Programme 1958 – 61st Annual Performance and “Billy the Kid”

NAPIER
FRIVOLITY MINSTRELS

Present

THEIR 61st MINSTREL SHOW

AND

THE HILARIOUS PANTOMIME

“BILLY THE KID”

I BARBER

COUNTRY TOUR, 1958

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Once again I would like to add a foreword to our programme on the occasion of the sixty-first edition of the Frivs.’ Minstrel Show and Pantomime, “Billy the Kid,” by reflecting upon our Jubilee year just past.

Sixty years is a long time in the affairs of any Society or group, and during that time many people are usually associated with the organisation concerned. As the Frivs. appeared publicly for the first time at Eskdale in 1897 it can be realised that many hundreds have become known as Friv. members, and it was a great thrill last year for our Jubilee reunion to meet once again nearly three hundred artists, performers and helpers, with service extending over many years.

The success of the Jubilee reunion was due to the support of many friends and the Frivs. would like to extend their thanks and appreciation for this great assistance. With so many people involved it is hard to particularise, but the Frivs.’ organisation has asked me to thank the following and express their indebtedness to them:- H.B. Motor Company, Ltd., Napier Thirty Thousand Club, Stewart Greer Motors Ltd. and The Daily Telegraph Co. Ltd.

Now a final word and invitation. If you are interested in joining the Frivs. in some later show you are invited to make application to either myself or the secretary. Your application will be noted and if at any time we can make use of your services you will be contacted. The Frivs. thank you for your continued support.

Wally Ireland

Over the past eight years Sid Henney has acted as secretary and for six of these years he has handled the production of each show. During this time the pantomime, a feature of the second half, has been written by himself.

Besides these activities, he has written extensively for radio, both sketches and children’s plays.

He wishes to acknowledge his grateful thanks to all associated with this year’s production, particularly Joan Leonard (Ballet Mistress), Mrs Mardon (Musical Directress), Bill Mayo (Musical Arranger) and Jock Stevenson (Interlocutor).

For the last seven years Joan Leonard has been a valued members of the Frivs., taking leading acting roles in a number of pantomimes and acting as ballet mistress for the last four productions. Her dance routines and costuming have added greatly to the success of each presentation. Her comedy role of Corabelle McGurgle in this year’s pantomime, “Billy the Kid,” shows her as a good foil for the mercurial “Billy.”

Joan in private life is one of Hawke’s Bay’s leading ballet teachers, having classes as far away as Takapau, and is well known in ballet circles throughout New Zealand.

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For many years the above three darkies have held the important position of cornermen in the minstrel part of every Friv. show. Shown above are (left) Len Dadson (Mr Bones), Trev Dockery [Dockary] (Rastus), Bob Ross Snr. (Moses). This year to complete the circle’s requirement of cornermen is Bob Ross Jnr,, who will be playing under the name of Sambo. He is a welcome addition and we hope he will remain in this position for years to come.

The musical arrangements this year are by William Mayo. He has been associated with the Frivs. since 1949, first in the circle and latterly in the orchestra. He was leader of the Accordionaires for three years. Bill is well known in Hawke’s Bay dancing circles, having his own dance band for the past five years, playing both locally and throughout Hawke’s Bay.

Mrs Rose Mardon, Musical Directress, has been associated with the Frivs. for the past five seasons, occupying this very arduous role. Many of the popular numbers used in each season’s shows are the result of her unceasing search for music that will suit the Frivs.’ own particular style. Long may she be associated with the Frivs.

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As interlocutor for the Frivs. Jock Stevenson has been associated with the company for the past two seasons and has given this important position the polish that only long experience can give. Jock has for many years been associated with stage work in Napier, playing roles for the Napier Repertory Society and Napier Operatic Society, as well as many compere roles in fun sessions and with the Napier Thirty Thousand Club Mardi Gras.

In “Billy the Kid” he plays the part of Chief Squatting Bull.

Vic Viggers’ association with the Frivs. has lasted over many years, in the first instance playing in the orchestra and for the past ten years on the stage. He has played leading roles in a great many of the Frivs.’ pantomimes.

He is regarded as a leading comedian in Hawke’s Bay, with wide experience in radio, theatre and cabaret work. Also he has played in various cities of New Zealand.

In the pantomime “Billy the Kid” he plays the role of the same name, the Sheriff of Round the Bend, Texas – and “round the bend” just sums it up!

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Members of the Frivs.’ Orchestra as shown above are as follows:- Front (seated, left to right): Jock Seton, Rose Mardon (Musical Directress), Dorothy Smith, Geoff Pell. Above (standing): (left to right); Edward Collier, William Mayo (Musical Arranger), William Mitchell, Doug Robinson, Bert Boston.

THE NAPIER FRIVOLITY MINSTRELS

Present
THEIR SIXTY-FIRST MINSTREL SHOW
(1958)

President: WALLY IRELAND.
Hon. Secretary and Producer: J. SIDNEY HENNEY.
Ballet Mistress: JOAN LEONARD.
Stage Manager: DOUG. HARDGRAVE.
Stage Assistants: STAN SMITH, BRIAN VIGGERS, DON O’BRIEN, DES McVICAR, W. MARDON,
Sound System: RON WILLIS, DES LE PROU, JOHN WILLIAMS.
Musical Orchestrations by WILLIAM MAYO.
Front of House Manager: NORM. ETHERIDGE..
Scenery and Programme Design: IAN BARBER.

AN ALL-STAR CAST OF POPULAR PLAYERS.

Bones:
Mr Bones – LEN DADSON.
Rastus – TREY DOCKERY.

Interlocutor:
JOCK STEVENSON.

Tambos:
Sambo – BOB ROSS, Jnr.
Moses – BOB ROSS

Stella Astwood, Jill Alsop, Fay Kayser, Lois Kersey, Joan Leonard, Noeline Leonard, Margaret Langstone, Dawn Mayo, Maureen Thomson, Jennifer Wells, Barbara Welch.

Trevor Atkins, Graham Harris, Jack McCarthy, Vic Viggers.

FRIVS.’ GRAND ORCHESTRA.
Piano: Rose Mardon (Musical Directress).   Violins: Edward Collier, William Mitchell.   Cornet: Bert Boston.   Saxophone and Clarinet: William Mayo.   Trombone: Doug Robinson.   Flute: Alan Clarke.   Bass: Dorothy Smith.   Drums and Effects: Jock Seton and Geoff Pell

PART ONE.
1.   OVERTURE By FRIVS.’   ORCHESTRA
2.   The Frivolity Minstrels Company open the Show with the old favourite – “LET’S HAVE A BASINFUL OF THE BRINY.”
3.   Mr Bones tells what it’s like when it’s “MOONTIME ON THE MISSISSIPPI.
4.   The Frivettes in the popular Hit Number – “WILLIE CAN.
5.   The Four Cornermen get nostalgic and tell of Lindy Lou DOWN BY THE WATERMELON VINE.”
6.   From the Musical Comedy “The Dubarry” comes Stella Astwood’s Solo Number, “I GIVE MY HEART.”
7.   An Instrumental Item, “LITTLE GREEN VALLEY,” by Bob Ross (Snr. and Jnr.) and Graham Harris.
8.   Joan and Noeline Leonard in a Song and Dance Routine – “A COUPLE OF SWELLS.”
9.   Once more down Parody Lane, “EARLY IN THE MORNING,” with the Sextette.
10.   Jack McMcCarthy sings of “THE COTTAGE BY THE LEA.”
11.   The Frivs.’ Tap Troupe entertain in a lively Tap Number – “BROADWAY MELODY.”
12.   Moses sings of “THE DAY TO JUBILO.”
13.   “WHEN YOU’RE GOING BACK TO DIXIELAND,” by Sambo and the Company.
14.   Stella Astwood and Jack McCarthy in a Duet Number – “A PARADISE FOR TWO.”
15.   Rastus invites you to come “WHERE THE BLACK-EYED SUSANS GROW,” assisted by the Company.
16.   When Knights were Bad and Bold! Vic Viggers come a-jousting in ancient style!

– Interval –

PART TWO.
THE FRIVOLITY MINSTRELS
Present the Sparkling Western Pantomime,
“BILLY THE KID”
An Original Version written and produced by J. Sidney Henney.
(Additional Lyrics by Jock Stevenson.)
Cast in Order of Apperance:
SADIE MAY   (Dawn Mayo)   A Cowgirl
MAYOR SPROCKET   (Bob Ross)   Mayor of Round the Bend, Texas
BILLY THE KID   (Vic Viggers)   Sheriff of Round the Bend, Texas
TWO-GUN McGURK   (Trev Dockery)   The Wanted Outlaw
CALAMITY KATE   (Len Dadson)   Owner of the Gold Nugget Milkbar Saloon
SYLVESTER   (Margaret Langstone)   Calamity Kate’s Son
MARY LOU   (Maureen Thomson)   Daughter of Mayor Sprocket
CORABELLE McGURGLE   (Joan Leonard)   The New School Marm
TEX   A Cowboy
BLACKFEATHER   (Jack McCarthy)   An Indian Brave
JAKE   (Bob Ross, Jnr.)   A Cowboy
SLIM   (Graham Harris)   A Cowboy
REDWING   (Stella Astwood)   An Indian Maid
RUSHING HORSE   (Bob Ross, Jnr.)   The Medicine Man
CHIEF SQUATTING BULL   (Jock Stevenson)   The Indian Chief
RUNNING WATER   (Jill Alsop)   The Chiefs Daughter
Cast of Cowboys, Cowgirls and Indians.

SCENES.
SCENE 1:   Main Street of Round the Bend, Texas. Morning.
SCENE 2:   The same one week later. Evening.
SCENE 3:   Indian Encampment in Echo Valley. Next Morning.
SCENE 4:   Main Street of Round the Bend. That Evening.

MUSICAL NUMBERS.
SCENE ONE.
1.   Entr’acte Frivs.’   Orchestra
2.   Opening – “Wear a Great Big Smile”   Sadie Mae and Company
3.   Duet – “That’s the Greatest Feeling in the World”   Sheriff and Calamity Kate
4.   “I’m Two-gun McGurk. I am”   Two-gun McGurk
5.   Duet – “I’m a Little Prairie Flower”   Calamity and Mayor
6.   Trio – “Windy City”   Corabelle
7.   Duet – “I’m a-comin’ a-courtin’ Corabelle”   Sheriff, Corabelle and Company

SCENE TWO.
8.   “Call It a Day”   Tex and Company
9.   “Comin’ Around the Mountain”   Square Dance by the Company
10.   Duet – “It’s a Wonderful World”   Sylvester and Mary Lou
11.   “The Bad Man of the West”   Two-gun McGurk
12.   “Billy Boy”   Corabelle and Sheriff

SCENE THREE.
13.   Duet – “Indian Love Call”   Redwing and Blackfeather
14.   Quartet – “Little Sir Echo”   Sheriff, Squatting Bull, Rushing Horse and Running Water
15.   “Pass That Peace Pipe”   Chief Squatting Bull and Company

SCENE FOUR.
16.   Solo – “I Talk to the Trees”   Lulubelle
17.   Duet – ‘”Heart”   Sylvester and Mary Lou
18.   Trio – “Sugartime”   Corabelle Slim and Jake
19.   Quartet – “Keep On Sailing”   Mary Lou and Calamity, Sylvester and Mayor
20.   Closing Chorus   By the Company

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The above three members of the Frivs. are (top left) Margaret Langstone, who plays the role of Sylvester in the pantomime. She has played principal boy parts for the Frivs. for several years. Centre: Maureen Thomson, who has the principal girl role of Mary Lou. She also has been associated with the company for several years. Top right: Barbara Welch is in her second year with the Frivs. and takes part in ballet routines.

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Jack McCarthy (top left), an old Friv. who has returned to the company in this year’s show. Jack has had wide experience in stage work and on radio in Australia. We are glad to have him back once more. Centre: Stella Astwood, leading soloist for the Frivs., has been associated with them for a great number of years and has a wealth of stage and radio experience. On right: Jill Alsop, who has been with the company for the past five productions. In “Billy the Kid” she plays the role of the Indian maid “Running Water.”

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Of the above three Frivettes two are newcomers in this year’s show. They are Fay Kayser (top left) and Jennifer Wells (top right), while Dawn Mayo (centre), who is married to Bill Mayo, the musical arranger for this year’s production, has been associated with the Frivs. for the past five seasons, taking several speaking parts and also as a member of the ballet.

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Sister of the ballet mistress, Noeline Leonard (bottom left) is in her second year with the Frivs. and is a member of the ballet, as is Lois Kersey (centre), a newcomer to this year’s show. Promoted from backstage is Trevor Atkins (bottom right), who takes his place in the circle for the first time. They all form part of the chorus in the pantomime.

Top: Graham Harris, newcomer to circle; Norman Etheridge (centre), House Manager; Ian Barber (Scenery Painter and Designer).

Centre: Backstage team – Des Le Prou, Bill Mardon, Stan Smith and Lou Hardgrave.
Centre (right): Doug Hardgrave, Stage Manager).
Lower: Brian Viggers (Backstage), John Williams and Ron Willis (Sound System).

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