Rushden Research Group: Operatic Society

Rushden Operatic Society

Carousel - 1958

'Carousel'
Presented by arrangement with
Messrs. Chappell & Co. Ltd.

Music by Richard Rodgers
Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II

Based on Ferenc Molnar's "Liliom"

Produced by John Redmond and Margaret Boyle

John Redmond,
stage director of our last
two productions, has
again been in charge.
He has a long record as
actor and producer in
London shows, and has
travelled extensively.

Margaret Boyle
has been with us for the
first time as co-producer,
giving us the advantage
of expert knowledge
of dance routines
and movements which
are special to "Carousel".

Characters (in their order of appearance)
Carrie Pipperidge Julie Jordan Mrs. Mullin Billy Bigelow 1st Policeman David Bascombe Nettie Fowler Enoch Snow Jigger Craigin Arminy 2nd Policeman Captain Heavenly Friend (Brother Joshua) Starkeeper Louise Enoch Snow, Jr. Carnival Boy Principal Doctor Seldon		Pauline Bailey Pauline Farey Renee Welsford John Williams Victor Parsler William Clarke Christine Carter Geoffrey Sanders Alan Lester Jennifer Stockman Alastair Bence Harold Clayton Frank Stock Frank Philp Jose Shortland Richard Keech Bob Savage Harold Clayton Frank Philp

Chorus of Townsfolk, etc

Jeannette Beeby, Monica Bass, Sylvia Brown, Phyllis Clarke,
Janet Dean, Vera Denton, Rose Drage, Norah Gibbs,
Joan Glenn, Mavis Green, Sandra Head, Pamela Hoodless,
Barbara Ingram, Dorothy Jones, Cecily Langley, Marie Pogson,
Irene Turner, Lilian Wright, Rita Yeomans,
Mary Quartermain.
Alastair Bence, Roger Bostic, Harold Clayton, Roland Evans,
Arthur Frost, Robert Hart, Alan Ives, Barry Keech, Roy Lilley,
Victor Parsler, Sidney Smith, Ernest Stock, Frank Stock.

Dancers

Diana Bebb, Gillian Burley, Dorothy Garley, Patricia Hart,
Margaret Hilson, Lynn Holland, Jean Slade, Pamela Stock,
Jennifer Stockman, Maureen Swann, Pamela Warren,
Jean Wilbur.
Trevor Elliott, Trevor Mould, Keely Rice, Robert Savage,
Gary Warwick, Roger Bostic, Arthur Church, Richard Keech,
Clifford Savage, Ernest Stock.

Synopsis of Scenes Time: 1873 - 1888
PRELUDE An Amusement Park on the New England Coast. May.
ACT I
Scene 1. Scene 2.		A tree-lined path along the shore. A few minutes later. Nettie Fowler's Spa on the Ocean Front. June.
ACT II
Scene 1. Scene 2. Scene 3. Scene 4. Scene 5. Scene 6.		On an island across the bay. That night. Mainland waterfront. An hour later. Up there. Down here. On a beach. Fifteen years later. Outside Julie's cottage. Outside a schoolhouse. Same day.

Principal Musical Numbers
ACT I
Prologue Finale Act 1.	"The Carousel Waltz" "Mister Snow" "If I Loved You" "June is Bustin' Out All Over" "When the Children are Asleep" "Blow High, Blow Low" "Hornpipe" "Soliloquy"	Julie and Carrie Billy and Julie Nettie, Carrie & Chorus Carrie and Mr. Snow Jigger, Billy and Men Dancers and Chorus Billy Nettie and Chorus
ACT II
Reprise Finale Ultimo	Entr'act "A Real Nice Clambake" "Geraniums in the Winder" "What's the use of "Wond'rin" "You'll Never Walk Alone" "The Highest Judge of All" BALLET Incidental "If I Loved You" "You'll Never Walk Alone"	Concerted Snow, Jigger and Chorus Julie and Ladies' Chorus Julie and Nettie Billy Louise and Dancers Carrie Billy Concerted

The Story of Carousel
(Time: 1873 – 1888)

A carousel whirls round at an amusement park on the New England coast, and Mrs. Mullin, who owns it, keeps a watchful eye as her barker, the brawny idol of the girls, shows little favours to Julie, a girl from the local mill. You can see that Mrs. Mullin is angry, yet the only sound is the music of the Carousel Waltz, the whole scene being played in dumb show.

When Julie and her friend Carrie leave the fairground Mrs. Mullin follows to give them the length of her tongue, but in the midst of the row the barker, Billy Bigelow, arrives and exercises his rough code of gallantry. He is sacked for his pains, but finds compensation in an affair with the infatuated Julie, who loves him truly in spite of his faults.

When June is “bustin’ out all over” there is going to be a clambake at Nettie Fowler’s spa on the ocean front, where Julie, who cannot hide the fact that Billy, now her husband, has been hitting her, gets to know the “stiddy and reliable” Mr. Enoch Snow, who is getting fixed-up with Carrie.

Billy has got to know Jigger Craigin, a sailor of bad character, who wants his help in a robbery which will involve a murderous attack on Mr. Bascombe, a local mill and ship owner. For some time he resists, but his whole outlook changes when he learns that he is to be a father. Suddenly he wants the best for his child and will find the money by any means.

After the clambake the boys go off on a treasure hunt, but Billy and Jigger slip away on mischief bent. Their plan goes wrong, and instead of robbing Mr. Bascombe they find themselves at the end of his revolver.

From this point it is better to tell the tale sketchily, for a fatal knife wound is not the end of Billy. He is led away by a mysterious friend and strange things happen “Up There,” for if you stand in the right place among the clouds you can look down and see your own daughter and be proud of her. You can even return to earth and be seen or unseen at will. You can whisper words unsaid during your lifetime and hear a song . . . “Walk on with hope in your heart, and you’ll never walk alone.”

The Orchestra
(under the direction of
Oswald L. Lawrence)

Oswald Lawrence
directed the music for
"Blossom Time" and has
continued to wield the
baton through thirteen
shows - "Carousel" is
is the fourteenth.

Leader:
Violin:

Viola:
Cello:
Bass:
Flute:
Oboe:
Clarinet:
Trumpet:

Trombone:

Percussion:
Pianoforte:

W. Griffiths
Y. Bowness
E. Bridges
S. Seamarks
C. Cooke
E. Allen
R. Pettit
C. Smith
G. Hornsey
H. York
D. Civil
J. Page
E. Webster
E. West
Joan Hart

Programme Sellers
(arranged by Lily E. Cooke and Rose Frost)

Cicely Hircock, Helen Tooby, Audrey Annies, Elizabeth Elliott,
Ivy Ingram, Gwen Hardwick, Marie Coleman, Nancy Bailey,
Hilda House, May Gale, Jean Cole.

Stewards
(under the direction of Edward Wadsworth)

E. Clark, C. Perkins, H. V. Ingram, E. C. Knight, S. Knight, M. Knight,
L. Darnell, P. Bailey, I. Wilbur, J. Pack, A. Binder, H. W. Cox,
E. C. Underwood, J. Barker, R. W. Lovell, J. Knight.

Costumes by Chas H. Fox, Ltd.
Scenery by Stage Scenery of London.
Lighting Equipment by Strand Electric & Engineering Co., Ltd.
Amplifying Equipment specially installed for this production by
C. Pack, Radio and Electrical, Rushden.

The Carousel in the Prologue of the play was originally used in that
scene in the Drury Lane production.

Acknowledgments
The Committee and members of the Society wish to offer their very sincere thanks to all of the following whose assistance and co-operation has made this production possible.
	Mr. W. Hewitt, his co-directors and all of the staff of the Ritz, Rushden, for their continued interest and assistance. The Northamptonshire Education Committee (Mr. G. E. Churchill, MA, Chief Education Officer) and Mr. N. Lamford, Head of the Rushden Evening Institute, who have given every help in the arrangement of rehearsals at the Institute. The Headmasters, Headmistresses and caretakers of the Schools. The local traders who have taken advertising space in this programme. The nursing sisters and St. John Ambulance for attendances at the theatre. The Stewards and Programme Sellers. Northamptonshire Newspapers for making the blocks for this programme and for publicity. The Grafton Studios for advice and co-operation in the preparation of photographs reproduced in the programme. Mr. Gordon, County Drama Adviser, together with Mrs. Gordon, Mrs. Hylda Bugby, Mr. Keely Rice, Mrs. Betty Lester and Mr. Michael Eady for advice and assistance with make-up. Mr. Leslie Clark, Mr. Ashley Pearson and the many other voluntary workers for help throughout the production.
An Amateur Production
These performances of "Carousel" are given by amateurs under professional tuition. The members of the Company attend Operatic and Ballet Classes of the Rushden Evening Institute. New members for these classes are always welcome. If you too would like to take part in our future presentations, please communicate with the Secretary, G. R. Johnson, 17 Newton Road, Rushden.

Barbara Coales,
Principal of the
Kilburn School of
Dancing, continues as
Ballet Mistress after
several seasons of
highly effective work
in charge of the
society's
dancing groups.