Programme 1998 – Dirty Weekends

NOS
Est 1887
NAPIER OPERATIC SOCIETY INC

NAPIER OPERATIC SOCIETY

presents

DIRTY weekends
A Gardening Musical in Four Seasons

Music & Lyrics by Philip Norman
Book by Roger Hall

TABARD THEATRE
14 August – 5 September 1998

Bank of New Zealand

page one

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

On behalf of the Napier Operatic Society it is my pleasure to welcome you to tonight’s performance of “Dirty Weekends”, the first by a non-professional musical company. Roger Hall and Philip Norman, the team that brought us “Love Off the Shelf”, have cultivated another smash hit musical comedy. It is a hilarious and romantic look at New Zealand’s favourite past-time – gardening!

My thanks to Directors, John Collier and John Matthews, Musical Director, Beverley Blake, and Choreographer, Roxanne Reid, and the team who have brought us this bumper crop of laughs.

So plant yourselves in your seat, relax and allow us to entertain you with the musical comedy you can really dig, “Dirty Weekends”.
Neill L Page – PRESIDENT

NAPIER OPERATIC SOCIETY
Patron:   PETER COX   Secretary:   IAN REID
President:   NEILL PAGE   Treasurer:   IAN COLLINS
Vice-President:   LESLEY REID   Hon. Solicitor:   JOHN MATTHEWS
Immediate Past-President:   JOHN BRIGGS   Hon. Photographer:   CLIVE RALPH

LIFE MEMBERS
Gwyn Ace, Cliff Allen, John Briggs, Barrie Browne, Lyndsay Browne, John Collier, Gillian Davies, Robert Houston, Donald Hurley, Alan Jones, Brian Nathan, Colin Pritchard, Ian Reid, Les Robertson, Peter Shepherd, Fred Twyford, Dawn Unsworth, Ros Van de Ven.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Chairman: Peter Shepherd
Members: Sonya Aifai, Tessa-May Brown, Clive Buttery, Merv Dallimore, Alan Jones, Christine Kenah, Darryl Mitchell, Colin Pritchard, Lynda Shirras, Pierre Van Der Zwet

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page two

Dirty Weekends

Directed by
JOHN MATTHEWS
And
JOHN COLLIER

Musical Director – Beverley Blake (L.T.C.L.)
Choreographer – Roxanne Reid

John Matthews
John started in Theatre at Napier Rep. In the early 1960’s as an assistant stage manager on Pinters “The Caretaker”. In 1968, he and John Collier stage managed Rep’s “Rape of the Belt”, moving then onto Napier Operatic’s “Camelot”. Since those days, John has tended to specialise in lighting design with a chance casting in Rep’s “Shotgun Wedding” giving him an appreciation of on as well as back stage work.

Following on from the success of working with John Collier on “Fantastiks” and “Love Off the Shelf”, when Roger Hall mentioned that he and Philip were writing a satire of the gardening for pleasure syndrome, the two Johns were only too happy to be involved. With great cast and production team, John hopes that flower power rules OK!

Beverley Blake
Bev has been involved in theatre in Hawke’s Bay since the 1970’s – both on and off stage. After taking leading roles in productions such as “The Sound of Music”, “Oliver” and “Annie” and acting as Choral Director for “Me & My Girl”, “Westside Story”, “Love off the Shelf” and “42nd Street”, Bev is pleased to be involved with another great Napier Operatic production. She is thrilled to have had the opportunity to work with such a talented cast and production team.

John Collier
From a theatrical family John began his association with Napier Operatic as a “street urchin” in the 1954 production of “Chu Chin Chow’. He performed on stage for a further half dozen shows until an interest in the technical side saw John in various backstage departments and then as stage manager for several productions. John also designed and painted sets and costumes for productions such as “Man of La Mancha”. John first teamed up with John Matthews to co-direct “Fantastiks” and this was followed by “Love Off the Shelf” and now “Dirty Weekends”.

John says the joy of theatre comes from the challenges and the learning – both are endless and because they share the same view, this is the reason the “Two Johns” partnership continues to flourish.

Roxanne Reid
Roxanne has performed as a dancer/chorus member for NOS since “Grease” in 1989. She also enjoyed the challenge of an acting/dancing role in “42nd Street” last year. Other shows that Roxanne has choreographed include an Awards show for Hastings Musical Comedy Co, “Reflections” & “Oklahoma” for Napier Frivs and “Love Off the Shelf” for NOS two years ago. Roxanne has enjoyed working with the two Johns.

Warwick Curtis
WARWICK CURTIS 23.6.31 – 17.6.98
Warwick performed in and musically directed numerous stage productions whilst residing in Auckland, Taranaki and Hawke’s Bay. He was well known throughout Hawke’s Bay as the District Music Advisor to schools, a position he held for 18 years.

Warwick had just completed musical arrangements for this production of “Dirty Weekends” when he passed away suddenly in June. Always the ultimate “gentleman” and a “gentle man”, Warwick will be sadly missed by us all. The music you will hear prior to the show and at interval is a recording of Warwick at his beloved piano.

page three

THE CHARACTERS

Dirty
Weekends

IRIS POLLARD
(Sylvia Richardson)
Well known to Napier Operatic and Hawke’s Bay audiences as an actress and director. Sylvia has directed Roger Hall’s “By Degrees” for Group Theatre, Hastings earlier this year. Hall is one of Sylvia’s favourite playwrites [playwrights], so she jumped at the opportunity to play Iris with this exciting cast and crew headed by “The Two Johns”. “It is a joy to be part of this production”.

BASIL POLLARD
(Chris Davidson)
This is Chris’ first outing for Napier Operatic, so he can legitimately be called an “Operatic Virgin’. He has played a wide range of roles including lead roles in Shadbolt’s “Once on Chunuk Bair” and “Someone to Watch Over Me”, which he also directed for Napier Repertory. Chris has also written a number of plays, directed musicals and played a little Shakespeare.

MARIGOLD TRIMMER (Karen Baker)
After spending most of her life either acting, singing, clowning, involved in impromptu theatre, debating, theatre-sporting, writing, directing, production and lately, teaching, Marigold considers having her head shoved in a compost heap by Basil to be the pinnacle of her career. (Karen is looking forward to a “dirty weekend” inside, photosynthesising on the couch after the show…) Karen was last seen in “Canterbury Tales”, “Steaming”, “Hay Fever” and “Steel Magnolias.

DOUG TRIMMER (Dave Pipe)
The former Radio and Television personality has been involved with HB Theatre groups for over 25 years appearing in numerous shows, taking major roles in musicals like “The Boyfriend”, “West Side Story”, “Fiddler on the Roof”, “Canterbury Tales” and more recently as Javert in “Les Miserables”. The plays David has appeared in include “Top Gear”, “Outside Edge” and “Once on Chunuk Bair’. This is the third Roger Hall play for Dave.

PIANIST (Kay Collins)
Kay completed her LTCL in practical piano in the 1970’s but has only recently utilised this training onstage as Mrs. Fraser, the dance class pianist in “Stepping Out” and with this production. Kay has been involved with NOS since 1980, both on and off stage. She has had singing and acting roles in a number of shows including “Music Halls”, “The Sorcerer”, “Oliver”, “Grease” and “Jerome Kern”.

JIM GREEN (David Napier)
“Dirty Weekends” is David’s second production, having been introduced to the theatre at the tender age of 40 – last year in “Jesus Christ Superstar’. He has always been into music, singing in various choirs and groups and tackling his first real role has been quite a challenge. As the “newboy”, David says he has enjoyed working with a fabulous team who have passed on the benefits of their talent, experience and enthusiasm.

DAPHNE BLOOM (Theo Baker)
Theo is a newcomer to Napier Operatic having performed in a number of productions in Palmerston North and Hastings. This is her second role in a Roger Hall play – Theo played Shirley earlier this year in Group Theatre’s production of “By Degrees”. She has enjoyed working with such a talented cast and looks forward to appearing with them and NOS again in the future.

GARDEN MUSE/MISS SAIGON/DAISY (Philippa Jones)
Introduced to NOS at six months of age, one can understand how Philippa’s love of theatre has developed. With help from singing and dancing lessons, Philippa has never looked back, appearing in numerous shows like “Les Miserables”, “42nd Street” and recently as Edith in “Pirates of Penzance”. Philippa is just as happy working backstage (Assistant Stage Manager for “Stepping Out” or call steward for Hawkes Bay Opera).

DEAN/RUPERT/FANTASY GARDENER/THE SNAIL/JUDGE (Jonathan Krebs)
A long time fan of Roger Hall, Jonathan appeared in the Society’s 1996 Production of “Love Off the Shelf”. In 1997 he performed the role of Pilate in “Jesus Christ Superstar” and earlier this year, co-wrote and appeared in the arto [art] deco play “Artie Gets His Man”. Of “Dirty Weekends” Jonathan comments “I’m delighted to work with the four directors again and privileged to act with such an experienced cast”.

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page four

THE CAST

Iris Pollard   Sylvia Richardson
Basil Pollard   Chris Davidson
Marigold Trimmer   Karen Baker
Doug Trimmer   David Pipe
Daphne Bloom   Theo Baker
Jim Green/Garden Centre Proprietor   David Napier
Garden Muse/Miss Saigon/Daisy   Philippa Jones
Dean/Rupert/Fantasy Gardener/ The Snail/Judge   Jonathan Krebs
Piano Pupils   Kay Collins

CREATIVE TEAM

Directors   John Matthews John Collier
Musical Director   Beverley Blake
Choreographer   Roxanne Reid
Scenic Design   John Collier
Lighting Design   Gwyn Ace, Paul Collier Paul Kenah

PRODUCTION TEAM

Stage Manager   Neill Page
Production Manager   Norah Griffin
Wardrobe Manager   Maria Paterson
Properties Manager   Lynda Shirras
Makeup Supervisor   Anne Drager
Hairdresser   Raymond Gempton
Sound Designer   Peter Eade

BACK ROW:   Kay Collins, Paul Collier, Gwyn Ace, Peter Eade, Lynda Shirras
FRONT ROW:   Maria Paterson, Judy White, Norah Griffin, Anne Drager
ABSENT:   Raymond Gempton, Neill Page, Paul Kenah

page five

MUSICAL NUMBERS

Ensemble   At the Garden Centre
Garden Muse   Autumn
Basil & Iris   Two Hardy Perennials
Marigold & Doug   Our Garden
Daphne   Call Me a Fool
Garden Muse   Winter
Dean & Others   Bingo Nights & Coffee Days
Daphne, Iris, Marigold & Men   Getting a Man In

– INTERVAL –

Garden Muse & Ensemble   Spring
Rupert & Miss Saigon   Fresh Earth
Ensemble Reprise   At the Garden Centre
The Snail   Sex, Bugs & Rock ‘n Roll
Garden Muse   Summer
Jim   I Might have Fallen in Love
Marigold & Doug   Reprise Our Garden
Basil & Iris   Reprise Two Hardy Perennials
Full Ensemble   The Great Garden in the Sky

Roger Hall
Roger is New Zealand’s most successful and best known playwright and currently lives in Auckland. He began his writing career with sketches for teachers’ college and University revues and later for Downstage and television. He has written for a number of TV series including Pukemanu and Buck House as well as the highly successful television series Gliding On and Market Forces. In addition to his numerous plays he has also written the musicals Footrot Flats and Love Off the Shelf with Philip Norman and A.K. Grant. In 1987 he was awarded the QSO and received the Turnovsky award for Outstanding Contribution to the Arts. In 1996 Victoria University conferred him with an Hon. Doctor of Literature. Roger’s full length works include: After the Crash, By Degrees, C’mon Black!, Conjugal Rites, Dream of Sussex Downs, Fifty Fifty, Glide Time, Hot Water, Market Forces, Middle Age Spread, Multiple Choice, Prisoners of Mother England, The Share Club, Social Climbers and State of the Play.

Philip Norman
Philip is one of New Zealand’s few full-time professional composers. Although he has a special interest in writing music for theatre, his compositions include many works for orchestras, chamber groups and choirs. Philip was reviewer for The Press (1981-92), Musical Director with the Christchurch School of Music (1991-95) and founder/director of Nota Bene Music Publishing (1980 to date). He holds a PhD in Music from the University of Canterbury and awards include Citation for Services to New Zealand Music (1989) from the Composers Association of New Zealand, a 1990 Commemoration Medal and a Trustbank Canterbury Art Excellence Award in 1996. Philip’s work includes: Making It Big, Where Would a Songwriter be Without Love? and Dirty Weekends with Roger Hall; Love Off the Shelf and Footrot Flats with Roger Hall and A.K. Grant, and Fresh Revolving Pleasures with A.K. Grant.

NAPIER OPERATIC SOCIETY USED MAKITA TOOLS TO BUILD THE SET

page six

PRODUCTION PERSONNEL

Scenery Painting   John Collier
Scenery Construction   John Collier, John Matthews, Clive Buttery, Linda Collier, Marc Collier, Anne Drager, Peter Feasey, Neill Page, Colin Pritchard, John Williams
Stage Crew   Neill Page, Marc Collier, Peter Feasey
Wardrobe Team   Maria Paterson, Bev Carroll Marjory Gurney, Gail Jones, Chris Kenah, Darryl Mitchell, Adrienne Parsons, Lois Reefman, Chris Shields
Properties Team   Lynda Shirras, Sharon Barry, Jamie Beale, Fiona Buttery, Judy Buttery, Steven Clarke, Karen Hawkins, Mark Kenah, Irene McKinnon, Ali Oldershaw, Emma Popek, Trish Robinson, Mariot Scott, Darren Shand, Pierre Van Der Zwet
Sound   Peter Eade, Rob Lockyer
Make Up Team   Anne Drager, Sharon Bloor, Linda Collier, Kate Grindrod, Susan Jackson, Julie Marr, Jude Mason, Jill Williams
Prompt   Judy White
Rehearsal Pianist   Kay Collins
Publicity   Barbara Brown, Anne Corney, Anne Drager, Darryl Mitchell, Sharron Pardoe, Dale Reid, John Williams
Photography   Clive Ralph
Company Suppers   Donna O’Shaughnessey, June Berry, Pat Danby, Jean Gordon, Bev O’Neill, Julie Sellars, Denyse Watkins, Michelle Winter
Lighting   Gwyn Ace, Paul Collier Paul Kenah, Adrian Lynds, Denys Meek
Catering   Sonya Aifai
Hostesses   Yvonne Arrowsmith, Norah Griffin, Sharron Pardoe
Front of House   Tessa-May Brown, Ian Collins, Ian Reid, Lesley Reid
Head Wine Steward   Peter Shepherd
Kitchen Staff, Waitresses & Wine Waiters
Friends of the Society

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Mitre 10 Napier   Napier Operatic Social Club   Bay Communications Ltd (Napier)
Rothmans of Pall Mall (NZ) Ltd   Ahuriri Maori Wardens   K Wakely
Makita Tools Ltd   Bay Mowers & Saws   Tong & Peryer Ltd
Pedlars   Richmond Garden Centre   Pandora Service Station
Oliver Christoffersen   Premier Silk Plants   Carters Napier
Bank of New Zealand   Walker’s Nurseries (Hastings)   Cox Partners
McMillin Craig Printers   Yates   The Toy Zone (Taradale)
Hayter & Flemming Signs   Ribbons N Stuff   The Great Outdoors Centre
J Stevens   Conifer Pete’s Nursery   Barton Marine

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The Napier Operatic Society wishes to thank Rothmans for their continued support over the years

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