Programme 2005 – My Fair Lady

My
Fair
Lady

NAPIER
OPERATIC
SOCIETY
2005

Page 1

My
Fair
Lady

NAPIER OPERATIC SOCIETY
by arrangement with
TAMS-WITMARK MUSIC LIBRARY INC.
560 Lexington Ave, New York, NY.

presents
My Fair Lady

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

Director
SARA BRODIE

Musical Director
WENDY HUNT

Choreographer
KAREN HAWKINS

Production Manager
DARRYL MITCHELL

Designer
HAROLD MOOT, 2D

Lighting Designer
PAUL COLLIER

Sound Design
TERRY MOLLOY
GLEN RUSKE, Redd Acoustics

The Set, Costumes and Properties are by arrangement with
WELLINGTON MUSICAL THEATRE.

NAPIER MUNICIPAL THEATRE
12-19 MARCH 2005

The use of cameras and recording devices is prohibited.
Patrons are requested to ensure cell phones and pagers are turned off.

Page 2

President
LESLEY REID

Consider this possibility: a romantic comedy with no nudity, no sex, and no kissing. In fact, there aren’t any declarations of love. The closest the female character comes to admitting her feelings, is saying she could have danced all night with the man; the closest he gets is remarking that he’s grown accustomed to her face. It is now over four decades since “My Fair Lady“ reached the screen and won the Best Picture Oscar, yet it remains a musical favourite today.

Is with great pleasure that I welcome you to this performance of “My Fair Lady”.

Tonight you will behold the culmination of many months of planning, hard work and resolve by the entire cast and crew in bringing you this great work.

We welcome to Napier Operatic our Director, Sara Brodie. Most recently seen in Hawke’s Bay in 2004, when she directed “La Boheme” for Opera Hawke’s Bay, Sara is new to the Society, but comes to us with a wealth of experience both in New Zealand and the United Kingdom and in all forms of theatre. The Society greatly appreciated her enthusiasm and expertise and sincerely hopes she has enjoyed working with us as much as we have enjoyed her. Musical Director, Wendy Hunt and Choreographer, Karen Hawkins, both of whom have been involved with Napier Operatic for many years, have ably supported Sara. The dedication, vision, and determination in putting the show together speaks volumes for the passion these three ladies have for theatre.

To you our patrons, I extend the sincere gratitude of the Napier Operatic Society. As always, we are grateful for your continued support.

Finally I wish to thank the Society’s Principal Sponsor, Esam Cushing & Co, whose benevolence, along with all our supporting sponsors, enables the Society to stage productions of the calibre you are about to see.

Enjoy!

Lesley
President
Operatic Society

Director’s Note

On of the hardest things to get right in directing musical theatre is to make the transition from dialogue into song, and something I try to work against are the clichés of the ‘here comes a song’ moment. Luckily, these instances are few in My Fair Lady because Lerner was adamant that all songs served the emotional state of the characters. He wrote, “We [himself and Loewe] found that if we could write each comedy song…based on a definite emotion, we could escape from a humour that came from clever rhymes or from the author’s intrusion of himself”, also, “in a musical play, even with the dialogue of Bernard Shaw, nothing establishes a character as much as a song”1. It was a stroke of genius therefore that Higgins’, who so loves the English language, speaks his songs as much as sings them.

For me, another attraction to working on My Fair Lady is Shaw’s script, which fizzes with wit and social comment. Today, the women’s rights movement has done much to alleviate Eliza’s predicament but Higgins’ lyric; “An Englishman’s way of speaking absolutely classifies him, the moment he speaks he makes another Englishman despise him” is still potent. This conviction was drummed into me at least once a week (usually after Coronation Street) by my father whose aspirations to extract himself from working class Britain lead him to New Zealand and elocution lessons. I experienced things first hand landing in the UK where I promptly ditched my Kiwi twang and feigned coming from Christchurch, Bournemouth in order to get auditions. Returning and viewing home in a new light I concluded that linguistic stereotyping was not just the malady of other nations.

Class distinction and attitudes are things I have tried to make the most of in this production. In doing so, my own bias is revealed and my family’s working class roots. Bravo Eliza!

1  Alan Jay Lerner. Creation Of A Lady. 1963. Tams-Witmark Music Library, Inc. New York.

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CITY OF
NAPIER

BARBARA ARNOTT

Message from Her Worship the Mayor of Napier

Welcome to this show and welcome to Napier’s Municipal Theatre – an Art Deco icon and a great old building given a successful makeover transforming it into one of the best venues in the country. The Theatre sits well in our Art Deco City, full of style and vitality.

Napier’s “My Fair Lady” will be another in the Napier Operatic Society’s long line of successes. The Society has a history of great productions and this one will carry on the brilliance we have come to expect from the producers of ‘Les Misèrables’, ‘42nd Street’ and ‘Annie’.

You will experience a completely professional performance showcasing amazing talent and quality. The contribution of culture and arts to our community is invaluable.

I hope “My Fair Lady” elevates you ‘seven stories high’. Have a great time.

Barbara Arnott
Mayor of Napier

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Synopsis

George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion premiered in London in 1914. The play was topical and at once controversial; Mrs Patrick Campbell, who played Eliza, pronounced the shocking word, “Bloody” causing great offence! However, more fundamentally Pygmalion challenged the British audience’s systems of class and morality. That the heroine transcended class distinctions could perhaps be accepted, but it was unsatisfying and distasteful that Shaw left her in a situation of compromise at the end of it all.

Two world wars later in America this very British play, was deftly adapted by Alan Jay Lerner and Fritz Loewe, into the musical that is My Fair Lady. Opening on Broadway in 1956, Lerner’s script was a honed down version of the original where dialogue flowed seamlessly into lyrics faithful to Shaw’s writing. Loewe’s score honoured character whilst incorporating a mixture of musical styles including Viennese operetta, fandango and English music-hall. Together they triumphed with a box-office smash which offered more than the usual rags to riches musical.

The story…

Language enthusiast Colonel Pickering takes up the dialect expert, Professor Henry Higgins, on his boast that he can transform the gutter English of a cockney flower-girl into that of a duchess. Thus a unique social experiment begins. Irrespective of admonitions of his housekeeper, Mrs Pearce and without much thought to the consequences: the aspiring gutter-snipe, Eliza, is supplanted to Higgins’ household to learn to speak like a lady.

When news reaches the ears of Eliza’s sometime father of her whereabouts, he goes to negotiate the terms of such an arrangement. When it becomes apparent he is happy to barter his daughter for five pounds Pickering blusters, “Have you no morals, man?” Alfie Doolittle explains his perspective. His rhetoric so impresses, that Higgins later passes on his name as a potential lecturer to the American Moral Reform Society.

After bullying, ructions, and a good deal of sleep deprivation the time comes to ‘try her (Eliza) out’ in public, the place: the Ascot races. Higgins arrives imposing on his mother for assistance in the enterprise. Societal embarrassment ensues for all except Freddy Eynsford-Hill who is captivated by the refreshingly amusing antics of Miss Eliza Doolittle.

Higgins is undeterred. Six weeks later Eliza is on trial again at the Transylvanian Embassy Ball. She has since won the respect of Mrs Higgins and proceeds to enthrall the Embassy guests. An unexpected impediment arrives in the form of Zoltan Kaparthy, an ex-pupil of Higgins’ and a self proclaimed phonetician who uses his skills to swindle socialites. He makes it his mission to discover Eliza’s identity.

Back at home, Pickering and Higgins congratulate each other on their achievements and foiling Kaparthy. Unappreciated and upset Eliza confronts Higgins wanting to know what is to become of her now that his experiment is complete. His suggestion (namely marrying Eliza off) repulses her. Storming out of the house she bumps into Freddy Eynsford-Hill who has been bombarding her with adoring letters since Ascot. Sick of ‘words!’ and frustrated, Eliza wants action. By 5am the next morning, the couple turn up back at Covent Garden where Eliza goes unrecognised. She meets her father at the tail end of his stag night. Doolittle explains that now he has fallen into middle class morality (due to money bestowed on him by his contract at the American Moral Reform League) he now feels obliged to marry his current mistress.

Higgins’ is genuinely dumbfounded as to Eliza’s disappearance and goes to his mother for assistance only to find Eliza in her company. Left alone, Higgins and Eliza vie with each other resulting in Higgins exclamation, “Now you’re a tower of strength, a consort battleship!” Eliza walks out. Higgins returns home alone. On arrival he plays an old recording of her voice. The copy us usurped by its originator, Eliza is back.¹

(Footnotes)
1 At the end of Pygmalion Eliza exits, laving Higgins roaring with laughter supposing; “She’s going to marry Freddy”.

Page 5

DIRECTORS

SARA BRODIE – Director
Background – born New Zealand. Graduated Master of Arts – Theatre (Victoria University of Wellington); dance training in ballet, Laban and various other styles. Performance credits include roles in feature film Fracture, television’s Castle of Dreams and Scarlett, stage roles for Contagious Performance Co, Silvano Cioci Dance Co. Technical credits include stage management and lighting in the West End and various festivals. Directing credits include La Boheme (Opera Hawke’s Bay, 2004), The Tempest (Summer Shakespeare, Wellington Botanic Gardens 2004), The Threepenny Opera (Wellington Performing Arts Centre 2003), Arcadian Nights (Young & Hungry Festival 2003); Who’s Afraid of the Working Class? A House With Two Doors Is Difficult to Guard (Victoria University); Strip (Wellington Fringe Festival), Top Girls, Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Wellington Performing Arts Centre). Assistant direction & choreography credits include Rigoletto (NBRNZO), The Elixir of Love (International Festival of the Arts & NBRNZO) 2004, Tosca (NBRNZO) in 2003, Messalina (Festival di Batignano 2002); The Irish Annals of Aotearoa (Bats Theatre); Frida & Diego (Arcola Theatre, London). Teaching includes Tutor in Voice, Acting and Movement (Victoria University of Wellington); Acting Tutor (Massey University Conservatorium of Music); Laban Movement Tutor (The Actors Centre, London, and Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School); Acting Tutor, Director and Movement Tutor (East 15 Acting School, London).

WENDY HUNT – Musical Director
Wendy arrived in Napier in 1998 and since then has worked as a pianist for NOS in “Sweeney Todd”, “West End to Broadway”, “Return to the Forbidden Planet”, “Blood Brothers”, “Les Misèrables”, “Buddy Holly”, “Annie” and “Little Shop of Horrors”. She also plays keyboards for the Regional Orchestra and HB Opera. Previously Wendy had worked on stage, in the pit and as Musical Director of Palmerston North Operatic Society. “My Fair Lady” has always been a favourite of Wendy’s, being the first movie she remembers seeing as a child. She has found it a pleasure working with this exceptionally talented production team, orchestra and cast. Wendy is the newly appointed Director of Music at Woodford House.

KAREN HAWKINS – Choreographer
Karen has been involved in Dance since her Invercargill childhood where she enjoyed all forms of dance but focused on Ballet. She moved to Napier in 1965 where she continued teaching, opening her own school in 1966. Karen became a member of NOS in 1981 and in the ensuing years, took part in many productions both as a performer and choreographer. Although reducing her involvement over recent years, she maintained her interest with dance tuition, judging competitions and producing “Aladdin” in Invercargill. This is Karen’s first major show as a choreographer.

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TESSA-MAY BROWN – Vocal Coach
Working with such a dedicated and talented cast has been a treat for Tessa. The variation in accents and musical styles has been a challenge for all concerned and Tessa says it has been a great experience to listen to both principals and ensemble get to grips with everything vocal that this show requires. She commends them all!

ALAN JONES – Stage Director
Alan has been actively involved both on and off stage with the Society since the mid-50’s. A long serving Executive member, he is honoured to be a Life Member and have received the “Merit Award” from Musical Theatre New Zealand and a “Citizens Civic Award” from the Napier City Council – both acknowledging his service and commitment to the theatre.

PHILIPPA JONES – Assistant Director
Having been involved with Napier Operatic from a very early age, Pip relished the opportunity to work with the late Bruno Lawrence at the Inaugural HB Drama School. She has appeared on stage in many productions, among her favourites the first NOS “Les Miserables”, “Blood Brothers”, and “HMS Pinafore”. Equally at home working behind the scenes, Pip has had the chance to choreograph secondary and primary school shows as well as “Some Enchanted Evening” for NOS. Last year she had the opportunity to work along side Sara in “La Boheme” and is delighted to be working with and learning from her again.

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Principals

MICK ORMOND – Professor Henry Higgins
As a small boy, Mick remembers his mother’s insistence on the “correct” pronunciation of vowels – “and drilling is what we got”. Mick’s first introduction to musical theatre was the 1985 Waipawa M&D production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” as Jesus. Since returning to the stage, Mick has appeared in “Sound of Music” and “My Fair Lady”, both with Waipawa M&D and the NOS production of “Sweeney Todd”. “I really enjoy the character that is Henry Higgins and it’s a real pleasure to be involved with such a talented and creative young director and her very able cast”.

ELANA MCNEILL – Eliza Doolittle
Elana’s love for the performing arts has carried her through over 10 years of working in theatre to the most exciting role of her life as Eliza Doolittle. Elana’s journey throughout the production process of “My Fair Lady” has been much like that of Eliza’s transformation from guttersnipe to duchess, only that Elana’s experience has always been an enjoyable one. As she was working with such a professional and talented cast and crew, it has been an experience never to be forgotten. In the future Elana would like to pursue a career in the performing arts as it has always been her dream to do so.

JEFF FOLEY – Alfred Doolittle
Jeff, a local Detective, is married with four children. “My Fair Lady” is his 6th show, having joined NOS in 2000 for “HMS Pinafore”. In recent years he has been involved in “Les Miserables”, “Buddy” (The Big Bopper), and “Annie (Daddy Warbucks). He is thrilled to be on stage with this two daughters Sera and Anna and is enjoying being involved with a great cast.

PETER MCNEILL – Colonel Hugh Pickering
Peter is a Hawke’s Bay farmer with a love of the theatre. From leads in Gilbert and Sullivan at High School and Massey University Capping reviews, he returned to the stage as Harry in Hastings Operatic Society’s 1990 production of “My Fair Lady”. Since then Peter has played leads in “The Mikado, “Annie” and “Marama” and appeared as a concert soloist for Song and Opera Workshop and Hastings Operatic. He is also a lead singer in the Melody Singers from Havelock North. Appearing as Colonel Pickering, this is Peter’s first appearance with NOS.

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BLAIR FIVEASH – Freddy Eynsford-Hill
Blair has been involved in theatre since the age of 11. He performed in three shows last year – in the chorus of “Chess” and lead roles in “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” and “Rush”. This is Blair’s fourth show for Napier Operatic and he hopes you all enjoy the production.

DIANNE ABRAHAM – Mrs Pearce
Dianne began her singing career in Auckland at age 17. She moved to Hawke’s Bay from Auckland in 1989 and has performed as a soloist in many variety concerts and shows including roles in “The Mikado”, “My Fair Lady”, “Tom Jones”, numerous Music Hall and various productions. Dianne has also performed minor roles and in the chorus of various operas for Opera Hawke’s Bay including “La Boheme”, “Tosca”, “Lucia de Lammamoor”, “Madame Butterfly”, “Rigolleto” and many more.

TESSA-MAY BROWN – Mrs Higgins
The last time Tessa trod the boards was as the Mother Abbess in Hamilton’s production of “The Sound of Music” but her days are full of musical sounds as she is a full-time teacher of voice. Tessa says that one of the highlights of this show is the fact that she has been directed by Sara Brodie and has truly enjoyed bringing Mrs. Higgins to the stage.

LEX BARKER – Jamie
Lex has been involved in theatre for more years than he cares to count, from “Milkwood” to “Camelot”, “Gilbert & Sullivan” to “Puccini” “Sancho Panza” to “Fagin” and many other roles for Napier Repertory, Napier Operatic and Hawke’s Bay Opera. Lex, a born cockney could not resist being part of “My Fair Lady”.

Page 9

ROY HOLDERNESS – Harry
Roy has worked in theatre since he was twelve. He has had extensive experience in repertory theatre (recently in Roger Hall’s “Take a Chance On Me”) and joined Napier Operatic in the first production of “Les Misèrables”. He has appeared in leading roles in “42nd Street”, “The Mikado”, “HMS Pinafore” and several musical Halls.

CHRIS DAVIDSON – Zoltan Karpathy
Chris teaches Drama and Classics at Napier Girl’s High. He has taken a range of roles with NOS including Basil in “Dirty Weekends” and Prospero in ”Return to the Forbidden Planet” as well as other roles with Napier Repertory. This show however, fulfils his lifelong dream of owing his own barrow at Covent Garden.

LESLEY REID – Mrs Eynsford-Hill
Lesley’s interest in musical theatre began in Timaru as a teenager and has continued ever since. She has appeared in numerous productions for NOS, including both productions of “Les Misèrables”, “Chess”, “Stepping Out” and several Music Halls. Currently the President of Napier Operatic, Lesley is delighted to be part of “My Fair Lady” and have the privilege of working alongside a very fine cast and production team.

…with a little bit of bloomin’ luck’

Page 12

Musical Numbers

ACT 1

Covent Garden, Spring 1912
Why Can’t The English? (Higgins)
Wouldn’t It Be Loverly? (Eliza & Costermongers)

Outside the Nell Gwynne Public House
With A Little Bit Of Luck (Doolittle, Jamie, & Harry)

Higgins’ Study – the next day
I’m An Ordinary Man (Higgins)

Outside The Nell Gwynne Public House – three days later
Get Me To The Church On Time (Doolittle, Harry & Jamie)
With A Little Bit Of Luck – reprise (Doolittle & Ensemble)

Higgins’ Study
Just You Wait (Eliza)
Poor Professor Higgins (Servants)
The Rain In Spain (Eliza, Higgins & Pickering)
I Could Have Dances All Night (Eliza, Mrs Pearce & Maids)

The Ascot Racecourse, Summer
Ascot Gavotte (Ensemble)

Outside Higgins’ House – the next day
On The Street Where You Live (Freddy)

Higgins’ Study – six weeks later

The Transylvanian Embassy Ball
The Embassy Waltz (Ensemble)

ACT II

Higgins’ Study – after the Ball
You Did It (Pickering, Higgins, Mrs Pearce, Servants)

Outside Higgins’s House
On The Street Where You Live – reprise (Freddy)
Show Me (Eliza)

Convent Garden – 5am, the next morning
Wouldn’t It Be Loverly? – reprise (Eliza & Male Chorus & Ensemble)

Higgins’s Study
A Hymn To Him (Higgins & Pickering)

Mrs Higgins’ Conservatory
Without You (Eliza & Higgins)

Outside Higgins’ House
I’ve Grown Accustomed To Her Face (Higgins)

Higgins’s Study

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Page 13

Cast in Order of Appearance

Eliza Doolittle   Elana McNeill
Freddy Eynsford-Hall   Blair Fiveash
Mrs Eynsford-Hill (mother to Freddy)   Lesley Reid
Colonel Hugh Pickering   Peter McNeil
Bystander   Chris Davidson
Bystander 2   Fred Twyford
Hoxton Man   Gerry Sullivan
Selsey Man   Sam Hocking
Professor Henry Higgins   Mick Ormond
First Costermonger   Ross Corbett
Second Costermonger   John Shadbolt
Third Costermonger   Thomas Barker
Forth Costermonger   Nick Ronke
George (the Bartender)   Rob Paterson
Alfred P. Doolittle   Jeff Foley
Harry (cobbler to Alfred)   Roy Holderness
Jamie (cobbler to Alfred)   Lex Barker
Angry Woman   Lucy Hemara
Angry Man   Keiji Watanabe
Mrs Pearce (housekeeper to Prof. Higgins)   Dianne Abraham
Mrs Hopkins (landlady to Eliza)   Joanne Stevens
Butler   John Shadbolt
Servants (to Higgins)   Marie-Lou Anderson
Joanne Stevens
Lucy Hemara
Edina McFarland
Penny Carney
Val Rouse-Shaw
Thomas Barker
Ross Corbett
Mrs Higgins (mother to Prof. Higgins)   Tessa-May Brown
Charles (chauffer to Mrs Higgins)   Jeremy Randall
Lord Boxington   Ross Corbett
Lady Boxington   Jillian Andrew
Policeman   Rod Harford
Flower Girl   Derryn Toomey
Footman   Simon Crook
Zoltan Kaparthy   Chris Davidson
Queen of Transylvania   Clair Barrie
Mrs Higgins’ Maid   Suzanne Stilwell
With …
Anita Davies, Anna Foley, Sera Foley, Janine Hill, Ben Hunt, Rachel Keith, Tamara Roscoe, Caleb Te Weehi

Orchestra

1st Violin
Raewyn Newcomb & Sandy Scott

2nd Violin
Anna Matheson & Elizabeth Ralph

Viola
Caughlin Butler & Nancy Johnson

Cello
Elizabeth Bone

Bass
Cliff Howell

Flute/Piccolo
Sarah Delany

Oboe
Julian Pook

Clarinet
Julia Redfern-Wilson

Bassoon
James Donaldson

Saxophones
Stuart Newell

Trumpet
Lance Bayliss & Ben Hunt

Trombone
Roberta Hickman

Percussion
Jeremy Badger

Piano
Sally Rutgers

Keyboard
Anne Jago

Page 14

Cast Ensemble

MARIE-LOU ANDERSON
Marie-Lou has a great love for music and singing, having sung in Primary and High School Choirs which hold a lot of fond memories. Since moving to Napier some 13 years ago, she has enjoyed being involved on stage again. What an honour to be part of a great cast and show such as “My Fair Lady”.

JILLIAN ANDREW
Jillian has a background in Dance and Choreography and was principal of her own Dance School in Auckland before settling in Hawke’s Bay, where she has re-opened her Dance School. Her involvement with NOS began in 1999 with “Westend to Broadway” and 2002 “Some Enchanted Evening”. She has appeared in a number of Musicals in the Bay.

THOMAS BARKER
Thomas is 15 years old and attends Taikura Rudolf Steiner School in Hastings. He plays the guitar and viola but his main passions have always been acting and singing. His theatrical “career” began with the NOS production of “Les Miserables” in 2002, which he followed with “La Boheme”. “My Fair Lady” has been wonderful (despite his initial ineptitude at waltzing).

CLAIR BARRIE
Claire has been an active on-stage and back-stage member of NOS for several years. She is enjoying the challenge of being in this wonderful show. Clair is a member of the Napier Civic Choir and the Napier Cathedral Choir. She has sung with the Hawkes’s Bay Song and Opera Workshop and is a teacher and conducts her school choir.

PENNY CARNEY
Penny has always loved singing with involvement in bands and choral groups through earlier years. More recently stage musicals and Sweet Adelines have kept her vocal cords oiled and she is looking forward to a similar adrenaline rush felt 10 years ago when stepping on to the stage in the chorus of “Les Miserables”.

ROSS CORBETT
Ross has played lead roles in many NOS shows over recent years. He also enjoys choral and barbershop singing and he assists with musically directing productions at Taradale High School, where he teaches. Working with old and young talent in MFL, has been a pleasure for Ross, so has been considered to be a male dancer despite being older than the others!

SIMON CROOK
Simon has finally been given the chance to speak with a thick English accent and dance with lids on his feet! As a 16 year old with a large acting background, including the 2002 NOS production of “Les Miserables” and the 2004 production of “Forum”, Simon has thoroughly enjoyed this show and hopes you enjoy it too.

ANITA DAVIES
Anita has a strong passion for “live” theatre and since the age of five has appeared in many HB productions. She is Chairperson of NOS Social Club, on the committee for HB Song & Opera Workshop and what’s left goes to Opera HB. She considers it a privilege to be in “My Fair Lady” and to work with Sara again. Love and thanks to Brian.

ANNA FOLEY
Anna is a 15 year old student at Napier Girls’ High School and this is her 7th show with NOS. She has also appeared in several Frivs and school shows. Anna takes singing lessons with Tessa-May Brown and has danced with Dance Express for six years. Anna is enjoying being part of such a fun show with her dad and sister.

SERA FOLEY
This is Sera’s second show with NOS and she aspires to study performing arts at university. Sera has enjoyed working alongside friends and family and is often teary-eyed with pride watching her father and sister perform during rehearsals. Sera feels privileged to be working with such a brilliant director and hopes to gain some of Sera’s creativity.

Page 15

Cast Ensemble

ROD HARFORD
From nervous beginnings many many years ago (sweeping the stage after shows), Rod has been involved in a variety of productions up and down the country. He is delighted to be in the cast of another Napier Operatic production and thanks the production team and fellow cast members for their tremendous support throughout the leadup and the season.

LUCY HEMARA
Since returning home to Napier in 1999, Lucy has appeared in three shows for NOS and is delighted to be working with Sara Brodie again after performing in “La Boheme” with Opera Hawkes Bay last year. Lucy says “a huge thank you must go to my husband and daughter, whose love and support allows me to quench my continual thirst for the theatre”.

JANINE HILL
Janine’s involvement with the Society began at an early age, first appearing in Canterbury Arms Music Hall in 1981, followed by the role of Molly in the Society’s first “Annie” in 1983. Her most recent appearances for NOS have been in “42nd Street” and “Forum”. Janine is excited to be involved with “My Fair Lady” and looks forward to a season of fun, laughter and a bit of kick and prance.

SAM HOCKING
This is Sam’s first show for Napier Operatic. He has had vocal experience in Rotorua performing in both operatic and speaking only shows. These have included “Jesus Christ Superstar”, “Twelfth Night”, ’Allo ‘Allo, “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Once on Chunuk Bair”.

RACHEL KEITH
2005 sees a return for Rachel not only back on stage but back to the Bay as well. After 10 years away in Wellington she decided it was time to head back to the sunshine and to dust the old cobwebs off her jazz shoes. Rachel has enjoyed working with “a great bunch of talented people” and looks forward to doing more shows in the future.

EDINA MCFARLAND
A mother of one year old Josiah and a local teacher, Edina has thoroughly enjoyed the challenges of being in “My Fair Lady”. Edina is still a newcomer to the stage, having only one dinner theatre show and “Buddy Holly” under her belt. Her thanks to the fun cast, wonderful direction from Sara and Wendy and supportive hubby!

ROB PATERSON
It has been said that Rob has a lovely singing voice and with encouragement from his family, is now participating in his first theatre show since his school days and is certainly enjoying every moment of the “My Fair Lady” experience.

JEREMY RANDALL
Jeremy is a 16 year old student at Taradale High School who enjoys the performing arts. He has been involved since he was 11 years old, training in dancing, singing and acting. Jeremy would like to continue with a career in performing in the future.

NICK RONKE
This is Nick’s second production with Napier Operatic. Nick has enjoyed being involved with the Junior Frivs, but more recently with Taradale High School productions, choral, barbershop and chamber groups. Nick has also sat Trinity examinations in both voice and cello. In his final year he is the student Head of Drama and wishes to study performing arts at Victoria University in 2006.

TAMARA ROSCOE
Tamara is 15 years old and attends Taradale High School, studying drama, dance and music. She has developed her voice through singing lessons and is an able dancer in a variety of styles. Tamara’s interest in live theatre began at a young age and she is now enjoying the experience of being in a major show.

Page 16

Cast Ensemble

VALERIE ROUSE-SHAW
Valerie has been a member of Napier Operatic Society for a number of years and has taken part in several of their productions including the joint Napier Operatic and Hastings Musical Comedy production of “My Fair Lady”, 32 years ago. While living in Auckland, Val was an active member of several choirs and Societies.

JOHN SHADBOLT
John is an experienced conductor with a passion for sacred and classical music. He has sung leading tenor roles in “Yeoman of the Guard” and “Mikado”, is a member of the Hawkes’s Bay Song and Opera Workshop and Deputy Conductor of the Napier Civic Choir. John regularly sings with St John’s Cathedral Choir and has been guest conductor at combined schools’ music festivals in several regions.

JOANNE STEVENS
Joanne has performed in Napier Operatic Shows since the age of nine. Principal roles have included “Evita”, “Me and My Girl”, and “Forbidden Planet”. Her most recent role was as Miss Hannigan in “Annie”. Joanne is enjoying the opportunity to play an active role in the chorus of “My Fair Lady” alongside such a talented cast.

SUZANNE STILWELL
With a background in dance from age four, Sue has performed in many local productions first appearing for NOS in 1981 in “Hans Christian Anderson”. In 2000 Sue had the opportunity to choreograph “HMS Pinafore” and “Tabard Tales” for the Society before taking a break to become a mum. Sue would like to thank her husband and sons for their patience and support (and the babysitters!!!)

GERRY SULLIVAN
This is Gerry’s first show with Napier Operatic and he is thoroughly enjoying the challenge of being part of the chorus harmonies and dancing numbers. His experience with choral-singing and school productions led him to audition for “My Fair Lady” and was encouraged by other cast members not to miss what is rated as one of the classic musicals.

CALEB TE WEEHI
Caleb is currently attending Napier Boy’s High School and “My Fair Lady” is his first major production. Caleb has always been interested in “big” Theatre shows and is thoroughly enjoying the stage experience that he is sharing with other cast members.

DERRYN TOOMEY
Derryn started ballet as a five year old and began performing in shows at age 12. Her involvement with NOS began in 1991 as a chorus dancer in “Me & My Girl” and has continued through to most recently choreographing “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum”. This is her second “My Fair Lady” and she is again loving participating in the varies roles of her all time favourite show.

FRED TWYFORD
Being the Secretary and President (for a total of 25 years) and now a Life Member of NOS, Fred has been involved with the Society more in an administrative role. However he has chorus roles in the Society’s first “My Fair Lady”, “Sound of Music”, “Me and My Gal” and a humorous role in an early Music Hall.

KEIJI WATANABE
From Japan, Keiji has been living in New Zealand for six years and decided to “give it a go” after seeing the audition advertisement in the local paper. A seventh former at Napier Boys’, this is his advice for those thinking of joining a production but have no experience “whether you think you can, or think you can’t…either way you’re right”.

Page 17

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Page 18

Production Team

PRODUCTION MANAGER – Darryl Mitchell
PRODUCTION SECRETARY – Norah Griffin
STAGE DIRECTOR – Alan Jones
STAGE MANAGER – Leigh Jones
REHEARSAL PIANISTS – Sally Rutgers & Frances Te Weehi
LIGHTING DESIGNER – Paul Collier
WARDROBE MANAGER – Lois Reefman
ASSISTANT WARDROBE MANAGERS – Chris Shields & Raewyn Duncan
PROPERTY MANAGER – Anne Collier
MECHANIST – Clive Buttery
HEAD FLYMAN – Harley Jones
HAIR & WIG STYLIST – William Waitoa
MAKE UP MANAGER – Karen Green
CAST & CREW REFRESHMENTS – Donna O’Shaughnessy

Left to Right:   Anne Collier, Karen Green, Harley Jones, Clive Buttery, Raewyn Duncan, Chris Shields,
Frances Te Weehi, Norah Griffin, Leigh Jones, Lois Reefman, Sally Rutgers, Donna O’Shaughnessy,
William Waitoa, Darryl Mitchell, (Absent. Paul Collier)

Page 19

Production Crew

STAGE, FLY & CONSTRUCTION CREW   Patterson Aifai, Scott Avery, Scott Buttery, Kate Collier, Merv Dallimore, Anthony Gouder, Brian Harber, Belinda Harvey, Brendan Hey, Alan Holt, Allan Howes, Barry Hughes, Daniel Hurley, Mark Kenah, Eion McKinnon, Jacob Osborne, Colin Pritchard, Phillip Rhodes, Ian Scott, Nigel Stilwell, Pierre Van Der Zwet, Theo Wynsma

LIGHTING OPERATORS   Judy Buttery, Peter Eade, Anthony Gouder, Mike McConnell, Pierre Van Der Zwet

SOUND DESK   Ben Rentoul

RADIO MICROPHONES   Anne Aifai, Sonya Aifai, Nicky McGrath, Darryl Mitchell, Harry Osborne, Judy White

MUNICIPAL THEATRE TECHNICIAN   Paul Collier

PROPERTIES TEAM   Chris Kenah (PS Leader), Gail Jones (OP Leader), Sandra Bithell, Marc Collier, Julie Crook, Graeme Hare, Helen Hare, Joanne Liddy, Sharron Pardoe, Jennifer Randall, Jacque Wilton, John Williams, Jude Williams, Michelle Winter

WARDROBE & DRESSERS   Clare Allington, Yvonne Arrowsmith, Bev Blake, Margaret Bird, Karen Bonica, Bev Carroll, Pam Christensen, Mary Crook, Annette Davies, Norah Griffin, Margery Gurney, Karen Hawkins, Deidre Hitchcock, Noelene Huxtable, Sandra McDonald, Wendy Mooney, Adrienne Parsons, Carol Robertson, Judy White

MAKE UP TEAM   Julie Avery, Jane Barr, Sophie Barr, Barbara Brown, Fiona Charlton, Annette Clifford, Anne Fulford, Vanessa Jackson, Sarah Lumb, Kristen Reyland

HARIDRESSERS   Stephanie Collister, Irene McKinnon, Maria Peta

CAST AND CREW SUPPERS   Ngaire Boyce, Pam Christensen, Annette Clifford, Lynne Gibson, Bev O’Neill, Shona Trow

PUBLICITY MANAGER   Sonya Aifai

PUBLICITY TEAM   Barbara Brown, Jeff Foley, Donald Hurley, Gail Jones, Karen McLean, Darryl Mitchell, Dale Reid, Kaye Tristram

SIGNS   Oliver Christoffersen, Darryl Mitchell, Colin Pritchard

PROGRAMME   Norah Griffin, Darryl Mitchell

FRONT OF HOUSE MANAGERS   Dale Reid, Ian Reid

FRONT OF HOUSE STAFF   Friends of the Society

We apologise if, due to programme deadlines, we have been unable to include all names in the programme.
To everyone who has helped with this production, your contribution is very much appreciated.

Page 20

Officers of the Society

NOS
NAPIER OPERATIC 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 Bridges, 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

Bay Ford, Church Road Winery, Duckworths Retravision, Ellinghams, Esam Cushing & Co, HB Cultural Trust, HB Today, H & F Signs, Christine Hannah, Bruce Hill Transport, Paula Jepson, S.W. Jones & Co, Ltd. Kingdom Music, Mainfreight Transport Ltd, Napier Antique Centre, Napier Municipal Theatre, Porritt School, Port of Napier Ltd, Clive Ralph Photographer, RaymondMichael Salon, Riverside Wines, The Radio Network, TVNZ, Carl Svendsen, Frances Te Weehi, Chris Wigg Suit & Menswear, Woodford House

The Napier Operatic Society thanks most sincerely all those who supported the cast and crew during the intense rehearsal period required to bring you this show.

Shows 2005

‘Joseph & The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat’
Children’s Theatre School Production 4-6 June
Director Sonya Aifai – Tabard Theatre

‘Gypsy’
Tabard Restaurant Theatre – August 2005
Director Sylvia Richardson

‘The Full Monty’
Tabard Restaurant Theatre – November-December 2005
Director Chris Davidson

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ESAM CUSHING
The Arts and Theatre are an enduring source of inspiration to the human spirit.
The Napier Operatic Society helps foster this artistic spirit and talent by providing theatregoers the opportunity to experience some of the most popular musicals ever written.
We are proud to support them in bringing the music and colourful flamboyancy of “The World’s Best Loved Musical”, My Fair Lady, to the region.
Esam, Cushing & Co
Hastings
12 March 2005
127 Queen Street East, PO Box 241, Hastings, New Zealand – Tel (06)8768129   Fax (06)8785059

Email: [email protected]   Website: [www].esamcushing.co.nz
Partners: Brian J Martin CA   Sir Selwyn Cushing KNZM, CMG, FCA,CMA,ACIS
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