Programme 1976 – 80th Minstrel Show and Robinson Crusoe

NAPIER FRIVOLITY MINSTRELS

80th

PRODUCTION

1976

With Pleasure

The Napier Frivolity Minstrels (Inc.)

present their

80th Minstrel Show

Followed by their 1976 Production

ROBINSON CRUSOE

Book and Lyrics by Robert Rutherford (London)
Original music by Frank Wilcock (London)

Produced by Marie Hall
for the Napier Frivolity Minstrels (Inc.)

MUNICIPAL THEATRE, NAPIER AND EXTENDED TOUR OF HAWKE’S BAY AND TAUPO

Page ONE

Welcome from the President

Good evening and welcome to our Company’s 80th Anniversary production. I trust you will sit back and enjoy our show, seeing some familiar faces and some new ones.

As this is my first year as President, having been a member for 10 years, five of those as Secretary, I wish to sincerely thank Fay Rogers and all members of my Committee for their assistance during this year, which has been a particularly busy one.

August 14th was the night of our celebrations to mark our 80th Anniversary, which was held in our own hall. It was my pleasure to present seven members with awards for Honorary Vice-Presidents.

All of these members have been outstanding people within the “Frivs”, most with over 40 years service. The recipients were: Mr Norman Etheridge, Mr Alan Clarke, Mr Edward Collier, Mr George Stuart, Mr Robert Wright and Mr Syd Henney. An award made to Mr Wally Ireland (Mr Friv) for 58 years service, was that of Honorary Life Member, of which we have only two, the other being Sir Peter Tait, J.P., O.B.E. This must surely be a proud record for any organisation to have.

In closing I would like to thank the Cast, Orchestra, Production Staff, behind the scenes people, and to you our audience, thank you for your continued support.

Photo caption –
John Ferguson
(President)

Patron
This year the “Frivs” celebrate their 80th Anniversary and have “NOT MISSED A YEAR WITHOUT PERFORMING”. I wonder if there is another Minstrel organisation in N.Z. with this record? I think not.

When I see the young men and women that join us every year, there is no doubt in my mind that the “Frivs”, in due course, will celebrate their 100th Jubilee.

Congratulations to all.

Photo caption –
Wally Ireland

Secretary
With her appointment as Secretary this year, Fay continues 19 years of varied service.

Joining the Chorus in 1958 she later worked as Programme Seller, Prompt, Make-up Supervisor, Wardrobe Mistress and Committee member.
This experience has been of great value, when arranging this year’s production. Fay would particularly like to thank the President for his guidance, the Committee, and all members for their loyal support and friendship.

Photo caption –
Fay Rogers

Page TWO

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Page THREE

Producer – Minstrel Show
This is Julie’s second year as Producer, and the “Frivs” are indeed fortunate in having such a talented person in this important role.

Having been on stage for many years herself, she has gained an ideal knowledge of stage presentation. All choreography for both Chorus and Dancers for the entire production has been arranged by Julie, Now an Adjudicator for the N.Z. Competitions Association, she also has her own Tap and Modern Jazz Dance School.

Photo caption –
Julienne Owen (M.B.B.O.)

– Producer Pantomime
We welcome Marie as a newcomer to the “Frivs” production team. She comes to us with an excellent record of writing and producing material for other local organisations. A resident of Napier all her life, the “Frivs” certainly hope she will be with them for many years yet.

Marie would like to thank the Cast for their co-operation in all ways.

Photo caption –
Marie Hall

Musical Director –
All credit for musical presentation must surely go to Edith. Her previous experience in association with the Napier Orpheus Choir and her own choral group, brings a high standard to the “Frivs” performance tonight.

Edith is a registered music teacher, teaching piano and theory of music. She was also on stage with the “Frivs” for three years.

Photo caption –
Edith Ferguson R.M.T.

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Page FOUR

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Page FIVE

Now Meet The Cornermen & Interlocutor

Roger Williams
(Mr Sambo)

Glyn Lawrence
(Mr Moses)

Dick Wood
(Mr Interlocutor)

Merv. Oemeke
(Mr Bones)

Graeme Thompson
(Mr Rastus)

Keeping the show moving is the responsibility of Mr Interlocuter and the effervescent Darkies. These are the traditional members of Minstrelty, continued in our show today. All have been members of the “Frivs” for a number of years.

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Page SIX

FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT

– THE –

80th ANNIVERSARY MINSTREL SHOW

Produced by Julienne Owen (M.B.B.O.)
Music and Chorus Directed by Edith Ferguson (R.M.T.)
Overture: Southern Melodies with the “Frivs” Orchestra

1.   The Company open with “ARE YOU FROM DIXIE?”
2.   “KENTUCKY”, featuring Gary Hosegood, Pam Mellor and Kerry Atkins.
3.   The Darkies entertain with “ROCK A BYE YOUR BABY”.
4.   Mr Sambo asks “IS IT TRUE WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT DIXIE?”
5.   “AIN’T SHE SWEET”  – with Christine Cross – “THAT CERTAIN PARTY” – “I’M FOREVER BLOWING BUBBLES” – featuring the Company and Dancers.
6.   “CALIFORNIA”, with Mr Rastus.
7.   Stella Astwood delights with “DOOR OF MY DREAMS”.
8.   “IF YOU KNEW SUSIE”, Murray Owen and John Ferguson.
9.   Dick and Stella sing “TIP-TOE THROUGH THE TULIPS”.
10.   “ZIP-A-DEE DOO DAH”, with the Company.
11.   Barbara Scott tells us it’s “SLEEPY TIME DOWN SOUTH”.
12.   “ZING WENT THE STRINGS OF MY HEART”, soloist Lyn Ferguson.
13.   Margaret and Mr Rastus are “WAY DOWN IN IOWA”.
14.   Wendy Taylor and Mr Moses feature in “BIRTH OF THE BLUES”.
15.   Murray Owen and Dancers bring you “BROADWAY MELODY” – “GIVE MY REGARDS TO BROADWAY”.
16.   Mr Interlocutor shows us how in “SILVER HAIR, AND HEART OF GOLD”.
17.   The Chorus ask “HOW’S EVERY LITTLE THING IN DIXIE?”
18.   The “Frivs” in harmony, “PLAY A SIMPLE MELODY”.
19.   We say Au-revoir with “ANYTHING GOES” – “I GOT RHYTHM”, the entire Company.

INTERMISSION

Page SEVEN

– Introducing on Stage –

Clare Manning

Stella Astwood

Judy Anderson

Pam Mellor

Mary Sargeant

Lyn Ferguson

Kerry Atkins

Margaret Atkins

Page EIGHT

Now
– Meet –

Olwen Smith

Barbara Scott

Ken Smith

John Ferguson

Murray Owen

Laurie Head

Gary Hosegood

Page NINE

THE NAPIER FRIVOLITY MINSTRELS PRESENT

ROBINSON CRUSOE

A PANTOMIME IN TWO ACTS

Book and Lyrics by Robert Rutherford (London)
Original Music by Frank Willcock (London)

PRODUCED BY MARIE HALL

Choreography by Julienne Owen M.B.B.O.
Musical Director – Edith Ferguson R.M.T.

CHARACTERS (in order of appearance)
DAVY JONES   Gary Hosegood
FAIRY APHRODITE   Pam Mellor
BILLY CRUSOE   Roger Williams
STU POTTS   Dick Wood
JILL POTTS   Lyn Ferguson
WILL ATKINS   Glyn Lawrence
POLLY PERKINS   Barbara Scott
ROBINSON CRUSOE   Margaret Atkins
MATE   Murray Owen
BOSUN   John Ferguson
MRS CRUSOE   Graeme Thompson
GORILLA   Ken Sutton
FRIDAY   Merv Oemcke
KING GUMBO   Laurie Head
NAVAL OFFICER   Ken Smith
NAVAL RATING   Kerry Atkins
Chorus of Townsfolk, Sailors, and Girls.

SYNOPSIS OF SCENES

ACT 1:
Prologue
Scene 1:   Port of Hull
Scene 2:   The Captain’s Cabin
Scene 3:   On Deck
Scene 4:   Tabs

ACT 2:
Scene 1:   Beneath the Ocean
Scene 2:   Robinson Crusoe’s Island
Scene 3:   Tabs
Scene 4:   On the Island

Page TEN

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Page ELEVEN

Now Meet The Frivs Orchestra
Left to right: MAURICE BARTLETT (Drums), JOHN REED (Clarinet), LEON SPEAKMAN (Bass), JOE ATKINS (Drums), CLIFF HOWELL (Trombone), JOHN DE LA HAYE (Violin), JOY COULAM (Pianist), EDITH FERGUSON (Musical Director), ALAN LANGE (Trumpet).

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
FAY ROGERS – PRODUCTION SECRETARY AND PROMPT FOR “ROBINSON CRUSOE”.
RAY WILLIS – WIND SOUND EFFECTS – PANTOMIME.
GRAEME THOMPSON – PUBLICITY PHOTOS – PROGRAMME PHOTOS.
MAURICE BARTLETT – PROGRAMME COVER DESIGN.
JOHN FERGUSON, FAY ROGERS – COMPILING PROGRAMME.
LEON SPEAKMAN – VALUED ASSISTANCE WITH ORCHESTRA AND MUSIC.
CES FITZWATER – ORCHESTRATIONS.

THE NAPIER FRIVOLITY MINSTRELS (INC.) RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CHANGE THE PROGRAMME IF NECESSARY, DUE TO SICKNESS OR OTHER CAUSES.

Page TWELVE

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Page THIRTEEN

Behind The Scenes Workers
Behind the scenes work is one of the most important aspects of show business. This year we are indeed fortunate in obtaining Betty Owen as Wardrobe Mistress, a task which has been carried out to perfection.

Trevor Atkins has been Stage Manager now for two years and you will see from tonight’s production that this is a task few would like to tackle.

Photo captions –
Betty Owen
(Wardrobe Mistress)

Trevor Atkins
(Stage Manager)

Our Backstage Team
Left to right: KEN SUTTON, COLIN GOBLE, DENNIS HEBEREY (Asst. Stage Manager), STEVEN KIRBY (Sound), LESLIE GOOM, FAY ROGERS, DENISE OLYNSMA, DIANE GOBLE, BETTY OWEN (Wardrobe Mistress).

Extra to our backstage is Mr N. A. W. “Snow” Rayner, who has been associated with the “Frivs” for the past 50 years. Snow is in control of the programme sales, for both the Country and Theatre shows.

Page FOURTEEN

Norman Etheridge has been a member of the “Frivs” for over 45 years, several of the latter as House Manager for the Napier Municipal Theatre productions.

Also many years as Vice-President the “Frivs” are indeed proud to have Norm still associated with them. During this period Norm has also been a violinist with the “Frivs” orchestra.

Photo caption –
Norm Etheridge
Vice-president/House Manager

Committee for 1976-7
Left to right: ROGER WILLIAMS, MARGARET ATKINS, GLYN LAWRENCE, LYN FERGUSON, MAURICE BARTLETT, OLWEN SMITH.
Front: STELLA ASTWOOD (Treasurer), JOHN FERGUSON (President), FAY ROGERS (Secretary), SYD HENNEY (Vice-President).

Persons wishing to join the “Napier Frivs” are asked to contact the President, John Ferguson, phone 58-723, or Secretary Fay Rogers, phone 58393.

The Annual General Meeting of the Society is held in March, and new members are most welcome to attend. If you can sing, dance, or play a musical instrument then the “Frivs” are for you.

OUR MOTTO; “Goodness knows we are here on earth to help others, but what the others are here for – goodness knows”.

Page FIFTEEN

THE NAPIER FRIVOLITY MINSTRELS
(a brief history of the Organisation)

Eighty 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 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 !

Scene From Pantomime
Left to right: KEN SMITH, KERRY ATKINS, MURRAY OWEN, BARBARA SCOTT, JOHN FERGUSON, GLYN LAWRENCE.

Page SIXTEEN

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