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From the archive of Marian Hollomon
Presented by Greville Watson
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Rushden Operatic Society
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Rushden Amateur Operatic Society
Presents - The East Midlands Premiere -
Viva Mexico
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Producer -
John Henderson |
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Rushden Boys School
April 2nd to 7th
Nightly 7.15 pm
Saturday Matinee 2.15 pm
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Chairman's Message
This year, for the first time in the history of the Society, we are performing our annual show away from “The Ritz”.
Our new surroundings may lack the atmosphere of the old, but the warmth of the welcome extended to us by the Headmaster, Governors and School Authorities, has amply compensated us.
To many of our former patrons, who have found it impossible of late, to negotiate the stairs to the circle, the change will be an agreeable one and we welcome your “return to the fold” for many years to come.
We sincerely hope that your evening spent with us, will be an enjoyable one and we feel sure that you will find “Viva Mexico”, not only colourful entertainment, but a night to remember musically, for who can fail to enjoy the Latin American music that was so familiar to many of us, a decade or two ago.
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Our story will be familiar to you all, and could almost be described as an everyday occurrence. A revolution has been planned to overthrow the tyrant President, who righthand man, Police Chief Lopez, is the most ruthless person you could expect to find. The revolution is interspersed with a bit of healthy banditry on the part of Zorro who, together with his girlfriend Raquelita supply the romantic element.
The revolution eventually succeeds in spite of the help from the “Laurel and Hardy” type comedy team, Pablo and Pepe and a revolutionary who couldn’t shoot a hole in a barn at ten paces.
There are many chorus numbers to captivate you, including an Aztec Ceremony by ultra violet light.
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We are delighted to have John Henderson back with us. John has come out of retirement to produce for us, this East Midlands premiere of “Viva Mexico” entirely “ex-gratia” and we are extremely grateful to him. He has undoubtedly proved to us all that none of his professional touch has been lost.
Sincerely
Peter Carpenter
Chairman Rushden Amateur Operatic Society
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Delia Beasley "Raquelita"
Peter Haynes "Ramon"
Margaret Coleman
"Mama" (back)
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Ian Challen "Pablo" (left)
Bob Martin "Pepe" (right)
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Brian Jones
"Senator"
Muriel Wallis
"Lucille"
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Peter Carpenter
"Mendoza"
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Jeanette King
"Casilda" (left)
Kaye Rawlins
"Lola" (right)
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Keith Green "Bernardo" (left)
John Jones "Lopez" (right)
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| Characters |
Raquelita
Ramon
Mama Inez
Lucille
Senator
Pepe
Pablo
Casilda
Lola
Lopez
Bernardo
Priestess
Mendoza |
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Delia Beasley
Peter Haynes
Margaret Coleman
Muriel Wallis
Brian Jones
Bob Martin
Ian Challen
Jeanette King
Kaye Rawlins
John Jones
Keith Green
Doreen Field
Peter Carpenter |
Scenes
Place - Mexico
Time - Not so long ago |
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ACT ONE
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| Outside |
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"El Rancho Grande" |
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ACT TWO
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Scene 1.
Scene 2.
Scene 3. |
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Lucille's Bedroom
A Cantina
A Site of an Aztec Temple |
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ACT THREE
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Village Market Place
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| There will be an interval between Acts 1 and 2 |
| Ladies Chorus |
| Dianne Angwin, Mary Boyfield, Elaine Checketts, Sheila Jones, Jill Luck, Jane Muffett, Sara Neville, Sarah Page, Mary Quartermain, Patricia Richardson, Aileen Stott, Heather Taylor, Julie Tomlin. |
| Gentlemans Chorus |
| Gareth Evans, Mervyn Goddard, Paul Longland, Mike Neville, Doug Pateman, Don Sanders. |
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| Musical Numbers |
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ACT ONE
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Overture
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8. |
"El Rancho Grande"
"Manana"
"Love, Stay in my Heart"
"Oh, What and Shame!"
"The Sergeant's Song"
"La Cucaracha"
"The Clapping Song"
"Finale Act I" |
Mama, Ramon and Chorus
Pablo and Pepe
Raquelita and Ramon
Lucille, Mama, Bernardo
and Chorus
Bernardo and Chorus
Raquelita, Casilda, Lola,
Ramon, Mendoza and Chorus
Pablo, Pepe, Ensemble
and Chorus |
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ACT TWO
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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7. |
"Opening Music Act 2"
"O, Foolish Moon"
"It's Aztec Night Tonight!"
"Ay-Ay-Ay"
"Ritual of the Rising Sun"
"Tango for Two"
"Finale Act 2" |
Lucille
Chorus
Raquelita and Ramon
Priestess, Dancers and Chorus
Mama and Pepe
Ensemble and Chorus |
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ACT THREE
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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7. |
"Opening Act 3"
"Toreadors"
"In Love"
Reprise "Manana"
Reprise "Love, Stay in my
Heart"
"Finale Act 3"
Curtain Calls |
Chorus and Dancers
Pablo, Pepe and Chorus
Raquelita and the Girls
Lucille, Mama, Bernardo
and Senator
Raquelita and Ramon
Full Company |
| Singing Group |
| Chris Carter, Bettina Curson, John Curson, Connie Holt, Miriam Joyce, Joan Vaughan, Keith Vaughan, Phil Smith, Mike Walker, Rene Welsford, Pauline Wildman. |
| Dancers |
Ballet Mistress - Sally Massom
Kathryn Green, Carol Helsdown, Margaret Pateman, Julie Wilbur. |
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| The Orchestra |
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Pauline Longland
our Musical Director
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Flute/Clarinet
Percussion
Trumpet
Bass
Guitar
Piano
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D. Garland
R. Ruff
T. Ruff
D. Gomm
E. Allen
M. Ibbott
Margaret Neal
Judy Tomlinson |
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Brass Band on Stage
Members of the Rushden
Mission Band
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Our Producer
Our Producer – John Henderson – needs no introduction to Rushden audiences.
Many will remember him for his television appearances which have been numerous, but will remember his production at Rushden of such shows as “The Dancing Years”, “Show Boat”, “Pink Champagne”, “South Pacific”, “My Fair Lady”, “The Mikado” plus a great number of spectacular pantomimes and of course “Oliver!”.
John retired from his theatrical work a few years ago but because of his affection for Rushden Operatic Society was persuaded to come out of retirement to produce our first show for us in our new venue.
To help the Society John is doing this show for us without a fee, but we feel certain it will be up to his usual very high standard and that you, the audience, will thoroughly enjoy “Viva Mexico”.
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DANCERS
Ballet Mistress:
Sally Massom
(centre back)
Kathryn Green
Carol Helsdown
Margaret Pateman
Julie Wilbur |
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| Acknowledgements |
The Committee and members of the Society wish to offer their very sincere thanks to the following whose assistance and co-operation have made this production possible.
The President and Vice-Presidents for their continued support.
Mr. D. Clarke, Headmaster of Alfred Street School, and the Caretaker, Boys School and Caretaker.
All those who have allowed us to display advertising material.
The East-Northamptonshire Co-operative Society for the use of their premises for booking facilities.
The Stewards and Programme Sellers.
The Nursing Sisters and St. John Ambulance for attendance at the School.
The Traders who have taken advertising space or donated pages in this programme.
Peter Dawes Printers, Kettering, for their great assistance in producing this Programme.
The Hamlyn Group for meeting and rehearsal facilities.
Mrs. Nellie Hart for the use of Site advertising.
All parties supporting us from various organisations.
The Wheatsheaf Inn, Rushden, The Windmill Club, Rushden, The Hensman Hall, and Adult School, Higham Ferrers for rehearsal facilities.
The Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph to Doug Millhouse for publicity photographs.
Portal Construction Limited for use of Transport.
Box Office Assistants.
L. W. Whitehead, Irchester, for loan of various properties.
R.A.T.S. for use of scenery workshop.
G. Pettit of Hinwick for donation of scenery making materials.
Robert Marriott Ltd for supply and erection of stage apron.
Chris Carter for deputising whilst John Henderson The Producer was in hospital.
All members of the Public for loaning Sombreros.
To all who have assisted the Society in presenting "Viva Mexico", whether or not mentioned in this programme, we say a special 'THANK YOU'. |
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| Our Stage Assistants |
Wardrobe
Margaret Bland, Phyllis Bryant, Peggy Coles, Nancy Eady, Nellie Hart, Phyllis Smith, Moyra Stuart, Jean Wilbur.
Stage Staff - Manager Len Gomm
Tony Dale, Neil King, Len Lewis, Gordon Pateman, Chris Ruff, Ken Smith, Brian Toby.
Property Masters
Grace Berrill, Len Berrill, Christine Smith.
Electricians
David Hart, Trevor Bailey, Arthur Holloman, Peter Longland, Roger Norman, Joanne Smith.
Call Boy - Wendy Stott.
Prompter - Pat Catlin.
Make Up Artist - Clive Durrant.
Costumes by Society Wardrobe.
Scenery - Designed and Painted by Len Gomm assisted by Gordon Pateman and Neil King in the R.A.T.S. Theatre Workshop.
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| Programme Sellers |
| Arrangements by Rose Drage |
| Margaret Chapman, Catherine Gilliland, Glenis Haynes, Hilda House, Sarah Pott, Linda Tyler, Debbie Rogers. |
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| Stewards |
| Auditorium Manager - Cliff Jeffries |
| Bill Beasley, Robin Allen, Percy House, Gerry Myers, John Stringer, Graham Ward. |
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| Box Office |
R. Allen, Mrs. C. Carter, Mrs. B. Curson, Mrs. S. Goulsbra,
A. Goulsbra, E. J. Jones, Mrs. J. King, Mrs. J. Walker. |
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You may meet the Cast after the show at the Wheatsheaf Inn -
- an extended licence applied for. |
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