|
The aim of The Wivenhoe Gilbert and Sullivan Society
is to produce the works of Gilbert and Sullivan and it has produced a show
each year since 1981. It is affiliated to the National Operatic and
Dramatic Association.
Rehearsals are at the Wivenhoe Congregational Church
from September to March. These are on Mondays at 7.45 to 10pm and some
Wednesday rehearsals in the weeks leading up to the show. The show runs
for five nights in March in the William Loveless Hall. To be on the stage
one does not need to be able to read music, merely to be able to sing in
tune. There is ample opportunity to learn the music and words. Auditions
are held only for those applying for principal parts.
Membership is open to anyone who wishes to be
involved in the activity of the society. Apart from those on the stage we
also welcome those wishing to help with refreshments, lighting, costumes,
display and advertising, designing and making the set, choreography,
directing, playing the piano for rehearsals, prompting or just generally
offering support.
Membership currently costs £25 per annum (juniors £5):
there is no joining fee. We also have Associate members (£5 per annum).
All benefit from being able to get tickets for the show under a Priority
Booking arrangement before tickets go on sale to the public. The society
gets no financial help from outside bodies and has, on occasions, managed
to help towards the provision of facilities at the William Loveless Hall.
The society is run by a committee of eight full
members, elected at the AGM in April.
The society is a very informal friendly group and
newcomers are made to feel welcome. Social activities include an
after-show party, a Christmas get-together, a Summer ramble and a cricket
match. The society has, very occasionally, sung excerpts from the shows at
events elsewhere.
Hon. Secretary: Mary
Williamson, 15 The Dale, Wivenhoe CO7 9NL
Tel: 01206 823702 and e-mail:
|
Feb 2007 -
Wivenhoe Gilbert and Sullivan Society triumph with
My Fair
Lady.
Many,
many congratulations Wivenhoe G&S for creating such a
fabulous show. This was a real triumph. To get so many people
performing as you did in the confines of the William Loveless Hall
required imagination and you gave it to us in full measure. Martin
Sparks as Professor Higgins and Natasha Shipp as Eliza Doolittle
were just outstanding, with memorable singing performances also from
Phil Stevens as Eliza's father, and Jonathan Abbott as Freddy
Eynsford-Hill. Special
mention must go to Derek Long from Shotley who played Colonel
Pickering from the Wednesday night at 3 hours notice. Tragically
Nicholas Clough contracted a lung infection and couldn't continue
after the Tuesday night performance. On Wednesday, Chairman Peter
Cook started phoning around all the performing groups in the area to
find someone who had recently played the pat of Colonel Pickering.
And Derek responded to the cry for help. A real hero. He was
magnificent. The
show required 50 performers and well over 20 people helping off-stage in
various roles. A big production indeed. The
scenery was wonderful and expertly put together to cope with so many
switches from Wimpole Street, Professor Higgins's study, a flower
market, the Transylvanian Embassy and of course Ascot racecourse
where we were introduced to the indomitable Mrs Higgins, Professor
Higgins's mother. A memorable scene performed by all the cast
dressed in morning suits and superb dresses. It was here we see
Eliza first transformed into an exquisite young lady using her new
elocution skills. And meeting Mrs Higgins, played by Mary Williamson
and carried so superbly by her, a real society lady. Who will forget
the last few words of that scene when Eliza gets carried away, as
they are all watching the race, with the sound of horses charging
past us, and shouts to the horse on which she has been given a bet
'move your bloomin' arse'!! I'm
sure every audience must have marvelled at John Wolton's fingers!
How many notes must he play on the piano at each performance? Most
of the music for My Fair Lady seemed fast and furious - those
fingers truly deserve a holiday! So
congratulations Director Susannah Bradley and to everyone of you who
helped make this year's show such a fantastic one. It was 'west end'
entertainment here in Wivenhoe. You all deserve to be very proud of
this show, the second non-Gilbert and Sullivan we have all had the
pleasure of watching you perform. Clearly a lot of hard work
went into it. Thank you, all of you.
|
Click below for:
|
