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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
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This week's production is the sixth of our Operatic Society's presentations. Commencing with a play incorporating Schubert's music, we passed on to three shows based on history, and last year we produced what was probably the most popular of our series - "Magyar Melody" - with its wonderful scenery, gorgeous costumes and haunting music.
This year we have much pleasure in presenting to you the exceedingly popular "Bless the Bride," a light opera in two acts, with its amusing satire on mid-Victorian England, delightful music and attractive settings.
All this has meant hard work on the part of the company, and endless time willingly given by all concerned with the production.
One item, however, is the cause of serious concern, and that is the ever rising costs of production, and this in spite of rigid economy, but I can assure you that everything has been done to maintain our previous high standards.
The Society is fully appreciative of the support given in past years, but in view of extra costs it is essential that "full houses" should be forthcoming at every performance to ensure an all round success.
We present to you "Bless the Bride" with renewed confidence that our efforts will meet with your full appreciation and continued support.
W. B. SANDERS
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A STORY OF 1870
On a summer day in 1870 the solid Sussex family of Willow basks in the sunshine of mid-Victorian prosperity. The family, ruled by Father and hallowed by Grandfather, is an institution, secure as the British Isles themselves, loyal to custom and tradition.
Among the several daughters, each with virtue enshrined in her name and deportment, Lucy Veracity is already marriageable and, it would appear, destined for an alliance with the Honourable Thomas Trout, a light-hearted young man of approved blood whose good nature is more evident than any of the deeper qualities he may possess.
There is talk of the wedding - which is take place on the following day - as the young ladies and their companions play croquet on the lawn of The Grange, and we gather that Lucy is not exactly thrilled by the bridegroom of her parents' choice.
It is when Thomas brings along some French acquaintances, who introduce the new game of tennis, that we see the first crack in the foundations. The handsome and dashing Pierre - "of the French Embassy" - is a swift worker. In a matter of minutes he has unmasked Lucy's fluttering heart, protested that she must not make the sacrifice, and won passionate embraces for himself.
Even which the family gathers round Grandfather and Grandmother to honour their golden wedding an elopement is mooted. Next day, when Lucy has dressed for her wedding to Thomas, she breaks into hysteria. Then through the window comes Pierre, disguised as a doctor. For a few minutes Lucy, Pierre, the sympathetic Nanny and one other are alone, but when the family and Thomas arrive - recalled from the church because of Lucy's "illness" - there is no patient or doctor; only the black-faced "Buttons" in Lucy's gown and veil.
When the eloping couple arrive in France, with the family in hot chase, war with the Germans is imminent. Lucy and Pierre are tracked to a cafe where the English pursuers are mistaken for spies and only released from arrest when Lucy discloses her presence and explains everything to the gendarmes.
While romance hangs in the balance there is terrible news : it is war, and Pierre must fight for France. As he marches off, Lucy breaks down and is led away by her parents.
At The Grange in 1871 there are signs of change, for the sufferings of France are not unheeded, and Lucy, on her 21st birthday, has only memories of her lover and hero - reported killed in battle. Even Thomas has changed : he now sees life as a serious business and has joined the Yeomanry. When, with manly diffidence, he offers his present - a new engagement ring - and says he is willing to wait, Lucy cannot find it in her heart to refuse.
The birthday party has reached its climax when a figure appears at the window. It is Suzanne, the tempestuous Frenchwoman who has all along been jealous of Lucy. She is fresh from stricken Paris is not alone. She has brought - Pierre! The report of his death was Suzanne's own jealous lie.
And now the gallant soldier of France and the "new" Thomas face a fateful moment, with Lucy's happiness at stake. . .
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ORCHESTRA
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With the Baton
OSWALD LAWRENCE
Musical Director
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| Violins |
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L. T. Heggs (Leader)
G. R. Pearson
T. Kershaw
R. Gibson
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| Viola |
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S. Seamarks
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| 'Cello |
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E. Kenny
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| D. Bass |
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A. Gates
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| Flute |
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R. Pettit
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| Oboe |
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C. Smith
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| Clarinet |
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G. Hornsey
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| Trumpets |
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W. Groom
G. Groom
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| Trombones |
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R. Benning
E. Webster
R. Butler
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| Percussion |
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E. West
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| Pianist |
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Joan Hart
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THE PRODUCER
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When Miss Mavis Ward first travelled up from Brighton to mould the Rushden production of "Bless the Bride" something more than her obvious ability as a teacher impressed the company. Behind her technical skill was found a love of the romantic - a love which has expressed itself in successful creative work as a writer of stage shows.
Miss Ward has a very special place in the artisitic life of Brighton, where she set up a school - which still prospers - for the teaching of dancing and dramatic art. First associated with Brighton Operatic Society as ballet mistress, she was called upon, after six years' service, to become its permanent producer - a task involving three shows a year.
Invitations soon came from other societies, and Miss Ward's regular field as producer now extends widely over the South of England and as far west as Cornwall. Rushden, at the moment, is her northernmost contact.
Miss Ward directed the first amateur performance of "Bless the Bride" - this was at Truro - and also staged the show in London with Hornsey A.D.S. Last year she had charge of ten productions of various shows.
First of her own "books," "Harmony Hill," with a Cornish setting and music by Dudley Glass, was produced at Brighton in 1950 and has now been given eight times. Next came the Wiltshire smuggling story, "Moonraker's Ride," produced in Brighton with principals drawn from several societies with which Miss Ward has worked, and this year Brighton will see "The Singing Valley," which has a Welsh theme. The music for the second and third works is by Norman Bidgood.
Such a record must mean that Miss Ward can handle amateurs with complete sympathy and understanding. Our members, after a singularly happy rehearsal season, know this to be true.
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CHARACTERS
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| Alice Charity Willow |
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Eileen Horner |
| Cousin George |
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Reginald Roberts |
| Archdeacon Gurney |
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William Clarke |
| Lucy Veracity Willow |
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Pauline Farey |
| The Honourable Thomas Trout |
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George Johnson |
| Ann Fidelity |
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Jose Eagle |
| Charlotte Patience |
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Pauline Bailey |
| Elizabeth Prudence |
) Lucy's Sisters |
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Jean Hardwick |
| Frances Fortitude |
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Jacqueline Dilley |
| Millicent Punctuality |
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Pamela Bettles |
| Pierre Fontaine |
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Samuel Houghton |
| Suzanne Valois |
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Rene Welsford |
| Augustus Willow (Lucy's Father) |
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Raymond Shaw |
| Mary Willow (Lucy's Mother) |
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Kathleen Dent |
| Albert Willow (Augustus's Father) |
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Victor Garlick |
| Harriet Willow (Grandmamma) |
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Lilian Keech |
| Nanny |
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Christine Carter |
| Buttons |
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Keith Toby |
| First Gendarme |
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Graham Norris |
| Second Gendarme |
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Arthur Frost |
| M. Robert (Maitre d'Hotel, Cafe des Pommes) |
Geoffrey Sanders |
| M. Frontenac |
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Percy House |
| M. Martel |
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Ivor Francis |
| Footmen |
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Robert Wilkins
Brian Neville |
Ladies' Chorus:
Audrey Cave, Margaret Chapman, Phyllis Clarke, Vera Denton,
Rose Drage, Rose Frost, Betty Garratt, Diane Hancock, Bertha
Harbour, Margaret Harris, Hilda House, Valerie Curtis, Hilda
Howes, Eileen Garner, Sylvia Oates, Maureen Pridmore, Gilian
Packwood, Mary Shaw |
Gentlemen's Chorus:
William Ainge, Harold Clayton, William Clarke, Tom Daniels,
George Dangerfield, Arthur Frost, Alan Groome, Percy House,
Michael Morris, Graham Norris, Victor Parsler, Geoffrey Sanders,
Sidney Smith, Gary Warwick |
Dancers:
Audrey Darnell, Sheila Eaton, Freda Faulkner, Moyra Groome,
Elizabeth Smith, Rosemary Shatford |
Male Dancers:
George Dangerfield, Alan Groome, Michael Morris, Victor Parsler,
Geoffrey Sanders, Gary Warwick |
| Costumes and Wigs |
B. J. SIMMONS & CO.
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| Furniture |
OLD TIMES FURNISHING CO.
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| Additional Lighting Equipment |
STRAND ELECTRIC
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MUSICAL NUMBERS AND SYNOPSIS OF SCENES
| ACT I |
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| Scene 1 |
The Grange, Mayfield. The Lawn, July, 1870. |
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"Croquet-Croquet" |
The Company |
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"Too Good to be True" |
Thomas and Lucy |
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"Thomas T" |
Lucy and Sisters |
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"En Angleterre" |
Suzanne, Pierre, Thomas and Chorus |
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"Oh! What will Mother Say?" |
Augustus, Mary, Lucy and Chorus |
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| Scene 2 |
The Grange, Mayfield. A Shrubbery. |
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"I was never Kissed Before" |
Lucy, Suzanne and Pierre |
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| Scene 3 |
The Grange, Mayfield. The Hall. |
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"Where is The Times?" |
The Company |
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"Come, Dance, my Dear" |
The Company
(Solo Singer: Reginald Roberts) |
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"The Silent Heart" |
Lucy (accompanist: Harold James) |
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"Ma Belle Marguerite" |
Pierre and Chorus |
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"God Bless the Family" |
Augustus, Mary, Lucy, Nanny and Chorus |
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| Scene 4 |
Lucy's Nursery. |
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"Ducky" |
Nanny |
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"Bless the Bride" |
The Company |
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| Scene 5 |
The Hall. |
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"Finale" |
The Company |
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| ACT II |
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| Scene 1 |
La Plage, Eauville. |
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"Bobbing-Bobbing" |
Chorus |
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"Bless the Sea" |
Lucy and Chorus |
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"Mon Pauvre Petit Pierre" |
Suzanne, Lucy and Pierre |
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| Scene 2 |
A Street, Eauville. |
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"The Englishman" |
Mary, Augustus, Thomas and George |
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| Scene 3 |
The Cafe Anglais, Eauville. |
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"Un Consomme" |
Customers and Waiters |
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"A Table for Two" |
Pierre |
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"This is my Lovely Day" |
Lucy and Pierre |
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"The Fish" |
Robert, Mary, Thomas, George and Chorus |
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"This Man could never be a Spy" |
Lucy, Suzanne and Chorus |
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"To France" |
Pierre and Chorus |
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Reprise: "This is my Lovely Day" |
Lucy |
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| Scene 4 |
The Grange, Mayfield. March, 1871. |
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"Twenty-one Candles" |
Nanny and Sisters |
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| Scene 5 |
The Grange, Mayfield. The Hall. |
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"My Big Moment" |
Thomas |
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"Here's a Kiss for One-and-
Twenty" |
The Sisters |
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Finale: "This is my Lovely Day" |
Lucy, Pierre and Company |
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YOUR PROGRAMME IS NUMBERED
| At each performance, someone in the audience will receive a voucher for 10/-, to be spent with an advertiser in this programme. The winning programme number will be announced during the interval from the stage, and will be selected from those sold during the current performance. |
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Officials of the Society
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| President: WILLIAM B. SANDERS, ESQ. |
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Vice-Presidents:
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| A. B. Abington, Esq. |
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F. L. Heygate, Esq. |
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W. Peck, Esq. |
| Capt. J. M. Bailey, |
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A. E. Hill, Esq. |
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Mrs. D. Perkins |
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M.C., M.B.E.
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Wm. Horrell, Esq. |
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Dr. A. Dorothy Pickard |
| Ald. J. W. Barker |
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F. W. J. Humphrey, Esq. |
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R. N. Price, Esq. |
| P. Bugby, Esq. |
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D. Knight, Esq. |
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C. A. Sanders, Esq. |
| A. J. Bignell, Esq. |
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H. C. C. Knight, Esq. |
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T. Sanders, Esq. |
| W. E. Capon, Esq. |
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Dr. O. B. Lean |
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H. Selwood, Esq. |
| A. J. Carr, Esq. |
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H. T. Mackness, Esq. |
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John G. Spencer, Esq. |
| L. Carter, Esq. |
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G. W. Marriott, Esq. |
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J. G. Swart, Esq. |
| D. Chamberlain, Esq. |
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R. A. Marriott, Esq. |
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W. C. Tarry, Esq. |
| F. L. Caswell, Esq. |
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H. Mitchell, Esq. |
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A. E. Tear, Esq. |
| A. C. A. Colton, Esq. |
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Mrs. A. U. Muxlow, C.C. |
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Edgar Wadsworth, Esq. |
| F. G. Deane, Esq. |
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A. Neville, Esq. |
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T. Watson, Esq. |
| W. Edwards, Esq. |
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C. Norris, Esq. |
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John White, Esq. |
| R. A. Evans, Esq., T.D. |
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M. O'Connor, Esq. |
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C. R. Wildman, Esq. |
| F. G. Felce, Esq. |
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Dr. B. W. Paine |
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P. W. Wills, Esq. |
| A. N. Groome, Esq. |
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R. W. E. Paragreen, Esq. |
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P. A. Grey Wilson, Esq. |
| W. V. Hawkes, Esq. |
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Ald. H. R. Patenall, C.C. |
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C. K. Woods, Esq. |
| A. W. Head, Esq. |
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D. Peck, Esq. |
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E. J. Wright, Esq. |
| Chairman: W. A. E. Sherwood |
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Vice-Chairman: E. J. Rowlett, J.P. |
| Musical Director: Oswald L. Lawrence |
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Deputy Musical Director: John W. Cooke |
| Secretaries: Phyllis G. Bryant and |
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Treasurer: Roy T. Saint |
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Bernard R. Palmer
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Auditor: E. W. Pacey |
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Committee:
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| Eva Bryant |
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T. W. Daniels |
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G. R. Johnson |
| W. Clarke |
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L. V. Elliott |
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Nellie Hart |
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J. W. Cooke
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A. Frost |
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E. Wadsworth |
| Christine Carter |
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P. W. House |
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O. Lawrence |
| Producer: Mavis Ward |
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| Stage Managers: Leslie Priestley and Charles Mitchell (for the Ritz) |
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| Accompanist: Joan Hart |
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| Wardrobe Mistress: Nellie Hart (assisted by Gladys Mann and Ivy Smith) |
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| Chief Steward: Edward Wadsworth |
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| Prompter: Lilian Dickens |
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| Property: Norah Gibbs and Sydney Bailey |
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| Make-up Artist: James and Florence Tolman |
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Stewards:
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C. Perkins, S. Knight, M. Knight, C. Robinson, E. Clark, E. C. Knight, G. T. Macpherson, G. Knight,
D. Summerfield, G. T. Jones, H. Ingram
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Programme Sellers:
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Lily E. Cooke (Principal), Nancy Bailey, Beatrice Daniels, Doris Drage, May Garley, Ivy Ingram,
Dorothy Johnson, Audrey Perkins, Enid Warner, Stella Wicks, Elizabeth Wilson.
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