GASLIGHT
NEWSLETTER OF THE CAPE TOWN GILBERT & SULLIVAN SOCIETY
VOLUME 16 – ISSUE 5 – OCTOBER /NOVEMBER 2009
Hi Folks!
HMS PINAFORE
HMS Pinafore has been dismantled; the brave Man O’ War now lies
forlornly on the dockside, Captain and crew having signed off, with
the ships’ cat having beaten a hasty retreat ashore.
The postshow party was a glittering affair with speeches by Anthony
Storr-Lister awarding the Vincent Costello Award to Raymond
Rudolph – by popular choice. The Coarse Actor’s Award went to
Shaun Bosch whose escapade sowed confusion among the cast by
taking the wrong pair of shoes (all the men wore white but of different
sizes – ‘no one size fits all!’) Fortunately the dilemma was sorted out
and the show went on. ChairPerson Audrey Robinson, in a very gracious speech, congratulated all on a magnificent job well done. ‘Hear, hear’, Scribe.
But let’s go a bit further back into the past…
Shortly after moving into the theatre, the backstage listened with heightened interest to an account of a garment malfunction, brought on by vigorous choreography. A young lady recounted, in titillating detail, how the garment failed, leaving her, as it were, exposed;
mercifully, a stouter outer garment spared her blushes! We were assured that there would not be a repeat!
From my perch in the backstage, I had a clear view of the magnificent set, with the ship’s cat reposing, with seeming indifference, in a ventilator while furious action ebbs and flows. I had hoped to see the cat fall but it is too canny a creature and seems sure-footed despite the ‘fury of the gale.’
Hebe now joins the Annie Oakley Seagull league. Ralph is about to end it all when Josephine rushes in to profess her love for him. Buttercup snatches the mean-looking pistol from his hand and gives him a look -alike toy derringer. In all the excitement that follows, Hebe is
handed Ralphs’ pistol, but in her enthusiasm that ‘ove conquered all, she points the pistol skyward and fires off a shot (more like a rocket than the sound of a simple pistol!) and a seagull hits the deck. (Some members of the cast were thinking of saying ’duck’ and others ‘Albatross’)
GET WELL SOON!
Staying with the “HMS Pinfore” production for the moment: Kim Harris- Dalla hurt an ankle while on stage. Our resident paramedic, Richard “Doc” Whittaker, roared into action, flashing red light clearing the way (scribe’s imagination getting carried away). The necessary remedial remedies were put in place but Kim is now on a few weeks’ recovery treatment for an injury more serious than at first thought. Kim did come to visit the show and was her usual cheerful self.
Fiona Weir recently underwent an operation. We wish both of you a speedy recovery!!
“OPSKOP” AT THE THEATRE!!!
This year we are going to have the annual “Opskop” at the THEATRE!! Yes, you read quite right.
And we would like as many of you to join us on the public holiday, 16 December, for the evening performance of With no less than 23(!) current and past Gilbert and Sullivan members involved in this
production, joining them on this traditional “Getting Together & Having A Great Time With G&S Friends” – Day just seems like a very good idea!!
Apart from the names mentioned above, other friends include Benita Faires (Stage Manager), David Bolton (Marketing), Clifford Graham & Shaun Holley (Technical Co-ordinators), Richard Whittaker (Set Designer & Construction). And that’s just the guys in the background!! The great cast includes some of the aforementioned people, as well as Shaun Brown (Fiddler on the Roof, The Sound of Music, Annie Get Your Gun, The King & I) as Scrooge, Mike Harris (My Fair Lady) portraying the dual roles of Ghost of Xmas Present & Mr Daughty, Laura
Bosman (The Sound of Music) as Sandra, Simon Sutton (G&S Life Member) as Mr Smithers.
Other friends include: Rudolph Mare, Martin Heinrich, Ronnie & Eve Car, Greg Tinney, Jennifer Moss, Alex & Douglas Middlebrook, Lyle Wilson, Graham Stabler and Andrea Faires.
Sounds like a plan?!
Well, let us know as soon as possible (and by no later than 01 December!) if you would like to join the G&S Group for the 7:30pm show on Wednesday, 16 December. Ticket Prices: R80 per adult / R40 for children under the age of 12.
Instead of bringing your tjops and wors, just bring your wallet along The G&S Society will provide snacks from 6pm and a cash bar will be available.
Contact Yolanda or Guilma if you have any questions or if you would like to join the group!
They will be able to provide you with banking details to deposit your ticket money and give out additional info you might require closer to the time. Yolanda’s contact details: 082 877 8766 /
021 555 1957 (w) / yolanda@gilbertandsullivan.co.za. Guilma’s contact details: 084 589 1812
/ 021 555 1957 (w) / guilma@gilbertandsullivan.co.za.
REMINDER: 2010 G&S PRODUCTION
The Cape Town Gilbert & Sullivan Society will stage the popular
Meehan/Strouse/Charnin musical, “Annie”, in the Artscape Theatre during September / October 2010. “Annie”, which is based on the famous US comic strip, “Little Orphan Annie” was one of the biggest Broadway hit musicals of the 1970’s.
Director: Kyla Thorburn
Musical Director: Alastair Cockburn
General Management: Adrian van Stolk.
This musical gives plenty of opportunity for the members of the large chorus to sing in the well-known choruses, and also to play the different cameo roles of all ages, for example Mr Bundles the laundry man, a policeman, Bert Healy the radio announcer, members of
Roosevelt’s cabinet, the “doo-wah” Boylan sisters and many more.
Auditions will be held in early 2010.
JUST FOR FUN!
Although the story that actress / vocalist Julie Andrews commemorated her 69th birthday in fine style in 2004 by making a special appearance at the Manhattan ’s Radio City Music Hall
turned out to be nothing but an eRumor (electronic rumour), it still makes for good reading:
The rumour would have us believe that one of the musical numbers she performed was “My Favourite Things” from the legendary movie “The Sound Of Music.” Here are the lyrics:
Maalox and nose drops and needles for knitting,
Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,
Bundles of magazines tied up in string,
These are a few of my favourite things.
Cadillac’s and cataracts, and hearing aids and glasses,
Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses,
Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,
These are a few of my favourite things.
When the pipes leak, When the bones creak,
When the knees go bad,
I simply remember my favourite things,
And then I don’t feel so bad.
Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunions,
No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions,
Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they bring,
These are a few of my favourite things.
Back pains, confused brains, and no need for sinnin’,
Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin’,
And we won’t mention our short, shrunken frames,
When we remember our favourite things.
When the joints ache, When the hips break,
When the eyes grow dim,
Then I remember the great life I’ve had,
And then I don’t feel so bad.
‘The Sound of Music’ won the Academy Award for Best Picture of 1965 and continues to be one of the most popular musicals ever produced.
SOMETHING THAT MIGHT INTEREST YOU…
AUDITION NOTICES
“NUNSENSE A-MEN” (Festival Productions)
Nunsense A-Men is basically the original “Nunsense” show with all of the characters being portrayed by male musical comedy performers.
Director: Teddy Davies
Musical Director: Victor Tichardt
Choreography: Kyla Thorburn
Set Design: David Davidson
Costumes: Heather Earp-Jones
Lighting Design: Gary Fargher
May 2010
Venue: Artscape Arena, Cape Town
AUDITION DATES
Wednesday, 04 November 2009 @ 19.30
Rehearsal Room 308, Artscape Theatre (entrance via Stage Door)
Call backs: Sunday, 15 November 2009 @ 14h00 (as above)
Sister Mary Regina
- Mother Superior-
A feisty Sophie Tucker-type who can’t resist the spotlight
Sister Mary Hubert
- Mistress of Novices-
The second in command, she is always competing with the Mother Superior
Sister Robert Anne
A streetwise tough character from Brooklyn. A constant source of aggravation for the Mother Superior
Sister Mary Amnesia
A very sweet nun who lost her memory when a crucifix fell on her head.
Sister Mary Leo
The novice, who entered the convent with a firm desire to become the first nun ballerina.
All men auditioning for the now famous roles of the five deliciously wacky nuns, must have good singing voices and sense of comedy. Contact Pat McDonald 021 531 8261 to book a
time slot. For further information phone Teddy 083 396 3132.
GRIM’S DYKE HOTEL
Did you know that Sir William Gilbert’s former home is now a hotel and popular tourist attraction in Old Redding, Middlesex in the UK?
Here’s a bit more info that we found on www.grimsdyke.com:
Grim’s Dyke is most famous for its association with the librettist, Sir William Schwenck Gilbert, the writing half of the Gilbert & Sullivan
partnership, who lived in the house from 1890 to his death in 1911.
The name Grim’s Dyke comes from an ancient defensive earthwork which runs from Pinner Hill to Bentley Priory. The House was built there in 1870 for the Victorian Painter Frederick Goodall, who had bought 100 acres of land at Harrow Weald in 1856 but was unable to build
for 12 years until the expiry of a lease. During that time he landscaped the area and planted trees, setting aside 30 acres parallel to the ancient earthwork for the house and gardens.
Work started on the house in 1870 and was completed in 1872.
The Gilberts bought the property in 1890. During his 21 years there, Gilbert planted trees and rhododendrons, developed the farm which was part of the estate, and built a number of greenhouses beyond the moat and over the dyke. There was a kitchen garden, orchard and
vinery and, for Lady Gilbert who was a keen gardener, a sunken rose garden was constructed on the terrace above the moat.
Gilbert’s greatest joy was the large lake he had excavated to the south of the house. It had an island in the middle and a changing hut and boathouse on the shore. Every day in the summer he would bathe there – a habit which eventually cost him his life. On 29 May 1911
Gilbert invited two local girls to swim in the lake. He died attempting to help one of them when she got into difficulties…
Gilbert seems to have lived very happily at Grim’s Dyke surrounded by animals and pets, of which there were a great number, many wandering freely about the house. He worked every day in the library where he could look out through the French windows onto the croquet lawn.
Lady Gilbert remained in the house until her death in 1936.
From 1963 and 1968 the house was used as a film and television location. In 1970, when it was converted into a hotel, Grim’s Dyke was designated a building of special architectural and historical interest. The present owners took over the property in 1996 when the Grade II listed building was extensively restored and refurbished in the country house style.
This international hotel is now a shrine for Gilbert & Sullivan enthusiasts from all over the world as many of the G&S works are performed, in costume, at various times of the year. Murder mysteries are also popular, as are teas, lunches and tours. Their dinners are
world class!
Cheers
Adrian
