Programme – The Sorcerer

The Sorcerer.

THE GILBERT & SULLIVAN GROUP

(Directed by Jim Lawson)

PRESENT

CENTENNIAL PERFORMANCES

OF

THE SORCERER

First performed Opera Comique, London, November 1877.

The Sorcerer, the first full length opera by Gilbert and Sullivan, was first produced 100 years ago as a successor to their highly popular “Trial by Jury”. The part of J. W. Wells was written especially with Fred Sullivan in mind, – Arthur Sullivan’s brother, who played the Judge so brilliantly in Trial by Jury. To Arthur Sullivan’s great distress, his brother died while The Sorcerer was still uncompleted, and Sullivan’s well-known (hackneyed) music “The Lost Chord”, written in memory of his brother, was composed during the period of writing The Sorcerer.

ACT I.   A party for the villagers on the lawns of Sir Marmaduke’s mansion to celebrate the official betrothal of his son, Alexis, to Aline Sangazure.

ACT II.   Similar, three hours later, when the love potion has taken effect.

CAST

Aline (daughter of Lady Sangazure)   Glenyse Reynolds
Alexis (son of Sir Marmaduke)   Pat Gillespie
Constance (daughter of Mrs. Partlet)   Valerie Mays
Dr. Daly (the Rector)   Bob Murrey
J. W. Wells (of J.W. Wells & Co., Family Sorcerers)   Ron Hill
Mrs. Partlet (Church cleaner)   Dorothy Hendry
Annabella Lady Sangazure   Connie Barfoot
Sir Marmaduke Pointdextre   Jim Lawson
Notary   Bob Huck
Robin (village residents)   Jim Sweatman
Rose (village residents)   Jeannie Roach
Deaf Old Man   Jamie Burnett
Villagers:-   Alison Harding, Pat Berry, Barbara Smith, Elizabeth Pindar, Warren Loader, David Anderson, Jamie Burnett.

Accompanist   Patricia Loader
Clarinet and Recorder   Barbara McLean
Assistant Accompanists (Rehearsals)   Ruth Sweatman, Dorothy Bowyer
Lights and Sounds   Peter McBride and Stuart Bailey
Wardrobe   Wendy Anderson
Set:-   Dorothy Hendry, Wendy Anderson, Ron Hill, Jim Lawson.
Make up:-   Lillian Phillips, Connie Barfoot.

REFERENCES:   “I often roll down One-Tree-Hill.”
– A small hill in North London, at Honor Oak surmounted by a public house.
Mr. Wells is referring to his inebriated state after sessions there.

Mr. Wells:   “I often go to Rosherville.”
– Rosherville Park is a small park near Gravesend, where working class Londoners went for outings and to enjoy the sideshows. Not a haunt of the aristocracy.

Mr. Wells:   “Or you or I must yield up-his life to Ahrimanes.”
– In Zoroastrian (Persian) theology Ahrimanes was the spiritual enemy of mankind. (The religion of the Parsees of India.)

No. 70 “Simmery” Axe:   – Mr. Wells pronunciaton [pronunciation] of St. Mary Aze, the small street (which is in fact in actual existence in the City of London) in which Mr. Wells’ shop is supposedly situated. St. Mary Axe is now a street of offices and publishing firms. “Axe” may be derived from the word “Access.”  J.L.

THANKS ARE DUE TO:-
Woodford House; Group Theatre; and Musical Comedy Company – costumes.
Canvas &. Leather Ltd. – Canvas for tent.
Briar Horrocks – Minuet.