“Hans Andersen” is a fairy-tale musical, lightly based on the life of perhaps the greatest writer of Fairy Stories in the world.
The story states in Odense, in Denmark with the children looking for Hans to tell them a story rather than go to school. We meet him in his late teens, making a living as a shoemaker, but his ambition is to become a playwright. Otto Pedersen, a stranger passing through the town, has his shoes repaired by Hans, hears he has written a play and takes him to the local theatre where the great Swedish opera singer Jenny Lind is rehearsing for that evening’s performance. Hans is overwhelmed by her singing and at once offers his play as the libretto for an opera. Her manager, Max Klaus, scorns on this, but Jenny insists and promises to read his script. She asks him to call on her later at the theatre. Hans thinks this may be his great chance, Jenny tells him his work shows promise, but he must go back to school and learn to spell. She makes the governor, Col. Guldberg give Hans a letter to the schoolmaster Rector Meisling, and encourages him with a light farewell kiss. Hans is enraptured.
He goes back to school and is quickly telling his stories to the other pupils. Eventually his education is completed – and at last can spell.
Hans leaves Odense to go to the nation’s capital, Copenhagen. He dreams of seeing Jenny Lind again, but busy Copenhagen has little time for him or his stories. However, he does meet Jenny again and she overhears him telling one of his children’s stories. She encourages him to write more of these stories which are published and Hans becomes a great success.
Hans and Jenny meet one evening in the Tivoli Gardens and Hans points out all the loving couples. He declares his own love for her, and asks her to marry him. She says she is very fond of him, but not in love with him.
The now famous Hans is commanded by the King of Denmark to attend a court reception and, at the King’s request, he tells a new tale to the assembled company. The King is delighted and awards Hans the country’s highest civil honour. Jenny Lind is also there and again Hans declares his love. She says although she does not love him, he is truly loved by all the people of the world who read his stories. Hans at last realises that this is where the happy ending of his life story lies.

Welcome to another important event in the proud ever lengthening history of the Rushden Amateur Operatic Society – the Northamptonshire Premiere of ‘Hans Andersen’.
I am particularly delighted that the society has been accorded this honour. A few years ago things were somewhat rough financially, but the efforts of all by hand work and a ‘never say die’ spirit have fully deserved this success.
In thanking you – our patrons – for your support, I hope you will enjoy this delightful show – amply making up for that atrocious summer.

Bert Catlin
President

The recent sad passing of Len Berrill leaves a large and unfillable gap in the ranks of the ‘Backroom Boys’ of the R.A.O.S.
Always inconspicuous and unobtrusive, Len was a real master in the art of stage properties combined with skill, knowledge, and incomparable patience and devotion.
We shall miss him always but most especially on the occasion of every R.A.O.S. production shall we remember and mourn his passing.
It is nice to know that his wife Grace intends to go on working within the Society and we all hope that she continues to do so. We think this would have been the wish of her husband and our unforgettable friend Len Berrill.

On behalf of the committee and myself, may I welcome you, our patrons to this premiere show for Rushden Amateur Operatic Society.
'Hans Andersen’ was only released for the amateur stage in January 1985, therefore we feel very privileged to present this show for your entertainment.
The stage production has been adapted from the film of the 50’s starring Danny Kaye, and was first presented at the London Palladium in the late 70’s starring Tommy Steele, who in collaboration with Beverley Cross wrote the book.
Our entire production has been in the capable hands of professional Director and Choreographer Robert Marlowe, who has been given a warm welcome on this his first visit to Rushden. We as a company have learned a great deal from his professionalism.
To present a show of this calibre requires a great deal of hard work on the part of all the members and to whom I extend my grateful thanks. Thanks also to Musical Director Pauline Longland and accompanist Margaret Neal, Ballet Mistress Sally Jones and Stage Manager Len Gomm. I would like to add personal thanks to Geoff Beadows, Roger and all the Ritz staff for their invaluable help and continued support, also to you, our patrons, and hope to see you again in 1986.

Keith Green
Chairman

Gill Bateman, Robin Allen, Pam Bird, Simon Baker, Mary Boyfield, Brian Gedney, Roseanne Duncan, Kingsley Hall, Carol Maddams, Eddie Mander, Angela Mander, Douglas Pateman, Dianne Moore, Don Sanders, Mollie Page, Michael Tye, Pam Trainor, Graham Ward, Heather Woodiwiss

Josephine Green, Sara Hind, Margaret Hunter, Sally Jones, Wendy Stott, Edna Ward, Julie Wilbur