Programme 1961 – 64th Minstrel Show and “Magic in the Air”

The Napier Frivolity Minstrels

Present their 64th Minstrel Show and Oriental Pantomime

“Magic in the Air”

MUNICIPAL THEATRE, NAPIER

– 1961 SEASON – SOUVENIR PROGRAMME

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NAPIER FRIVOLITY MINSTREL SOCIETY

Foreword by the President
Shows come and shows go, with each year some variation in presentation, and so it is with the Company’s 64th Production. In the Minstrel part of the show has been added two darkie lasses who plague the life of the Cornermen in the same way as they in turn cause the Interlocutor concern. While in the Pantomime in place of the Principal Boy of established Pantomime fare the role this year is played by one of the mere males of the Company.

Be that as it may I feel sure you will agree that this year’s Production – our 64th Minstrel Show and pantomime “Magic in the Air,” will be up to the high standard set in past years.

May I in conclusion, once again thank on behalf of the Company the following persons who have helped in this production. – The Hardgrave Brothers (Back Stage), Front of House Staff, Mr Fred Burton (Designs), H.B. Motor Co., Daily Telegraph Ltd., Napier Operatic Society, Mr E. Ridler, Mr R. Lavin, and all others who have assisted to make the show a success.

Production Personnel

JOAN LEONARD
Joan Leonard, once again, has handled the Ballet and Dance Routines that are a feature of the Minstrel Show and Pantomime. This is Joan’s sixth year in charge of this very exacting part of each Production, and has been associated with the Frivs for the past nine years. During this time she has played many leading roles in each Pantomime and this year she appears as Fan See, one of the Genie’s assistants.

In private life Joan is kept very busy teaching Ballet in Napier and Hastings.

JOCK STEVENSON
The position of Interlocutor of the Minstrel Show is held once again by Jock Stevenson, who has also arranged and produced this section of the 1961 Production. For many years he has been associated with Show Business in Napier playing with Repertory and Operatic Societies, as well as many other organisations in the City. Recently he added to this impressive record by appearing in a walkon part with the N.Z. Opera Company’s production of ‘Tosca’ … the Interlocutor was then His Eminence, The Bishop.

In the Pantomime he plays the dual role of Hi Hop Low and the Emperor of Ching Ming, Woop Ping.

SID HENNEY
Besides as acting as Secretary to the Frivs, a position Sid. Henney has occupied for the past eleven years, he has once again written his eleventh Pantomime ‘Magic in the Air’. Other Pantomimes include ‘Red Riding Hood’, ‘Old Mother Hubbard’, ‘Simple Simon’, ‘The Queen of Hearts’, ‘Jack and Jill’, ‘The Piper’s Son’, ‘Captain Kidd’, ‘Billy the Kid’, ‘The Shriek of Araby’ and ‘Call Me Colonel’.

He has also written extensively for radio … sketches, children’s plays and others. The Pantomime this year is once again produced by him.

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MEET THE FRIVS ORCHESTRA
Top (L. to R.) – Inset: William Mitchell and Geoff Pell. Linton Bond (Pianist), Edward Collier, Douglas Robinson.
Bottom – Inset: George Stuart. William Mayo (Musical Director), Pat Jones-Clifford, Stewart Boston. (Absent, Jock Seton).

MEET THE CORNERMEN

Vic Viggers   Bob Ross Snr.   Bob Ross Jr.   Trevor Dockery [Dockary]

Vic Viggers. – There is not much we can say that would add to his efforts. Well known throughout H.B. and New Zealand as one of our best Comedians on Stage, Radio and Cabaret, Vic once again plays the dual role of Sambo and Ah Choo (Pantomime). Bob Ross Snr. (Moses) and newcomer Bob Ross Jr. (Rastus) a father and son team of fine artists that rounds off the quartette that annoy and frustrate our Interlocutor. Bob Ross Snr. plays Ah Finn, the rascally Antique Dealer in the Pantomime and Bob (Jr.) is seen as Prince Lee Chen. Trevor Dockery, for years one of the “Trio” stalwarts once again to amuse and delight you as Mr Bones in the Minstrel Show and Wong Door (The Genie).

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Hello! Everyone – Here We Are Again

Adrianne Bangs (Miss Dinah)

Janet Stevenson (Miss Mandy)

Peter Kellond

Alison Gibson

Jill O’Brien

Here We Meet …

Ian Barber: Our good friend from Auckland who comes to Napier each year to design and paint the scenery used in the Municipal Theatre presentation. We understand he is starting up business in this line at Auckland and we sincerely wish him success for the future.

William Mayo, is once again our Musical Director and Arranger and has again produced some very fine arrangements. Bill has been associated with the ‘Frivs’ for a considerable number of years as a performer on stage, and later with the orchestra. Also well known in H.B. dance circles he has for several travelled around Hawke’s Bay with his own dance band combination.

Linton Bond: Once again our Pianist for the coming season – an arrangement the ‘Frivs’ view with pleasure. While the Company are conscious of his worth out front at performances, their real appreciation and thanks goes to him during the long rehearsal period in the winter when even the most hardy could be discouraged. May he be the company’s pianist for a long time yet to come.

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THE NAPIER FRIVOLITY MINSTRELS

PRESENT

THEIR SIXTY-FOURTH MINSTREL SHOW (1961)

President: WALLY IRELAND.
Hon. Sect. and Producer of Pantomime: SYD HENNEY.
Minstrel Show Producer: JOCK STEVENSON.
Ballet Mistress: JOAN LEONARD.
Wardrobe: JILL O’BRIEN.
Stage Manager: DOUGLAS HARDGRAVE.
House Manager: NORMAN ETHERIDGE.
Scenery and Programme Designer: IAN BARBER.
Sound System: MAX WEST and RAY SINGLE.
Costume Designs (Pantomime): DEREK OLPHERT.
Vocal Arrangements: ROLAND LAVIN.
Stage Assistants: BRIAN VIGGERS, DON O’BRIEN, DES McVICAR AND THE HARGRAVE BROS.

AN ALL STAR CAST OF POPULAR PLAYERS

Bones:
Mr Bones: TREV. DOCKERY
Rastus: BOB ROSS Jnr.
Miss Dinah: ADRIANNE BANGS

Interlocutor:
JOCK STEVENSON

Tambos:
Sambo: VIC. VIGGERS
Moses: BOB ROSS Snr
Miss Mandy: JANET STEVENSON

Lorraine Bennett, Vicky Dunbar, Alison Gibson, Margaret Kersey, Joan Leonard, Annette McCutcheon, Margaret Mooney, Jill O’Brien, Julienne Owen, Rachael Pretious, Jennifer Woolf, Trevor Atkins, Ron Hall, Ted Gardiner, Peter Kellond, Wilson Mclntyre, Don Stuart.

1961 MINSTREL SHOW
Producer: JOCK STEVENSON.

PART ONE
1.   It’s a Big Moment – “ANOTHER OPENIN’, ANOTHER SHOW!’
2.   Tomorrow Night’s the Night – The Darkies have a Secret!
3.   The gang is breaking up – and it’s those “WEDDING BELLS”: Wilson and the boys.
4.   A big Question from a little darkie “IS IT TRUE WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT DIXIE?”- Mr Sambo.
5.   Town v. Country, “THAT DEAR OLD HOME OF MINE” – Joan and Trevor.
6.   An old-time number but always a favourite – “RAMONA,” by Ted Gardiner and company.
7.   Dreaming of that “MAMMY OF MINE”: Mr Moses
8.   Oh What a Girl! “IF YOU KNEW SUSIE” –  Jill and Joan.
9.   Who Will They Sing About This Time? – “EARLY IN THE MORNING.” – The Sextette.
10.   Inviting You To Come Along and Dream – “CORN SILK” – Mr Rastus.
11.   Aunt Mandy Has A Problem, “COME AFTER BREAKFAST” – Miss Dinah and Miss Mandy.
12.   There’s Nobody Finer in Carolina than “DINAH”, sing Mr Bones, Mr Rastus, Mr Moses and Mr Sambo.
13.   A Toast in which we all join, “HERE’S TO LOVE”- Alison Gibson.
14.   Nostalgia Grips This Darkie when he sings about his homeland, “DOWN HOME IN TENNESSEE,” – Mr Bones.
15.   You can back this one Both Ways in the Laughter Stakes – Vic Viggers.

INTERVAL

PART TWO
THE FRIVOLITY MINSTRELS
PRESENT the Sparkling Oriental Pantomime Farce
“MAGIC IN THE AIR”
(An Original Version Written and Produced by Sidney Henney)
(Additional Lyrics by Jock Stevenson)
(Ballet and Dance Routines by Joan Leonard)
(Orchestral Arrangements by William Mayo)

CAST IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE
HI HOP LOW (A Customer)   JOCK STEVENSON
AH CHOO (Shop Assistant at the Antique Swappee Shoppee)   VIC VIGGERS
CHIH CHENG (Waitress at the Coffee House of the August Monsoon)   ALISON GIBSON
WONG DOOR (The Genie of the Lamp)   TREVOR DOCKERY
FAN SEE (One of the Genie’s Assistants)   JOAN LEONARD
YOO HU (One of the Genie’s Assistants)   ADRIANNE BANGS
FENG YANG (Ah Finn’s Accomplice)   TREVOR ATKINS
AH FINN (Owner of the Antique Swappee Shoppee)   BOB ROSS (Snr.)
PRINCE LEE CHEN (Son of the Emperor)   BOB ROSS (Jnr.)
WOOP PING (Emperor of Ching Ming)   JOCK STEVENSON
SUNG LING (His Chief Adviser)   PETER KELLOND
SHIANG YU (The Chief Adviser’s Secretary)   JILL O’BRIEN

Cast of Townspeople, Visitors to Reception, etc.
Soloist of the Number “You Are Beautiful”, TED GARDINER, supported by Jenny Woolf and Chorus.
Soloist of the Number “Waterlilies in the Moonlight”, PETER KELLOND. supported by Margaret Kersey and Ballet.

BALLET – Margaret Kersey, Annette McCutcheon, Julienne Owen, Rachael Pretious, Jennifer Woolf.

CHORUS – Vicky Dunbar, Margaret Mooney, Janet Stevenson, Ron Hall, Ted Gardiner, Wilson McIntyre, Don Stuart.

SCENES
SCENE 1.   The Street of Ten Thousand Scents. Late Afternoon.
SCENE 2.   A Room in the Emperor’s Palace. Later that Night.
SCENE 3.   A Corner of the Royal Gardens. Five minutes before Midnight.
SCENE 4.   The Street of Ten Thousand Scents. Early the Next Afternoon.

FRIVS GRAND ORCHESTRA
Musical Director and Arranger: WILLIAM MAYO.
Piano: Linton Bond. Violins: Edward Collier, George Stuart, William Mitchell. Trumpet: Stewart Boston. Sax and Clarinet: William Mayo. Trombone: Douglas Robinson. Cello: Pat Jones-Clifford. Drums and Effects: Geoff Pell and Jock Seton.

MUSICAL NUMBERS

SCENE 1 –
1.   Entra’cte   THE ORCHESTRA
2.   The busy passersby thronging the Street of Ten Thousand Scents urge everyone to “JOG ALONG THE PATHWAY TO THE SUN”.
3.   Chih Cheng is unhappy but Ah Choo tells her happiness is not so very far away … it’s just “IN THE LAND OF MAKE BELIEVE.”
4.   “DON’T TALK TO ME ABOUT WOMEN!” is Wong Door’s disgruntled comment … What a miserable Genie!
5.   What could be more foolish than chasing moonbeams? Or is it so foolish … so ponders Prince Lee Chen in “GO CHASE A MOONBEAM”. Assisting are the Chorus.
6.    Ah Choo is very happy! Tonight for the first time he is “STEPPIN’ OUT WITH MY LADY”. Wong Door, Fan See and Yoo Hu are infected with the happy mood.

SCENE 2 –
7.   The mood changes! It tells of the Singing girls and the flower boats along the river . . . “YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL.”
8.   The Emperor is in threatening manner … “I AM WOOP PING”. Sung Ling and Chorus are apprehensive.
9.   In a Reprise of “IN THE LAND OF MAKE BELIEVE”, the waitress, Chih Cheng, wonders with Prince Lee Chen whether this is all real … or is it only a game of make believe … the Chorus confirm it.
10.   How does a Magic Lamp turn into a Bedside Lamp? Shiang Yu pretends to believe this when Ah Finn assures her he is a doctor … she says “GOODNESS GRACIOUS ME.”
11.   The Gong sounds! It is nearing midnight and the ‘Star of Asia’ Diamond is stolen … and the ORCHESTRA assist in the chase that follows.

SCENE 3 –
12.   Sung Ling finds a few free moments from his duties to sing of “WATERLILIES IN THE MOONLIGHT” assisted by the Ballet.
13.   The Gong sounds! It is nearing midnight … and the chase continues with the ORCHESTRA once again taking a hand.

SCENE 4 –
14.   The Orchestra continues in a reprise of “IN THE LAND OF MAKE BELIEVE”, but for the waitress, Chih Cheng, it is a mocking sound and she turns to flee from the derisive remarks of the passersby.
15.   At last Prince Lee Chen finds the owner of the Slipper! … the mood is expressed by chorus in the number “HE’S IN LOVE.”
16.   All ends well! The Prince claims his Lady, the Emperor recovers that which was stolen … the villains have paid the penalty … all are happy except Ah Choo. But wait … now he has two girls not one … and they all “JOG ALONG THE PATHWAY TO THE SUN.”

THE CURTAIN FALLS
(The Sound of a Gong that is heard towards the end of Scene Two and that heard during Scene 3, also the chase that ends Scene 2 and continues during Scene 3 are one and the same. Scene 3 is in the nature of a flashback technique.)

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Julienne Owen

Lorraine Bennett

Don Stuart

Rachael Pretious

Ted Gardiner

Wilson Mclntyre

Margaret Mooney

Max West
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Douglas Hardgrave
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Annette Mc Cutcheon

Des McVicar
(Back Stage)

Bryan Viggers
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Ron Willis (Back Stage)

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CREDITS: The Frivs would like to thank Mrs Elizabeth Johnson for assistance with make-up this year and in past years; Graham Stewart and Wayne Harman (Photographs); Back stage and front of house, Fay Kayser and Alan Rogers (Programmes); Ken Kite (Lights).

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