shows performed over the past 25 years - samtc.org.uk · pdf fileshows performed over the past...

Shows performed over the past 25 years:1979 The Gypsy Baron / Fiddler on the Roof1980 Kismet / Iolanthe1981 Cavalleria Rusticana & I Pagliacci / My Fair Lady1982 Die Fledermaus / Pirates of Penzance1983 Show Boat / Cabaret1984 The Flying Dutchman / La Vie Parisienne1985 Ruddigore / Carousel1986 The Merry Widow / The Card1987 The Arcadians / La Boheme1988 South Pacific / Guys & Dolls / Trial by Jury1989 Orpheus in the Underworld / The Yeoman of the Guard1990 Half a Sixpence / La Traviata1991 The Pajama Game / Fiddler on the Roof / Trial by Jury1992 The Great Waltz / An Evening with Mr Gilbert and Mr Sullivan

/ West Side Story1993 My Fair Lady / The Gondoliers1994 Macbeth / Kiss Me Kate / Trial by Jury1995 Bitter Sweet / Jack the Ripper / Anything Goes1996 Charlie Girl / Connections / The Pirates of Penzance1997 Me & My Girl / Oklahoma!1998 Carmen / Hello Dolly1999 La Belle Helene / Calamity Jane2000 Sweet Charity / Charlie and Algernon / Guys & Dolls2001 Die Fledermaus / Chess2002 Mack & Mabel / Slice of Saturday Night / Trial by Jury & HMS Pinafore2003 Fiddler on the Roof / Oliver!2004 Carousel / Mikado2005 Wizard of Oz / Cavalleria Rusticana & I Pagliacci

Executive committeeChairman: Peter Jones Secretary: Rachel Manser

Treasurer: John Whinney Membership Secretary: Jeanne CavillMembers: Jane Clark, David Fletcher, Lesley Duggan,

Gemma Farr, Eve Davies and Graham Hedley

www.saos.org.uk

SAOS Prog 3.06 6/4/06 2:04 pm

St Albans Operatic Society presents

Music & Lyrics by David HenekerLibretto by Beverley Cross from Kipps by H.G.Wells

By arrangement with Warner/Chappell Music Limited administered by Boosey & Hawkes.

25th – 29th APRIL 2006 7.45pm

Saturday matinee 2.30pm£2.00

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SAOS Prog 3.06 6/4/06 2:05 pm

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SAOS Prog 3.06 6/4/06 2:05 pm

St Albans Operatic Society presents

Half a

Sixpence Half

aSixpence

Directed byIain Fowles

Choreographed byGisèle Yoh-Fowles

Music direction byNeil Buick

Music and lyrics byDavid Heneker

Libretto based on Kipps by H.G.Wells, byBeverley Cross

By arrangement withWarner/Chappell Music Limited

Administered by Boosey & Hawkes

SAOS Prog 3.06 6/4/06 2:05 pm

Open Door

The St Albans Operatic Society is pleased to support

We are grateful to St Albans Operatic Society for giving us the

opportunity to use this evening to promote the work of the Day and

Night Shelter at 8 Bricket Road. Opened in 1993 it is open every night

of the year and provides a bed and food for up to 16 people. In

addition to statutory funding we need to raise £45,000 each year and

we do this by fund raising.The premises have had constant use over

the past 13 years and we need to upgrade and redevelop the building

as well as continuing to fund ongoing costs. If you would like to know

how you could help please contact Val Langford on 01727 738 492 or

email Valerie [email protected].

Please support the TOMBOLA in the vestibule during the evening!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!

SAOS Prog 3.06 6/4/06 2:05 pm

The Society is delighted to see Neil Buick back on the conductor s podium for hissecond Half a Sixpence with us - he was MD for our last production fifteen years ago.Neil is invaluable to the Society not only as a Music Director, but also as repetiteurand accompanist.

Iain and Gis le Fowles are making their directing and choreography debuts with theSociety.We have thoroughly enjoyed working with them in rehearsal and appreciatetheir inventiveness and attention to detail.

Our Charity Night on Thursday will be helping raise funds for Open Door, a daycentre and emergency night shelter for the homeless. All proceeds from programmesales on Thursday will be donated to Open Door - please do support this veryworthwhile cause.The Society is always happy to hear from local charities that wouldlike to be considered for a Charity Night which usually raises several hundred pounds.

The Society begins next season with our first visit to the Trestle Theatre in HighfieldPark, St Albans for a Gilbert and Sullivan Concert, then returns to the Arena inNovember for West Side Story. We hope to see you again at these events.

I do hope that you enjoy this performance.

Peter JonesChairman

Welcome to the Alban Arena and to our production of the timeless classic Half a Sixpence

SAOS Prog 3.06 6/4/06 2:05 pm

Half A Sixpence Synopsis

Kipps is an orphan and an apprentice at Mr Shalford’s Fancy Goods Emporium.He and his fellow apprentices live in the basement and have to suffer theconsequences of Mr Shalford’s three golden rules - System, ’Ficiency andEconomy! After a long day in the shop, Kipps meets his childhood friend Annand they exchange half sixpences as a token of their love.The next day, Kippsmeets Mr Chitterlow, an actor and playwright, who reveals to Kipps that he has been summoned to a lawyers, where he could hear something to hisadvantage! Chitterlow is convinced that this means a fortune and so hepersuades Kipps to celebrate in the pub instead of going to Miss HelenWalsingham’s woodworking classes as Mr Shalford had instructed! When hefinally arrives at the evening classes Kipps is drunk and manages to cut his wristopening a door. Miss Walsingham bandages it with her handkerchief and Kipps issmitten.When Ann hears of Kipps’ ’philandering’ she insists I Don't Believe aWord of it! Kipps finds he has come into a fortune and quickly resigns hisposition at the Emporium. He becomes friends with Helen Walsingham and herfamily, and asks her to marry him at the Regatta on the Old Military Canal,much to the horror of Ann who is house-maid to Mrs Botting, a friend of theWalsinghams.

As the Walsinghams try to educate Kipps in the ways of being a gentleman,he begins to realise that he doesn’t want to change quite that much and thathe prefers Ann to Helen after all. He confesses to Ann that he has been a fooland they get married. Ann doesn’t take too well to being the wife of agentlemen, but then it is revealed that Helen’s brother, young Mr Walsingham,has run off with most of the money and they only have enough left to open abookshop. All ends well when Chitterlow returns and reveals that the playKipps invested a quarter share in has been a resounding success and Kipps is inthe money again!

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Arthur Kipps....................................................................................................................... Sam Gaines

Ann................................................................................................................................................ Julie Tillin

Sid (a socialist).................................................................................................................... John Hope

Buggins (a pessimist)........................................................................................... Graham Blundell

Pearce (a dandy)....................................................................................................... Ross Macinnes

Flo........................................................................................................................................ Susun Akroyd

Victoria............................................................................................................................. Clare McMillin

Kate...................................................................................................................................Diane Breckon

Emma............................................................................................................................. Kathy Pilkinton

Harry Chitterlow (an actor playwright)....................................................... Richard Kessel

Mrs Walsingham (a customer) .............................................................................. Jeanne Cavill

Helen Walsingham (Mrs Walsingham’s daughter).................................. Lisa Fitzgerald

Young Walsingham (Helen’s spoiled brother).......................................... Steve Williams

Mrs Botting....................................................................................................................... Karen Thorp

Mr Shalford (the owner of the Emporium).................................................... Paul Sugden

Mr Carshott (head floor walker)........................................................................... Clive Webb

Laura (a barmaid).............................................................................................. Claire Harris-Bass

Edwin (the shop cat)............................................................................................................... Snudge

Company: Andrea Adlam, Ian Anderson, Fiona Aucott, Shirley Boyle,Hilary Chapman, Eleanor Clark, Jane Clark, Hatty Covey-Crump, Helen Davies,Gemma Farr, Katie Ferin, Graham Hedley, Jennie Humphrey, Elspeth Jackman,Noreen Martin, Joanne Pearce-Westrop, Michael Readman, James Shipp,Julia Smith and Jenny Wigram

Dancers: Kirsty Borras, Louise Chesterman, Kelly-Jo McLoughlin andSophie Plunkett

The cast

SAOS Prog 3.06 6/4/06 2:05 pm

Haa

Sixp

Act 1Mr Shalford’s Emporium........................................................................................... The Shop Ballet

Company

The Promenade........................................................................................................................... Economy Kipps and Apprentices

Half a SixpenceKipps and Ann

The EmporiumThe StreetThe Bar of The Hope and Anchor .................................................................... Money to Burn

Kipps and Company

The StreetThe Classroom of the Young Workers AssociationThe Emporium...................................................................................... I Don't Believe a Word of It

Ann and Shopgirls

The Promenade................................................................................................... A Proper GentlemanKipps and Company

She's Too Far Above MeKipps

The Old Lighthouse..................................................................................... If the Rain's Got To FallKipps and Company

The Old Military Canal - Regatta.......................................................... The Old Military CanalThe Company

Finale Act 1The Company

There will be an interval of 20 minutes

SAOS Prog 3.06 6/4/06 2:05 pm

alf pence

Act 2The Promenade...................................................................................... The One Who's Run Away

Kipps and Chitterlow

Mrs Botting’s Solarium

The Basement Kitchen .............................................................................................................Long AgoAnn and Kipps

Outside the Church............................................................................................Flash, Bang, Wallop!Kipps and Company

The Rented House................................................................................................ I Know What I AmAnn

The Promenade

The Building Site..................................................................................................Party’s on the HouseKipps and Company

The Promenade......................................................................................... Half a Sixpence - RepriseKipps and Ann

FinaleThe Company

For everyone’s enjoyment

We want you to enjoy this evening s performance to the full, so as a courtesy to both audience and cast:

Switch off all mobile phones and pagers.Do not use cameras, video cameras or recording equipment of any kind.

Thank you for your co-operation.

SMOKING IS NOT PERMITTED IN ANY PART OF THE ALBAN ARENA

SAOS Prog 3.06 6/4/06 2:05 pm

Susan first took to the stage 21 years ago. She haspreviously performed with Leeds Amateur OperaticSociety, East Surrey Operatic Society and the Opera Clubof Reigate & Redhill, playing a wide variety of characters,including Maria in The Sound of Music for the National Trustat Poleden Lacey Open Air Theatre, Miss Adelaide in Guys& Dolls, Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof, Pitti-Sing in TheMikado, Tessa in The Gondoliers, Mad Margaret in Ruddigoreand Ann in Half a Sixpence where she was priviledged toperform in front of David Heneker on the occasion of his80th birthday. Since joining this society 5 years ago, Susanhas played Florence in Chess and Hebe in HMS Pinafore.

FloSusan Akroyd

This is Diane’s second show with SAOS. She joined lastyear for Cavalleria Rusticana and I Pagliacci and enjoyedthem so much she stayed on to do Half a Sixpence. Dianeis delighted to be one of the shop girls and in particularthe character ’Kate’ as she has also played ’Kate’ inYeoman of the Guard and ’Kate’ in Pirates of Penzance - sothis completes the hat-trick! Diane is also a member ofthe Radlett Light Operatic Society and has played theparts of Josephine in HMS Pinafore, Phyllis in Iolanthe,Bessie in Merry England and Adelaide Adams in CalamityJane.

KateDiane Breckon

A member of the society since 1989, Clare is delighted tobe back again after a few years break. Previous rolesinclude Helene in Sweet Charity, Chiffon in Little Shop ofHorrors, Little Red Riding Hood in Into The Woods, Sharonin A Slice of Saturday Night and choreographer for Blondeland Fame. She feels her years of dance training finally paidoff when she appeared on the Andy Stewart tour - he ofDonald,Where’s Yer Troosers? fame. Clare has also touredGermany, Malaysia and Singapore as a dancer/singer.

VictoriaClare Macmillan

This is Kathy’s first show with the society, as she has beenin Exeter for three years learning to dig holes (she’s anarchaeologist!) Kathy did lots of shows whilst at schooland university and is enjoying her first foray in the murkyworld of real amateur dramatics. Will she ever escape? orhas St Alban s Operatic claimed a new victim.......staytuned!?

EmmaKathy Pilkinton

Julie made her stage debut at the age of 8 with RadlettLight Opera Society and has enjoyed performing withvarious local societies ever since! She feels at home on theAlban Arena stage, having taken part in Gang Showsbefore joining SAOS in 1986. Previous roles for SAOSinclude Mercedes in Carmen, Katie Brown in Calamity Jane,Sarah Brown in Guys & Dolls, Chava (1991) and Tzeitel(2003) in Fiddler on the Roof and most recently Yum-Yumin The Mikado. Julie was in our last production of Half aSixpence, and never imagined she would be given theopportunity to play Ann, 16 years later!

AnnJulie Tillin

Just turned 24, Sam first appeared on stage in a 1985production of Carousel as the youngest of the Snowchildren. Coming from a family who have been performingin the area since the 1920s, he has been a chorus memberin Crazy For You, South Pacific and HMS Pinafore. He has alsoplayed Mac in 42nd Street and Mr Briggs in Our Day Out.This is his first show with St Albans Operatic Society andhis first leading role — two experiences he has thoroughlyenjoyed. Away from the stage, having gained his degree in2004, he works in TV production and runs a local footballteam.

Arthur KippsSam Gaines

SAOS Prog 3.06 6/4/06 2:05 pm

Graham is a recent member to the society havingperformed minor roles in previous shows, The Mikado,and Wizard of Oz this is his first big part. Graham has also been involved with a number of drama groups andassociations in the past - to now have the priviledge to doa major show - get out of it!

BugginsGraham Blundell

Ross made his first appearance with the society during1994 in the production of MacBeth. He has performed ina number of shows for SAOS including the roles of Ike inOklahoma, Fatty Arbuckle in Mack and Mabel and mostrecently as the Tinman in The Wizard of Oz. Ross will beappearing in Little Shop of Horrors as the devilish dentistnext month in Wewlyn Garden City.

PearceRoss Macinnes

Richard is delighted to be returning to the stage withSAOS following appearances in The Wizard of Oz and inOliver! Richard’s other musicals include Fiddler on the Roof,Kiss Me Kate, Hello Dolly, Calamity Jane,The Hot Mikado,South Pacific, Pirates of Penzance, Music Man and A Slice ofSaturday Night. Richard has directed, stage managed andappeared in various plays, pantomimes, reviews and choralwork. His TV appearances include Tell The Truth, Child's Playand Sudoku Live with Carol Vorderman - but neither TheBill or Casualty.

ChitterlowRichard Kessel

INTERNATIONAL AWARD WINNING G&S COMPANY

Patience 21st, 23rd & 24th June7.45pm Henderson HallAbbots LangleyBox office 0845 644 0635

The Gondoliers22nd - 27th JanuaryWatford Palace TheatreBox office 01923 225 671www.algss.org.uk

Having performed in every SAOS show since Hello Dolly in1998, John is relishing the chance to be a right member ofthe prolateriat . Normally type-cast as the drunk orlothario this role offers a bit more depth! Previous roleshave been, Edwin in Trial by Jury, Frank in die Fledermausand Herman in Sweet Charity. Ah, but come the revolution- who knows!

SidJohn Hope

SAOS Prog 3.06 6/4/06 2:05 pm

Half a

Sixpen

Gis le Yoh-Fowles Choreographer

Although this is her debut as choreographer for StAlbans Operatic Society, Gis le has directed &choreographed several musical shows, pantomimes &concerts for other societies in and aroundHertfordshire for many years. Credits as directorinclude Anything Goes, Kiss Me Kate, and South Pacificand several as choreographer including the PendleyShakespeare Festival. She considers her bestachievement to date as being founder member &director of the Breakthrough concert group, raising inexcess of £8,000 profit for the charity BreakthroughBreast Cancer.

Having trained at the Arts Educational School in Tringher experience is very varied. She has been involvedin Amateur Theatre in every capacity from back rowof the chorus to leading lady, and from wardrobemistress to director. Each new society and performingvenue having its own challenges; large stage, too smalla stage, no orchestra pit, no dressing rooms -challenges all amateur societies face and overcomewithout the audiences being aware they even exist!She is looking forward to her next challenge, whichwill be to direct Hello Dolly for BAODS TheatreCompany in Berkhamsted.

Iain FowlesDirector

It was a great surprise to Iain to realise that he hasbeen involved in amateur theatre for nearly 25 yearsand in that time has lost count of the number ofplays, pantomimes and musicals he has performed in.He is currently associated with several local societiesas a performer and a director but this is Iain’s firstshow with St Albans Operatic Society. Previousdirectorial credits include HMS Pinafore forHarpenden L.O.S. and the play When we are Marriedfor Berkhamsted Theatre Company, both of whichwon a NODA regional award in their own categories.

As a performer, favourite roles have included Bobbyin Stephen Sondheim’s Company, Jack Point in Yeomanof the Guard, Bill in Me & My Girl, and Bella Zangler inCrazy for You.

He has thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to directone of his favourite shows for St Albans OperaticSociety, a show very close to his heart, as it was thefirst musical he appeared in and hopes you will alsoenjoy this wonderful show.

Iain will next be directing the Rogers & Hammersteinclassic, Oklahoma for Harpenden Light OperaticSociety this time next year.

SAOS Prog 3.06 6/4/06 2:05 pm

nce

Neil BuickMusic Director

Neil studied at the Royal College of Music and theRoyal Scottish Academy of Music where he was amajor prize winner; performed in the Glasgow Proms;and conducted his first opera, Bastian und Bastienne.He lives in Harpenden and works throughoutHertfordshire and further afield as a freelancemusician.

He teaches privately and at St Albans School wherehe is the resident accompanist. Although this is hisspecialism, he has also been involved in severalsocieties in over 40 productions, many in the role of Music Director.

Neil is a church organist and enjoys playing forservices. His composition Balulalow was performed in St Albans Abbey in December, and he maintains an association with several music groups: St AlbansChamber Opera, Hertfordshire Philharmonia andSymphonia Academica.

Neil also undertakes recital work throughout thecountry.

He is very proud that his pet cat, Snudge, is makinghis stage debut this week as Edwin the shop cat inthis production.

SAOS Prog 3.06 6/4/06 2:05 pm

SAOS Prog 3.06 6/4/06 2:05 pm

The Orchestra

First Violin.........................................................Pia Jeppesen (leader)

Kate Turner

Hywel Davies

Jeanne Mann

Second Violin................................................. David Glenister

Neil Symonds

Muriel Carpenter

Kay Geradine

First Viola..........................................................Tony Wigram

Second Viola...................................................Ceri Fagg

First Cello........................................................ Peter Neville

Second Cello................................................. Isobel Acton

Double Bass................................................... Helen Boyea

Flute and Piccolo......................................... Stephanie Rawlins

Oboe..................................................................Rachel Broadbent

Clarinet..............................................................Lorraine Tyler

Bassoon.............................................................Graham Thomson

First Trumpet..................................................Ian Muncey

Second Trumpet.......................................... Jeremy Lowkes

Leah Lowkes

Trombone........................................................Eddie Thomson

Percussion........................................................Richard Baron-Tait

SAOS Prog 3.06 6/4/06 2:05 pm

BackstageDirector.................................................................................................. Iain FowlesChoreographer................................................................................... Gis le Yoh-FowlesMusic Director.................................................................................... Neil BuickAssitant Director............................................................................... Eve DaviesDeputy Stage Manager.................................................................. Roger TurnerAssistant Stage Manager............................................................... Genevieve WilsonSound...................................................................................................... Dave MeadLighting................................................................................................... Mike BeanAssisted by............................................................................................ Nicola Shipp and Bob KesselStage crew............................................................................................ Anne Fowler,Tamzin Evers, Sue Wilding,

David O’Dell and Matthew CooperWardrobe Mistress.......................................................................... Jane ForsterAssisted by............................................................................................ Janet Biggs, Margaret Baker

and Sue FeatherstoneCostumes.............................................................................................. Stage CostumeProps Mistress.................................................................................... Julia Smith and Doreen GrayAssisted by............................................................................................ Noelle Barrett, Frances Lewis,

Nick Makin, Isobel Nash, Caroline Smith and Janet Wade

Props hired from...............................................................................Keeley’sPrompt.................................................................................................... Lesley Duggan and Jane WatkinsonMake up..................................................................................................Margaret Dolomore and friendsProduction Manager........................................................................ Richard KesselPublicity and programme............................................................. Gemma FarrAssisted by............................................................................................ Graham Blundell, Eleanor Clark,

Elspeth Jackman, David Fletcher,Yioda Panayiotou, Rachel Manser,Shirley Wootten, Kathy Pilkinton,Karen Thorpe and Julia Smith

Ticket Secretary................................................................................. Phyllida JonesRehearsal accompanists................................................................ Jamie Matthew and Matthew WoodwardTransport............................................................................................... Richard KesselScenery................................................................................................... Clifford and BrownFront of House Manager.............................................................. Stan OwenProperties Creations and Front of House Display....... Stan OwenAssisted artwork.............................................................................. Emily GreySteward and Programme Sales................................................ Stan OwenAssisted by............................................................................................ Friends and members of the SocietyPhotography......................................................................................... Michael Readman, Shirley WoottenLibrarian................................................................................................. David BerridgeProduction refreshments............................................................. Janet Biggs and Margaret Baker

SAOS Prog 3.06 6/4/06 2:05 pm

Join us.....If you’ve enjoyed watching tonight’s performance, think how much more fun it can be to take part. It takes all sorts of talents, whether on stage or behindthe scenes, to produce such a show and there is an infectious team spiritthroughout the society as rehearsals build towards this week. In addition toFull Active Members, there is a growing number of Junior Members. Associatemembership is also available at reduced cost to give members access topriority booking and attendance at SAOS meetings and social functions.Anyone who feels that he or she has something to offer can be sure of agreat welcome with SAOS! Pick up the phone and call Jeanne Cavill on01727 860986.

West Side Story 7 - 11 November 2006

Join us for Leonard Bernstein’s masterpiece of musical theatre and betransported to 50’s downtown New York. SAOS’s autumn productionpromises to be a visual and musical feast and a roller coaster for the emotions.This 20th century Romeo and Juliet effortlessly combines the timeless joy andanguish of love, hate and adolescence, with the culture and racial tensions.With famous numbers Maria, America, and Tonight, plus humour, dance, passionand drama West Side Story appeals on many levels.We are very excited aboutmeeting the challenge of Bernstein’s groundbreaking score and hope you willjoin us on our journey.

SAOS Prog 3.06 6/4/06 2:05 pm

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