperial Productions through 2007, David continues his role as Chair for another year.

Treasurer: Ashley Mercer
Ashley has been a co-opted member of the committee for some time, but this year has stepped up to the role of Treasurer.

Secretary: Steve Rapaport
Steve joined us for the first time during The Mikado in December 2007. He liked us so much, he's come to join the committee as Secretary, so watch out for his future newsletters!