Programme 2004 – The Odd Couple

NOS Est. 1887

NAPIER OPERATIC SOCIETY INC.
PRESENTS

NEIL SIMON’S
NEW VERSION OF

The ODD Couple

TABARD THEATRE, NAPIER
25 NOVEMBER – 11 DECEMBER 2004

2

NEIL SIMON’S NEW VERSION OF
The ODD Couple

The Napier Operatic Society is delighted to welcome you all to another Restaurant Theatre Production

THE TABARD THEATRE NEEDS YOU!
Have you considered becoming a member of the Napier Operatic Society, which boasts an active and progressive social club?
YOU WILL BE ASSURED OF A WARM WELCOME

If you require further information visit our website or feel free to speak with one of our members
Active and subscribing membership forms available at the:
Reception desk
Camelot lounge bar
Costume hire
Napier Municipal Theatre

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NAPIER OPERATIC SOCIETY INC
By arrangement with The Play Bureau New Zealand Ltd.
Presents Neil Simon’s New Version of
THE ODD COUPLE
Directed by Sylvia Richardson

“The way I see things, life is both sad and funny. I can’t imagine a comical situation that isn’t at the same time also painful. I used to ask myself: What is a humorous situation? Now I ask: What is a sad situation and how can I tell it humorously?”
Neil Simon

Do you recall the enjoyment of sloppy Oscar and finicky Felix in the male version of “The Odd Couple” Why not have equal enjoyment with their counterparts, sloppy Olive and finicky Florence.

Just how far can you push friendship?

Come along and watch their life together with the support of their “Trivial Pursuit Pals” (females) and the delightful males in the upstairs unit!!

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Lesley Reid

Welcome to the Tabard Theatre, the Napier Operatic Society has great pleasure in bringing you this performance of “The Odd Couple” – female version. Refreshing indeed is an old play with a new twist, which is what Napier Operatic has done with the “Odd Couple” by producing the new version of the Neil Simon classic. This production is brought to you tonight after months of planning, hard work and determination by many people, who have been determined to bring to you, our patrons, a production of the very high standard to which you are accustomed.

We are privileged to once again have Sylvia Richardson, with her experience and expertise, direct this production. She has brought together an outstanding cast, and we are grateful to Sylvia for her dedication to the Napier Operatic. Sylvia last directed for the Society in 2003, with her production “Annie”, and it has been our pleasure to work with such a talented director again.

On behalf of the Napier Operatic Society, I thank you, our audience, for your ongoing support, as always you are our lifeblood. We would also like to thank our principal Sponsor, Esam Cushing & Co, for their support again in 2004. Thanks also to supporting sponsors Riverside Wines, The Napier Municipal Theatre, Ellingham Holdings, Century Foundation and Blue Water Hotel for their generosity; together with Esam Cushing they enable us to bring to you this great night’s entertainment.

Sit back and enjoy!

DIRECTOR
Sylvia Richardson

Once again, Sylvia wishes to acknowledge the professional and artistic commitment of Napier Operatic Society, plus the extremely hard working and talented cast and crew of Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple” and trusts you will enjoy her vision of this hilarious play.

Sylvia has worked in local theatre for the last 28 years and has truly enjoyed every experience. She is extremely proud of her performances for Napier Operatic Society’s “Annie” (1983), “Chicago”, “Tom Jones”, “Canterbury Tales”, “Les Miserables” (1995) and “Dirty Weekends” and her directing credits 1996 and 1999 Music Halls and “Annie” (2003).

Sylvia has also acted or directed numerous productions for Napier Repertory, Group Theatre, Theatre Hawke’s Bay, Frivs and Centre Stage Taupo. She is proud and grateful for the love and encouragement of her family and believes Hawke’s Bay is truly blessed with theatrical talent.

“Please turn off all cellphones during the performance”

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MENU

Tender Pork Medallions with Orange Sauce
New Minted Potatoes
Mesculin Salad with Baby Beetroot
Fresh Steamed Asparagus

DESSERT
Brandy Snaps filled with Whipped Berry Couli Cream and topped with Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

WINE
RIVERSIDE SAUVIGNON BLANC
Invitingly fruity notes of pineapple and gooseberry greet the nose followed by refreshing citrus flavours that linger in the mouth. A truly satisfying experience.

RIVERSIDE CHARDONNAY
The aromas lead you into this wine, tempting you to take the next step, where you will find a powerful combination of fruit and subtle oak on the palate. It has a hot finish with lasting creamy and stone fruit characters which fashion a very drinkable wine.

RIVERSIDE CABERNET MERLOT
A complex palate of cedar and plums leading through to coffee and cassis. A soft round lingering finish.

RESTAURANT MANAGER:
Sonya Aifai

HOSPITALITY MANAGER:
Kaye Tristram

HOSTESSES:
Yvonne Arrowsmith
Philippa Jones
Judy White

FRONT OF HOUSE MANAGERS:
John Briggs
Tessa-May Brown
Ian Reid
Lesley Reid
Peter Shepherd

IN ADDITION:
A TABLE SERVICE CASH BAR WILL BE OPERATING FROM THE RESTAURANT THEATRE AREA.

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PHOTOGRAPHER
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Studio:   17 Cathedral Lane, Napier
Postal Address:   5 Elizabeth Rd, Napier
Phone:   (06) 835 7204   Fax:   (06) 835 7304   Mobile:   (025) 439 865
Email:   [email protected]

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Supporting the Napier Operatic Society & the Odd Couple at Riverside Drive
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Phone: 06 844 4942, Fax: 06 844 4671
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SYNOPSIS
Neil Simon’s update of THE ODD COUPLE has transformed “Felix” into “Florence Unger” and “Oscar” into “Olive Madison”. Recently divorced, the very messy Olive, who produces a prime time news show, invites the suddenly single and compulsively neat, at-home Mom, Florence, to move in with her. Hilarity ensues as Florence and Olive are quite possibly the most mis-matched pair ever to live under the one roof. Their weekly Trivial Pursuit game-playing buddies are appalled at the turn of events and the much anticipated dinner date with Olive’s neighbours, the very dashing Castilian Costazuela brothers, has some very funny results.

SYNOPSIS OF SCENES
Time:   1980’s
Place:   Olive Madison’s Riverside Drive apartment

ACT 1
A hot summer’s night

ACT II
Scene 1   Two weeks later: About 11.00 p.m.
Scene 2   A few days later: About 8.00 p.m.
Scene 3   The next evening: About 7.30 p.m.

NEIL SIMON
Neil Simon is the world’s most successful playwright. He has had dozens of plays and nearly as many major motion pictures produced. He has been showered with more Academy and Tony nominations than any other writer and is the only playwright to have four Broadway productions running simultaneously.

Simon’s brother, Danny, played a major role in his writing. After his divorce, Danny moved in with another divorced man and this situation became the set-up for “The Odd Couple (1966). Though Danny had begun writing the story himself, he reached a block and eventually handed it off to Simon who soon made it a smash on Broadway. Starring Jack Lemon and Walter Mathau, [Matthau] the 1968 film version was equally successful and prompted a popular television series.

Neil Simon’s gender-switch rewrite, which premiered on Broadway in 1985 (twenty years after the original), outclasses the old script in many ways. The most effective changes can be ascribed to his reworking the script for women. “I like writing women very much” Simon said in an interview the same year the female version opened. “Men are more closemouthed about their real feelings, whereas women, if the situation is right, open up” (The New York Times Magazine, 26 May, 1985).

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BIRGITTA SOLLMAN-WEST
Birgitta has been performing on stage, both in the UK and NZ since she was eight years old. As Head of Drama at Taradale High School, she enjoys both teaching, directing and practising the performing arts herself. Birgitta has worked with Sylvia Richardson in several drama productions over recent years, including “Rough Justice” and the original “The Odd Couple” in 2000.

DAVID GLENDAY
David, a late developer, was introduced to the Napier Theatre world by accepting the position of Treasurer of Napier Repertory Players and he has recently graduated from this position to appearing on stage in two recent successful productions with Rep. David has lived in Napier for over 30 years and is enjoying meeting so many keen and talented people. Working with Sylvia again is another highlight plus renewing friendships with other cast members. Olé!

JANE SUTHERLAND
Jane specialises in playing women who serve cups of tea and like to dust a lot. In “Take a Chance On Me” at Napier Repertory way back in August, Jane played a variety of manic female roles. The theme continues with the obsessive compulsive Florence, a role she played in 2000.

DAVE RICHARDSON
Dave has been involved in music and theatre from a very young age. For the last five years he has been Australasian demonstrator/concert artist for Yamaha electronic musical instruments. Recently returned to Napier after 20 years, he jumped straight back into local theatre at Napier Repertory with “Take A Chance On Me” and is pleased to be involved in this, his first production at the Tabard Theatre.

SHARRON PARDOE
Sharron is relishing the opportunity to play drama queen “Mickey the Cop”. She has been involved with theatre since she was a child, performing in Wellington and Hawkes Bay and is enjoying the challenge of this comedy. Sharron thanks her late Mother, Maire, for instilling in her a love of drama and her family for their love and support.

AMANDA JACKSON
For silly, tearful blonde in “Take A Chance On Me” to silly, dumb blonde in “The Odd Couple” was easy, and from insane, murderous daughter in “Beauty Queen of Lenane” to insane, crippled mother in “Sweeney Todd” was easy, but the easiest transition of all was from Napier Repertory to Napier Operatic. There only has to be a stage.

ELEANORE McLEAN
Eleanore was involved with Napier Repertory and Mugwort when she left high school. Her interest was rekindled when she played Eleanore in Roger Hall’s “Take A Chance On Me” earlier this year and she is thrilled to be directed by Sylvia again in “The Odd Couple”.

KERRY UNSWORTH
Kerry has enjoyed playing a variety of musical and dramatic roles in over 22 productions locally and in Auckland since first playing “Sandy” in “Grease” for Napier Operatic. After her last role as “Grace” in “Annie” last year, she is delighted to work once again with Sylvia Richardson and be part of such a strong cast.

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PRODUCTION TEAM

Alan Jones
STAGE DIRECTOR

Peter Eade
CO-LIGHTING MANAGER

Raymond Gempton
HAIRDRESSER

Anita Davies
PROMPT

Clare Allington
PROPS MANAGER

Norah Griffin
PRODUCTION MANAGER

Colin Pritchard
SET CONSTRUCTION MANAGER

Maria Peta
WARDROBE MANAGER

Anthony Gouder
CO-LIGHTING MANAGER

Gail Jones
STAGE MANAGER

Donna O’Shaughnessy
SUPPERS

PRODUCTION PERSONNEL

BOOKING OFFICERS   Dale Reid, Gail Jones
FOYER & TABLE DECORATIONS   Yvonne Arrowsmith
PROGRAMME   Sonya Aifai, Norah Griffin, Darryl Mitchell
PROPERTIES TEAM   Chris Cheyne, Chris Kenah, Joanne Liddy Michelle Winter
PUBLICITY TEAM   Sonya Aifai, Barbara Brown, Jeff Foley Anthony Gouder, Donald Hurley, Gail Jones, Karen McLean, Dale Reid, Kaye Tristram
REHEARSAL PHOTOGRAPHER   Christine Hannah
SET CONSTRUCTION/ STAGE CREW & PAINTING   Clive Buttery, Alan Holt, Alan Jones, Eric Richardson Ian Scott
SIGN BOARDS   Oliver Christoffersen, Theatre School Children & Society Members
SPONSORSHIP   Dale Reid
SUPPERS & REFRESHMENTS   Ngaire Boyce, Pam Christensen, Annette Clifford Lynne Gibson, Bev O’Neill
WAITERS & WAITRESSES   Friends of the Society
WARDROBE TEAM   Josie Bell, Margery Gurney, Gail Jones Adrienne Parsons

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First Rate & Up-to-Date
HIRE SERVICES
COSTUME HIRE – LIGHTING HIRE – SOUND HIRE
ALL AVAILABLE THROUGH THE TABARD THEATRE
Telephone 06 8358775  Website: www .nos.org.nz

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OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY
PATRON   Peter Cox
PRESIDENT   Lesley Reid
VICE PRESIDENT   Darryl Mitchell
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT   Neill Page
SECRETARY   Tessa-May Brown
TREASURER   Fiona McKay
HONORARY SOLICITOR   John Matthews
HONORARY PHOTOGRAPHER   Clive Ralph

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
CHAIRMAN   Jonathan Krebs
COMMITTEE   Sonya Aifai, Clive Buttery, Mary Crook, Jeff Foley Anthony Gouder, Norah Griffin, Alan Jones Irene McKinnon, Colin Pritchard, Kaye Tristram
LIFE MEMBERS   Gwyn Ace, Cliff Allen, John Briggs, Barrie Browne Lyndsay Browne, John Collier, Gillian Davies Peter Eade, Donald Hurley, Alan Jones, Brian Nathan Colin Pritchard, Lois Reefman, Ian Reid Les Robertson, Peter Shepherd, Fred Twyford Dawn Unsworth, Ros van de Ven

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Marjory & Keith Allington, Blue Water Hotel Century Foundation, Selwyn Cook Ellingham Holdings, Esam Cushing Horizon Advertising, Amanda & Philip Jackson S.W. Jones & Co. Ltd., Langley Twigg Napier Municipal Theatre, NOS Social Club Clive Ralph, Raphael Furnishing Studios Dave Richardson

And all of those who have participated and contributed in ways large and small, the Society and Company of The Odd Couple wish to extend their sincere gratitude.

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Yamaha Clavinova digital piano supplied by
Kingdom Music …LET THE MUSIC PLAY

CHILDREN’S THEATRE
The Napier Operatic Society Theatre School welcomes
Children from the ages of 5 – 15 years
Contact:   Irene McKinnon – Phone: 835 7216
On stage & technical experience – Monthly workshops – Annual production

Napier Operatic Society
presents

“The World’s Best Loved Musical”

My Fair Lady

Book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner Music by Frederick Loewe
Adapted from Bernard Shaw’s Play and Gabriel Pascal’s motion picture ‘PYGMALION’

Napier Municipal Theatre
Hawke’s Bay Performing arts
The Napier Municipal Theatre proudly hosts the season of ‘My Fair Lady’ – March 2005

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NEED ADVICE
INVESTING
The ODD Couple
OF DOLLARS?
Then talk to us
We can make sure its ‘Odds on’
You come out well ahead of ‘Even’
ESAM CUSHING
127 Queen Street East, P.O. Box 241, Hastings, New Zealand
Telephone: (06) 876 8129, Fax: (06) 878 5059
Email: [email protected], Website: www .esamcushing.co.nz

THE ODD COUPLE
Written by Neil Simon
Directed by Sylvia Richardson

SYNOPSIS
Neil Simon’s update of THE ODD COUPLE has transformed “Felix” into “Florence Unger” and “Oscar” into “Olive Madison”. Recently divorced, the very messy Olive, who produces a prime time news show, invites the suddenly single and compulsively neat at-home Mum, Florence to move in with her. Hilarity ensues as Florence and Olive are quite possibly the most mis-matched pair ever to live under the one roof. Their weekly Trivial Pursuit game-playing buddies are appalled at the turn of events and the much-anticipated dinner date with Olive’s neighbours, the very dashing Castilian Costazuela brothers, has some very funny results.

SYNOPSIS OF SCENES
Time:   1980’s
Place:   Olive Madison’s Riverside Drive apartment

ACT I   A hot summer’s night

ACT II
Scene 1   Two weeks later About 11.00pm
Scene 2   A few days later About 8.00pm
Scene 3   The next evening About 7.30pm

CAST OF CHARACTERS
Birgitta Sollman-West   OLIVE
Jane Sutherland   FLORENCE
Amanda Jackson   VERA
Eleanore McLean   RENEE
Sharron Pardoe   MICKEY
Kerry Unsworth   SYLVIA
Dave Richardson   MANOLA
David Glenday   JESUS

NEIL SIMON
Neil Simon is the world’s most successful playwright. He has had dozens of plays and nearly as many major motion pictures produced. He has been showered with more Academy and Tony nominations than any other writer and is the only playwright to have four Broadway productions running simultaneously. Simon’s brother, Danny played a major role in his writing. After his divorce, Danny moved in with another divorced man and this situation became the set-up for “The Odd Couple” (1966). Though Danny had begun writing the story himself, he reached a block and eventually handed it off to Simon who soon made it a smash on Broadway. Starring Jack Lemon and Walter Mathau, the 1968 film version was equally successful and prompted a popular television series.

Neil Simon’s gender-switch rewrite, which premiered on Broadway in 1985 (20 years after the original), outclasses the old script in many ways. The most effective changes can be ascribed to his reworking the script for women. “I like writing women very much” Simon said in an interview the same year the female version opened. “Men are more closemouthed about their real feelings, whereas women, if the situation is right, open up” (The New York Times Magazine, 26 May, 1985).

NOS
Est. 1887
NAPIER OPERATIC SOCIETY INC

The Napier Operatic Society is delighted to welcome you all to another Restaurant Theatre Production

NEIL SIMON’S NEW VERSION OF
The ODD Couple

TABARD THEATRE
25 NOVEMBER – 11 DECEMBER, 2004

ESAM CUSHING
Bluewater NAPIER Hotel
Riverside Wines
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Napier Municipal Theatre Hawke’s Bay Performing arts