Programme 1989 – The Merry Widow

“The
Merry Widow”

HASTINGS OPERATIC SOCIETY INC

“The
Merry Widow”

Original Operetta in Three Acts
by
VICTOR LEON and LEO STEIN

Music By
FRANZ LEHAR

New Book And Lyrics By
PHIL PARK

Music Adapted And Arranged By
RONALD HANMER

By arrangement with
CHAPPELL and COMPANY LIMITED

and featuring
Guest Artists
LOUISE MALLOY and
MICHAEL BENNETT

HASTINGS MUNICIPAL THEATRE
7th to 14th OCTOBER 1989

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE

On behalf of the Trust Bank Group, and in particular, Trust Bank Central Ltd, I would like to thank you for your patronage of the Hastings Operatic Society’s production of “The Merry Widow”.

Trust Bank Central has made a commitment in its Company statement to provide “better products, better facilities and top quality service”.

Our sponsorship of the Hastings Festival and “The Merry Widow” is also evidence of our continuing desire to support local communities whenever possible.

Over the past year, you will be aware that many changes have taken place in the banking industry. An important consequence of these changes is that Trust Bank Central is a locally based, nationally-backed and locally-owned financial institution. This position has been made possible through the deliberate creation of local Community Trusts, in whom ownership is vested. No other financial institution can make this type of ownership claim and we are committed, as a bank to supporting both business and personal customers within the communities which have ownership of the Bank.

Once again, I welcome you to the Municipal Theatre and am sure you will enjoy a wonderful evening’s entertainment.

Derek Faulkner,
Chief Executive,
TRUST BANK CENTRAL LTD.

HASTINGS OPERATIC SOCIETY Inc.

OFFICERS – 1989

PATRON:
Cedric Wright

PRESIDENT:
Geoff Treacher

VICE-PRESIDENT
Staveley Tankersley

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Chairman – Bob Whitburn

COMMITTEE MEMBERS 1989
Russell Anderson, Jean Campbell, Alison Closs, Jan Cuthbert, Len Evans, Molly Evans, Barry Hughes, Merlyn Jarden, Sybil Reay, Alex Wall

SECRETARY: Ray Jarden   TREASURER: Geoffrey McLeay
HON. AUDITOR: Mr K. M. Dysart A.C.A.   HON. SOLICITOR: Mr D. H. McDonald LLB
SECRETARIAT: P.O. BOX 70, Hastings
BANKERS: Trust Bank Central
INSURERS: NZI Insurance

LIFE MEMBERS:
Jean Campbell, Eric and Sybil Reay

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

On behalf of the Hastings Operatic Society Incorporated it is my pleasure to welcome you to this, our production, of THE MERRY WIDOW.

We are indeed grateful for the opportunity provided by the various sponsors to present an Operetta of such high standard to you in this beautifully refurbished theatre.

The Society is proud to be a participant of the inaugural Hastings Festival which we feel will be a great success.

We are fortunate in having such a talented and dedicated cast and production team as well as a tireless, enthusiastic crew and helpers who under the experienced and capable directorship of Mr Pat Snoxell will present you with a performance we know you will enjoy and remember.

As from December this year we will be in our new premises that we have just purchased in St Aubyn Street West and will produce intimate theatre once again. New members and supporters most welcome.

Also arrangements have been made for July 1990 to put on stage for you at the Municipal Theatre My Fair Lady.

I wish you a very pleasant evening of live theatre.

Geoff Treacher
PRESIDENT

SYNOPSIS OF THE MERRY WIDOW

Anna Glawari, the young and pretty Pontevedrian widow of a banker who left her 20 million francs, is having her fling in Paris before settling down again.  Baron Zeta, the Pontevedrian Ambassador in Paris, receives a despatch from his Government advising him of the country’s impending bankruptcy and an urgent request that he persuade the widow to marry a Pontevedrian in order to ensure that her millions will remain in the Fatherland.  Zeta selects his attache, Count Danilo, as the candidate for the marriage.

He is ignorant of the fact however that an unhappy previous affair had taken place between the two when Anna was a poor farmer’s daughter.  Anna accuses Danilo of only being interested in her money, to which he indignantly replies that she will never hear him use the words “I love you” to her.  Anna takes this as a challenge and in her efforts to win over the Count much confusion occurs involving the affections of Zeta, his wife Valencienne and her would-be lover, Camille de Rosillon.  Reconciliations are effected however and all ends happily.

Thank you
Wattie’s
J. WATTIE FOODS LTD
FOR SPONSORING OUR ADVERTISING

THE GRISETTES

Hastings Operatic Society is delighted to have Louise Malloy and Michael Bennett to play the lead roles of ANNA and DANILO in their Hastings Festival production “THE MERRY WIDOW”.

In 1985 Louise was a visiting tutor at the National Singing School, in Napier hosted by the Song and Opera Workshop.  She is remembered by those who attended her classes with affection, gratitude and respect, not only because of her technical and tutorial skills and glorious soprano voice, but also for her sparkling personality.

The Television show “Louise and Friends”, which ran for over three years, introduced her to homes all over New Zealand.  Other TV work includes a performance in “DIE FLEDERMAUS” and “RADIO TIMES”.  Her record “LOUISE” won the classical record of the year award in 1983.

As a principal with the New Zealand Opera Company Louise has taken lead roles in “LA BOHEME”, “RIGOLETTO”, “COSI FAN TUTTI, and “ELIXER OF LOVE”.  Light Opera appearances include many Gilbert and Sullivan productions, “STUDENT PRINCE”, “OKLAHOMA”, “MY FAIR LADY” and of course “THE MERRY WIDOW” in which she and husband Michael Bennett have appeared together.

Michael was a professional club singer in the United Kingdom for many years before coming to New Zealand.  He has taken principal roles in thirteen of His Majesty’s Theatre productions including “CABARET”, “STUDENT PRINCE”, “FIDDLER ON THE ROOF”, “OKLAHOMA” and “THE KING AND I”.  He has toured with the New Zealand Opera Company in “MAHOGENY” and “RIGOLETTO”, and has appeared in the TV show “STARS ON SUNDAY”.  Michael is a well known performer on the concert platform throughout New Zealand.

PAT SNOXELL
DIRECTOR
Those patrons who have followed the progress of the Hastings Operatic Society over recent years, with the shows, “Oliver!” “Fiddler on the Roof” and last years “Sound of Music”, will recognise Pat’s guiding hand.  He is one of the most versatile and hard working directors in amateur theatre, with wide ranging experience in operatic shows, revues, comedies and pantomimes.  Pat’s expertise has been recognised and he is much in demand, producing shows for amateur societies in Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa and Wellington Provinces.  The Hastings Operatic Society intend to continue this successful relationship, and Pat will be producing our major show for 1990, “My Fair Lady”.

NANETTE ROBERTS
VOCAL DIRECTOR
Franz Lehar’s chorus music in the Merry Widow requires a high standard of training and meticulous attention to detail.  Nanette achieves this to her usual high degree.  She has been chorus mistress for the Hastings Operatic Society many times, for two “Sounds of Music”, “Oliver!” “Fiddler on the Roof”, Viva Mexico”, and produced the Vienna cameos and Roman Serenade.  Nanette has been conductor of Flaxmere’s massed school choirs for some years and was guest conductor last year for Napier Intermediate school choirs.  She has private piano pupils, conducts Mayfair Townswomen’s Guild choir, and is choir mistress and organist for St Peter’s Church.

KATHLEEN BARRY
MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Kath trained for secondary school teaching in England, specialising in music at the Trinity College of Music London, taught in secondary schools and played in amateur orchestras there, before coming to New Zealand to teach music at Iona College.  She studied violin as a second instrument; has taught piano and singing in Hastings.  Kath was a foundation member of Napier’s Concord Strings; has conducted the Sacred Heart choir since 1971; she established the Hastings Sinfonietta orchestra in 1978, and the Hastings Choral Society in 1985.

JENNIFER GRANT
CHOREOGRAPHER
Jennifer has had a life-long association with dancing in Hastings and owns her own studio.  She has been an examiner for the British Ballet organisation; holds advanced certificates for ballet.  Now she belongs to the Imperial Teachers of Dancing Society, currently teaching ballet, modern and tap dancing and holds licentiate status in the National Dance branch.  Jennifer has adjudicated at Dance Festivals throughout New Zealand, conducted dance scholarship classes and taught at summer schools.  She has contributed to scholarships for local competitions, and produces an annual dance recital for her own students.  Jennifer was choreographer for the earlier Hastings Operatic Society shows, “Kiss Me Kate” and “Land of Smiles”.

“The Merry Widow”

CAST

ANNA (Madame Glavari)   The Merry Widow   LOUISE MALLOY
DANILO   (Count Danilovitsch)   Attache at the Pontevedrian Embassy in Paris   MICHAEL BENNETT
BARON ZETA   Pontevedrian Ambassador in Paris   WAYNE LISTER
VALENCIENNE   The Ambassador’s Wife   CHRISTINA GALE
CAMILLE   (Count de Rosillon)   MICHAEL KYLE
NJEGUS   Baron Zeta’s Factotum   JOHN TIMPSON
ST. BRIOCHE Diplomat Guest at the Embassy   KEN KEYS
CASCADA   Diplomat Guest at the Embassy   SAM BROWNE
KROMOV   An Attache   WARWICK BULL
OLGA   Wife of Kromov   DIANE HOPSON
BOGDANOVITSCH   An Attache   TONY IRONSIDE
PRITSCH   An Attache   LANCE FOTHERGILL
SYLVIA   Lady Guest at the Embassy   JENNY LEU-WILLIAMS
PRASKOVIA   Lady Guest at the Embassy   MARGARET SLOANE
LOLO   KATHERINE O’CONNOR
DODO   JANICE CUTHBERT
JOU-JOU   MORVEN WOOD
FROU-FROU   “Grisettes” at Maxim’s  ANN LONG
CLO-CLO   MELINSA REAY
MARGOT   FLEUR HANNAH

LADIES OF THE CHORUS
Elaine Goodwin   Merlyn Jarden   Leoni McKay
Elizabeth Green   Barbara Morris   Jill Tobin

GENTLEMEN OF THE CHORUS
James Burnett   Alex McClelland   Brendon Torely
Tom Gameson   Paul O’Connor   Ray Jarden

DANCERS
Katie Anderson   Vivienne Chapman   Toni Gray
Felicity Basher   Elizabeth Field   Natische Rickard

WAITERS   Karl Hannah and Graeme Fothergill

There will be an interval between Acts I and II and a brief intermission between Acts II and III.
Patrons are requested to remain seated during the latter intermission.

SCENES AND MUSICAL NUMBERS

SCENES
ACT I   A SALON IN THE PONTEVEDRIAN EMBASSY IN PARIS
ACT II   THE GARDENS OF MADAME GLAVARI’S RESIDENCE – early the following evening
ACT III   THE SAME – A LA MAXIM’S – later that night
Period:  The turn of the century

MUSICAL NUMBERS

ACT 1
“PONTEVEDRO IN PAREE”: (Zeta and Ensemble)
MELOS (Ballroom Music)
“A HIGHLY RESPECTABLE WIFE”   (Valencienne and Camille)
“SO MANY MEN ADMIRE ME”  (Anna and Male Ensemble)
MELOS (Ballroom Waltz)
“YOU’LL FIND ME AT MAXIM’S” (Danilo)
“IT GOES TO SHOW” (Anna and Danilo)
FINALE ACT I (Anna, Valencienne, Danilo, Camille, St. Brioche, Cascada and Chorus)

ACT II
OPENING ACT II
ENSEMBLE and Dancers
“VILIA” (Anna and Ensemble)
REPRISE (Chorus and Dancers)
DRIVING IN THE PARK WITH YOU (Anna and Danilo)
“WOMEN! WOMEN! WOMEN!” (Danilo, Cascada, St. Brioche, Zeta, Kromov, Bogdanovitsch, Khadja and Pritsch)
INTRODUCTION TO THE WALTZ SCENE (Anna and Danilo)
THE WALTZ SCENE (Anna and Danilo)
MELOS
ROMANCE: “FLOWERS ARE AWAKENED IN MAYTIME” (Valencienne and Camille)
FINALE ACT II: PART ONE (Anna, Valencienne, Danilo, Camille, Zeta)
FINALE ACT II: PART TWO (Ensemble)
FINALE ACT II: PART THREE (Anna, Valencienne, Danilo and Ensemble)
FINALE ACT II: PART FOUR (Anna, Danilo and Ensemble)
FINALE ACT II: PART FIVE (Ensemble)

ACT III
ENTR’ACTE
OPENING DANCE
MELOS
THE GRISETTES’ SONG (Valencienne, Lolo, Dodo, Jou-Jou, Frou-Frou, Clo-Clo, Margot and Ensemble)
CAN CAN BALLET (Offenbach)
REPRISE: “YOU’LL FIND ME AT MAXIM’S (Lolo, Dodo, Jou-Jou, Frou-Frou, Clo-Clo, Margot and Danilo)
THE MERRY WIDOW WALTZ (Anna and Danilo)
FINALE ACT III (Ensemble)

ORCHESTRA
HASTINGS SINFONIETTA FOR MERRY WIDOW

FIRST VIOLINS   Raewyn Newcomb (Leader), Kate Holden, Charles Jukes, Elizabeth Ralph, Bevis Stevens
SECOND VIOLINS   George Sye, Rae Shapcott, Ann Barker, Joy Mooney
VIOLA   Kathy Brenstrum, Judy Curtis
CELLO   Robin Fazakerley, Mary-Anne Scott, Wendy Johnston
DOUBLE BASS   Alison Bibby
FLUTE   Margaret Dempsey, Barry Harman, Marion Struthers
CLARINET   Barbara MacLean, Fiona Dick, Derek Everett
TRUMPET   Maurice Reid
TROMBONE   Raewyn McIndoe
PERCUSSION   Brian Rae
KEYBOARD   Catherine Anyan

WAYNE LISTER as BARON ZETA
Wayne one of the most versatile artists in Hawke’s Bay, played Max Detweiler in the Sound of Music last year.  He has appeared in dramas, pantomimes, variety shows, and has had lead roles in many major musicals produced locally.

CHRISTINA GALE as VALENCIENNE
Christina has sung in many musical shows in Napier, and last year had the role of Laurette in Gianni Schicchi for Hawke’s Bay Song and Opera Workshop.

MICHAEL KYLE as CAMILLE
Michael studied singing at the Sydney Conservatory of Music, and has sung professionally in Sydney and Auckland before coming to Hawke’s Bay, where he has appeared with distinction in many shows.

JOHN TIMPSON
as Njegus

SAM BROWNE
as Cascada

KEN KEYS
as St. Brioche

JILL TOBIN and JAMES BURNETT
understudies for Anna and Damilo [Danilo]

WARICK [WARWICK] BULL as KROMOV and DIANE HOPSON as his wife Olga

TONY IRONSIDE as BOGDANOVITSCH   LANCE FOTHERGILL as PRITECH
MARGARET SLOAN as PRASKOVIA   JENNY LEE WILLIAMS [LEU-WILLIAMS] as SYLVIA

PONTEVEDRIAN CHORUS

PHOTOGRAPHS BY KEVIN EVERITT

The Widow who set the world waltzing – how it came about!!

Composer Franz LEHAR; then a small time band leader at an ice rink in Vienna, was invited by the Director of Vienna’s famous theatre “An Der Wein”, to write the music for a stage version of a book  “The Attache”.  It became the “Merry Widow” and was an immediate success.

George Edwardes of London’s Gaiety Theatre decided to bring it home.  Initially he had quite a few snags to overcome, with translations and finding a suitable leading lady.  Eventually the show opened in June 8, 1907, a smash hit!!

It influenced fashion, especially with the “Gainsborough” hat which was never in the original Viennese production but an inspiration of British design; and made the waltz almost a national pastime.

Since then the Widow’s triumphant progress has continued with constant revivals both in England and Europe.

The millionth European production of the “Merry Widow” was celebrated in Vienna with a special performance at her birthplace, the “An Der Wein”; the entire audience composed of actresses who had played the title role.

Franz Lehar was born in Hungary in 1870, he trained as a violinist at the Prague Conservatory, but then followed in his father’s footsteps as a band leader, serving in various parts of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

In 1905 “The Merry Widow” launched him in highest popularity as a composer of light operetta.  He also composed dances, marches, piano music, sonatas and a violin concerto; the southern Slav influence can sometimes be heard in his melodies.  Franz Lehar died in 1948.  He was a composer of our century.

Photo caption – Franz Lehar

HASTINGS OPERATIC SOCIETY
presents

MY FAIR LADY

IN THE
HASTINGS MUNICIPAL THEATRE
from JULY 14 to 20, 1990

MY FAIR LADY

Books and Lyrics by
ALAN JAY LERNER

Music By
FREDERICK LOEWE

Adapted from GEORGE BERNARD SHAW’S play and GABRIEL PASCAL’S motion picture PYGMALION
Original play directed by MOSS HART

Auditions will be held April 7, and April 8, 1990

‘CAN CAN GIRLS’

PRODUCTION PERSONNEL

DIRECTOR   Pat Snoxell
PRODUCTION SECRETARY   Staveley Tankersley
ASSISTANT SECRETARY   Mollie Evans
CHORAL DIRECTOR   Nanette Roberts
CHOREOGRAPHER   Jennifer Grant
WARDROBE MISTRESS   Sybil Reay
ASSISTANTS   Fleur Hannah and Agnes van Hooijdonk, Maureen O’Donoghue
DRESSERS   Cherie Baker, Jean Campbell, Bev Elms, Bev Hawke, Jill Hui, Lyn Johnston, Freda Milne, Corrine Minty, Norma Mullard, Colleen Neely, Dorothy Newnham, Doreen Powell, Barbara Smith, Maree Taylor, Anne van den Berg, Wendy McLeay
CALL STEWARD   Ngaire Hawke
PROMPT   Mollie Evans
STAGE MANAGER   Bob Whitburn
ASSISTANTS   Russell Anderson, Staveley Tankersley
STAGE CREW   Len Evans, Simon Howard, Ken McKay, Laurie O’Donoghue, Dave Smith, Jim Speers, John Stewart, Gordon Vogtther [Vogtherr].
FLY CREW   Patrick van Hooijdonk, Stu Young, Stu Doig.
SET CONSTRUCTION   Bob Whitburn, Russell Anderson, Len Evans
PROPERTIES MISTRESS   Moira Reay
PROPS   Stephanie and Catherine Pegg, Chris Green
ASSISTANTS   Alexandra Pegg, Liz Pegg, Pam Winfield
SCENIC ARTIST   Dorothy Newnham and assistants Alison Closs, Elaine Treacher, Russell Anderson
MAKE UP SUPERVISOR   Minnie Wright
ASSISTANTS   Dawn McCowatt, Jean McRae, Debbie McGregor, Diana Newdick, Jenny Raikes, Karen Wright
HAIRDRESSER   Judy Vegas
PUBLICITY OFFICER   Merlyn Jarden
ASSISTANTS   Jean Campbell, Geoff Treacher, Eileen von Dadelszen
SUPPERS   Ngaire Hawke, Robin Johnston, Frances Murray, Bob Murray, Elaine Treacher, Anne van den Berg
LIGHTING   Stu Bailey, David Kirby
SOUND   Syd Jago
LIBRARIAN   Ray Jarden
HOUSE MANAGER   Eric Reay
ASSISTANTS   Alison Closs, Alex Wall and Friends of the Society

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The props team would particularly like to thank
Whittakers Garden Centre
Hastings Musical Comedy Company
Mrs J. Burnett
Ron Walker, Light and Shade
Hastings Liquorland

A special thanks to
Katherine Anyan rehearsal pianist.
Ross Hutton for designing the programme cover
Canon Cherie Baker and Miss Frame for providing rehearsal facilities.

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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE
HASTINGS OPERATIC SOCIETY
FOR PRESENTING
“The
Merry Widow”
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THE MERRY WIDOW
– GREAT SHOW
ANOTHER GOOD SHOW, WELL WORTH SEEING
IS THE EVERCHANGING DISPLAY AT
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Theatre foyer flowers by Hick’s Florist, Mahora

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Westend Shopping Centre
by Write Price
Phone (070) 88 862