Programme 1956 – The New Moon

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PAGE ONE

NAPIER OPERATIC SOCIETY (INC.)

1956 OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY

Patron: JACK HARRIS, Esq.

President: A.E. HERNIMAN, Esq.

Vice-President: SID HENNEY, Esq.

Hon. Secretary and Treasurer
R.H. WIMSETT, Esq.

Hon. Assistant Secretary:
B. GROSSMAN, Esq.

Hon. Auditor: I.L. PRIME, Esq.

Hon. Solicitor: W. WILLIS, Esq.

Executive Committee:

Mrs E. MONRAD, Messrs PETER COX, E. COLLIER, R. ROSS, R. LAVIN,C. WHITE, W.B. SPENCE.

THE PREVIOUS PRODUCTIONS OF THE SOCIETY

“The Gondoliers”   1908
“The Mikado”   1909
“The Geisha”   1910
“The Runaway Girl”   1911
“A Greek Slave”   1912
“Toreador”   1913
“Miss Hook of Holland”   1914
“The Blue Moon”   1915
“The Geisha”   1921
“A Country Girl”   1923
“Floradora”   1924
“The Arcadians”   1928
“The Sunshine Girl”   1929
“Our Miss Gibbs”   1930
“Rio Rita”   1938
“The Belle of New York”   1939
“Boots and All”   1940
“Chu Chin Chow”   1954
“The Desert Song”   1955

The 1954 production (“Chu Chin Chow”) was a milestone in the history of the Society. This colossal musical extravaganza had not been attempted by any Society, other than Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. This was followed up by a magnificent production of “The Desert Song.” This production was witnessed by 15,557 people. It is with the greatest confidence that we now present Sigmund Ronberg’s [Romberg’s] “The New Moon.”

Early History of the Society –

The Society was formed in the 1880’s and there is in the Hawke’s Bay Art Gallery and Museum a programme of the Society’s production of the “Mikado” in March of 1887. The Society also possesses a programme of its production of “Madame Fauvarti” in October, 1882.
Unfortunately, many of the earliest records of the Society were lost in the 1931 earthquake, but the Society can claim to be one of the oldest musical societies in New Zealand.

PAGE TWO

Ladies and Courtiers at Monsieur Beaunoir’s Mansion in New Orleans

Sailors from The New Moon

PAGE THREE

THE STORY OF “THE NEW MOON”

“THE NEW MOON” is reminiscent of a stirring period. We have a thrilling story set amidst a picturesque environment, a sea fight that would do credit to Billy Hayes and hero, heroine and villain in the best style of romantic melodrama. The authors specially notify that the basic story of the play is founded on the life of Robert Misson a French aristocrat whose autobiography was written in the late eighteenth century. The period of the play is those fatal years in French history 1792-1793, and the scene in the First Act is the grand salon of Monsieur’s mansion near New Orleans, and in the Second Act we are in the neighbourhood of the Caribbean Sea with a kind of Free State Island, with an unconventional colony founded by Robert, on somewhat Utopian lines.

Robert Misson with his faithful attendant, Alexander, had escaped from France where Robert, an ardent revolutionist had killed a distinguished nobleman. Alexander and he have become bondsmen to M. Beaunoir, who is, however, the owner of a ship called “The New Moon”. In pursuit of Robert there arrives the sinister figure of Vicomte Ribaud, whose duty it is to transport Robert back to France.

In spite of his inferior position, the gallant bearing of Robert has made a distinct appeal to the susceptible heart of Marianne, his master’s daughter. The intricacies of his wooing constitute the main features of love interest, in which he has for his rival the Captain of The New Moon, Georges Duval. The comic love theme is shared between Alexander and Julie, while the shrewish and most humorous Clotilde has amorous intentions on the heart of Alexander, thereby relieving a much worried Besac.

All these details are satisfactorily set out in the First Act. There is also a typical Spanish setting, where Phillippe stirs the men to accept Robert as their leader. Amid the gay revellers there is a mysterious cloaked figure which, when unmasked, proves to be the wily Ribaud, who is in search of the wanted Robert. A swift change of clothing ensures Robert’s attendance at the ball, where he can pursue his role of ardent lover to Marianne.

Grace Tough
as Marianne Beaunoir.

Robert Houston
as Robert Misson.

Continued on Page 12

PAGE FOUR

1956 – PRODUCTION PERSONNEL – 1956

THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE SOCIETY

and

Producer   Eva Moore
Musical Director and Chorus Master   Cedric White

Ballet Mistress   Jean Ballantyne

Stage Director   Cedric Wright
Assistant Stage Manager   Les Woodfine
Hon. Pianist   Winifred Quarrie
Hon. Prompts   Jennie Lee   Ursula Calson
Make-up   Bill Wells
Call Steward   Ellen Petersen
Lighting Director   G.E. Tyler
Chief Electrician   Ira Owen
Floor Electricians   R. Cashman
Dome Spot Operators   Jack Isles   J. Savage
Properties   Edwin Brown
Wardrobe   Hazel Collier
Secretary Treasurer   Rodney Wimsett
Assistant Secretary   Brian T. Grossman
Publicity and Programme   Sid Henney

Members of the Ballet
Right to left: Ngaire Porter, Angela Horrocks, Norah Glew, Betty Crawford, Heather Bentley, Diane Rowell.

PAGE FIVE

A Group showing Robert Misson (Played by Robert Houston), Vicomte Ribaud (Gavin Garner)and Marianne Beaunoir (Grace Tough).

EVA MOORE
Eva Moore, who is the producer of “The New Moon”, the Napier Operatic Society’s 1956 production, is probably one of the best known and most successful producers of amateur musical comedy in New Zealand.

She is one of five sisters of theatrical fame. Carrie Moore, a star both in England and Australia and Australia’s original “Merry Widow”, is one of the sisters. Edward German wrote the part of Honour in “Tom Jones” for her and her name appears in so many original scores in London that they constitute a record. Lillie Moore, another sister, toured New Zealand with the J.C. Williamson production of “The Student Prince”, “Desert Song”, “Arsenic and Old Lace”, “The Girl Friend” and many others.

Eva Moore has played the leading soprano roles in all the Gilbert and Sullivan operas, also the “Quaker Girl,” “Merry Widow,” “Waltz Dream,” “The Geisha,” and dozens of others. She has travelled more than half around the world many times – a thorough coverage of all the playable towns of Australia, then to China, Japan, Manilla, Honolulu and extensive tours of Canada and the U.S.A. In New Zealand she had produced for Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Blenheim, Nelson, Palmerston North (where she created a record for both amateurs and professionals), Wanganui, New Plymouth and Hamilton.

In 1954 she was responsible for the production “Chu Chin Chou,” and in 1955 for “The Desert Song,” and Napier theatre-goers can remember what a success she made of these fabulous shows. It is with real pleasure we welcome her back to Napier to produce “The New Moon”.

This year’s activities include productions for the Wanganui Society (“Rio Rita”), Masterton Society (“Rio Rita”), Palmerston North Society (“The Desert Song”).

PAGES SIX AND SEVEN

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NAPIER OPERATIC SOCIETY (INC.)

PRESENTS

“THE NEW MOON”

Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein 2nd, Frank Mandel and Lawrence Schwab.
Music by Sigmund Romberg.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

(in order of appearance)

SEAMSTRESS   GLENICE FLAVELL
JULIE   MAUREEN BRADY
M. BEAUNOIR   GORDON JOHANSEN
VICOMTE RIBEAU  GAVIN GARNER
CAPTAIN GEORGES DUVAL   KEN STEWART
FOUCHET   BRIAN COPELAND
ROBERT MISSON   BOB HOUSTON
ALEXANDER   BOB ROSS
BESAC   REG. JOHNSON
JACQUES   BOB WRIGHT
EMILE   GEORGE FOSTER
BRUNET   VAUGHAN GABITES
MARIANNE BEAUNOIR   GRACE TOUGH
PHILLIPPE L’ENTENDU   RAY DALTON
DOORMAN OF THE TAVERN   JIM BROWNLIE
A FLOWER GIRL   MONA FAUCHELLE
A SPANIARD   DAVID SWEETAPPLE
PROPRIETOR   COLIN WELLS
TAVERN DANCER   NGAIRE PORTER
CLOTILDE   JOY McNAMARA
ADMIRAL DE JEAN   TERRY DURNEY
SYNOPSIS OF SCENES

(The whole action of the play takes place in the years 1792-1793)

ACT 1

Scene 1:   Grand Salon of Monsieur Beaunoir’s Mansion near New Orleans – Afternoon
Scene 2:   Entrance to Chez Creole – that night.
Scene 3:   Interior of Chez Creole – a few minutes later.
Scene 4:   Same as Scene 2 – evening.
Scene 5:   Same as Scene 1 – midnight.

– INTERVAL –

ACT 2

Scene 1:   The deck of The New Moon – late afternoon a week later.
Scene 2:   The road from the beach, Isle of Pines.
Scene 3:   The Stockade, one year later.
Scene 4:   Same as Scene 2
Scene 5:   Marianne’s Cabin, late that evening.
Scene 6:   Same as Scene 3, next morning.

Scenery designed by Harry Baker, painted by Will Conroy (late of the Savoy Theatre, London) and constructed under the supervision of Kirkland Yates.

ORCHESTRA

Musical Director: Cedric White   Piano: Winifred Quarrie

Violins:   E. Collier, M. Williams, G. Wade, E. Dunn, V. Tidy, J. Hannah, D. Hansen, N.J. Brunton. ‘Cello:   S. Girvan. Basses:   R. Lavin, B. Hansen, D. Smith. Flutes:   E. Hocking, A. Clarke. Clarinet:  P. Blanchette. Bassoon:   L. Abbott. Trumpets:   H.F. Vincent, D. Johnson. Trombone:   G. Faulknor. Tympani, Drums and Effects: J. Seaton.

Producer   EVA MOORE

Choreography   JEAN BALLANTYNE

Photos by RUSSELL YEULETT, HI-LIGHT STUDIOS

PAGE EIGHT

NAPIER OPERATIC SOCIETY (INC.)

Ladies of the Chorus

Margo Bull
Margaret Brooking
Yoland Beuth
Albelheid van der Bend
Ruth Calson
Rose Dassler
Annette Downes
Lilian Eddy
Annette Evans
Glenice Flavell
Geraldine Fitzgerald
Mona Fauchelle
Valerie Hunter
Pat Jackson
Marise McDonald
Kerry McDonald
Janet McDonald
Lorna McKeegan
Jennifer McKenzie
Naomi Mooney
Diana Mooney
Wendy Marsh
Betty Munro
Gail O’Reilly
Rosemary Orton
Margaret Paton
Beverley Prebensen
Olga Rean
Janice Raven
Nancy Robertson
Betty Rae
Eva Robinson
Betty Robinson
Irma Sutherland
Barbara Welch
Ruth Wilson

Gentlemen of the Chorus

Barry Brebner
Jim Brownlie
Brian Copeland
Cedric Catton
Terry Durney
Geof Dohig
George Foster
John Gearing
Vaughan Gabites
Ron Giles
Tim Holderness
Rod Hall
Allan Holt
Jerry Hoffman
Peter Halpin
Brian Isles
Allan Johnson
Garth Laurent
Howard Marsh
Noel Mackie
Alex McClelland
James Paxie
Robin Rae
David Sweetapple
Colin Wells
Bob Wright

Ladies of the Ballet

Soloists –
Ngaire Porter
Betty Crawford
Heather Bentley
Lynette Rivett-Carnac

Corps de Ballet –
Stavely Kennan
Norah Glew
Angela Horrocks
Diane Rowell
Lynn Hawley

Male Dancer –
Lawrence Ruffell

MUSICAL NUMBERS

ACT 1

1.  Overture.
2.   Opening Chorus: “Dainty Wisp of Thistledown” – Girls.
3.   Song: “Marianne” – Robert.
4.   Entrance: Marianne and Chorus.
5.   Duet: “The Girl on the Prow” – Marianne, Besac and Chorus.
6.   Duet: “Gorgeous Alexander” – Julie, Alexander and Girls.
7.   Ballet.
8.   Interrupted Trio: “I’m Seeking the Hand of a Maiden” – Marianne, Duval and Robert.
9.   Finaletto I.
10.   Dance Duo – Emile and Gerard.
11.   Tavern Scene.
12.   Flower Song: “Red Wine in Your Glasses” – Flower Girl.
13.   Solo Dance – Tavern Dancer.
14.   Song: “Softly as in a Morning Sunrise” – Phillippe and Chorus.
15.   Duet: “Stout-hearted Men” – Robert, Phillippe and Men.
16.   Finaletto II.
17.   Tango Ballet.

PAGE NINE

18.   Tango – Marianne and Girls.
19.   Incidental Music.
20.   Song: “One Kiss” – Marianne and Girls.
21.   The Trial – Julie, Clotilde, Alexander and Girls.
22.   Ballet.
23.   Finale: “Gentle Airs and Courtly Manners.
24.   Duet: “Wanting You” – Marianne and Robert.

ACT 2.

25.   Opening Chorus: “Yo, Heave-o” – Besac and Sailors.
26.   Duet: “Funny Little Sailor Man” – Clotilde and Besac.
27.   Ballet
28.   Song; “Lover, Come Back to Me” – Marianne.
29.   Battle Scene.
30.   Finaletto and Drill.
31.   Quartet: “Love is Quite a Simple Thing” – Julie, Alexander, Besac and Clotilde.
32.   Opening Music – Stockade Scene.
33.   Chorus: “Just One Year Ago We Were Mated.”
34.   Duet: “Try Her Out at Dances” – Julie and Alexander.
35.   Bridesmaids’ Ballet.
36.   Reprise of “Softly as in a Morning Sunrise” – Phillippe and Men.
37.   Song: “Never For You” – Marianne.
38.   Reprise of “Lover, Come Back to Me” – Marianne, Robert and Men.
39.   Dark Change.
40.   Cabin Scene: “One Kiss, One Girl.”
41.   Finale Ultimo.

Gavin Garner as Vicomte Ribaud.

Gordon Johansen as Monsieur Beaunoir.

PAGE TEN

CEDRIC WHITE
Has directed the Musical side of the Society for many years. He was a member of the original “Kiwi” Concert Party and remained in England under a Government education grant and passed through the Royal Academy of Music. On his return to New Zealand he toured with the J.C. Williamson organisation, but eventually settled in Napier, where he is in practice as a Public Accountant. He was Musical Director for the highly successful “Chu Chin Chow” and “The Desert Song,” and once again is Musical Director for the 1956 production of “The New Moon”.

JEAN BALLANTYNE
Ballet Mistress, is an Advanced Teacher of the Royal Academy of Dancing, London, and has trained with well-known teachers in England, on the Continent, in Australia and New Zealand. In the course of her dancing career Miss Ballantyne has been closely associated with the Amateur Theatre, and has been responsible for numerous Children’s Recitals. Her Senior Ballet toured the Hawke’s
Bay area for the Community Arts Service in 1947.

Robert Misson (played by Robert Houston) greets his faithful follower, Phillippe (Ray Dalton).

PAGE ELEVEN

Maureen Brady as Julie
Bob Ross as Alexander

Joy McNamara as Clotilde
Reg Johnston as Besac.

NAPIER OPERATIC SOCIETY (INC.)

CREDITS.

Assistants to Wardrobe Mistress –
C, Houston, R. Mardon, M. Salvigny, E.H. White, J. Williams, E. Field, P. Barclay.

Assistants to Property Director –
Ron Ingle, Brian Carlen, Trevor Billington, Noel Tolhurst, W.B. Spence, Mrs Spence, Jack Crisp, Lionel Fleming, Paul Stratford, Mrs W. White, Mrs E. Monrad, Miss Pat Spriggs, Mrs J. Reeves, Pearce Williams, John Collier.

Assistants to Make-up Supervision –
Bonnie Houston, Helen McConochie, Isobel Johnson, Beth Sweetapple, Dawn Wright.

Spinet Pianiste – Mary Powell.

GRATEFUL ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.

The Daily Telegraph Co. Ltd.
The H.B. Herald Tribune.
Napier Repertory Society for Spotlights.
Derek Olphert – Design and painting of Pirate Ship and sea scene.
Wellington Operatic Society – Scenery sets.
Auckland Operatic Society – Wardrobe.
New Plymouth Operatic Society – Wigs.
Palmerston North Operatic Society – Wigs.
Cyril Eagle – Construction work.
Lionel Fleming – Construction of cannon.
B.R. Meredith & Co. Ltd. – Steel framing for scenery mounting.
Ruth Calson – Construction of chandelier.
Ian Mills – Programme cover design.
Don Brathwaite, Austin McDonald and Beverley Cobb – Sabre instruction.
R.A. Kilby – Antique furniture.

PAGE TWELVE

Admiral de Jean (Terry Durney) receives a salute from Brunet (Vaughan Gabites) and Jacques (Bob Wright).

Mona Fauchelle as the Flower Girl.

Continued from Page 3

In the Second Act we are aboard The New Moon, which is supposed to be on its way back to France. The New Moon is attacked by pirates on the way, and Captain Duval, while about to raise the white flag, is deposed by Robert, who then takes command. The pirates board The New Moon and an exciting hand-to-hand struggle takes place, but is stopped when Robert recognises his friend Phillippe as leader of the pirates. (Phillippe had, in fact, set out to rescue Robert.) The pirate ship catches fire and is cut adrift.

The New Moon, under command of its new captain, makes for the Isle of Pines, where, a year later, we meet them all under the unconventional conditions named above. Robert and Marianne have gone through a form of marriage, in name only, and Ribaud tries to bring about a mutiny so that Robert can be deposed and surrendered to the French ships that are lying off the island, but when Admiral de Jean comes ashore to announce that Louis XVI has been guillotined all become citizens of the new French Republic, Marianne cheerfully styling herself “Citizeness Misson,” but Ribaud proudly maintains his dignity with his family with “I am the Vicomte Ribaud,” with its inevitable penalty.

Ngaire Porter as a Tavern Dancer.

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