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Transcribed and presented by Greville Watson, 2018
Rushden Operatic Society

'Half A Sixpence' - 1988


Cover Half A Sixpence Operatic 1988


Rushden Amateur Operatic Society

present

HALF A SIXPENCE

(By arrangement with Chappell Music Ltd)


A MUSICAL PLAY

Based on the Novel "Kipps" by H.G.Wells


Directed and Choreographed by DAVID TURNER

Additional Choreography by SALLY JONES

JANET WELSH LRAM, LTCL, ATCL, ALCM
Musical Director


THE RITZ
RUSHDEN

MAY 9th, 11th, 13th.
NIGHTLY 7.30 p.m.
SATURDAY MATINEE
MAY 14th, 2.30 p.m.

The Orchestra
Under the direction of Janet Welsh LRAM, LTCL, ATCL, ALCM

Janet Welsh Operatic 1988
Janet Welsh
our Musical Director

Peter Cox
Roy Smith
Colin Bell
John Bridge
Roy Holliday
Maurice Merry
Margaret Neal

Bass
Reeds
Trumpet
Trombone
Percussion
Synthesizer
Piano
Orchestral Arrangements by Maurice Merry

Musical Numbers
ACT ONE
Overture
Morning Music
Shop Ballet
"Economy"
"Half A Sixpence"
"Money to Burn"
"I don't Believe a Word of It"
"A Proper Gentleman"
"She's Too Far Above Me"
"If the Rain's got to Fall"
"If the Rain's got to Fall"





Kipps & Apprentices
Kipps & Ann
Kipps & Chorus
Ann & Shopgirls
Kipps & Chorus
Kipps
Kipps & Chorus
Dance
ACT TWO
"The Old Military Canal"
"The One Who's Run Away"
"Solarium Dance"
"Long Ago"
"Flash! Bang! Wallop!"
"I Know What I Am"
"I'll Build A Palace"
"Half A Sixpence" Reprise
"Carol Sequence"

FINALE


Chorus
Kipps & Chitterlow

Ann & Kipps
Kipps & Wedding Guests
Ann
Kipps, Ann & Ensemble
Ann & Kipps
Carol Singers

Ensemble


The Company 1988/89

Half A Sixpence

Half a Sixpence tells the story how Arthur Kipps found his own simplicity and made it the most valuable part of his life.
The year is 1900, in Folkestone.  He play opens at Shalford’s Drapery Emporium, where Kipps – as orphan, works and lives as an apprentice draper along with three fellow apprentices – Sid, the Socialist, Buggins the Pessimist and Pearce the Dandy.  They are bullied by Mr. Shalford, whose rules are “Fishency, System and Economy”.
Ann, Sid’s sister and childhood sweetheart of Kipps, is in service, so they see very little of each other.  Kipps produces a ‘Lovers Token’ – two halves of a sixpence – to keep their romance blossoming.
Fate intervenes and changes Kipps’ life.  Chitterlow, an Actor-Playwright, calls from his bike right into the shop.  On realising Kipps’ fullname, produces a copy of the local newspaper, which carries an announcement by a company of Lawyers, seeking a Mr Arthur Kipps, and has information to his advantage.
Encouraged by Chitterlow, Kipps and his friends celebrate and is asked what he will do if he inherits a fortune.  Kipps gets drunk and as punishment Mr. Shalford sends him to an evening class.  An enlightened Miss Helen Wallsingham is the teacher and Kipps falls in love with her, but realises she’s too grand for him.
The next day Ann is annoyed with Kipps for drinking and going to evening class instead of meeting her.  She leaves him, just before Chitterlow returns to confirm Kipps inherited fortune.  Although Mr. Shalford is furious, his friends are delighted.  Now Helen’s family close in on Kipps and he is in danger of moving into Society circles – forgetting Ann for the delightful Helen.  He proposes to Helen.  At Mrs Botting’s boat party his proposal is accepted.  Unhappily, Ann discovers the engagement before Kipps has chance to explain.  Kipps then realises Ann is his real love.  He quarrels with Helen and goes to find Ann.
Ann eventually agrees to marry Kipps and confesses her love for him since they were children.  They marry – but all is not complete.  Kipps wants to buy his way into the Society, but Ann says NO.  Against her wishes Kipps plans to build a large ‘Palace’.  Then he learns his fortune has been lost, but he and Ann reconcile to the fact and find happiness in a bookshop.
By another turn of fate, Kipps is offered a second fortune from Chitterlow.  He reluctantly accepts it but comments – “What a rum go everything is.”


From the President

Overheard the other day “What is a sixpence – is it the same as 6p?  It is difficult for some of us to realise that a generation is growing up that has never heard of “half a crown”, “two bob bit”, a “tanner”, etc. etc. – memories of days when life was decidedly less hectic.  In the hurly burly and stresses of this late ‘80s world, we should be thankful for the opportunity that is provided by live theatre, both professional and amateur, for welcome periods of relaxation and enjoyment.
This show “Half A Sixpence” will do just that for you.
Thank you for your support that ensures a continuation of periods of relaxation and enjoyment.  I’m sorry the title of the show is not the cost of admission!! – however you will I know get value for money.

Bert Catlin
President

From the Chairman

The choice of “Half A Sixpence” has proved a happy one, the company have enjoyed rehearsals and are most enthusiastic to give a performance, that we hope, you, our patrons will applaud.
For the last few years our production has been in the Autumn, but this met with certain difficulties in rehearsing during the summer, so we hope a Spring show will be to our advantage, and to you the general public.
We give a very warm welcome to our producer David Turner.  Although it is the first time he has produced for us, he is a friend of long standing to our Society as with others in the area.  We have enjoyed working with him, and his expertise has, I am sure benefitted all our members as you will notice, in what we think, is a super production of “Half A Sixpence”.
My thanks to all who have made this show possible and to you our friends for supporting us.

Chris Carter
Chairman


Cast Half a Sixpence Operatic 1988

SHOP BOYS and GIRLS - (from left to right)
'SID PORNICK' - Paul Whiteman. 'BUGGINS' - Colin Needle.
'VICTORIA' - Charis Butler. 'PEARCE' -Darren Woodiwiss.
'FLO BATES' - Kirsty McAlister. 'EMME' - Clare Ely.
'KATE' - Margaret Hunter.

Cast of Characters
(in order of appearance)
ARTHUR KIPPS (An apprentice shopman)
SID PORNICK (An apprentice - A Socialist)
BUGGINS (An apprentice - A Pessimist)
PEARCE (An apprentice - A Dandy)
FLO BATES (A shopgirl)
VICTORIA (A shopgirl)
KATE (A shopgirl)
EMMA (A shopgirl)
MR SHALFORD
(Owner of the Emporium)
MR CARSHOT (Head Floorwalker)
MRS WALSINGHAM (Mother of Helen)
MRS BOTTING (A Customer)
ANN PORNICK (Sid's Sister)
HARRY CHITTERLOW
(An Actor Playwright)
LAURA (A Barmaid)
HELEN WALSINGHAM
PHOTOGRAPHER
GWENDOLIN
POSTMAN
STUDENTS

Simon Baker
Paul Whiteman
Colin Needle
Darren Woodiwiss
Kirsty McAlister
Charis Butler
Margaret Hunter
Clare Ely

Peter Carpenter
Norman Billington
Pauline Wildman
Christine Carter
Leisa Perkins

Keith Green
Josephine Green
Lesley Heighton
John Jones
Kylie Barringham
David Coleman
Ursula Hanzlik
Paul Matthews
Charlotte Ellotson

Scenes
Act One
Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
Scene 3a
Scene 4
Scene 5
Scene 6
Scene 7
Scene 8
Scene 9


Mr Shalford's Emporium
The Promenade
The Emporium
The Street
The Bar of "The Hope & Anchor"
The Street
The Classroom of The Young Workers Association
The Emporium
The Promenade
The Old Lighthouse
Act Two
Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
Scene 4
Scene 5
Scene 6
Scene 7
Scene 8
Scene 9
Scene 10

The Old Military Canal - Regatta
The Promenade
Mrs Botting's Solarium
The Basement Kitchen
The Photographer's Studio
The Rented House
The Promenade
The Building Site
The Promenade
The Bookshop - A Year Later
The Finale

Cast Operatic Half 6d 1988

Back:
'MRS BOTTING' - Christine Carter (left)
'MRS WALSINGHAM' - Pauline Wildman (right)

Front:
'HELEN WALSINGHAM' - Lesley Heighton
'YOUNG WALSINGHAM' - Philip Hanzlik

Cast Operatic Half 6d 1988
'MR. CARSHOT' - Norman Billington (left)
'MR SHALFORD' - Peter Carpenter (right)

David Turner
David Turner Operatic 1988
David Turner was almost born in the theatre.  His father was a professional stage manager and his mother ran theatrical ‘digs’ and so was fortunate enough to grow up in the world of touring ballet companies, variety acts and tours of classical plays.
He studied for the theatre with the late Elsye Bicheno and made his first stage ‘appearance’ as the back end of Connie the Cow in pantomime, but soon graduated to leading roles, playing such diverse characters as Gratiano in the ‘Merchant of Venice’, Mortimer Brewster in ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’ and Phillip in Rattigan’s ‘The Deep Blue Sea’.  He has directed major productions in all parts of the British Isles working in many large important theatres and has two hundred productions to his credit.
David holds the unique honour of having adjudicated at the International Festival of Light Opera at Waterford on three separate occasions – in 1978, 1981 and the Festival’s Silver Jubilee in 1983.  For the last two years David has been the sole adjudicator at the Northern Ireland Festival of Light Opera.
Nineteen 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 Shew’ with Nyree Dawn Porter, ‘South Sea Bubble’ with Barbara Murray and ‘A Song at Twilight’ with Michael Denison and Dulcie Gray.
The 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 ‘Perchance to Dream’ starring Patrick Mower.
In 1985 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 ‘Mousetrap’ in London’s West End and it is his production currently playing at the St Martin’s Theatre thus linking him with the world’s most famous play.
Greatly in demand to direct some of the top amateur societies in the British isles, last year saw him create productions of The King and I, The Gondoliers, Half a Sixpence, King’s Rhapsody, My Fair Lady, Fiddler on the Roof, Annie get your Gun, The Yeomen of the Guard, and ‘Perchance to Dream’.
1988 sees David further honoured by being invited to adjudicate for a fourth year at the International Festival and directing productions of Half a Sixpence, The Merry Widow, The Music Man, South Pacific, Die Fledermaus, The King and I, The Sound of Music, Carousel, The Dancing Years and ‘Annie get your Gun’.
Despite now living in Harrogate, David has just been elected President of the Sussex based Masque Theatre Company.

CHORUS & DANCERS
Kylie Barringham
Gill Bateman
Mary Boyfield
Clair Cataland
Chris Catlin
David Coleman
Charlotte Ellitson
Sue Filton
Stephanie Griffiths
Maria Grimmet
Diane Grimster
Debbie Haseldine
Ursula Hanzlik
James Haseldine
John Heighton
Gail Holland
Neil Hopkin
Sally Jones
Paul Matthews
Georgina Millwood
Emma Myers
Joanne Needle
Kate O'Leary
Don Sanders
Graham Ward
Heather Woodiwiss


Cast Operatic Half 6d 1988
'ARTHUR KIPPS'
-Simon Baker
'ANN PORNICK'
- Leisa Perkins

Stage Staff
Stage Manager - Chris James
Stage Crew - Lee Attwood, Brian Christie, Maff Davies, Mark Dickenson, Merv Goddard, Dave Hawkes, Les King, Nick Kirk, Colin Minnikin, Mark Page, Douglas Pateman, Gordon Pateman, Bob Rawlins, Dick Saunders, Ken Smith, Chris Thorburn, Chris Ward.
Lighting
Trevor Bailey, Derek Beasley, Arthur Holloman, Debbie Holloman,
Alan Mayes, Roger Norman. Philip Thompson, Michael Warren.
Wardrobe:- Ena Carpenter assisted by:
Pam Bird, Peggy Coles, Sandy Mander, Janet O'Leary, Angela Tobin,
Pam Trainor, Rene Welsford.
Properties - Jan Holloman assisted by:
Julie Atherton, Jeanette King, Miriam Joyce.
Call Boy - Nicolette Goddard.
Prompt - Connie Holt.
Tab Girl - Susan Smith.
Make Up Artists - Clive Durrant, Kay Rawlins.
Costumes - Homburgs, Leeds & R.A.T.S. Wardrobe.
Scenery - James Fredericks, Weston-Super-Mare.

Support Staff
Programme Sellers
Glenis Haynes assisted by:
Diane Angwin, Grace Berrill, Margaret Clark, Kate Mitchall, Janet Mould, Elsie Pateman, Tracy Thompson.

Stewards
Auditorium Manager - Cliff Jefferies.
Robin Allen, Gerry Baish, Brian Jones, Eddie Mander, Gerry Myers, Keith Vaughan, Mick Walker.

Prize Draw Ticket Sellers
Margaret Bland assisted by:
Muriel Gomm, Win Green, Carol Gray, Nicola Harris, Kathryn Manning, Valerie Myers, Moyra Stewart, Pamela Stock, Edna Ward.


Keith Green Operatic Half 6d 1988
'HARRY CHITTERLOW'
- Keith Green



'HELEN WALSINGHAM'
- Lesley Heighton
'ARTHUR KIPPS'
- Simon Baker

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.

The Octopus Distribution Services Ltd., The Ritz Management and Staff, Rushden W.M. Club, the Rose & Crown Rushden, Hensman Hall, Higham Ferrers, for Rehearsal facilities.

The Headmaster of Alfred Street School, South End School and their Caretakers.

Programme written and compiled by Mary Boyfield.

Peter Dawes Printers, Kettering, for their great assistance in producing this programme.

The Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph to Doug Millhouse 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 (Insurance) Ltd., King Kuts, and Billingtons Higham Ferrers for publicity displays.

Alpha Mu Products for us of Public Address Equipment.

The Stewards, Programme and Prize Draw ticket sellers.

Box Office Assistants.

The Nursing Sisters and St. John Ambulance for attendance at the Theatre.

All parties supporting us from various organisations.

R.A.T.S. for use of scenery workshop.

Rachael Britton for loan of cycle for Publicity photographs.

Len Whitehead, Irchester for loan of properties.

Toselands for hire of lorry.

Ailey’s Transport for return of scenery.



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