Programme 1970 – 74th Minstrel Show and Those were the Days

THE NAPIER FRIVOLITY MINSTRELS
Present their

74th MINSTREL SHOW

AND VARIETY REVUE

THOSE WERE THE DAYS!

Programme 20 cents

1970

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Page ONE

A Word from the President
Again it is my pleasure to welcome you to the latest Production of the Napier Frivolity Minstrels – their 74th Annual performance – and feel sure you will enjoy the latest Minstrel Show and recent innovation, the Variety Revue.

Next year the ‘Frivs’ reach a milestone in their history with the 75th Diamond Jubilee to be held In November, 1971. It is hoped that many old members of the ‘Frivs’ will be able to attend and further information will be forthcoming through the Press and other media.

We would like to extend to you, our audience, our most grateful thanks for your continued support. We hope you will have a happy evening’s entertainment.

Photo caption –
Wally Ireland
(President)

MEMBERS OF PRODUCTION TEAM

Shirley Hanley – Producer
This year’s Production of the ‘Minstrel Show’ and second half Variety Revue has been produced by Shirley. This is her ninth year with the ‘Frivs’ but her first year as Producer of the whole Show. Since commencing her association with the ‘Frivs’ she has been associated with the Ballet and Routines, and the last two years has produced the Minstrel Show.

She is well known in Hawke’s Bay dance circles and has her own Dancing School.

Photo captions-
Shirley Hanley
(Producer)

Hector Norrie – Musical Director
Hector, too, commences his second year’s association with the ‘Frivs’ as Musical Director and Chorus Master. The Napier Tin Hat Company, The Carols by Candlelight organisation, School Choirs and school music are some of the other societies he has been associated with.

The ‘Frivs’ say welcome once again to you, Hector.

Photo caption –
Hector Norrie
(Musical Director)

Nola Atkin – Pianist & Music Arranger
As Pianist and Music Arranger for the Napier Frivolity Minstrels Orchestra Nola starts her second year with the Company and the ‘Frivs’ thank her for all the hard work she has undertaken in this most important section of the Show. She is well known in Hawke’s Bay musical circles being in demand for Cabaret Dance Band work, and musical entertainment at other night spots in the district.

Photo caption –
Nola Atkin
(Pianist & Music Arranger)

Sid Henney – Hon. Secretary
For the past 18 years Sid has been Honorary Secretary of Napier Frivolity Minstrels and in that time has written 17 Musical Shows ranging through Pantomimes, Musical Comedy, and Musical Plays. Also for a number of years was producer of Minstrel Shows, as well as second Half of Shows.

This year’s activities are restricted to several sketches in the ‘Those Were The Days’ portion of the Show.

He has also written extensively for radio.

Photo caption –
Sid Henney
(Hon. Secretary)

Page TWO

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Page THREE

LADIES OF THE BALLET
Front Row (L to R): Cheryl Single, Christine Trevor, Gael Single.
Back Row (L to R): Wendy Atkin, Jan Streeter, Julienne Owen, Judy Anderson.

Wardrobe Mistress – Elizabeth Johnson
As Wardrobe Mistress for the sixth year Elizabeth brings to the Show costuming of quality and colour that contributes greatly to Its success. The ‘Frivs’ appreciate the time and effort that has gone into this important facet of the Production.

Besides the Wardrobe side of the Production her knowledge of Make-up is invaluable. She has been associated with a number of organisations such as the Napier Operatic Society. Many societies have been helped by her knowledge in this department; a help given most generously.

THE NAPIER FRIVOLITY MINSTRELS ORCHESTRA
Back Row (L to R): Cliff Howell (Bass), Maurice Bartlett (Drums), Jack Butler (Clarinet and Saxophone), Arthur Buckley (Saxophone), John De La Haye (Violin), Roy Robinson (Trumpet).
Front Row (L to R): Alan Lang (Trumpet), George Stuart (Violin), Hector Norrie (Musical Director), Nola Atkin (Music Arranger and Pianist), Edward Collier (Violin), Alan Clark Flutist).
Absent: Mrs Shirley Bell (Assistant Pianist), Michael Simkin (Clarinet), Keith Jennings (Trumpet), Leon Speakman (Bass).

Page FOUR

THE NAPIER FRIVOLITY MINSTRELS

PRESENT THEIR

74th MINSTREL SHOW

Photo captions –
Mr Interlocutor
(Dick Wood)

Mr Moses
(Bob Ross)

Mr Bones
(Trevor Dockary)

Mr Sambo
(Roger Williams)

Mr Rastus
(Neil Faulknor)

THE COMPANY
STELLA ASTWOOD   JANICE MILLWYN [MILLYNN]  JUDITH SYKES   ROSS ALEXANDER  MURRAY OWEN   DIANE JOLL   CLAIRE [CLARE] MANNING   GAYNOR TAYLOR  PHILLIP ANDERSON GARY SMITH
PAM MELLOR   HELEN SNADDEN  CORRI TAYLOR   JOHN FERGUSON   RICHARD SHADBOLT

The Ballet: WENDY ATKIN, JULIE OWEN, JAN STREETER, CHERYL SINGLE, GAEL SINGLE, CHRISTINE TREVOR, JUDY ANDERSON.

Producer and Ballet Mistress: SHIRLEY HANLEY.

Musical Director: HECTOR NORRIE.
Pianist and Music Arranger: NOLA ATKIN.
Stage Manager: ALAN JOHNSON.
Wardrobe: ELIZABETH JOHNSON.

1.   Overture Southern Melodies   The ‘Frivs’ Orchestra.
2.   The ‘Frivs’ in the Opening Sequence invited you ‘Hey, Look me Over’ there ‘On the Sunny Side of the Street’.
3.   The tempo continues in an American Medley containing 76 Trombones, Omm Pah Pah and finally I’m A Yankee Doodle Dandy.
4.   Apple Blossom time must be in Mr Bones’ mind as well as a certain lady, it’s Ida, Sweet as Apple Cider.
5.   Shades of the Victorian parlour with a swain and his lady love in ‘Ma ! He’s Making Eyes At Me’. Presented by the Company and Tap Troupe.
6.   The Cornermen next entertain in ‘Little Green Valley’.
7.   Dixieland is a’callin and what better than to ‘Rock A-Bye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody’ by the Company.
8.   You push the little valve down and ‘The Music Goes Around and Around’ so say the ‘Frivs’.
9.   Your favourite soloist, Stella Astwood, in ‘Goodnight Vienna’.
10.   It’s delightful, it’s delicious, it’s . . . ‘D’Lovely’. Again the Company.
11.   The ‘Frivs recall a time of the year when yellow leaves fall in ‘Autumn Leaves’.
12.   Mr Moses is confident that ‘De Clouds Are Gonna Roll Away’.
13.   All aboard the ‘Chattannooga Choo Choo’ with the Company . . . hurry along there! Can’t you hear that whistle a’soundin . . .
14.   Paris in the Spring. The Boulevards, Montemartre, the Left Bank . . . All this in our French Switch which includes Pigalle, The River Seine, Under The Bridges of Paris, and that ‘must’ . . . The Can Can!

CURTAIN

Page FIVE

The Napier Frivolity Minstrels

PRESENT

A VARIETY REVUE

THOSE WERE THE DAYS

Producer & Ballet Mistress   SHIRLEY HANLEY
Musical Director   HECTOR NORRIE
Pianist & Music Arranger   NOLA ATKIN
Stage Manager   ALAN JOHNSON
Wardrobe   ELIZABETH JOHNSON
Sketches Presented by SID HENNEY.

1.   ENTR’ACTE – RIBBONS & RAINDROPS – The Frivs Orchestra.
2.   Join in with the Company and ‘CONSIDER YOURSELF’ one of us. Included in this opening is a Tap Duo by Gael and Cheryl to the number ‘I’D DO ANYTHING’.
3.   Who has not been nostalgic for happier days whether they be of recent or years gone by. The Frivs recall some of those early days in . . . (a) ‘THOSE WERE THE DAYS’, (b) ‘SECOND HAND ROSE’, (c) ‘THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE’.
4.   In Scottish vein by Dick Wood, the Dancers and the Company as they go ‘MARCHING THROUGH THE HEATHER’.
5.   A Sketch in which Bob asks Trevor . . . ‘WHAT ARE YOU DOING ?’.
6.   John Ferguson entertains with . . . A SPOT OF MAGIC.
7.   Grand-pappy and his Hill-Billy Band entertain and tell out the story of ‘THE MARTINS AND THE COYS’ . . . they wuz recklus boys.
8.   Just for a smile – with Wally Ireland.
9.   A duet from the silver screen . . . ‘TRUE LOVE’, Sung for you by Stella and Dick.
10.   ‘PUPPET ON A STRING’ featuring Julie and the Puppet Dancers aided and abetted by the Frivs Company.
11.   The Editor of The Daily Miracle, Bob Ross, and his three intrepid reporters in the sketch . . . HOT NEWS.
12.   The Company in two numbers from the Shows: (a) ‘A KIND OF HUSH’, (b) ‘ON A CLEAR DAY’.
13.   Wendy Atkin in ‘KNOCK ! KNOCK ! WHO’S THERE’ . . . and the Company.
14.   Come where the Trade Winds play and the blue Pacific waters lap the coral reefs. The Company, Dancers present a South Sea Medley . . . (a) ‘SOUTH SEA ISLAND MAGIC, (b) ‘BALI HAI’, (c) ‘HAPPY TALK’.
15.   Bob and Trevor in a Sketch . . . DOUBLE TROUBLE.
16.   Come South American way for a cup of ‘TEA FOR TWO CHA CHA’.   Again the Company.
17.   The Company is sad as we’re near the end of the Show . . . So it’s almost ‘GOODBYE’.
18.   But to leave you with two thoughts, the Napier Frivolity Minstrels present our last item . . . (a) ‘A WORLD OF OUR OWN’, (b) ‘ON THE OTHER SIDE’.

(In the Finale, we would like you to join in and consider yourself one of us.)

CURTAIN

Page SIX

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CREDITS
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The Napier Frivolity Minstrels reserve the right to change the programme if necessary due to sickness or other causes.

The Napier Frivolity Minstrels 75th Diamond Jubilee
All ex-members of the Napier Frivolity Minstrels are invited to take note that the Diamond Jubilee is to be held during November, 1971. The actual form this Jubilee celebrations are to take is yet to be finalised but notification of arrangements will be published through the Press and other media.

MAKE A NOTE OF THE DATES! MAKE THE JUBILEE A SUCCESS TO BE REMEMBERED.

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Page SEVEN

THE LADIES OF THE CIRCLE
Back Row (L to R): Glenice Millynn, Corri Taylor, Pam Mellor, Janice Millynn, Judith Sykes.
Front Row (L to R): Claire Manning, Helen Snadden, Diane Joll, Stella Astwood.
Insert: Gaynor Taylor.

THE MEN OF THE CIRCLE
Shown (L to R): John Ferguson, Phillip Anderson, Murray Owen, Richard Shadbolt, Gary Smith, Ross Alexander.

Alan Johnson – Stage Manager
Stage Manager for the 74th Production of the Napier Frivolity Minstrels is once again the important role under taken by Alan – this being his fourth year in this capacity, although he has been associated backstage for some 14 years.

Other organisations he has been associated with are the Napier Operatic Society, the Napier R.S.A. Tin Hat Company, besides giving his time to many other smaller groups, all help given in a backstage capacity.

Photo caption –
Alan Johnson
(Stage Manager)

Page EIGHT

NOW MEET THE BACKSTAGE TEAM
Back Row (L to R): Alan Johnson (Stage Manager), Sid Hardgrave (Back Stage), Alan Rogers (Back Stage), Peter Single (Sound System), Harry Koefed [Koefoed] (Assistant Stage Manager).
Front Row: Fay Rogers (Assistant Wardrobe), ‘Snow’ Rayner (Programmes), Elizabeth Johnson (Wardrobe), Kerry Single (Lights and Sound System).
Inset: Ray Single (Sound System).
Absent; Joan Colwill (Make-up), Michael Smith (Back Stage).

Photo caption –
Norman Etheridge
(House Manager)

THE NAPIER FRIVOLITY MINSTRELS
(a brief History of the Organisation)
Seventy-four years ago in Napier, there were no radios, no T.V., very few, if any, of the old fashioned phonographs with the circular wax records, and no picture theatres. There were two theatres, the Theatre Royal and the Gaiety Theatre.

1897, as far as the general public were concerned, was the time of concerts, parties, and the latest innovation, surprise parties. Anyone who could sing, play or entertain in any way was in great demand at these functions. So it was that a group of young men around town decided to get together and form a Company of like minded entertainers and hired the Oddfellow’s Hall in Milton Road where they practised new songs and routines one night a week. The cost of the Hall was met by a shilling a head levied on the new members – so was born the Napier Frivolity Minstrels.

The driving force behind this new organisation was the late Mr Percy Spiller, O.B.E., who remained in charge until his death in 1950. The late Mr Spiller steered the new Company through the trials of the Boer War, The First World War of 1914-18, the impact of the ‘Talkies’ and into the Second World War of 1939-1945, laying the firm tradition of the “Frivs” as they are known today.

It has been a policy of the “Frivs” to play for charity and money raised goes to Schools and School Committees. Indeed, in far off days if the “Frivs” had not played and raised money for various causes many a child would have gone without a prize at the end of the year or worse; the money raised being of great assistance to struggling School Committees in their endeavours to provide extra facilities.

The vissicitudes [vicissitudes] of the “Frivs” have been many and varied and the Company that began as an All-male troupe in 1897 had to meet changed conditions with the 1914-18 War – lady members making their first appearance to help keep the Company in existence, after the War the “Frivs” reverted back to the all-male Show, then came the trying conditions of the earthquake period, followed by the Second World War of 1939-45 when again the ladies came to the rescue to keep the flag flying. After the War it was decided to continue a mixed Company and this has been the pattern to the present day. The “Frivs” like that famous London “Windmill” Theatre of 1939-45 fame, have never stopped performing. They have appeared in Productions since 1897 without missing one year – truly a great record.

The “Frivs” have often been asked how much they have raised for charity and as only a conservative guess it is estimated about $250,000. A record achieved without one person receiving payment for his or her services.

. . . and so the “Frivs” look ahead to the future !

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