Honkprog

e company r t a e h t e l litt presents

based on Hans Christian Andersen’s

‘The Ugly Duckling ’

music by

george stile s book & lyrics by

anthony drew e

Some eggs e b t ’ can ! n e beat This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Josef Weinberger Ltd.

Greetings and welcome to the Palace Theatre for LTC’s production of HONK! If you’ve never seen the show before, or even if you have, you’re in for a real treat. Packed full of comedy, wonderful music and some really touching moments, it’s a fun family show with a really strong message - “Different is just... different”.

Looking ahead, 2014 promises to be another very exciting year for us.

In April we’ll be staging the local amateur premiere of the outrageously funny musical Avenue Q. If you’re not familiar with this show, please don’t be fooled by the fluffy puppets, this show is not for kids! So book your babysitters now and get ready for a fantastic night out.

Our autumn show next year is the West End hit Witches of Eastwick, which is sure to be another wonderful spectacle.

Thank you for supporting your local theatre. We really appreciate your patronage and hope you love HONK! as much as we do.

Regards, Darren Harper, Chairman

director’s note I remember back in 2000 being told by my father that his theatre company (of which I was a member) would be performing a new and exciting show. I also remember my reaction when I was told what it was – HONK! What on earth is that! Well, I bet many people have said exactly the same thing when they know very little about it. I also bet that, like me, once they’ve had the pleasure of either seeing or performing in it they are instantly taken by the wonderful music and the host of amazing characters.

Since that time, it has been a burning ambition of mine to direct HONK! and I must confess that during my time as chairman, I (perhaps selfishly) persuaded the committee to produce the show.

There are three reasons why I love this show so much, the main one being that in addition to the three principal roles (Ida, Ugly and the Cat), there are so many more larger than life characters which require just as much hard work to bring them to life. This is a great feature that you don’t see often in other shows.

Secondly, the whole essence of this story is so apt in today’s society. We don’t choose to be who we are or how we look, we are born that way. Being different is a truly wonderful thing and we must learn not to judge a book by its cover.

Life would simply be so boring if we were all the same! Finally, this was one of my father’s favourite shows to produce and I remember seeing his smiling face in the audience every night brimming with pride. He taught me so much and gave me his wealth of knowledge about the theatre. I miss him terribly but find comfort in knowing he’s probably watching this show with a big smile on his face.

For my Dad, I personally dedicate this show to you and I hope you enjoy it as much as I have in putting it together with a truly talented cast and crew.

Tim Cater

cast

in order of appearance

Drake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paul Smith Turkey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steve Wilkinson Rooster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Blatchford Partridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carla Cater Hen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Victoria Tewes Mandarin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dave Lobley Quails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elaine Doherty, Joan Hubbard, Judy Laurence Father Owl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Julian Cottee Mother Owl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Laura Witherall Baby Owl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Laura Browne

Henrietta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Katie Pendrigh Chick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chris Jolly Maureen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sarah Mummery Baby Magpie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rebecca Perry-Gamble Carrier Pigeon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chris Lidgard Ida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stephanie Wilson Her Grace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sue Morley Cat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Simon Bristoe Beaky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Laura Harper Fluff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gemma Carracher Billy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jamie Redgate Downy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Laurelle Gallimore Ugly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Darren Harper Fish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Caroline Ahmet, John Blatchford, Laura Browne, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Julian Cottee, Chris Jolly, Chris Lidgard, Katie Pendrigh, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rebecca Perry-Gamble, Victoria Tewes, Laura Witherall Little Boy (Voice) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chris Lidgard DSI Ducks . . . . . . . . Joan Hubbard, Judy Laurence, Rebecca Perry-Gamble Floor Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chris Jolly Camera Man . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chris Lidgard Make Up Girl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Laura Browne Maggie Pie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Caroline Ahmet Greylag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paul Smith Dot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Victoria Tewes Barnacles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Julian Cottee Pinkfoot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Blatchford Snowy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Katie Pendrigh Geese . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carla Cater, Chris Jolly, Chris Lidgard, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steve Wilkinson, Laura Witherall Lowbutt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carla Cater Queenie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Laura Witherall Old Woman (Voice) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Judy Laurence Penny . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Victoria Tewes Mother Swan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Caroline Ahmet Bullfrog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bradley Green Froglets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Cast Farmer Giles (Voice) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chris Lidgard

synopsis of scenes & musical numbers On just an ordinary farm in England, a baby duckling (along with his four siblings) is born to Ida and Drake. Soon realising that he is “different” from the usual brood he is quickly shunned by Drake, the other ducklings and the rest of the poultry community. Lured away by the sneaky and rather hungry Cat (posing as his only friend), Ugly soon finds himself in all kinds of adventures, meeting all manner of colourful and hilarious farmyard animals while trying to find his mama and the rest of the brood. He is closely pursued by the Cat and his worried mother Ida who never gives up hope in finding him.

Act one Scene I – Various locations around the duckyard. Spring A Poultry Tale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Drake, Ida, Cat, Henrietta, Maureen, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Turkey, Grace, Company The Joy of Motherhood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ida, Maureen Different (Pre-Reprise) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ida Hold Your Head Up High . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ida, Ugly, Fish Look At Him . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ida, Drake, Ugly, Maureen, Henrietta, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Turkey, Ducklings, Cat, Grace, Company Different . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ugly

Act TWO Entr’acte Scene I – The old woman’s cottage. Late Summer It Takes All Sorts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Queenie, Lowbutt Together . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cat, Queenie, Lowbutt

Scene II – The Cat’s lair, inside one of the farm buildings Play With Your Food . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cat, Ugly Lost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ugly

Scene IV – A ditch on the moors. Late Autumn Now I’ve Seen You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ugly Warts And All . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bullfrog, Ugly, Froglets The Blizzard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Company

Scene III – The duckyard, later that evening The Elegy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Company Every Tear A Mother Cries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ida Scene IV – The marsh. A late Summer morning The Wild Goose Chase . . . . . . . . . . Greylag, Dot, Cat, Ugly, Geese, Company Act One Finale: Hold Your Head Up High (Reprise) . . . . . Ida, Ugly, Company

Scene II – The duckyard. Late Autumn The Collage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Drake, Ida, Company Scene III – A collage, various locations The Collage (Cont’d) . . . . . . . Ida, Greylag, Queenie, Lowbutt, Cat, Company

Scene V – The open countryside. Late Winter Transformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ugly, Ida, Penny Melting Moggy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cat Scene VI – The duckyard. Early Spring Act Two Finale: Look At Him (Reprise) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Company

darren harper Darren has been with LTC for nearly fifteen years and is currently serving his first term as our Chairman.

HONK! marks his return to the stage after twelve months off, planning and directing our last production, 42nd Street and even found time to get married.

This is a show that has a special place in Darren’s heart. The playful nature of the show, mixed with the wonderful music, makes it fun to pass on such an important message – it’s OK to be different – a message that seems more and more relevant in modern society.

Darren has played numerous roles for LTC through the years.

Some of his more memorable include Bill Snibson (Me & My Girl), Don (Summer Holiday) and, his personal favourite, Seymour Krelborne (Little Shop of Horrors).

With “Ugly” likely to rank amongst his favourite roles, Darren hopes that you really enjoy this wonderful show.

ugly

shunned for his odd appearance

stephanie wilson Stephanie has been a member of LTC for most of her adult life and is thrilled that she can finally play a leading duck! During her time with LTC she has enjoyed playing lots of wonderful human roles such as Dolly Levi (Hello Dolly), Anna (The King & I), Millie (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers) and Sarah (Guys and Dolls). One of her favourites is still the dreadful Miss Hannigan (Annie). Over recent years she has turned her hand to directing hit shows such as 42nd Street, Singing in the Rain, Crazy for You, Stepping Out and Calendar Girls, in addition to our successful run of Farndale Avenue plays.

As well as LTC, Stephanie directs for and helps to run BOSCATS, the junior branch of Benfleet Operatic Society. In her spare time she teaches children with special educational needs and runs evening classes in Performing and Creative Arts at Thurrock Adult Community College.

ida

Ugly’s mother, the only one supportive of him

simon bristoe Simon’s interest in performance and musical theatre began as a child when he and his brother used to perform together to entertain friends and family. It was this which spurred him on to join the Dance World Stage School in Basildon which he attended through to his teens. At this time, he appeared in various productions at the Towngate Theatre and worked with other local groups. In later years Simon was resident singer at the Players Retreat Bistro in Westcliff and in 1993 he and his brother appeared in the music video for Pink Floyd’s Shine on You Crazy Diamond for inclusion in their Division Bell Tour.

This year marks Simon’s fifth show with LTC. Roles here have included Jesus (Jesus Christ Superstar), Chad (All Shook Up), Jonathan Harker (Dracula) and Billy Lawlor (42nd Street). He is really looking forward to performing in this production of HONK! as he is playing a very different character from any of his previous roles! When not on stage, he enjoys travelling, theatre, music and history.

cat

Trying to eat Ugly, sly and cunning

beaky

laura harper

Gemma Carracher

Laura joined LTC back in 2006 for Kiss Me Kate. Since then, she has had the privilege to play some brilliant principal roles, such as Barbara/Bobby (Summer Holiday), Chiffon (Little Shop of Horrors) and, most recently, Natalie/Ed (All Shook Up). She is returning to the stage after taking six months out to be part of the production team for 42nd Street, which was a great experience.

She is delighted to be a part of HONK! as the show is close to her heart and she loves its beautiful message.

HONK! is Gemma’s ninth show with LTC and it is already proving to be one of her favourites. Having played a variety of characters over the years, including Sandra (All Shook Up), Vampire Bride (Dracula) and Phyllis (42nd Street), Gemma feels she most identifies with the playful persona of Fluff and has thoroughly enjoyed revisiting her childhood in order to bring the role to life.

Laura serves on LTC’s committee as Social Entertainments Manager.

She has been one of LTC’s principal dancers since her arrival at the company in 2009, and was the choreographer for All Shook Up in 2012. Gemma also serves on the committee as Communications Officer and manages the LTC social networking sites.

fluff

d

y n ow

Laurelle Gallimore

jamie redgate

Laurelle’s interest in performing arts began at an early age. She studied dancing, singing and acting, achieving qualifications in ISTD Modern and Tap and Guildhall Speech and Drama. Laurelle teaches dance in various theatre schools around Essex and has previously performed as a vocalist and dancer in the UK and abroad. This is Laurelle’s second show with the Little Theatre Company and is delighted to be cast in HONK!

Jamie first started performing on the stage when he was eleven and he has been hooked ever since. This is his eleventh show with LTC and he has been fortunate enough to have played various roles over the years, such as Dennis (All Shook Up), Scarecrow (The Wizard of Oz), Anthony (Sweeney Todd), Jerry Alison (Buddy) and Cyril (Summer Holiday).

He has also enjoyed performing in the LTC chorus for shows such as Little Shop of Horrors, South Pacific and Jesus Christ Superstar.

This is the first time he has played a duck!

b i l ly

Paul Smith drake/greylag This will be Paul’s twelfth show with LTC. During this time he has played a number of principal roles, including Josephine (Some Like It Hot), Zangler (Crazy for You), Adam Pontipee (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers) and Julian Marsh (42nd Street 2004/2013). He was also Chorus Master for LTC’s NODA award-winning productions of 42nd Street (2004) and Crazy for You. Paul has always had a passion for performing arts and started his music career at the age of ten, playing the tuba. He went on to graduate from the University of Brighton with an Honours Degree in Performing Arts. His interests include conducting, performing choral, operatic, orchestral and brass band music.

drake Ugly’s father, who detests Ugly

Victoria Tewes

Sarah Mummery

Carla Cater

Laura Witherall

dot/penny

Maureen

Lowbutt

Queenie

Victoria joined LTC last year and made her debut as a member of the chorus for Dracula. HONK! marks her third show with the company. She started performing at the age of three with the Jacqui Cox Theatre Dance School and was lucky enough to have had the opportunity of performing in some amazing venues across the country.

Sarah has been a member of the company for ten years. In that time she has been lucky enough to have had principal roles in several shows, including Reno Sweeney (Anything Goes), Adelaide Adams (Calamity Jane), Miss Adelaide (Guys and Dolls), Conchita Alvarez (Copacabana) and most recently, Ruth in our production of Calendar Girls.

Carla has been a member of LTC since 1996 when she joined for Little Shop of Horrors, playing Crystal. She has since gone on to perform in many of our productions, taking principal roles which include Grace (Annie), Hattie (Kiss Me Kate), Calamity Jane (Calamity Jane) and twice played the role of Laurey (Oklahoma). She was also an active member of our committee for many years and was kept very busy arranging our many social events.

This will be Laura’s first time on stage with the Little Theatre Company, having co-choreographed our last musical, 42nd Street. Laura is excited to be joining this talented cast of HONK! playing the role of Queenie, a sultry feline. She has thoroughly enjoyed rehearsing this character and although she has found it hard work, it has also been hilarious.

Now working as a both a Vocal Coach and Vocalist on the pub circuit, Victoria is thrilled to be taking on the roles of Dot and Penny and to get back to her musical theatre roots.

Sarah is very much relishing playing the part of Maureen the Moorhen and has had great fun rehearsing with the other birds.

Carla is excited to be playing the role of Lowbutt after concentrating on being a member of the chorus for the last few years. In addition to performing, she took on the challenging job of Wardrobe Mistress for both Jesus Christ Superstar and Dracula.

Her two children are very amused that “Mummy is playing the part of a big fat hen!”

Like many of the cast members, Laura started performing at a young age. She was with Peterborough’s Youth Theatre, then moved to Southend-on-Sea to further her training in Musical Theatre.

Bradley Green

Steve Wilkinson

Katie Pendrigh

Sue Morley

Bullfrog

Turkey/Father Swan

Henrietta/Snowy

Her Grace

This is Bradley’s twelfth show with LTC taking principal roles, including The Big Bopper (Buddy), Beadle Bamford (Sweeney Todd), Ali Hakim (Oklahoma!), Fattie Arbuckle (Mack & Mabel) and, most recently Renfield in our multi award winning production of Dracula.

Steve joined LTC for Me and My Girl in 2003 and that makes HONK! his tenth anniversary show. In that time he has played a variety of roles, including Rudolph (Hello Dolly), Bill Calhoun (Kiss Me Kate), Matthew (Jesus Christ Superstar) and Geoffrey (Stepping Out).

He has also directed for the company, bringing to the stage both Copacabana and the award winning Sweeney Todd.

Having recently joined us, this is Katie’s second show with us. After being a member of the chorus in 42nd Steet, Katie is excited to be taking on the featured roles of Henrietta and Snowy.

As one of LTC’s older members – she joined in 1987 - Sue has appeared in most shows in the chorus, although Summer Holiday involved playing nine character parts! Roles in plays include Dorothy (Stepping Out) and Jessie in (Calendar Girls). Thankfully, Her Grace doesn’t need to disrobe on stage during HONK!

Before he joined LTC he performed many varied roles in a great number of shows, including Nicely Nicely (Guys & Dolls), Quack (Lust), Bullfrog (HONK!), René (‘Allo ‘Allo), Seymour (Little Shop of Horrors) and the Bishop of Basingstoke (Jekyll & Hyde). He received the Brentwood Theatre Award for Best Actor in a Musical for HONK! and Guys & Dolls.

Away from LTC, Steve works at Westcliff High School for Boys where he also directs both plays and musicals, including Grease, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Les Misérables.

Katie has had a passion for performing arts since an early age and went on to graduate with an Honours Degree in Drama and Music.

She now teaches in a local secondary school.

When not performing on stage, Sue also helps to organise the costumes in our warehouse.

Caroline Ahmet

John Blatchford

Dave Lobley

Julian Cottee

Maggie Pie/Mother Swan

Rooster/Pinkfoot

Mandarin

Barnacles/Father Owl

Caroline trained at the Alma Rippon Stage School and went on to become part of Pulse which performed all over London, covering corporate events, TV and film work. She then became a member of the Ilford Operatic and Dramatic Society where she performed in numerous shows at the Kenneth More Theatre. This is Caroline’s second show with LTC, after performing as Any Time Annie in 42nd Street earlier this year.

This is John’s first show with us. He took a break from theatre five years ago whilst studying at SEEVIC College and he has been concentrating on TV and film for the last couple of years.

However, after an evening speaking to old friends, he decided to go along to watch LTC’s version of Dracula and then 42nd Street. This rekindled the theatrical spark in him and he decided to audition for the company in January.

The successful outcome has resulted in HONK! being his LTC debut!

This is Dave’s nineteenth LTC show having joined for Hello Dolly in 2005. Principal roles have included Nathan Detroit (Guys and Dolls) Ricco Castelli (Copacabana) Sergeant of Police (Pirates of Penzance) Mr. Mushnik (Little Shop of Horrors) Luther Billis (South Pacific) Jim Haller (All Shook Up) John Baker (Calendar Girls NODA 2012 Best Actor).

HONK! will be Julian’s second show since joining us in October 2012. He began performing in productions when he was at school and continued to pursue his love of musical theatre by performing at university. He has enjoyed every second of his time with LTC and now looks forward to performing in HONK!, particularly in portraying some outrageous characters!

He has served on the LTC committee and on five production teams, including Director for Summer Holiday and Jesus Christ Superstar (NODA Best Musical 2011).

Dave is also an active member of Southend Shakespeare Company so currently finds himself playing both Julius Caesar and a Frog.

Judy Laurence

Joan Hubbard

Elaine Doherty

Laura Browne

Quail/Old Woman

Quail/DSI

Quail

Baby Owl/robin

Judy’s first flirtation with the stage was with Everyman Theatre Cardiff when she moved to Wales over twenty years ago.

Moving back into the area, Judy joined Southend Shakespeare Company, where she has been a member for seventeen years. Judy has played numerous lead roles including Titania (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Clytemnestra (The Oresteia) and Hermione (The Winter’s Tale) and has taken a great many ensemble parts that have involved some very strange costumes indeed.

Judy joined Little Theatre Company in 2012 to take the role of Annie in Calendar Girls – where any costume would have been welcome! HONK! will be Judy’s first performance as a frog.

Since joining LTC some twelve years ago, Joan has performed in over sixteen shows, playing featured parts in many of them, including Me and My Girl, South Pacific and, most recently, Calendar Girls. She has also been heavily involved in making and altering costumes for many shows, particularly Mack and Mabel, South Pacific and 42nd Street.

Elaine has been singing and dancing in the chorus of LTC for the last twelve years, her first show being The King and I. Since then she has enjoyed performing in Summer Holiday, South Pacific, 42nd Street, Guys and Dolls and many more, including her all time favourite Jesus Christ Superstar.

She also featured in an LTC play – Murder in the Wings and has assisted backstage and Front of House.

Laura started performing on stage at the age of four in Benfleet Operatic Society’s production of Hans Christian Andersen. Since then she has performed with a number of amateur societies. In 2008 she joined LTC and has loved being involved in a number of productions with this very talented group.

Joan has found rehearsing for HONK! great fun, with its moving story line and beautiful music and has enjoyed the challenge of playing a quail and a frog.

She is looking forward to having lots of fun performing as a frog and a quail down on the farm in HONK!.

She has enjoyed rehearsals for HONK!, particularly the challenge of portraying a number of different animals!

Chris Jolly Chick HONK! is Chris’ seventeenth show with LTC, having started in 2005 when he appeared in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Over the years he has enjoyed playing some great roles, such as Ralph (Kiss Me Kate), a Copa Boy (Copacabana), Audrey II Puppeteer (Little Shop of Horrors) and Bartholomew – one of the twelve disciples (Jesus Christ Superstar).

Chris has also been involved in plays outside LTC, playing roles such as a warden (One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest) and a British airman (‘Allo ‘Allo).

He has loved rehearsing for HONK! and is looking forward to the audience’s reaction.

Rebecca Perry-Gamble Baby Magpie/DSI Rebecca has had a love of all things musical and theatrical for many years, beginning as a child with an avid obsession for The King and I. Her first experience of treading the boards in Oscar Wilde’s The Selfish Giant at the Cliffs Pavilion, aged twelve, sealed the deal and she hasn’t looked back since.

As a member of the University of Essex Theatre Arts Society she played a variety of roles, including the principal role in The Snow Queen and Mrs Lyons (Blood Brothers). HONK! is Rebecca’s debut show with LTC and she is excited to be a part of the team.

Chris Lidgard

Abi knight

Carrier Pigeon/Robin

backing vocals

This will be Chris’ third show with LTC, after joining the group only last year.

Playing the part of Quincey, in our award winning production of Dracula, not only gave Chris his first principal role, but also his first experience on stage... ever! Chris then appeared as various characters in the chorus of 42nd Street and cannot wait to add HONK! to his list of achievements. He has thoroughly enjoyed being in the chorus for HONK!, where cast members have had to take on the characteristics of farm animals.

Great fun! A lot of laughs!

Having grown up in a musical family, Abi has been involved in many different orchestras and choirs since she was little, and has studied music at university.

HONK! marks Abi’s tenth show for LTC, having joined in 2008 for Summer Holiday. In that time she has enjoyed singing in the chorus and helping out backstage and is delighted to be involved in singing the harmonies for such a lively, colourful production.

Outside LTC, Abi enjoys doing volunteer work for local projects, gardening and travel.

for little theatre company

orchestra

Director. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tim Cater Assistant Director/Choreographer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ali Graves Creative Director. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bradley Green Musical Director/Chorus Master. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paul Day Production Stage Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tony Godman Deputy Stage Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kim Newcombe Set. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Green, Brenda Green and members of LTC Wardrobe Assistants . . . . . . . . . . Joan Hubbard, Doreen Goodfellow, Sue Morley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carla Cater, Pat Quinton Lighting Designer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert Watson Sound Design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tony Godman Sound Engineer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paul Seed Sound No 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Harry Regan Assistant Stage Manager/Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clare Lawler Assistant Stage Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lauren Ashton Stage Crew. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Janine Mansfield, Richard Morley Make Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ellice Feathers Wigs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nicola Feathers Follow Spot Operators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Debbie Smallbone, Joanne Ellis-Bailey Additional Lighting, Sound and AV Equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . MRL Productions Rehearsal Pianists. . . . . . . . . . . Edward Burt, Maddie Maxwell, Rachael Plunkett Front of House. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Audrey Bott, Doreen Goodfellow Publicity Material and Programme Design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bradley Green Programme Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jeff Hooker Programme Illustrations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bradley Green Programme Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Audrey Bott Publicity Team. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bradley Green, Laura Harper Front of House Photography. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gareth Poxon

Reed 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fraiser Patterson Reed 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tracy Bridgeman Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stefan Mather Trumpet/Flugel Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Phil Davis Guitar (Acoustic/Electric/Steel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Richard Langstone Piano . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rachael Plunkett Percussion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shaun Bajnocky Cello . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kim Roper Bass Guitar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Phil Langsone

for southend theatres Theatre Director. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ellen McPhillips Programme Co-Ordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kate Hazell Marketing & Development Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paul Driscoll Marketing Officer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Emma Harley Marketing Assistant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James Wareham Administration Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Caroline Hatley House Manager, Palace Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Georgie Perkins Stage & Technical Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paul Seed Stage Technicians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Lewins, Dee Newman

n e e r mau

tim cater

Ali Graves

Bradley Green

Paul Day

Director

Assistant Director/ Choreographer

Creative Director

Musical Director

This is Bradley’s sixth show in which he has been part of the production team. He directed and costumed Little Shop of Horrors and All Shook Up. Most recently he designed the costumes for our production of 42nd Street.

Paul first joined us as Chorus Master for Copacabana and has been here ever since. This is his fourteenth consecutive show and his eleventh as Musical Director. He has been involved in musical theatre for many years, both in the pit as a musician and onstage.

Paul also plays and MD’s for a number of other local societies and was the MD for the 2013 Summer Youth Project at the Palace Theatre.

This is Tim’s fifth production as Director for LTC and he is especially pleased to be at the helm of this one. Having played the Cat for the Rainbow 2000 production at the Brentwood Theatre back in 2001, he has always wanted to direct it and especially with a talented group like LTC. Tim is hoping to return to the stage next year in LTC’s production of The Witches of Eastwick.

Acting Credits include: Danny Zuko (Grease – Rainbow), Miles Gloriosus (Forum – WODS & Rainbow 2000), Sky Masterson (Guys & Dolls – Rainbow 2000), Horner (Lust – Rainbow 2000), Demetrius (Midsummer Night’s Dream – SSC), Sir Andrew Aguecheek (Twelfth Night – SSC), Valaire (Tartuffe – SSC), Eric “Rubber Legs” Devine (A Slice Of Saturday Night – Elite Productions), Ambrose Kemper (Hello Dolly – LTC), Orin (Little Shop Of Horrors – Applause & LTC), Stewpot (South Pacific – LTC) & Buddy Holly (Buddy – LTC).

In addition to directing HONK! for us, Tim also directed Guys & Dolls (2006), Oklahoma (2008), Mack & Mabel (2010) and was Co-Director of the multi award winning production of Dracula last year.

Ali studied Performing Arts in college and then went on to America to further her studies and pursue a career in The Arts. She splits her time, working as a dance teacher at JADA Theatre School, at the Oak Tree where she serves vegetarian delights to the people of Leigh, and at LTC where she has enjoyed the last few months working with Tim and the team.

Ali would like to take this opportunity to thank all members of the cast and crew for their tremendous hard work.

For HONK! Bradley is Creative Director, he has overseen the visual look of the show including the set and costumes, a job he has relished.

As well as performing and directing, Bradley designs all of the LTC publicity material and programmes. He has twice won the NODA award for ‘Best Deluxe Programme’ for LTC, something of which he is very proud. He’s also sits on the committee as our Publicity Manager.

Outside of the traditional musical theatre area, Paul is heavily involved with many other musical projects and this year successfully launched his own choir – aptly named The Show Choir.

The pro

Tony Godman

Kim Newcombe

Robert Watson

Lauren Ashton

Clare Lawler

Production Stage Manager/ sound design

Deputy Stage Manager

Lighting Designer

assistant Stage Manager

Kim has been involved in amateur theatre since school and joined LTC for Mack and Mabel, working backstage.

She became DSM for Little Shop of Horrors and has since continued in this role.

Rob enjoys lighting and designing amateur dramatics and has worked with Ltc on numerous shows including Little Shop of Horrors, Jesus Christ Superstar and Dracula.

This will be Lauren’s eleventh show with the group. Her first was Oklahoma!, where she became involved by accident, after being asked by another member to step in at the last minute and she hasn’t looked back since. Having no previous theatrical experience, she has adapted well to the pressure that comes with ensuring a show runs smoothly.

assistant Stage Manager/ properties

Tony studied Engineering at Southend Technical College in the 1970s and has enjoyed assisting many local amateur drama groups over the years.

As an enthusiastic supporter of the Palace Theatre, he has relished the wide range of opportunities presented by being a member of LTC. He was a spot operator on Mack and Mabel, Stage Manager for Little Shop of Horrors, Production Stage Manager for South Pacific, Jesus Christ Superstar, All Shook Up, Calendar Girls and most recently, 42nd Street.

As a keen theatre-goer she would love to be watching the performance. However, being involved in the magical experience behind the scenes for LTC is a welcome break from her everyday job and she enjoys working with a great backstage team.

When not involved in similar projects in theatre you will mainly find him working on shows such as Strictly Come Dancing, Big Brother, Xfactor and The Voice. As well as large scale events such as BBC Proms, Cannes Film Festival and Monaco Grand Prix. Rob wishes LTC good luck with HONK! and is sure it’ll be a success.

Lauren enjoys the fast pace of being part of the backstage team and looks forward to the new challenges that come with the continuing high standard set over recent years.

HONK! will be Clare’s eighth show working backstage with LTC. She attended drama school in 2005, where she gained a qualification in Stage Management. Clare has sourced all props for our last three shows and is already looking forward to working on the next one.

When Clare isn’t sourcing props or moving scenery around, she can be found in the Box Office at the Cliffs Pavilion and Palace Theatre.

She became Assistant Box Office Manager in May this year and is also a member of the Palace Theatre Club.

oduction team

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Past Productions 1949-2013

Chairman: Darren Harper Treasurer & Vice Chairman: Joanne Ellis-Bailey Secretary: Audrey Bott Business & Marketing Manager: Paul Day Social Entertainments Officer: Laura Harper Publicity Manager: Bradley Green Communications Officer: Gemma Carracher Elected Members: Doreen Goodfellow & Chris Jolly Vice Presidents Mrs Sandra Burford Ms Joanne Ellis-Bailey Mrs Doreen Goodfellow Mrs Sally Lightfoot Mrs Iris Lucas Mr Michael Matlin Mrs Sheila Nicol Mr Brian Odell Mrs Pat Odell Mrs Lynne Young Life Members Mr Paul Allwright Mrs Sharon Allwright Mrs Annette Blake Mr Michael Burford Mrs Carla Cater Mrs Pat Collop Mrs Ann Couldridge Mr Ron Couldridge

Mr Gerry Davis Mr Darren Harper Mrs Wendy Hatton Mr Brian Houser Mrs Sue Morley Mr Ray Newby Mrs Beverley Onslow Mr John Onslow Mr Colin Simmonds Mrs Debbie Smallbone Mr Derek Smith Mrs Olive Smith Mr David Stokes Mrs Sheila Thomson Mr Brian Topsfield Mrs Valerie Wilcox Mrs Stephanie Wilson Mr Jim Wolfe Mrs Shirley Wolfe Mr Roger Young

We’re always looking for new members. So whether your forté lies on stage, backstage or even making costumes, there surely isn’t a better way to make so many friends and most of all have fun!

If you would like to be part of the Little Theatre Company, please contact our membership secretary Audrey Bott on 01702 232103 or email membership@littletheatrecompany.co.uk Connect with us at:

www.LittleTheatreCompany.co.uk /LittleTheatreCompany /official_LTC /officialltc

No No Nanette The Girlfriend Mr Cinders Please Teacher Me & My Girl Blue for a Boy Anything Goes South Pacific Love from Judy Kiss Me Kate Girl Crazy South Pacific Annie Get Your Gun Flower Drum Song++ The Music Man++ Carousel Love from Judy Oklahoma!

The Pajama Game Flower Drum Song Camelot Half a Sixpence** Showboat How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying Carousel West Side Story The King & I Half a Sixpence No No Nanette Me & My Girl Charlie Girl The Music Man Rose Marie Camelot Robert & Elizabeth Variety ‘75 Bitter Sweet Variety ‘76 Kiss Me Kate Variety ‘77 Mame West Side Story The King & I Variety ‘79 Love from Judy The Dancing Years

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Variety ‘81 The Sound of Music Salad Days Orpheus in the Underworld Golden Variety ‘82 Oklahoma!

Variety ‘83 South Pacific 7 Brides for 7 Brothers**## Fiddler on the Roof Variety ‘85 Showboat How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying Guys & Dolls Camelot Sweet Charity The Pirates of Penzance Variety ‘89 7 Brides for 7 Brothers Carmen++ The Pajama Game## The Mikado Gentlemen Prefer Blondes++ Carousel Godspell Half a Sixpence Variety ‘93 Guys & Dolls 42nd Street*## The Pirates of Penzance Kismet Will Rogers Follies*## Little Shop of Horrors* Singin’ in the Rain She Loves Me*##(2) Oklahoma!## La Cage Aux Folles Some Like It Hot* The Wiz Mack & Mabel*** The Slipper & the Rose* Annie Crazy For You## The King and I## Oliver!

2003 Anything Goes

Me & My Girl 2004 Calamity Jane

42nd Street## 2005 7 Brides for 7 Brothers

Hello Dolly!

2006 Guys & Dolls

Kiss Me Kate## 2007 The Pirates of Penzance

Copacabana 2008 Oklahoma!

Summer Holiday 2009 Sweeney Todd##

Buddy* 2010 Stepping Out*

Mack and Mabel

Little Shop of Horrors## 2011 South Pacific

Jesus Christ Superstar## 2012 All Shook Up

Calendar Girls*##

Dracula*##^t 2013 42nd Street Our last production: 42nd Street

*Regional Premiere **South East England Premiere ***South East Essex Premiere ++UK Amateur Premiere ##NODA Award Winner ^Palace Theatre Club Award Winner

© Gareth Poxon

President: Gemma Craven

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Echo Newspaper Award Winner

Little Theatre Company Theatrical Costume and Equipment Hire

We offer highly competitive rates on the hire of professional lighting, costumes, theatrical equipment and props.

Lighting Hire

Equipment & Props

Professional, well designed lighting can make a good show great.

Music Stands Add professional quality and convenience to your band or orchestra.

Our professional, powered music stands are robust, sturdy and have built-in lighting on each stand, making them perfect for pit orchestras or for giving your orchestra that professional, uniform look. Our rates start from just £8 per stand, so they really are a must!

Please note that intelligent lighting of this nature may not be suitable in all venues. Please ask for details.

Use of intelligent lighting has many advantages, especially in theatre. Not only does it add vibrant, modern colours and effects to any show or performance, but, thanks to its versatility, it gives you an instant contingency for when things don’t go quite right and it means that you can create entire lighting plots using just a few lamps. The time saved by not having to fix and focus 40 or so standard lamps means that the lighting can practically pay for itself.

We currently offer a set of 4 Martin moving head units available for hire, which consist of 2 Mac500 profile lamps and 2 Mac300 wash lamps. With unit hire rates from just £50 per week, you really can afford to add that professional touch to your next performance.

Costume Hire Quality costumes for every production.

With over 60 years experience in producing shows, we know a thing or two about costumes.

More importantly, you can take advantage of our extensive wardrobe which is bursting at the seams with hundreds of quality costumes. Not only do we have generic costumes for many different eras, but we also have collections of costumes for many of the most popular shows, letting you, literally, dress your show ‘off the rail’.

Props, glorious props As with our costumes, having staged over 130 productions we’ve amassed a huge array of props, including scenery, all of which is available for hire. There are far too many props to list, but from rifles to bicycles, swords to birdcages and musical instruments to suitcases - all, as always, at great rates – it’s always worth giving us a try.

Doing 42nd Street? We’ve got it covered.

Jesus Christ Superstar? That too! Annie? Oliver?

Anything Goes? The Wizard of Oz? Sweeney Todd? No problem.

With rates from just £8 per costume and discounts for sets of costumes, there’s no need to worry about making or buying your costumes.

Just come to us!

Tel: 01702 340308/07947 359046 Email: hire@littletheatrecompany.co.uk

www.LittleTheatreCompany.co.uk

/LittleTheatreCompany

/official_LTC

/officialltc

Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research is the only UK charity solely dedicated to research into blood cancers, including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

Following over 50 years of investment, this organisation now leads in this field. The life-saving research is focused on finding causes, improving diagnosis and treatments, and running ground-breaking clinical trials for all blood cancer patients.

Blood cancers including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma affect people of all ages from babies to grandparents. Around 30,000 people of all ages are diagnosed in the UK with blood cancers every year. When the charity started in 1960, children with leukaemia had virtually no chance of survival.

Now, thanks to research, nine out of ten survive the most common form of childhood leukaemia. The charity’s aim is to ensure that people of all ages are given the best possible chance of survival and of living a normal healthy life after treatment for blood cancer.

They need to raise £100million over the next five years to continue their research into better diagnosis, treatments and cures for all those with blood cancers. This charity relies entirely on voluntary support and receives no government funding.

LTC are donating profits from the first night ticket sales to Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research and will be collecting any donations from the audience after each performance.

For more information contact: Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research 39-40 Eagle Street London WC1R 4TH 020 7504 2200 Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm info@beatingbloodcancers.org.uk

The National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) Founded in 1899, is the main representative body for amateur theatre in the UK. It has a membership of some 2500 amateur/ community theatre groups and 3000 individual enthusiasts throughout the UK, staging musicals, operas, plays, concerts and pantomimes in a wide variety of performing venues, ranging from the country’s leading professional theatres to village halls. Members have access to a wide range of benefits.

NODA is divided into eleven national Regions, each headed by a Region Councillor who sits on the Council (the ruling body of the Association), supported by a network of Regional Representatives and other volunteers. These volunteers are the vital link to the grass roots of the Association and the amateur theatre companies themselves. The Association is administered from its Headquarters in Peterborough, with a knowledgeable and friendly staff able to deal with virtually any enquiry relating to amateur theatre.

There is a broad spectrum of ages involved with amateur theatre nationwide, from a burgeoning number of youth groups to adult companies, which meet the needs of all levels of both performers, whether dramatic or musical, and enthusiasts involved backstage, front of house or in administration.

NODA aims: To give a shared voice to the amateur theatre sector • To help amateur societies and individuals achieve the highest standards of best practice and performance • To provide leadership and advice to enable the amateur theatre sector to tackle the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century

COMING TO THE DIXON STUDIO

12-15 FEBRUARY 2014

director

sallie warrington musical director

ashton moore presented by

Book, music & lyrics by

Jason Robert brown This amateur production is presented by arrangement with josef Weinberger ltd. on behalf of music theatre international of new York.

gareth poxon photography

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weddings | theatre | portraiture

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Tel: 07921 500 242 gareth@garethpoxonphotography.com www.garethpoxonphotography.com

20th to 23rd November 2013

Cornelius Vermuyden School, Dinant Avenue, Canvey Island, Essex, SS8 9QS Please call box ofďŹ ce 01268 751303 for more details www.benop.org.uk

Avenue Little Theatre Company presents

The Musical 9-12 April 2014 Tickets On Sale Now!