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Transcribed and presented by Greville Watson, 2018
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Rushden Operatic Society
'Perchance to Dream' - 1990
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Rushden Amateur Operatic Society
Present
Perchance to Dream
(By arrangement with Samuel French Ltd)
A MUSICAL PLAY
Devised, Written and Composed by IVOR NOVELLO
DIRECTED by DAVID TURNER
CHOREOGRAPHED by ALAN STAPLETON
and ASSISTED by MARGARET HUNTER
Musical Director CHRISTINE HOWLETT LRAM, LTCL, ARCM, LG, SM
Chorus Master KEITH GREEN
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April 2nd to 7th, 1990
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| CHICHELE SCHOOL |
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Nightly 7.30pm |
| RUSHDEN |
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Saturday Matinee 7th 2.30pm |
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Saturday Gala Evening |
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The Orchestra
Under the direction of Christine Howlett LRAM, LTCL, ARCM, LGSM |
Christine Howlett
our Musical Director |
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Keith Green
Chorus Master |
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Tony Tomalin
Richard Andrews
Christine Twell
Bridget Clarke
Anna Burrows
Paul Gardner
Richard Wright
David Garland
Barbara Bowley
Andrew Stewart
Charles Hutchings
David Ashby
Maxwell Thornton
Mick Grace
Stephen Garfirth
Rowena Bass |
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Violin (Leader)
Violin
Violin
Violin
Violin
Cello
Double Bass
Flute/Piccolo
Clarinet
Clarinet
Trumpet
Trumpet
Trombone
Percussion
Piano
Harp |
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Musical Numbers
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ACT I
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"When the Gentlemen Get Together"
"Love is My Reason"
"I go to Help Poor Lydia"
"A lady went to Market Fair"
"When I Curtsied to The King"
"Highwayman Love"
Singing Ballet
"The Triumphs of Spring"
. . (a) Introduction and Summer Waltz
. . (b) Autumn
. . (c) Winter
. . (d) Spring |
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Ensemble
Lydia
Ernestine
Ensemble
Melinda
Ernestine and Ensemble
Ensemble |
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ACT II
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"Autumn Lullaby"
"A Woman's Heart"
"We'll Gather Lilacs"
"We'll Gather Lilacs" Reprise
"The Victorian Wedding"
"The Glo-Glo"
"The Elopement"
"We'll Gather Lilacs" Reprise
"The Glo-Glo"
"Windsor Choir"
"A Woman's Heart"
Finale |
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Ladies Chorus
Veronica
Veronica and Mrs Bridport
Mrs Bridport
Ensemble
Melanie and Girls
Mrs Bridport and Vicar
Veronica
Dancers
Ladies Chorus
Iris
Ensemble |
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| From the Chairman |
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Once more it is my pleasure to welcome you to our Annual Production, an Operetta by Ivor Novello, filled with delightful music which we trust will be pleasing to both young and old.
For his patience and understanding we are indebted once more to David Turner, our producer and friend, and we thank you, our patrons for supporting us.
As you depart, we hope you will have had an enjoyable evening and leave us singing “We’ll Gather Lilacs”, and so to bed “Perchance to Dream”.
Chris Carter, Chairman
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'Sir Graham' - ALAN STAPLETON (left)
'Lady Charlotte' - PAULINE WILDMAN
'William' - PAUL WHITEMAN
'Melinda' - JULIE ATHERTON
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| From the President |
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Obviously there is a feeling of disappointment when intentions for one reason or another cannot be fulfilled and a change has to be made. However it is at such times that the truth of “—it is an ill wind” becomes apparent – the Society’s change of the 1990 production to “Perchance to Dream” bears out this fact. Ivor Novello’s charming story and delightful music will most certainly nullify any disappointment and regret at having to forgo “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers”. Possibly many of you will be very pleased that a change took place. Whatever your views, I know you will enjoy to the full this show.
Thank you once again for your continued support and also, once again thanks to Chichele School for allowing the use of their excellent facilities.
Bert Catlin
President
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THE COMPANY and PRESIDENT 1990
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| 'Perchance to Dream' |
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We find ourselves transported to the great hall of Huntersmoon, the ancestral home of the Rodney family. It is 1818 in the Regency period, and the property is the home of Sir Graham Rodney and his ill-assorted coterie, including his mistress Lydia and her friend Ernestine.
Sir Graham, a very charming young man, with a flair in his character for daring deeds. In order to pay off his debts and wagers, he takes to the road in disguise as a highwayman. He receives a letter from his aunt, Lady Charlotte Fayre, saying she will shortly arrive at Huntersmoon, accompanied by her daughter Melinda and nephew William. Graham, annoyed at the thought of all these relatives descending on him uninvited, idly threatens to bolt and bar the house, as he knows his aunt wants to take over Huntersmoon. He then remembers his cousin Melinda and has a wager of five thousand guineas with his friend Sir Amyas Wendell, he will seduce her during her stay.
The Fayres arrive at Huntersmoon, having been held up by a highwayman, known locally as ‘Frenchy’ (Graham in disguise). The moment Graham and Melinda meet, they fall in love. The baronet realises he has lost his bet. Graham tells Lydia he must ride again to settle this despicable wager. She begs him not to go, he does, and this time is fatally wounded, but able to return to his beloved Huntersmoon to die in the arms of Melinda, swearing he will find her again in another life.
A generation passes to 1843 and William’s son Valentine, is now master of Huntersmoon. He is a composer and is happily married to Veronica, who is none other than the daughter of Sir Graham and his mistress Lydia. Melanie, Sir Graham’s niece, meets Valentine and they fall madly in love. However, when Melanie discovers Veronica is about to give birth to Valentine’s Child she drowns herself.
Another generation passes to 1935. Valentine’s descendant, Bay, is married to Melody, who resembles Melanie and Melinda. As the couple retire to sleep – Perchance to Dream – it seems as if the unhappy ghosts have finally been laid to rest. In a most memorable final scene, all the spirits of those who have known and loved Huntersmoon, gather in the Great Hall as the star-crossed lovers are united at last.
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| David Turner |
David Turner returns to Rushden this year to direct his third musical for us having previously been in charge of our productions of ‘Half a Sixpence’ in 1988 and ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ in 1989.
‘Perchance to Dream’ is a particular favourite of David’s having directed a professional production starring Patrick Mower as Sir Graham Rodney, Gillian Humphries as Lydia and Helen Landis as Ernestine in addition to three productions for amateur societies.
David studied for the theatre with the late Elsye Bicheno and has directed major productions in all parts of the British Isles working in many large important theatres and has over two hundred productions to his credit.
David holds the unique honour of having adjudicated at the International Festival of Light Opera at Waterford on four separate occasions in1978, 1981, 1983 and 1988. Also, David was the sole adjudicator at the Northern Ireland Festival of Light Opera in1986 and 1987.
Twenty years ago author Harold Purcell rewrote his famous wartime musical success ‘The Lisbon Story’ and he allowed David to direct the first production. In 1980, in celebration of the centenary of its first performance, David directed a production of ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ in Penzance with a cast made up entirely of Cornish Players. Also in 1980 he was appointed to the Connaught Theatre, Worthing where during his six years in charge of this famous repertory theatre he produced or directed over seventy major productions including ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ with Nyree Dawn Porter, ‘South Sea Bubble’ with Barbara Murray, and ‘A Song at Twilight’ with Michael Denison and Dulcie Gray.
As a result of a visit to New York, David secured the performing rights of Ernest Thompson’s plays and subsequently presented European Premieres of ‘On Golden Pond’ starring Eleanor Summerfield and Paul Maxwell, and ‘The West Side Waltz’ with Faith Brook.
David directed a number of highly successful musicals at the Connaught Theatre, in particular ‘The Sound of Music’ starring Isla St Clair and Edmund Hockridge, ‘The King and I’ starring Mark Wynter and Lorna Dallas, and ‘Oliver’ starring Charles West.
In 1985 for the Connaught’s Golden Jubilee, David directed a special presentation of ‘Dear Octopus’ with an all star cast led by Dame Anna Neagle, Dora Bryan, Margaretta Scott and Lockwood West.
He also directed the premiere of William Douglas Home’s new play ‘And as for Jonathan’ which received national critical acclaim.
In 1987 Sir Peter Saunders invited David to direct a new production of the world’s longest running play ‘The Mousetrap’ at London’s St Martin’s Theatre and the following year appointed him General Manager of the Peter Saunders organization. He is a member of the prestigious Society of West End Theatre.
In recognition of over twenty years’ service to amateur theatre, David has become President of the Sussex based Masque Theatre Company, President of the Scunthorpe Operatic Society and been made a Life Member of the York Operatic Society. |
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ALAN STAPLETON
- 'Sir Graham Rodney',
(as 'Frenchy' The Highwayman)
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PAUL WHITEMAN (left)
- 'William Fayre'.
CHRISTINE CARTER (centre)
'Ernestine Flavelle', 'Mrs Bridport'.
GARY KRAMER (right)
- 'Sir Amyas Wendell'.
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Cast
in the order of their appearance |
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REGENCY, 1818
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Edgar Pell
Sir Amyas Wendell
Lord Failsham
Ernestine Flavelle
Susan Pell
Lydia Lyddington
aiken (the butler)
Sir Graham Rodney
Lady Charlotte Fayre (his aunt)
Melinda (her daughter)
William Fayre (her nephew)
Bow Street Official |
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Friends of
Sir Graham
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DOUGLAS PATEMAN
GARY KRAMER
SIMON BAKER
CHRISTINE CARTER
JOANNE NEEDLE
SUE BURCH
GRAHAM WARD
ALAN STAPLETON
PAULINE WILDMAN
JULIE ATHERTON
PAUL WHITEMAN
MICHAEL TYE |
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VICTORIAN, 1843
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Lady Charlotte Fayre
Miss Alice Connors
Miss Rose
Veronica
Valentine Fayre
Mrs Bridport
The Vicar
Melanie
Amelia
Vivien
Lucy
Lavinia
Sophia
Elizabeth
Queen Victoria
Prince Albert |
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Friends of
Melanie
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PAULINE WILDMAN
KAY RAWLINS
STEPHANIE GRIFFITHS
SUE BURCH
ALAN STAPLETON
CHRISTINE CARTER
KEITH GREEN
JULIE ATHERTON
CHARIS BUTLER
JOANNE NEEDLE
CLAIR ELY
EMMA MYERS
EMMA DICKS
KATE O'LEARY
MARGARET HUNTER
COLIN NEEDLE |
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MODERN, 1935
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Bill
Melody
Bay (her husband)
Iris (Bill's wife) |
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PAUL WHITEMAN
JULIE ATHERTON
ALAN STAPLETON
SUE BURCH |
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SUE BURCH - 'Lydia Lyddington',
'Veronica', 'Iris'.
ALAN STAPLETON - 'Sir Graham Rodney',
'Valentine Fayre', 'Bay'.
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| Chorus of Guests |
Mary Boyfield
Roger Clark
David Coleman
Rachael Garrard
Josephine Green
Keith Green
Stephanie Griffiths
Debbie Haseldine |
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Pat Lawman
Joanne Needle
Douglas Pateman
Kay Rawlins
Jon Sidey
Cathy Sheppard
Edna Ward
Graham Ward |
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| Dancers |
Charis Butler
Emma Dicks
Clair Ely |
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Emma Myers
Kate O'Leary
Philip Watts |
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JULIE ATHERTON - 'Melinda',
'Melanie', 'Melody'.
ALAN STAPLETON - 'Sir Graham Rodney',
'Valentine', 'Bay'.
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PAULINE WILDMAN
- 'Lady Charlotte Fayre'.
ALAN STAPLETON
- 'Sir Graham Rodney',
'Valentine', 'Bay'.
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| Ivor Novello |
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‘Perchance to Dream’ was first performed 45 years ago – April, 1945 at the London Hippodrome. It had the longest run of any of the Novello’s shows – over 1,000 performances, and when it came off at the end of 1947, it was still playing to full houses. The original cast included Novello as Sir Graham Rodney, Valentine and Bay – Olive Gilbert, Margaret Rutherford, Roma Beaumont and Muriel Barron.
Novello wrote “I believe in beauty in the theatre, that in the theatre lies the road back to sanity. I want to give people the chance to dream again”. He believed by creating illusion, shutting out the great world and taking people into the ‘Land of Make Believe’ or as they would like life to be.
Ivor Novello died in March 1951, leaving behind for all of us to enjoy his glorious melodies of which the public never seem to tire. The glamorous world, over which Ivor Novello reigned, put into it gaiety and romance – he was the greatest romantic of his day – where everything was a little larger than life and twice as beautiful – was lost forever. His death was the end of an era – with him died a legend, but while people sing his glorious melodies Ivor Novello – the incurable romantic, will never be forgotten.
If you yearn for long lost romanticism and melody, then ‘Perchance to Dream’ will undoubtedly provide you with all the nostalgia you need.
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Synopsis of Scenes
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ACT I
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Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
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The Hall of Huntersmoon 1818
A week later
The following night |
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ACT II
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Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
Scene 4
Scene 5
Scene 6
Scene 7
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The Hall of Huntersmoon 1843
The Victorian Wedding
Three years later - Evening
Three weeks later
That night
The next morning
The Hall of Huntersmoon 1935
- Evening |
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| Acknowledgements |
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The Committee and members of the Society wish to offer their sincere thanks to the following whose assistance and co-operation have made this production possible.
The President and Vice-Presidents for their continued support.
Rushden W. M. Club, The Rose & Crown, Rushden, Rushden Wesleyan Church Schoolroom, Hensman Hall, Higham Ferrers and Adult School, Higham Ferrers for meetings and rehearsal facilities.
The Headteachers of Chichele School, South End Junior School, Alfred Street School and their caretakers.
Programme written and compiled by Mary Boyfield.
Peter Dawes Printers, Kettering, and TypeStart Print Origination for their great assistance in producing this programme.
Photography by Doug Millhouse, Tel: Kettering 722064 for publicity photographs.
Diane and David Headland for their home for publicity photographs.
All those who have allowed us to display advertising material.
The Traders who have taken advertising space or donated pages in this programme.
Bernard A Potters (Insurances) Ltd, and Billingtons, Higham Ferrers for publicity displays.
Alpha Mu Products for use of public address equipment.
The ‘Globe’ Raunds for obtaining licence for bar.
All Stage and Support Staff.
The Ritz, Rushden, for Box Office facilities and those who have helped.
The Nursing Sisters and St John Ambulance for attendance at Chichele School.
All parties supporting us from various organisations.
R.A.T.S. for use of scenery workshops.
Len Whitehead of Irchester for loan of properties.
Matthew Denny for painting portraits.
Richard Grant of Ailey Blueband for collection and return of costumes.
Federal Express for the collection and delivery of scenery.
Peter Marshall for transport.
Len Gomm and Jason Darnell for furniture restoration.
Wills of Rushden for loan of costume rails.
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| Stage Staff |
Stage Manager: - Chris James
Stage Crew:
Mark Dickerson, Len Gomm, Paul Hartley, Les King, Nick Kirk, Gordon Pateman, Ken Smith, Chris Thorburn.
Lighting:
Trevor Richardson, Norman Billington, Arthur Hollomon, Debbie Hollomon, Alan Mayes.
Wardrobe: - Josephine Green, assisted by:
Grace Berrill, Ena Carpenter, Peggy Coles, Wendy Dicks, Diane Grimster, Jan Hollomon, Connie Holt, Gina Millwood, Janet O'Leary, Dot Smith, Angela Tobin, Rene Welsford.
Properties: - Merve Goddard, assisted by:
Nicolette Goddard, Sarah James, Miriam Joyce, Jeanette King.
Call Boy: - Gail Holland
Prompt: - Joan Vaughan
Tab Girl: - Susan Smith
Make Up Artists: - Clive Durrant, Grace Berrill
Costumes: - Hombergs, Leeds
Scenery: - Stage Productions Co. Ltd. |
| Support Staff |
Front of House
Manager: - Colin Needle
Assistant Manager: - Sally Jones, assisted by:
Gill Bateman, Judy Barringham, Margaret Bland, Pam Bird, Pat Catlin, Chris Catlin, Muriel Gomm, Carol Gray, Tina Harrison, James Haseldine, Glennis Haynes, Diane Johnson, Sandy Mander, Moyra Stewart, Pam Trainor, Muriel Wallis, Heather Woodiwiss.
Stewards: - under the supervision of Cliff Jefferies
Gerry Baish, Peter Carpenter, Gerry Myers, Robin Allen. |
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