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Transcribed and Presented by Greville Watson 2018
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Rushden Operatic Society
'Gershwin's Final Notes' - 1994
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RUSHDEN AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY
Proudly Present
Gershwin's Final Notes
A MUSICAL PLAY
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Based on an idea by Alison Savage
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Written by Paul Needle
assisted by Alison Savage
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Directed by Paul Aucott
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| Joint Musical Directors: |
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Andy Stewart B.MUS.(Hons.)
Joan Hart A.L.C.M. |
| Choreographed by: |
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Sally Jones, Catherine Mulgrew,
Nicola Pateman, Alan Stapleton,
Jenny Towell |
| RUSHDEN SCHOOL |
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MARCH 28th to 31st
& APRIL 2nd 1994
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Nightly 7.30pm
Matinee 3pm |
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| From the President |
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This year, after one year without a main show, the Society is particularly proud to present a Musical Play written especially for them by Paul Needle, assisted by Alison Savage, featuring the immortal music of George Gershwin.
Although there was no major production in 1993, the Society, I can assure you, has kept in good voice and form by presenting two fine entertainments in the Higham Ferrers Bede House.
Therefore, in extending a welcome, I can assure you that when it comes to the “Final Notes” of the evening you will have experienced the pleasure and enjoyment for which the productions of Rushden Society are well known. In closing – sincere thanks for your continued support.
Bert Catlin
President
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| Friends of R.A.O.S. |
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For that is how I feel the Patrons of our shows are, so new and old friends first, many thanks for your support.
The new and not so new members of the Society have had a great time putting this show together, and thanks must go to many people, some of whom you may never see on stage, but without their help this and many other shows could not be staged. To all of these people my very personal thanks.
It would seem that a local theatre venue is ever closer, we await to see.
Please enjoy the show! Then tell your friends. Thank you.
Arthur
Chairman
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GERSHWIN’S FINAL NOTES
A note from the writer Paul Needle
There can be a danger asking a radio broadcaster to get involved in writing. When I was first asked to be involved with a new Musical Play about George Gershwin I made the same mistake that a Radio Announcer in the United States made back in the 1930s. I though George and Ira Gershwin were husband and wife. I quickly learned they were brothers. Ira wrote words; and George wrote music.
So when you come to research the life of George it’s a pity that he never kept a diary – or at least, his diaries were never published.
The undiscovered secret diaries of George Gershwin provided the idea for a storyline. We begin with the drama, and chaos of George’s tragic and untimely death – during surgery at the Cedars of Lebanon Hospital on the West Coast on July 11th 1937, at the age of 38. A brain tumour had robbed the world of his musical genius.
George and brother Ira had been in Hollywood for less than a year, and their luggage was packed and shipped back to New York, where the story had begun. Helping to go through George’s possessions was Kay Swift – the mother of 3, who had divorced her husband so she could marry George when the time was right. A twelve month trial separation had just one month to go, when George died.
Kay believed George wanted to be married but was frightened at the commitment. He was afraid his happy go lucky social whirl would be stopped. As she went through the packing cases wondering just what George had thought about her, she found a notebook.
It was the beginning of George’s autobiography. These were the notes he had been working on when he finally became ill and fell into a coma. Kay read through the opening pages, and grief overwhelmed her. In her confusion and sadness, she bundled the notebook into a music cupboard – and forgot about it.
The cupboard went to a saleroom – along with some other items of furniture that Ira Gershwin had no more use for. It seemed that the little cabinet was ill fated, for the owner of the second-hand store left it in his office, in a corner, and stood a kettle on it.
The store in a run down area of Brooklyn passed from the owner to his son, and then to a further generation. It was only in 1993, that the furniture store was being cleared for demolition. A worker picked up the music cabinet. The drawer fell open, and George Gershwin’s final notes saw the light of day for only the second time in 56 years.
In the hands of an Auctioneer in 1994, the diaries provide the backbone for our musical presentation. So at last, the Final Notes are to be sold. It makes you wonder what might have happened if George Gershwin really did write something not yet discovered. Or perhaps he did!!
Enjoy the story and let yourself wonder it if could, after all, be true. |
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Young Ira & George
Gershwin
Played by
(L) Tony Bright - Ira,
(R) Carl Dornay - George
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Ira Gershwin
- who wrote the words
played by
Simon Baker
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George Gershwin
- who wrote the music
played by
Jon Sidey
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Leonore Gershwin
- Ira's wife
played by
Alison Savage
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Morris & Rose
Gershowitz
Momma & Papa
played by
Margaret Hunter
and Nick Shirley
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Fred Astaire &
Ginger Rogers
Played by
Julie Atherton &
Alan Stapleton
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Kitty Carlyle
- Singer
Girlfriend of George
Played by
Sue Burch
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Kay Swift
- Composer
Long time girlfriend
of George
Played by
Claire Sadler
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Mabel Shirmer
Close Personal &
Family Friend
of the Gershwins
Played by
Pam Trainor
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Rosamund Walling
One of George's
youngest girlfriends
Played by
Jenny Towell
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Irving Caesar
- Songwriter
Played by
Norman Billington
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Paul Whiteman
- Band Leader
Played by
David Wicks
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Al Jolson
- Singer & Actor
Played by
Malcolm Chambers
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Narrator/Auctioneer
Played by
Matthew Hotton
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Du Bose Heyward
- Author of Porgy & Bess
Charles Hambitzer
Played by
Douglas Stephen
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| Paul Aucott - Director |
After 20 years of producing musicals for local societies, Paul Aucott needs little introduction to most theatre goers. His glowing reputation, a director, has been earnt with shows as diverse as Cabaret and Camelot, Man of La Mancha and Mama, Blitz and Barnum. He has a particular talent for staging challenging shows with flair and imagination resulting in spectacular and exciting productions.
Paul is delighted to be paying his first visit to Rushden Operatic Society in the role of Director and has been impressed by the hard work and enthusiasm shown by the cast and officials. It has been a particular pleasure to work with no less than five talented choreographers, three musical directors and to also have the co-author of the show in the cast.
He would like to pay an especial tribute to the dedicated contribution Sally Jones and Alison Savage have made to this production. Without their enthusiasm drive and diplomacy “Gershwin’s Final Notes” would still probably be an idea and not the stage reality you see tonight. |
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| Paul Needle |
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Paul Needle was born and bred in Northamptonshire, in Irthlingborough to be precise. It was a less exciting moment than the end of the Second World War – with which it coincided.
During his 8 years at Wellingborough Grammar School he made his one appearance on stage with the Rushden Amateur Operatic Society – as a Siamese Twin in the King and I.
He was ordained as a Church of England Priest in 1971, then went on to work as a News Editor and Presenter on local radio in Leeds, Peterborough and Northampton.
Now he divides his time between training broadcasters, working as a journalist in local radio, and as Parish Priest of Great and Little Addington. Somehow he found time to write his first play – Gershwin’s Final Notes – in conjunction with Alison Savage. Now he says he has a taste for more writing – if he can find the time!
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The Band
Joint Musical Directors:
Andy Stewart, Bachelor Music (Hons.)
Joan Hart ALCM |
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Andy Stewart
Charles Hutchings
Matthew Hutchings
Simon Belcher
Joan Hart |
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- Saxophone
- Clarinet
- Flute
- Trumpet
- Bass
- Drums
- Piano |
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| Alison Savage |
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Thank you for supporting us in this our latest venture.
I hope you enjoy ‘GERSHWIN’S FINAL NOTES’ as much as I have enjoyed co-writing this with Paul Needle, and taking part in the show itself.
As a relatively new member of Rushden Amateur Operatic Society, I would like to say thanks to all the cast and crew and also my family for putting up with me and my alter ego “George”.
Special thanks for Paul Aucott for his ‘S’wonderful and S’marvellous’ direction and for ‘fixing it’ for me.
Special, special thanks to my husband who for the past year has shared me with the Gershwins, Rushden Amateur Operatic Society and British Telecom!
So sit back and enter the glamorous world of Hollywood, Broadway and the Gershwins.
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Ginger Rogers
- Julie Atherton
Fred Astaire
- Alan Stapleton
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Musical Numbers
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Act I
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"Our Love is Here to Stay"
"Stairway to Paradise"
"Fascinating Rhythm"
"I Got Rhythm"
"Swanee"
"Lisa"
"Someone to Watch over Me"
"He Loves and She Loves"
"Embraceable You"
"The Man I Love"
"Rhapsody in Blue"
"Somebody Loves Me"
"Let's Call the Whole Thing Off"
"Nice Work If You Can Get It" |
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Kay & Chorus
Chorus & Dance
George, Ira, Morris & Rose
Morris, Chorus of the Dancers
Al Jolson & his Girls
George, Al & Dancers
Kay
Kitty
George & Ladies
Kay, Rosamund, Kitty, Mabel
Dance
George, Kay, Kitty, Mabel, Rosamund
George & Ira
Company |
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Act II
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"Strike Up the Band"
"S'Wonderful"
Variation of "I Got Rhythm"
"Lady Be Good"
"American in Paris"
"A Foggy Day in London Town"
"By Strauss"
"I Love You Porgy"
"Summertime"
"I Got Plenty O' Nuthin"
"It Ain't Necessarily So"
"Bless You is My Woman"
"But Not For Me"
"Do Do Do"
"Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" Reprise
"Love Walked In"
"They All Laughed At Christopher Columbus"
"They Can't Take That Away From Me"
"Our Love is Here to Stay" |
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George, Ira, Lee, Fred & Ginger, Chorus, Dancers
Fred, Ginger, Chorus
Dance Rosamund
George, Kitty, Kay, Rosamund & Fred
Dance
Ira, Lee & Chorus
George, Ira, Lee, Kay, Kitty, Rosamund, Mabel & Chorus
Kitty & Narrator
Mabel
Dubose
Narrator
Dance Duet
Kay
Kitty, Mabel, Rosamund & Chorus
Fred & Ginger
Kitty, Mabel, Rosamund, Dancers & Chorus
Morris, Rose & Company
Kay
Company |
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Left to right
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Kitty - SUE BURCH
George Gershwin - JON SIDEY
Ira Gershwin - SIMON BAKER
Rosamund - JENNY TOWELL
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Left to right
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Rose Gershowitz - MARGARET HUNTER
Young George Gershwin -
CARL DORNEY
Morris Gershowitz -NICK SHIRLEY
Young Ira Gershwin -TONY BRIGHT
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Left to right
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Mabel - PAM TRAINOR
Kay Swift -CLAIRE SADLER
George Gershwin - JON SIDEY
Kitty - SUE BURCH
Rosamund - JENNY TOWELL
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Cast
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George Gershwin
Ira Gershwin
Leonora Gershwin
Young George Gershwin
Young Ira Gershwin
Morris Gershowitz
Rose Gershowitz
Kay Swift
Kitty Carlyle
Mabel Shirmer
Rosamund Walling
Irving Caesar
Paul Whiteman
Al Jolson
Fred Astaire
Ginger Rogers
Narrator / Auctioneer
Du Bose Heyward
Charles Hambitzer
Max Dryfus |
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Jon Sidey
Simon Baker
Alison Savage
Carl Dorney
Tony Bright
Nick Shirley
Margaret Hunter
Claire Sadler
Sue Burch
Pam Trainor
Jenny Towell
Norman Billington
David Wicks
Malcolm Chambers
Alan Stapleton
Julie Atherton
Matthew Hotton
( Douglas Stephen
(
Desmund Townsend |
DANCERS
Bev Fountain
Catherine Mulgrew
Phil Watts
Julie Atherton |
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DANCERS and CHORUS
Mary Boyfield
Tony Bright
Malcolm Chambers
Carl Dorney
Maureen Goodes
Debbie Hollomon
Sally Jones
Alison Savage
Melanie Seagrave |
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Alan Stapleton
Douglas Stephens
Jenny Talbot
Jenny Towell
Desmund Townsend
Katie Wicks
Janet Wicks
David Wicks |
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Scenes
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Act I
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Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
Scene 4
Scene 5
Scene 6
Scene 7 |
1994
1910
1917
1919
1920
1924
1925 |
Auction Room
Gershwin's Sitting Room
Moma & Papa's Sitting Room
Moma & Papa's Sitting Room
George's Sitting Room
On Train Journey
George's Sitting Room |
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Act II
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Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
Scene 4
Scene 5
Scene 6
Scene 7 |
1931
1934
1934
1935
1936
1937
1994 |
Hollywood
George's Sitting Room
Europe
George's Sitting Room
George's Sitting Room
Hollywood
Auction Room |
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Leonora Gershwin - Alison Savage
Ira Gershwin - Simon Baker
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Stage Crew and
Set Building:
Lighting:
P.A.
Properties and
Set Dressing:
Prompt:
Call Boy:
Make Up: |
Arthur Hollomon, Len Gomm, John Curson, Anthony Curson, Jason Darnell, George Fortescue, Merve Goddard, Simon Iliffe, Nick Kirk, Douglas Pateman, Sam Savage, Ken Smith, Martin Tidbury
Malcolm Billing assisted by Members of the Stage Crew
Dave Webb
Hillary Challen, Vicki Curson, Nicolette Goddard, Matthew Little, Sue Smith, Chris Ward
Joan Vaughan
Robert Wicks
Kay Rawlins
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Wardrobe:
Costumes:
Dancers and
Chorus made by:
Dressers:
Front of House: |
Pat Catlin, Tina Curson
Principals by John Hill (Hinkley) Ltd
Pat Catlin, Yvonne Woodley, Tina Curson, Edith Palmer
Kylie Barringham, Peggy Coles, Lisa Emmett, Cathy Millyard, Janet O'Leary, Stephanie Talbot, Gillian Tidbury, Angela Robin, Julie Ward, Yvonne Woodley
Jan Hollomon, Andy Anderson, Pete Barringham, Margaret Bland, Emma Childs, Chris Carter, Muriel Gomm, Susan Green, Joan Hooton, Natalie Hollomon, Jeanette King, Andy Llewellyn, Anne Mason, Gerry Myers, Moyra Stewart
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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.
Hensman Hall, Adult School, Green Dragon, The Griffin, Higham Ferrers for rehearsal facilities.
The Headteachers of Rushden School and Roy and Ray Caretakers.
Programme compiled by Mary Boyfield with assistance from Alison Savage.
Peter Dawes Printers, Kettering and TypeStart Digital Pre-Press for their great assistance in producing this programme.
Photography by Doug Millhouse Tel. (0536) 722064 for Publicity photographs.
The traders who have taken advertising space or donated pages in this programme.
L.N.A. Rushden, Billingtons, Higham Ferrers and Jan’s Florist, Rushden for publicity displays.
R.A.T.S. sound equipment.
The Nursing Sisters and St. John Ambulance for attendance at Rushden School.
All parties supporting us from various organisations.
Marriotts of Rushden for stage scaffolding.
Ron Headland for erection of stage apron.
R. A. Savage (Sam) Carpenter and Joiner.
Andy A. & H. Supplies.
Building & Homemaker.
Pete Marshall of Marshwood Builders for transport of scenery.
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