|
|
Transcribed and Presented by Greville Watson 2018
|
Rushden Operatic Society
'Blossom Time' - 1947
|
|
|
|
RUSHDEN OPERATIC SOCIETY
(Affiliated to the National Operatic and Dramatic Society)
presents
"BLOSSOM TIME"
A MUSICAL PLAY
Adapted by Sydney Box.
Music arranged and derived from
Franz Schubert by G. H. Clutsam.
Lyrics by G. H. Clutsam, John Drinkwater and H. V. Purcell.
Monday, April 14, to Saturday, April 19, 1947
| Daily at 7.45 p.m. |
|
Matinee on Saturday at 2.30 p.m.
|
PRODUCED BY NORMAN EDWARDS
[LONDON]
|
|
|
 |
|
The cast
|
The Story of the Play
SPRINGTIME comes to the Vienna of 1826, and the trees are laden with blossom. The devoted friends of Franz Schubert - as yet an unknown musician - set out to arrange a concert at which his songs can be sung. They need, above all, a singer whose own reputation will attract the public, and are happy when the great Vogl, charmed by Franz's music, consents to appear.
Schubert is in love with Vicki, the daughter of old Wimpassinger, a dancing master, but hesitates to disclose his feelings and in the meantime is treated with scant respect by Count Rudi von Hohenberg, of the Imperial Guard, who himself captures Vicki's heart when he comes to her father for dancing lessons.
Before the concert Schubert learns from Vicki of her love for Rudi. The young officer, however, finds himself embarrassed by the well-meaning but autocratic Archduchess Maria Viktoria, who, impressed by his dancing, more of less commands him to marry her niece Therese.
Prompted by Schubert, who, in spite of his disappointment, is anxious to help her. Vicki resolves to get arrested and so gain access to the Archduchess and make an appeal. Her artful method is to appear on the public square and sing a lampoon upon the noble lady. It works well, and she is seized and taken to the Palace ballroom.
Schubert's own affairs are upset when, with Vogl unable to appear at the concert, he has to sing his own songs there. He makes a great success - only to be arrested because he has been named as the author of the lampoon. Soon he, too, is at the ballroom, and then comes his great chance. With a well-chosen song he recalls Maria's own romantic youth, and when he brings forward Frederick Lafont, her old lover and music master, the Archduchess is moved to decisions which mean happiness for Vicki and Rudi and not less for Therese.
Even for poor Schubert the future is brightened. It is good for a struggling musical genius to have the patronage of the Court. |
|
|
|
| The Cast of Characters |
FRANZ SCHUBERT
MAYRHOFER |
|
DOUGLAS GILBERT
KENNETH SMITH |
SCHWINDT
LULU
ELSA |
)
) His friends
) |
LLOYD ROOKSBY
GRACE FOSTER
MAY KNIGHT |
WIMPASSINGER
(a teacher of dancing)
VICKI (his daughter) |
|
VICTOR GARLICK
ANNE HOGWOOD |
COUNT RUDI (Lieutenant of
the Imperial Guard) |
|
SYDNEY HUDSON |
WILI (his friend)
Archduchess MARIA VIKTORIA
THERESE (her ward) |
|
JOHN TEE
DORA WHITEMAN
PAMELA HORRELL |
LUCIE
WILHELMINA |
(her Ladies-in-
Waiting) |
ELIZABETH WILSON
AUDREY CAVE |
Countess FRITZI FRANGIPANI
(a Lady of the Court)
VOGL (an opera singer) |
RENEE BATES
GEOFFREY KNIGHT |
COLONEL OF THE IMPERIAL
GUARD
MAJOR
1st POLICEMAN
COURT CHAMBERLAIN
ACCOMPANIST (in Concert scene) |
|
FRANK PHILP
PETER MOISEY
STANLEY HODGKINS
ROY SYKES
S.T.BEAL |
|
|
|
|
| About the Society |
|
After a lapse of many years since any Opera or Musical Show was presented in Rushden, The RUSHDEN OPERATIC SOCIETY has great pleasure in presenting that fine Musical Play "BLOSSOM TIME."
Since the Society was formed in the autumn of 1946 much has been done by a number of people to put the production 'on the Stage' and grateful thanks are expressed to all who have assisted the production in any way - especially the loyal cast who have attended rehearsals under weather conditions of extreme severity. These rehearsals have formed part of the work of Rushden Evening Institute.
We hope the show meets with your approval. Your support and that of your friends will give the Committee encouragement to continue its efforts next season.
FRANK E. BROWN
(Chairman)
|
|
| New Members |
The Society will be pleased to consider applications for membership. These should be addressed to
Miss E.K.Bryant, 51, Spencer Road, Rushden. |
|
|
|
| Ladies of the Chorus |
Gwen Ablett
Freda Caldwell
Christine Carter
Phyllis Clarke
Emily Cox
Winifred Cox
Muriel Denton
Vera M. Denton
Vera Denton
Lilian Dickens
Doris Drage
Rose Drage
Margaret Edwards
Rose Frost
May Garley
Kathleen Hobbs
Hilda House` |
|
Ivy Ingram
Lilian Keech
Phyllis Lack
Kathlyn Moisey
Celia Page
Doreen Perkins
Eleanor Randall
Gwynneth Rowlands
Beryl Rowlett
Joan Skinner
Gwen Slater
Belva Smith
Jean Spencer
Gladys Thake
Sheena Woods
Constance Wrighton |
|
|
|
| Men's Chorus |
William Ainge
William Clarke
Donal Coughlan
Percy House
Stanley Knight
Philip Mould
Victor Parsler
Frank Stringer
Sydney Smith
Thomas Daniels
Arthur Frost
Harold Hilson |
|
|
(Chorus comprises Ladies of the Court, Officers, Dancing Pupils, Policemen, Passers-by, etc.)
|
|
|
| The Ballet |
Nancy Brooker
Barbara Cherry
Gwen Colburn
Luise Coleman
Joyce Cox
Audrey Darnell
Veronica Dove
Gwen Elliot
Moyra Groome
Doreen Hartwell
Patricia Hawkes
Joy Hincks
Maureen Jones
Peggy Jones
Jean Wheeler
Erna Williams |
|
|
|
|
|
Mr. Douglas Gilbert
as Franz Schubert, the
composer, whose music
permeates the play
|
|
Miss Anne Hogwood
as Vicki - loved by
Schubert but, though
fond of him, reserving
her heart for Rudi |
|
|
| SCENES |
Act I
|
MUSICAL NUMBERS
|
Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
Scene 4
Scene 5 |
|
Courtyard and Street outside
Wimpassinger's House.
Anteroom at the Archduchess's Palace
(Later the same evening).
Wimpassinger's Studio
(Five minutes later).
The same as Scene 2
(Twenty minutes later).
The same as Scene 1
(A week later).
|
|
Opening Chorus
"The Days of Spring are Fleeting"
"Red Rose"
"The Question"
"Always the Perfect Lady"
"The Dancing Duchess"
"The Letter"
Choral Waltz
"The Dancing Lesson"
"Thine is My Heart"
Choral Waltz
"Deportment" Number
"Prune Brandy"
"Love comes at Blossom Time"
Finale |
|
Wimpassinger and Chorus.
Elsa, Lulu, Mayrhofer and Schwindt.
Schubert.
Vicki.
Wimpassinger, Fritzi and Chorus.
Schubert.
Vicki, Lulu, Elsa, Schwindt,
Mayrhofer and Chorus.
Officers and Girls.
Rudi and Vicki, with Wimpassinger
and Schubert.
Schubert.
Archduchess.
Wimpassinger and Girls.
Wimpassinger.
Vicki and Rudi.
Vicki, Policement and Chorus. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Act II
|
|
|
|
Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
Scene 4
Scene 5
Scene 6 |
|
Ballroom at the Palace
(Later the same evening).
Behind the Stage at the Alexandra Concert
Hall (The same evening).
Stage of the Concert Hall (A moment later).
As Scene 2 (Five minutes later).
The Parade Ground.
The Ballroom again. |
|
"Polonaise"
"Ballet"
"The Dancing Duchess"
"Love comes at Blossom Time"
"Ave Maria"
"The Question"
"Serenade"
Officers' Chorus
"It's never too late to love"
"Once there lived a Lady Fair"
"First Love is Best Love"
Finale |
|
Chorus.
The Ballet.
Vicki and Chorus.
Vicki.
Schubert.
Schubert.
Schubert.
Officers.
Wimpassinger and Fritzi.
Schubert.
Archduchess.
Vicki, Rudi, Principals and Chorus. |
|
|
|
|
Mr. Sydney Hudson
as Count Rudi, who has
a better understanding of
feminine beauty than of
Franz's musical genius
|
|
Mrs Dora Whiteman
as the "Dancing Duchess"
whose well-meaning if
autocratic dictates make
anxiety for two pairs of
lovers |
|
|
| The Orchestra |
| Conductor: Oswald Lawrence, L.R.A.M., A.R.C.M. |
|
Violins : L.T.Heggs (leader),
N.Panting,
O.Lamb,
and S.Twelftree
Viola : S.Seamarks
'Cello : G.H.Cox
Bass : B.Smith
Flute and Piccolo : R.Pettit |
|
Oboe : C.Smith
Clarinet : G.Hornsey
Horn : G.Carter
Trumpets : M.J.Roberts and A.J.Gibson
Trombone : R.Benning
Timpani : E.J.West
Pianoforte : C.Cave, A.R.C.O. |
|
|
|
|
Mr Victor Garlick
as the much-tried old Wimpassinger,
dancing master, hard drinker, and
- to his credit - father of Vicki |
|
Miss Renee Bates
as the Countess Fritzi - an aggressive
widow hot on the trail of her unwilling
"Wimpy" |
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks are offered by the Committee to the following:
Mr. W.Hewitt, his co-directors and the staff of the Ritz for their great interest and full co-operation.
Northamptonshire Education Committee and Mr. W.A.E.Sherwood for fostering the Society’s rehearsals as a branch of educational work at Rushden Evening Institute.
The Northamptonshire Printing and Publishing Company for editorial support from days when the Society was only an idea in the minds of a few enthusiasts.
Mr. S.G.Ette for the programme cover design and Mr. J.M.Akerman for service to the Publicity Sub-Committee.
Messrs. J.Pendered and Son for the free loan of their premises as our Advance Booking Office.
Mr. W.Lacey for expeditious supply of the photographs reproduced in this programme.
The Cambridge Theatre, London, for the loan of music stands.
Messrs. Jeffery, Sons and Co., Northampton, for their selection of period furniture.
The esteemed President and Vice-Presidents and all other patrons and supporters who undoubtedly hope with us that “Blossom Time” will establish a long line of amateur stage productions in Rushden.
Costumes supplied by Charles H. Fox, Ltd.
Scenery by Capes of London.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
