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Rushden Operatic Society
"Merrie England" 1953
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Coronation Celebrations
RUSHEN OPERATIC SOCIETY
presents
under the Patronage of
The Rushden Urban District Council
and
The Higham Ferrers Borough Council
"Merrie England"
By arrangement with Chappell & Co., Ltd.
| Written by Basil Hood |
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Composed by Edward German |
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The entire Production under the direction of Mr Frederic Sabine
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The Ritz, Rushden
Oct. 26th-31st, 1953
Nightly at 7.30 p.m.
Matinee Saturday at 2.30 p.m.
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THE TWO BESSIES
On a bank of the Thames near Windsor Castle the May Day revels – singing, dancing and the antics of strolling players – lead on to a witch-hunt demanded by the May Queen against Jill-all-Alone, a forest dweller.
Among notable arrivals are Sir Walter Raleigh, Bessie Throckmorton – a lady-in-waiting to the Queen – and the Earl of Essex. The Earl, who looks upon Raleigh as his rival for Queen Elizabeth’s favour, finds a means of getting him into trouble when an amorous note written by Sir Walter to the minor Bessie is found in the possession of Jill, whose pursuers have brought her back and are crying out for her punishment as a witch.
For a moment poor Jill imagines that Walter Wilkins, the boastful player, will protect her from the mob; but his braggings, though diverting, do not rest on courage. He is, in fact, just recovering from an ignominious ducking in the river when the Queen herself arrives on the State barge and steps majestically ashore to receive a resounding welcome.
Here is the opportunity for Essex to confound his rival. The note – in the form of an acrostic – is handed to the Queen. Bessie Throckmorton and Raleigh counter with open avowals of their love; but Elizabeth, consumed by jealousy and rage, banishes Sir Walter from the Court, sends Bessie to prison and orders the death of Jill.
It is not to be imagined that in a comic opera the audience is so soon to be bereft of its romantic favourites. There is a secret passage from the Castle dungeons to Herne’s Oak, the hollow giant of a forest glade, and through it come Jill and Bessie. Knowing nothing of the escape, Raleigh, who is himself at large and in disguise, plans to join a merry crowd of mummers who are to visit the Castle. We also catch a glimpse of the Queen meeting an apothecary in orderto obtain the means of poisoning Bessie.
By this time, however, Essex has taken a new view of the situation, realising, as he does, that the marriage of Raleigh and Bessie would heighten his own chance with Elizabeth. He arranges for the projected entertainment to take place in the glade, and also for a piece of deception whereby the fabled Herne the Hunter, said to appear only when the Sovereign contemplates a crime, will be seen by the Queen.
As all others in the plot are prepared to swear that they see nothing unusual, the deception works perfectly. Elizabeth, in terror, relents, the sentences are lifted, and all ends happily with the play of Robin Hood’s Wedding. |
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The Earl of Essex
John Williams
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Queen Elizabeth
Letha Sanders
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Sir Walter Raleigh
Sam Houghton
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Bessie Throckmorton
Pauline Farey
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The Cast
in order of appearance.
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A Butcher
A Baker
A Tinker
A Tailor
The May Queen
Marjorie
Kate
Long Tom
Big Ben
Jill-All-Alone
Walter Wilkins
Silas Simkins
Sir Walter Raleigh
A Wine Vendor
Miss Bessie Throckmorton
The Earl of Essex
1st Lord
2nd Lord
1st Lady-in-waiting
2nd Lady-in-waiting
The Queen's Fool
Queen Elizabeth I
1st Page
2nd Page
A Citizen of Windsor
A Messenger |
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Tradesmen of Windsor
The May Queen's Attendants
Royal Foresters
Players in Shakespeare's Company |
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Raymond Shaw
Raymond Sibley
George Johnson
Sidney Hudson
Eileen Horner
Maureen Pridmore
Gillian Brown
Frank Wilmer
Kenneth Smith
Mary Wills
Geoffrey Sanders
Frank Stock
Sam Houghton
Harold Clayton
Pauline Farey
John Williams
Geoffrey Knight
Victor Garlick
Betty Garratt
Elizabeth Smith
William Clarke
Letha Sanders
Diane Tebbutt
Judith Dodd
Arthur Frost
Robert Hart |
| Townsfolk, Soldiers, Beefeaters |
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Monica Bass, Hilda Bunker, Christine Carter, Helen Clarke, Phyllis Clarke, Sheila Crickmer, Vera Denton, Rose Drage, Norah Gibbs, Gwen Hardwick, Bertha Harbour, Margaret Harris, Ann Holmes, Hilda House, Hilda Howes, Lilian Keech, Sylvia Oates, Maureen Savage, Jean Stevens, Gladys Turner, Irene Turner, Margaret Turner, Emily White, Elizabeth Wilson.
William Ainge, Terry Clapham, George Dangerfield, Michael Drage, Ivor Francis, Patrick Higgins, Alan Holmes, Alan Ives, Ian Lucy, Michael Morris, Victor Parsler, Sidney Smith, Michael Turnell, Percy Wilmer.
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| Dancers |
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Shirley Bale, Pamela Bettles, Jacqueline Dilley, Jose Eagle, Sheila Eaton, Freda Faulkner, Jean Hardwick, Sylvia Haley, Rita Stapleton, Audrey Tompkins, Patricia Waite, Shirley Welsford.
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From The President,
W. B. Sanders, Esq. |
At the time arrangements were being made to celebrate the Coronation, the Operatic Society was asked to produce a show, to which the Company readily agreed. As a result, the popular production “Merrie England” is being presented for your entertainment. We feel sure that no more suitable choice could have been made to celebrate the Coronation of our Queen Elizabeth II.
This Comic Opera brings to life again the spirit of England in the stirring days of Queen Elizabeth I, a period when this country was developing in all directions, trade, manufacture, commerce, and more intensive cultivation of the land. These were days of spirit and adventure at home and abroad. This is the essence of “Merrie England”, full of virility and strength, with its bold and refreshing music, and the inevitable love interest. Our cast, drawn from all the talent of the district, is particularly strong.
On Tuesday night we are to be honoured with the presence of the Mayor and Corporation of Higham Ferrers, and the Chairman and Members of Rushden Council. We appeal to you all to give us your support and make our effort worthy of this great occasion.
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Costumes by
B. J. Simmons & Co. (1941), Ltd.
Scenery by The Ritz Theatre, Rushden
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Walter Wilkins Silas Simkins
Geoffrey Sanders Frank Stock
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Big Ben
Kenneth Smith
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May Queen
Eileen Horner
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Long Tom
Frank Wilmer
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Jill-All-Alone
Mary Wills
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Musical Numbers
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ACT I. Scene: The Bank of the Thames
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Introduction
"Sing a down, a down, a down"
"We are two proper men"
"Oh where the deer do lie"
"I do counsel that your playtime"
"That every Jack should have a Jill"
"Love is meant to make us glad"
"She had a letter from her love"
"When true love hath found a man"
"When a man is a lover"
"Who were the Yeomen"
"God save Elizabeth"
"O Peaceful England"
"King Neptune sat on his lonely throne"
"It is a tale of Robin Hood" |
Chorus
Long Tom and Big Ben
Jill and Chorus
Wilkins and Chorus
Raleigh and Chorus
May Queen, Kate, Raleigh, Wilkins and Tom
Bessie
Raleigh and Bessie
Wilkins, Simkins and Essex
Essex and Chorus
Chorus
Queen Elizabeth
Wilkins and Chorus
Ensemble |
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Act II. Scene: Windsor Forest
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"The month of May"
"In England, Merrie England"
"The sun in the heaven is high"
"The Big Brass Band"
"It is the merry month of May"
"The Queen o' May is crowned to-day"
"Dan Cupid hath a garden"
"Two merry men a-drinking"
"O who shall say that love is cruel"
"When Cupid first this old world trod"
Masque of St. George and the Dragon, and Egyptian Dance
"Oh! here's a to-do to die to-day"
"Now who'll come said Robin Hood" |
Jill and Chorus
Bessie, Jill, Big Ben, Long Tom
Simkins, Tailor, Butcher and Chorus
Wilkins, Simkins and Chorus
Jill and Raleigh
Chorus
Raleigh
Ensemble
Bessie
Essex
Ensemble
King
Ensemble |
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Some of the Principal Characters
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The Orchestra
under the direction of
Oswald L. Lawrence
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Formed of musicians from a wide area, the orchestra is composed of instrumentalists, some of whom have played under the direction of Mr. Oswald L. Lawrence throughout the twenty-five years that he has been associated with musical societies in the district, most of them having played for all the Society’s productions since “Blossom Time”. This involves considerable travelling and personal sacrifice to many, and the Committee welcomes this opportunity to record its appreciation of their continuing support to the Society.
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Violins
Viola
'Cello
D.Bass
Flute
Oboe
Clarinet
Trumpets
Trombones
Timpani
Piano |
Leslie T. Heggs (Leader)
Mrs. Bridges
R. Gibson
Miss Pettitt
L. Seamarks
C. Cook
E. Allen
R. Pettitt
C. Smith
P. Hornsey
W. Groom
P. Groom
R. Benning
E. Webster
E. West
J. Hart
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Our Stage Director
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Mr. Frederic Sabine,
directing this week's performances, comes of a theatrical family. His mother, Rita Baker, was at the Gaiety; his grandparents were original Savoyards with D'Oyly Carte; grandfather, the baritone Federici, playing "The Pirate King" on its opening night and "The Mikado" when the company first opened in America in order to secure the copyright of this opera.
Claiming 25 years' experience of stage work in all its branches, Mr. Sabine has directed light opera, dramatic shows, revues and pageants all over the country and is also a lecturer and script editor. He has handled about 15 productions of "Merrie England" and his work this year includes Hendon's Coronation Pageant, for which he wrote his own script.
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From Councillor
A. A. Allebone, J.P.
Chairman, Rushden Urban District Council |
When the Rushden Operatic Society offered to perform “Merrie England” as part of our Town’s Coronation celebrations it was realised what an appropriate ending this would be to a season of great pageantry and joy. The choice of an opera portraying a period in the time of Queen Elizabeth I is a most happy one, and I would like to congratulate the Society on its enterprise in undertaking the production. At the same time I realise that to produce this in addition to their normal annual presentation inevitably means a great deal of hard work for all those connected with the Society and a very considerable monetary risk. We know from past experience that anything the Society undertakes will be well done, and I trust that our townspeople will show their appreciation by giving their full support and making the effort a truly Civic one. In so doing, I am sure they will add yet another happy memory to their recollections of a memorable year.
A. A. ALLEBONE,
Chairman, Rushden Urban District Council |
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From
His Worship The Mayor of Higham Ferrers
John White, Esq., H.F., J.P. |
The choice of “Merrie England”, as the Society’s contribution to the Coronation Celebrations is a very fitting one and is surely worthy of whole-hearted support. Its music is very well-known and loved by everyone and I feel the Rushden Operatic Society can be relied upon to do full justice to the scope it offers.
I have been pleased to be associated with the Society since its inception, and the various shows they have presented have been generally recognised as of a very high standard. I feel that the Company assembled for this present production will enable them to surpass what they have done before, and I think it reflects great credit on all concerned, that in addition to their normal year’s work, they should undertake this extra production in honour of this great event in the history of our country.
In the days of the first Queen Elizabeth, enterprise and initiative were characteristics of the English race. Let us, with the same spirit, look forward to great achievement and success during the reign of our young and lovely Queen Elizabeth II.
I wish the Society every success with this production and for the future. |
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| Our Aims |
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Rushden Operatic Society, since it was re-formed and gave its performance of “Blossom Time” in 1947, has endeavoured to present those of the shows that are available for Amateur performance, which will give pleasure and entertainment to our patrons, without whose support we would be unable to continue, and also ensure that the whole company, especially members of the chorus, have as large a part to play as is possible.
During these seven years the choice of the Selection Committee has always proved to be a sound one and, whilst some of the titles have been little known when first announced, they have all proved to be successful, both from the Box Office Returns and the interest and enthusiasm that has been consistently maintained by the cast.
The Society is always anxious to increase its membership and extends this
Invitation to All Enthusiastic Amateurs
Membership of the Society offers happy recreation among congenial company.
If you are interested in becoming a member you will be welcomed.
Write to the Secretary :
Miss P. G. Bryant,
51, Spencer Road, Rushden.
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Programme Sellers
Lillian E. Cooke,
Kathleen Dent, Rose Frost, May Garley, Stella Herford,
Ivy Ingram, Anne Leeson, Freda Pack, Audrey Perkins,
Mildred Watts. |
Stewards
E. Wadsworth (Chief Steward), E. Clark, Alan Groome,
H. Ingram, J. T. Jones, E. C. Knight, G. Knight, M. Knight,
S. Knight, G. T. Macpherson, C. Perkins, C. Robinson,
S. Spurr, D. Summerfield, I. Wilbur. |
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Acknowledgments
are very sincerely and gratefully made to |
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Mr. W. Hewitt, his co-directors, and the staff of the Ritz, for their continued interest and co-operation.
Northamptonshire Education Committee (Mr. G. E. Churchill, M.A., Chief Education Officer) and Mr. W. A. E. Sherwood, who have given every help in the arrangement of rehearsals at the Rushden Evening Institute, and to the headmasters, headmistresses and caretakers of the schools.
All the members of kindred Societies in the district who have joined with us to augment our Society for this special production.
Nursing Sisters and St. John Ambulance.
All the stewards and programme sellers.
Northamptonshire Newspapers, Ltd., for publicity.
Capt. C. E. Abbott and Mr. Ralph Sanders, for booking facilities at Irthlingborough and Raunds.
Mr. Leslie Clark and the many voluntary works, for help throughout the production.
Mr. Bernard Clowes and The Grafton Studios for their kind co-operation in the preparation of the photographs reproduced in this programme.
Our patrons for their support.
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| Stage Direction by Frederic Sabine. |
| Accompanist: Joan Hart. |
Wardrobe Mistress: Nellie Hart
(assisted by Gladys Mann and Ivy Smith). |
| Chief Steward: Edward Wadsworth. |
| Prompter: Kathleen March. |
| Property: Dorothy Johnson and Eva Bryant. |
| Perruquier: Jules Marten. |
| Call Boy: Pauline Faulkner. |
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An Amateur Production
These performances of "Merrie England" are given by amateurs under professional tuition.
The members of the Company attend the Operatic and Ballet Classes of Rushden Evening Institute. |
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