Programme 1981 – Hans Christian Andersen

NAPIER OPERATIC SOCIETY

Hans Christian Andersen

SOUVENIR PROGRAMME

NZFOS

NAPIER OPERATIC SOCIETY

OFFICERS – 1981

Patron:   E. COLLIER
President:   W. BECKETT.
Vice-President:   D. HURLEY.
Executive:   Chairman B. BROWNE, R. JOHNSON, R. VAN DE VEN, L REEFMAN, I. COLLIER, A. HOWES, H. UNSWORTH, P. SHEPHERD, A. JONES, D. RAMSAY, W. SHIRRAS, C. BUTTERY.
Secretary.   F. TWYFORD.   Treasurer:   F. TWYFORD.
Hon. Auditor.   L ROBERTSON.
Hon. Solicitor:   J. MATTHEWS.
Secretariat:   P.O. BOX 756, NAPIER.
Bankers:   BANK OF NEW ZEALAND, NAPIER.
Insurers:   GENERAL ACCIDENT LTD.
Life Members:   MRS H. COLLIER, MESSRS E. COLLIER, C. WHITE, R. WRIGHT, D. UNSWORTH, R. HOUSTON.

WELCOME

The Napier Operatic Society welcomes all patrons to “Hans Christian Andersen”. It is our aim at all times to provide an outlet for the talents of our members of all ages, and this show has enabled many young people to participate.

The Society is always keen to encourage new members and to this end we try to provide a variety of shows which will appeal to all tastes. This fine example of family entertainment will be followed in November by an “Old Time Music Hall” and In May next year by “Hair”.

We invite you to sit back and enjoy your evening.

THE
NAPIER OPERATIC SOCIETY
PROUDLY PRESENTS

Hans Christian Andersen

Stepping free, a paper cutting made by Andersen – with a visage like his own – depicts the stock theatrical character, Pierrot.

MUNICIPAL THEATRE, NAPIER
August 29th – September 5th, 1981

Directed by LAURIE SWINDELL
Musical Direction by ERIC THORPE & ALAN THORPE
Choreography by ANNE BRADLEY
Scenery, Costumes and Properties made by AUCKLAND OPERATIC SOCIETY & NAPIER OPERATIC SOCIETY
Music and Lyrics by FRANK LOESSER
New Book by JOHN FEARNLEY, BEVERLEY CROSS & TOMMY STEELE
Based upon the Motion Picture “Hans Christian Andersen”, by SAMUEL GOLDWYN PRODUCTIONS, Arranged and Orchestrated by DON WALKER.

“Hans Christian Andersen” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International, 119 West 57th Street, New York and by arrangement with Chappell & Co. (NZ) Ltd.

Hans Christian Andersen

THE STORY…
Hans Christian Andersen is a cobbler in the small Danish town of Odense. His great love is to tell stories and the local children would much rather listen to him than go to school. Eventually the school master gives the town an ultimatum.” Either he leaves or I do.”
Hans and his apprentice, Peter, reluctantly leave Odense to try their luck in the big city of Copenhagen.
There Hans meets and falls hopelessly in love with Madame Doro, Prima Ballerina of the Royal Danish Ballet, little knowing she is happily married.
He writes several new stories, one of which “The Ugly Duckling” encourages a small boy whose father is editor of a newspaper. The newspaper agrees to publish several stories and Hans is on the road to fame.
Meanwhile, Hans pledges his love to Madame Doro with dreams and fantasies in which she returns his feelings and he writes a special story for her which becomes the “Little Mermaid” ballet.
Eventually he accepts the fact that she can never love him and he returns to Odense, a now famous author.

In 1952, that most famous of Hollywood producers commissioned Frank Loesser to write the music for a new movie “Hans Christian Andersen” lightly based on the life of the famous story teller.

The role of Hans was played by one of Hollywood’s most brilliant comedians, Danny Kaye, and the combination of these talents resulted in a film that has become a classic in its own right Such songs as Wonderful Copenhagen, Inchworm, Anywhere I Wander are just a few of the enchanting melodies from Loesser’s score.

The musical you see tonight is the adaptation of this ever-popular movie and if some liberties have been taken with the facts we are sure Mr Andersen would have excused them. “Life”, he wrote, “is the most wonderful fairy story of all”.

Photo caption – From Left: School Master – Peter Crawshaw, Burgomaster – Peter de Garis, Council Man – George Janes, Peter – Kraig Mackay, Hans – David Gardiner.

Laurie Swindell, our Show Director, is widely experienced in directing Musicals and Dramas throughout Hawke’s Bay — remember her “My Fair Lady” and “The Great Waltz”. She heads a strong team — seen here are her Stage Manager Barrie Browne (extreme right), Wardrobe Mistress Roz Van de Ven and Peter Eade her Lighting Designer.

Eric Thorpe (at piano) and his son Alan are directing the music between them. While Eric plays the piano tonight it is one of the few occasions that Alan can hold the big stick over his father. The choreographer of our team is Anne Bradley, who although new to the Society, has been teaching dancing in Napier for 10 years. The Society is indeed fortunate to have such an experienced team.

SCENES AND MUSICAL NUMBERS

OVERTURE

ACT I

SCENE 1:   Odense, Denmark – the 1830’s
‘I’m Hans Christian Andersen”   Hans and Children and Chorus
“Thumbelina”   Hans and Children
“Inchworm”   Hans, Peter and Children

SCENE 2:   On the Road to Copenhagen
“I’m Hans Christian Andersen” (Reprise)   Hans

SCENE 3:   Copenhagen, The Marketplace – morning
“I’m Hans Christian Andersen” (Tag)   Hans
“Wonderful, Wonderful Copenhagen”   Hans, Children and Chorus

SCENE 4:   Backstage, The Danish Royal Ballet’s Theatre
Ballet Rehearsal – 1st Variation
2nd Variation
3rd Variation
“No Two People”   Neils
“Anywhere I Wander (1st Fantasy)   Hans, Doro and Offstage Chorus
SCENE 5: Copenhagen, The Marketplace   Hans, Peter and Townsfolk

ACT II

SCENE 1:   Copenhagen, The Marketplace – 12 weeks later
“Wonderful, Wonderful, Copenhagen” (Reprise)   Hans, Children and Townsfolk
“The Ugly Duckling”   Hans

Man and swan become one in the enchanted world of Hans Christian Andersen. His unlikely rise from back-street poverty to universal fame is mirrored in his immortal story ‘The Ugly Duckling”. “It doesn’t matter about being born in a duckyard,” he wrote, “as long as you are hatched from a swan’s egg.”

“No Two People” (2nd Fantasy)   Hans, Doro and Offstage Chorus
“Tick-Tock”   Hans, Peter and Townsfolk

Andersen’s “Little Mermaid”, tells the tale of the delicate sea creature’s quest to forsake the world of the “sea people” for a chance to win a human soul. Her famous image, cast in bronze, haunts Copenhagen waterfront.

SCENE 2:   On The Way To The Theatre
“Anywhere I Wander” (Reprise)   Hans

SCENE 3:   On Stage At The Theatre
“Little Mermaid” Ballet (i)   Mermaid’s Garden   narrated by Hans
“Little Mermaid” Ballet (ii)   The Shore and The Shipwreck   narrated by Hans
“Little Mermaid” Ballet (iii)   Journey To The Sea Witch   narrated by Hans
“Little Mermaid” Ballet (iv)   Sea Witch’s Grotto   narrated by Sea Witch
“Little Mermaid” Ballet (v)   Painful Journey To Shore   narrated by Sea Witch
“Little Mermaid” Ballet (vi)   Ballroom, Royal Palace   narrated by Hans
“Little Mermaid” Ballet (vii)   The Tragic Farewell   narrated by Hans

SCENE 4:   Odense
“The King’s New Clothes”   Hans, Children and Chorus
“Finale” –  “Anywhere I Wander”   Company

THE CAST

DAVID GARDINER as Hans Christian Andersen
This is David’s third show for the Society having performed last year in “Jesus Christ Superstar” as one of the Apostles, and then as a duettist and member of the chorus in “Old Time Music Hall”. Already this year he has taken a leading role in the successful play, “Prisoners of Mother England” – also directed by Laurie Swindell. David plays the piano and classical guitar and loves music ranging from Baroque to Rock.

KAREN SHAND as Madame Doro
Karen, a mother of four children, has been teaching dancing in Napier for 15 years. She began dancing herself at the age of five and by 18 had performed in Invercargill Operatic Society’s “South Pacific”, “Charlie’s Aunt” and others. This is her first major role. We wish her well and hope she will be back with us again in another show.

JOHN WILLIAMS as Niels
John is no stranger to the stage. When he was 16 he played the leading role in “The Boy Friend” for Waipawa Musical & Dramatic Society. This was followed by roles in “Calamity Jane”, “Can Can”, “White Horse Inn” and “Sweet Charity”. John has played comedy roles in the past, but in this show he has a serious part which requires him to sing and dance. He is an accomplished musician having been in dance bands for the past 20 years playing trumpet and bass guitar.

KRAIG MACKAY as Peter
Kraig is twelve and this is his first major role on stage. However, he has performed in speech and singing competitions since he was five. He also loves playing the piano and drums, while his ambition is to be a chef in the navy. We wish Peter good luck and feel sure this is only the beginning of a bright future on the stage.

LEX BARKER as Otto/Sea Witch/Capt Truls/ Professor Pfeifer
Lex is a true character performer who has the rare knack of being able to change personality with convincing ease. He has taken numerous leading roles for this Society and others ranging from “Man of La Mancha” through “Pirates of Penzance to “Old Time Music Hall” – he is our local Peter Sellers. His stage experience is a great boost to this young cast and his example will be a source of inspiration to them.

Ballet:
Hayley Dowdell
Rachel Slater
Nicole Cunliff
Deborah Otter
Cheryl Rigby
Sonja Christensen
Cheridah Sewell
Kerrin Smith
Rewa Lawson
Suzanne Jones
Robyn McKay
Karen Kerr
Linda Jones
Rochelle Spence
Judy Gardiner
Rayna Creagh
Heather Wombwell
Sarah Twyford
Allan Howes
Lyndon Smith

Adult Chorus (not in photo order):   Erena Grehan, Fay Fraser, Anne Thew, Liz Alexander, Lynette Quinn, Mark Baker, Alan Sanders, Ian Johnson, Roy Head, Douglas Peters, Carl Winter, Tony Smith, Bernard Thomas, Catherine Barker, Sonia Barnes, Karen Briggs, Kerry Plested, Jacqui Cook, Fiona Cox.

Children’s Chorus (not in photo order):   Donna-Maree Briggs, Debbie Charteris, Suzanne Stocker, Catherine McKay, Annika Bennett, Jeanette Paine, Jane Heather, Claire Heather, Rachel Bates, Amelia Bates, Penny Uren, Suzanne Jones, Hamish Thomson, Troy Briggs, Michael Wiig, Philip Wiig, Kraig MacKay, Fraser Marett, Michael Charteris, Heidi Kristenson, Heidi Simmonds.

Behind the Scenes

Stage Manager:   Barrie Browne
Asst Stage Manager:   Malcolm Kenah
Lighting Designer:   Peter Eade
Wardrobe Mistress:   Roz Van de Ven
Properties Master:   Ian Reid
Mechanist:   Alan Jones
Head Flyman:   Bill Shirras
Chief of Make-up:   Dawn McCowatt
House Manager:   Bill Beckett
Production Secretary:   Lynda Stevens
Prompt:   Radne Ardem
Publicity:   Fred Twyford
Call Steward:   Doug Ramsay

WARDROBE TEAM & DRESSERS
Roz Van de Ven
June Gardiner
Caron Crabtree
Shelley Andrews
Jean Allen
Phyl Harrison
Gail Klaus
Karen Shand
Margaret Baker
Pam Graham
Marie Northe
Sue Elmore
Jenny Cotterill
Mary Baikie
Beverley Carroll
Rennee Ashby
Mary Stafford
Lois Reefman
Lee Jones
Colleen Spence
Norma Smith

LIGHTING TECHNICIANS
Dennis Newport
Mark Hammer
Robert Lockyer
Gillian Sweeney
Mike McConnell
Neil Page
Robin Johnson

STAGE CREW
Stephen Harris
Reg Whitlock
David Fright
Brent Kerr
Boyd Taylor
Malcolm Smith
Paula Jepson
Craig Wallace
Greg McAlister
Douglas Peters
Michael Smith
Don Hurley

TECHNICAL LIGHTING ADVISOR
Gwyn Ace

SOUND BY
PAR Sound

MAKE-UP TEAM
Dawn McCowatt
Minnie Wright and helpers

PROPERTIES TEAM
Ian Reid
Lynda Stevens
Joy Rhodes
Barbara Brown
Digby Edgecombe
Tania Hutchinson

FRONT OF HOUSE
Bill Beckett
Fred Twyford

SUPPER LADIES
Maureen Northe
Marie Northe
Caron Crabtree
Bronwyn Reed
Shirley Wilson
Norma Smith
Avis Blackburn
Linda Osgood

FLY CREW
Bill Shirras
David Tutty
Peter Shepherd
John Briggs
Lindsay Craig
Graeme Flett
Peter Cook
Vern Crabtree
Mike Stewart

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Williams & Kettle Ltd.
S.W. Jones Carriers Ltd.
Coronation St. Neighbours
Palmerston North Operatic Society
Cedric Wright
Hawke’s Bay Museum
James White & Associates Ltd.
Bay City Radio
DB Onekawa
Gavin Long
Quality Bakers, Napier

The Committee thanks the many friends and members of the Society who have helped in this Production in any way.

CENTENNARY [CENTENARY]
The Napier Operatic Society is approaching its centennary sometime in the 1980s. We are busy researching the actual year of our birth, so if anyone has any old programmes or other material that could help us, we would be grateful of any assistance you could give.

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