Top Hat - The Royal Hall 2018

HOPS

MUSIC AND LYRICS BY

IRVIN BERLIN BASED ON

RKO’S MOTION PICTURE BOOK BY

MATTHEW WHITE AND HOWARD JACQUES ORIGINALLY PRODUCED ON THE WEST END STAGE BY

KENNETH H. WAX

IN THE INTEREST OF OTHER PATRONS AND THE PERFORMERS PLEASE ENSURE ALL WATCH ALARMS, MOBILE TELEPHONES AND PAGING DEVICES ARE SWITCHED OFF DURING THE PERFORMANCE. THE USE OF CAMERAS, TAPE RECORDERS, OR ANY OTHER SIMILAR DEVICE IN THE AUDITORIUM IS STRICTLY PROHBITED. AN AMATEUR PRODUCTION BY ARRANGEMENT WITH R&H THEATRICALS EUROPE

ABOUT THE SOCIETY Harrogate Operatic Players was formed nearly 100 years ago, following a meeting held on 10th March 1924 at Belvedere House, which still stands at the junction of West Park and Victoria Avenue. The first performance was ‘Trial by Jury’ at The Winter Gardens followed by their first full length production of ‘The Rebel Maid’ in February 1925 in the Grand Opera House – now Harrogate Theatre.

Records show that annual musical productions were held at Harrogate Theatre from 1925 until the war in 1939. Then in 1946 the society resumed their annual shows, but this time they were performed at The Royal Hall to accommodate larger audiences.

From 1987 ‘Showtime’ productions were performed in addition to the annual book show and latterly, the players replaced these with the Winter and Summer ‘Serenades’ in the Sun Pavilion.

In 2002, The Royal Hall was suddenly closed for essential repairs and so their annual productions moved back to Harrogate Theatre. Then in May 2008, the Society was delighted to return to The Royal Hall for ‘A Century of Song’. The concert was produced to celebrate the fabulous refurbishment and was hugely successful, both artistically and financially.

So much so, £15,000 was donated to The Royal Hall Restoration Trust making the society one of this great hall’s major benefactors.

As they approach their Centenary, Harrogate Operatic Players are now known affectionately as ‘HOPS’. HOPS are now recognised by a wider circle of theatre goers than ever before and have recently enjoyed sell out houses of popular shows – ‘Sister Act’, and the classic family show – ‘Annie’. This year, HOPS are delighted to present the critically acclaimed musical – ‘Top Hat’ at The Royal Hall.

Treasurer David Hartley

Chairman Helen Mills

Secretary Lizzie Gravestock

Committee Lauren Birch, Steve Graham, Stuart Hutchinson, Mel James, Gavin Mills, Ben Russell Contact us www.harrogateoperaticplayers.co.uk facebook.com/HarrogateOperaticPlayers @HgateOperatics hello@harrogateoperaticplayers.co.uk

HELEN MILLS CHA IRMA N

A very warm welcome to our 2018 production of Top Hat. Harrogate Operatic Players are delighted to be able to bring back the timeless elegance of Top Hat to The Royal Hall which holds a special place in our hearts. This venue is such a memorable place to perform in and we are incredibly lucky in Harrogate to have such a venue.

This glamorous and stylish show will have you mesmerised from curtain up and certainly, will have your toes tapping with the wonderful music which runs throughout. I would like to thank our wonderful production team of Michael Kirkby, Director & Choreographer, Craig Ratcliffe, Musical Director, Christian Horton, Pianist, Jo Harrison, Dance Captain and Liz Lancaster, Stage Manager for their incredible hard work and commitment to this show – the results of all their hard work will be clear to see tonight.

I would also like to take this opportunity to publicly thank all the performing members and friends of the society and especially the hard working committee for their support throughout the year.

As I am sure you realise, a show of this scale is not an easy feat to pull off from the staging to props, costumes to make up, backstage crew and front of house. A lot of personal time is given up to bring all these things together in order to put on a top class production for you, our audience, to enjoy.

Finally, a very big thank you to you, our audience, for your continued support.

CHRISTINE LITTLEWOOD PRESI DENT

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to our production of ‘Top Hat’ in the magnificent Royal Hall, which was our “home” for over 50 years. I am so pleased to address you as President for the first time and I am delighted to be an ambassador for this great society.

I joined Harrogate Operatic Players in 1975. Since that time, I have played many wonderful principal parts. In 2000, I was elected Chairman of the Executive Committee, a role which I held for nine years. Another role I really enjoyed was that of Director/Choreographer for the very popular Serenades in the Sun Pavilion. I was also privileged to direct two compilation shows in the Royal Hall, the first of which was “A Century of Song”, which celebrated the re-opening of the Royal Hall in 2008 and raised £15,000 for the Royal Hall Restoration Trust.

This year, our loyal and talented members have, as always, been working extremely hard to achieve a performance of a very high standard, which I’m sure you will enjoy. As well as those you see on stage, we are indebted to the support and experience given by the back stage team, without whom a production on such a large scale as this could not go ahead.

Harrogate Operatic Players has always employed a professional production team for their main annual musical. This year is no exception and under the expertise of the very talented Michael Kirkby and Craig Ratcliffe, we are, as always, in very safe hands.

So, please sit back, relax and enjoy the lovely words and music of Irving Berlin in ‘Top Hat’.

An American dancer, Jerry Travers comes to London to star in a show produced by the bumbling Horace Hardwick. While practicing a tap dance routine in his hotel bedroom, he awakens Dale Tremont on the floor below. She storms upstairs to complain, whereupon Jerry falls hopelessly in love with her and proceeds to pursue her all over London.

Dale mistakes Jerry for Horace, who is married to her friend Madge. Following the success of Jerry’s opening night in London, Jerry follows Dale to Venice, where she is visiting Madge and modelling/promoting the gowns created by Alberto Beddini, a dandified Italian fashion designer with a penchant for malapropisms.

Jerry proposes to Dale, who, while still believing that Jerry is Horace, is disgusted that her friend’s husband could behave in such a manner and agrees instead to marry Alberto. Fortunately, Horace had sent Bates, his meddling English valet, to keep tabs on Dale and he disguises himself as a priest and conducts the cerermony!

On a trip in a gondola, Jerry manages to convince Dale of who he is and they return to the hotel where the previous confusion is rapidly cleared up. The reconciled couple dance off into the Venetian sunset, to the tune of “The Piccolino”.

The show had its world premiere on 16 August 2011 at the Milton Keynes Theatre, at the beginning of a 17-week UK tour stopping in Birmingham, Southampton, Salford, Plymouth, Norwich, Canterbury, Edinburgh and Leeds. The original cast included Summer Strallen as Dale Tremont and Tom Chambers as Jerry Travers.

The West End stage premiere of TOP HAT opened at the Aldwych Theatre, London, a Nederlander Theatre on 9th May, 2012 presented by Kenneth H. Wax in association with Stewart Lane/Bonny Comley, Ted Hartley, Fiora Shuk-Hwa Yoon and Lee Menzies.

Credit: Original West End Cast

MICHAEL KIRKBY

CRAIG RATCLIFFE

Michael, from Leeds, began his musical career at the age of 13, playing the role of Barnaby in ‘Hello, Dolly!’. Since then, he has gone on to play lead roles in over 100 musicals, including ‘Crazy for You’, ‘42nd Street’ and ‘Anything Goes’.

His favourite roles include Kipps in ‘Half a Sixpence’ and the title role in ‘Hans Andersen’. Michael’s television credits include five years on ‘Junior Showtime’, ‘The Flaxton Boys’, and the paper boy in ‘Queenie’s Castle’ with Diana Dors. His film credits include Alan Parker’s hit musical ‘Bugsy Malone’ in which, at the age of 14, he was lucky enough to land the role of Angelo in Fat Sam’s gang.

Craig is Director of Music at St. John Fisher Catholic High School and 2018 sees him working with Harrogate Operatic Players for the fifth time as Musical Director following ‘Betty Blue Eyes’ (2017), ‘Annie’(2016), ‘Showtime’ (2015) and ‘A Night of Musicals’ (2014).

A trained singer and dancer, he turned his talents to directing and choreography over 20 years ago and now has over 50 shows to his credit. He has also had several award-winning musicals at the Edinburgh Festival. He is delighted to be back in Harrogate as Director and Choreographer, having made his stage debut with us in 1987 as Kipps.

Craig is also an Artistic Director for the Harrogate International Youth Festival and works as a Trustee for the Harrogate International Festival, bringing international artists to Harrogate and the surrounding area.

DIRECTOR/ CHOREOGRAPHER

He has directed our productions since 2002. Mike leads a busy life on and off stage and we are grateful to him for fitting us into his schedule. His rehearsals are always lively and fun.

MUSICA L DIRECTOR

Craig is in demand in many different fields of music and works regularly with young people to develop their musical skills.

Formerly the Musical Director of the Harrogate Band, he spends what free time he has performing as a trombonist in local theatre productions.

Previous roles as Musical Director and Producer include: ‘Betty Blue Eyes’, ‘Seussical the Musical’, ‘The Wizard of Oz’, ‘The Sound of Music’, ‘Phantom of the Opera’, ‘Oliver!’, ‘Hairspray’, ‘Sister Act’, ‘Annie’, ‘The Wind in the Willows’, ‘Chicago’ and ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat’.

STUART HUTCHINSON JERRY TRAVERS

Credits include: Teddy Deakin (The Ghost Train), Gilbert Chilvers (Betty Blue Eyes), Sir Robin (Spamalot), Drake (Annie), TJ (Sister Act), Pursar (Anything Goes), Billy Lawler (42nd Street), Scarecrow (The Wizard of Oz), Kipps (Half a Sixpence), Ambrose (Hello Dolly!), Edwin (Summer Holiday), Frank (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers), Gerald (Me and My Girl), Tommy (Annie Get Your Gun), George Pepper (Red Peppers), Sandy Tyrell (Hay fever), Leading Player (Pippin) and Ensemble in many others.

Directorial credits: Showtime 2015 (HOPS), In The Mood (HOPS) Stuart has been performing since the age of 4 and received training from St Aelred’s Irish Dancers and Katrina Hughes Dancers where he trained in Irish, Jazz, Tap and Ballet and had the privilege of performing at both the London Palladium and Her Majesty’s Theatre, London, along with a European tour.

Stuart has been a member of HOPS since 2011 and has enjoyed many exciting roles.

Stuart is delighted to be playing the role of Jerry in this production. Having seen the musical four times including the original production of ‘Top Hat’ at the Leeds Grand Theatre with Tom Chambers, it is a dream role to have the privilege to play.

When not on stage, Stuart works at Harrogate High School alongside being Principal of Ripon Stage Academy, running HOPS Juniors and being a freelance Graphic Designer.

(Designer for HOPS) www.riponstageacademy.co.uk

JENNIFER HIRST DA LE TREMONT

Credits include: Judy Haynes (White Christmas), Maria (The Sound of Music), Ensemble (BBC Sondheim Prom), Cinderella (Cinderella), Cover Tzeitel, Hodel, Chava and Onstage Swing (Fiddler on the Roof), Susan (Bluebirds), Cassie (A Chorus Line), Anne Egerman (A Little Night Music), Anita (West Side Story), Carrie Pipperidge (Carousel), Penny (A Slice of Saturday Night), Charity (Sweet Charity), Miss Bell (Fame), Val (A Chorus Line), Bianca (Kiss Me Kate), Lady Jacqueline (Me and My Girl), Minnie Fay (Hello Dolly!), Peggy Sawyer (42nd Street).

From the age of three, Jennifer danced at Dorothy Stevens RAD Ballet School and has performed in many musicals since the age of seven. Following university at Durham, Jennifer’s life took a slight turn as she was awarded a BBC Bursary after gaining a place at Maria School in the BBC’s How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? She then trained at Guildford School of Acting and worked professionally before settling back in Yorkshire with her family to pursue one of her other passions, marketing, and enjoys performing in her spare time.

Jennifer is looking forward to making her debut with HOPS in ‘Top Hat’ with a fantastic group of people and is extremely excited to be performing at The Royal Hall for the very first time. It is every little girl’s dream to have the chance to sing and dance to these iconic songs, in beautiful dresses, in such a stunning setting.

GAVIN MILLS

HORACE HARDWICK Credits include: Franklin Hart Jr (9 to 5 The Musical), Mr Tooley (Made In Dagenham), Farmer Sutcliffe (Betty Blue Eyes), Franklin D Roosevelt (Annie), Ensemble (Sister Act,Showtime and Oklahoma) Gavin has been a relative latecomer to the wonderful world of Musical Theatre and only made his first tentative steps onto a stage in HOPS 2014 production of Oklahoma.

Since then however, he has found both a love and also massive enjoyment in being involved in several, successful productions for HOPS & YAODS (Yeadon Amateur Operatics) performing a variety of smaller roles.

He recently completed his first leading role as Franklin Hart Jr, in the NODA award winning 9 to 5 the Musical and is now incredibly excited to be back in Harrogate performing on the Royal Hall stage for the first time as bumbling Englishman, Horace Hardwick.

Gavin is delighted that HOPS have returned to the grand setting of the Royal Hall for this sparkling production of Top Hat and really hopes that you all enjoy watching the show!

NATALIE PAGE MA DGE HARDWICK

Credits include: Grace Farrell (Annie), Sister Mary Martin of Tours (Sister Act), Gertie (Oklahoma), Anytime Annie (42nd Street), Tuptim (The King and I), Hodel (Fiddler on the Roof), Miss Adelaide (Guys and Dolls), Paulina (The Winter’s Tale), Lady Macbeth (Macbeth), Nancy (Oliver), Gerda (The Snow Queen), Ophelia (Dogg’s Hamlet and Cahoot’s Macbeth).

Natalie’s first ever role was as an all singing and dancing, roller skating Figaro the Cat in a school production of Pinocchio, aged 6. She loved it so much she then filled up all her spare time with dance classes, school productions and youth theatre groups and was part of a small group from school picked to sing on three BirdsEye fish finger adverts. Her first amateur dramatics production was in ‘Annie’ at Lewisham Theatre, aged 9, and she was absolutely hooked. Natalie went on to study Theatre Studies and English at Lancaster University and then toured in tribute bands to the Spice Girls, Abba and Bewitched, performing in gigs around the world as well as throughout the UK. She has appeared in a film, ‘Father and Son’, which was subsequently banned, a documentary on Channel 4 about the Spice Girls and as Anne Boleyn in ‘Terrors of the Tower’. She also popped up as an extra on several episodes of ‘Gigglebiz’ for CBeebies much to her children’s delight! Natalie has recently started gigging again, as a backing singer, and is excited to be filming a music video next month in London.

Natalie is thrilled to be playing Madge and hopes that you all enjoy the show as much as she has enjoyed rehearsing for it.

DAN STANFORD

CLIVE KIRKHAM

Credits include: Nankipoo (The Mikado), Sgt. Noble (Betty Blue Eyes), Richard Dauntless (Ruddigore), Bert Healy (Annie), Frederic (The Pirates of Penzance), Colonel Fairfax (Yeomen of the Guard) and Ensemble in others.

Credits include: David Horton (The Vicar of Dibley): Kamamica, Rene Artois (‘Allo ‘Allo): Kamamica, Big Daddy Brubeck (Sweet Charity): Deanery Players, Albin/Zaza (La Cage Aux Folles): Deanery Players, Wicked Queen (Snow White), Pannal Players

Daniel’s performing history started with Gilbert & Sullivan in a school performance of The Pirates of Penzance, where he was thrown in at the deep end by being asked to play the lead tenor role. Since then he has been involved in numerous productions as part of the Gilbert & Sullivan and Central Hall Musical Societies at the University of York, the Harrogate Gilbert & Sullivan Society, and HOPs.

Writer/Director: Little Red Ridin in Da Hood (Pannal Players Pantomime 2018) Cinderella (Pannal Players Pantomime 2017)

A LBERTO BE DDINI

Daniel is proud and excited to be playing the role of Alberto Beddini in this production. However, he feels obliged to state that he has never been to Italy, nor has he ever studied the Italian language. Daniel would therefore like to apologise for his terrible accent, to which he will not deign to assign a country of origin.

Daniel spera che ti piaccia lo spettacolo! (‘e ‘opes that you weel enjoy the show!)

BATES

This is Clive’s first production with HOPS.

Choreography Credits: Little Women (LST), Rent (LST), A Night Of Musicals (LST), Miscast Musicals (LST), Witches of Eastwick (LST), LST Cabaret 2014 (LST), Evita (LST), Variety Show 2012 (LST), Spring Awakening (LST).

JO HARRISON

LAURA ASKEW

HOTEL MAID/CHORINE/ DANCE CAPTAIN

HOTEL MAID/ensemble Training: KSSD, University of Cumbria and University of Central Lancashire.

Credits include: Bruno (The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas), Sarah (Company), The Wizard Of Oz (Deanery Players), Sister Mary Patrick (Sister Act HOPS), Boylan Sister (Annie), Mrs Metcalf (Betty Blue Eyes), Ensemble (Oklahoma!, South Pacific and Kiss Me Kate).

Credits include: Phyllis Dale (42nd Street), Charity (Anything Goes), Bielke (Fiddler On The Roof).

LIZ EALES SOLOIST chorine/ENSEMBLE Credits include: Tzietal (Fiddler on the Roof), Isabella (Pickwick), Sister Sophia (The Sound of Music), Hodel (Fiddler on the Roof), Carrie Pepperidge (Carousel), Irene Malloy (Hello Dolly) and Ensemble in many others.

Choreographic credits include: Hamlet (6:12), ‘Allo ‘Allo! (HDS), Façade (6:12), Habeas Corpus (HDS), Stepping Out (HDS), A Century Of Song (HOPs), plus numerous ‘Serenades’ (HOPs).

rob hastings MANAGER/ENSEMBLE

jess cliff young lady/ENSEMBLE Credits include: Ruth (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers), Dancer (Grease), Cowgirl/ Principle Dancer (Footloose), Kyra (Bare: A Pop Opera), Hot Box Girl (Guys and Dolls), Sister Sarah Brown (Guys and Dolls), Ensemble (Summer Holiday), Ensemble (Little Shop of Horrors).

Directional Credits: A Night Of Musicals (LST), Miscast Musicals (LST), LST Cabaret 2014 (LST), Variety Show 2012 (LST), Spring Awakening (LST).

LIZzie gravestock MAID/CHORINE/ENSEMBLE Credits include: Mrs Turnbull (Betty Blue Eyes), Lily St. Regis (Annie), Hysterium (Forum), Phyllis (Follies), Reno Sweeney (Anything Goes), Eliza (My Fair Lady), Mabel (Mack & Mabel), Maria (Sound of Music).

Credits include: Ben Hecht (Moonlight and Magnolias), Buddy Cortina (Made in Dagenham),Bobby Child (Crazy for You), Fagin (Oliver), Bill Snibson (Me and my Girl), Pike (Dads Army), Alberto Bertorelli (Allo Allo), Billy Crocker (Anything goes), Adam Pontipee (7 brides for 7 brothers), Frank Butler (Annie get your Gun).

Directorial Credits: Tram Track Tragedy (Deanery Players), Thats Life (Phoenix Players), The Phoenix Review (Phoenix Players).

mel james FLORIST/Chorine/ENSEMBLE Credits include: Mrs Tillbrook (Betty Blue Eyes), Phyllis (42nd Street), Liane D’Exelmans (Gigi), Polly (Crazy for You), Polly (The Boyfriend), Helen Walsingham (Half a Sixpence), Hope (Anything Goes), Ensemble (‘The Sound of Music’, ‘Oklahoma!’, ‘Sister Act’ and ‘Annie’).

emma levahn RECEPTIONIST/ENSEMBLE Credits include: Ensemble/ dancer (Made in Dagenham, Betty Blue Eyes, 9 to 5, Crazy for You, The Only Way is Broadway, and Oklahoma).Â

SIMON littlewood REPORTER/WAITER/ENSEMBLE Credits include: Song of Norway, Half a Sixpence, My Fair Lady, The King & I, The Boyfriend, Summer Serenade, Winter Serenade, Century of Song, Sound of Music, Oklahoma, Sister Act, Song & Dance, Company, Yeomen of the Guard, Pirates of Penzance.

ANGELA MAYES ASSISTANT FLORIST/ENSEMBLE Credits include: La Cage, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, 42 Street, Peep Bo (Mikado), Polly (Boyfriend), Brigadoon The Pajama Game, Chastity (Anything Goes), Sister Act, Annie, Betty Blue Eyes, Winter Serenades

Ed Hoult CONCIERGE/SPECIALITY DANCER/ ENSEMBLE Credits include: Munchkin (The Wiz), Buttons (Cinders), Ripon Stage Academy Showcases (2014 - 2017), Mayor Tex Truman (Ye Ha!), Galileo (We Will Rock You (April 2017)), Yuppie (We Will Rock You (December 2017)).

CASS MCLINTOCK SPECIALITY DANCER/MAID/ ENSEMBLE Credits include: Carol Mekett (Black Comedy), Elizabeth Lavenza (Frankenstein), Sarah Siddons, (An Actors Nightmare), Singing Quartets and Ballroom and Latin Dance Competitions.

LIZZIE OATES ENSEMBLE Credits include: Ensemble (Anything Goes, South Pacific), Tree (The Wizard of Oz), Boylen sister (Annie 2014), Ensemble (Annie 2016) Mrs Cunliffe (Betty Blue Eyes).

JANET SIMMONS RICH LADY/ENSEMBLE Credits include: Betty Blue Eyes, Sister Act, Anything Goes, Serenade, Our House, Old Time Music Hall, She Loves You Yeah!, Grease, White Christmas, Billy, La Cage aux Folles, Chicago, Anything Goes, Hair, Wizard of Oz, The King and I, Damn Yankees, Fiddler on the Roof, Scrooge, Sweet Charity.

Thomas Mills

TRACEY SMITH

george/bell boy/ ENSEMBLE

ENSEMBLE

Credits include: Century of Song (HOPS), Little Kipps (Half a Sixpence) Guiseley Operatics, Orphan (Oliver) Phoenix Players, Cagey Joe (Bugsy Malone) NYTC, Ensemble (High School Musical) NYTC, Ensemble (Blood Brothers) King James’s School production, Johnny Casino (Grease) King James’s School production.

Watt (What a Knight) HOPS Juniors production, Bob Cratchit, (A Fairytale Christmas Carol) HOPS Juniors production, Showtime with HOPS, (Spotlight) HOPS Juniors production.

ABI SUTCLIFFE

chris WALL

ENSEMBLE

Maurice/RICH MAN/Hotel singer/ENSEMBLE

Credits include: My Fair Lady, Annie Get Your Gun, Can Can, Kiss Me Kate, Guys & Dolls, 42nd Street, Gigi, Me & My Girl, Salad Days, Fiddler on the Roof.Showtimes 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98

Credits include: Dancer (Sister Act), Ensemble (Oklahoma), Tibia (The Wizard of Oz), Phyllis (42nd Street), Dancer (Me and My Girl), Havana Dancer (Guys and Dolls), many more as a dancer or ensemble.

Credits include: Mr Andrews (Titanic), Mr Bumble (Oliver!), Tevye (Fiddler on the Roof), Ensemble (Sing As We Go, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Made in Dagenham)

FERN SUMMERTON

LUCY THACKWRAY

CHORINE/ENSEMBLE

ENSEMBLE

Credits include: Kit (Betty Blue Eyes), Ensemble (Annie), Dancer (Showtime), Ensemble (Sister Act), Ensemble (Oklahoma), Ensemble (La Cage Aux Folles), Ensemble (The Wizard Of Oz), Dancer (Born To Dance), Dancer in many other dance shows.

Credits include: Twin 1/Ensemble (Pippin), Witch (Witches in Disguise), Dancer (Unbound, an original dance piece), Addiction (Online, an original dance piece), Singer (Rockomania), Dancer (Grotesque In Light), Jean/Ensemble (Loserville), Dancer (No Proof of Evidence), Dancer (Love To Dance 2), Dancer (Love To Dance), Dancer (You Can’t Stop The Beat), Dancer (Danse) and Dancer (Let’s Dance).

Directorial/Choreography credits: Online (University of Cumbria), Rockomania (University of Cumbria)

IRVING BERLIN MUSIC A N D LYRICS

With a life that spanned more than 100 years and a catalogue that boasted over 1000 songs, Irving Berlin epitomized Jerome Kern’s famous maxim that “Irving Berlin has no place in American music -- he is American music.”

Irving Berlin was born Israel Beilin on May 11, 1888. One of eight children, his exact place of birth is unknown, although his family had been living in Tolochin, Belarus, when they immigrated to New York in 1893. When his father died, Berlin, just turned 13, took to the streets in various odd jobs, working as a busker singing for pennies, then as a singing waiter in a Chinatown Cafe. In 1907 he published his first song, “Marie from Sunny Italy,” and by 1911 he had his first major international hit - “Alexander’s Ragtime Band.”

Over the next five decades, Irving Berlin produced an outpouring of ballads, dance numbers, novelty tunes and love songs that defined American popular song for much of the century.

A sampling of just some of the Irving Berlin standards includes “How Deep Is The Ocean,” “Blue Skies,” “White Christmas,” “Always,” “Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better,” “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” “Cheek To Cheek,” “Puttin’ On The Ritz,” “A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody,” “Heat Wave,” “Oh! How I Hate To Get Up In The Morning,” “Easter Parade” and “Let’s Face The Music And Dance.” In a class by itself is his beloved paean to his beloved country, “God Bless America.”

He was equally at home writing for Broadway and Hollywood. He wrote seventeen complete scores for Broadway musicals and revues, and contributed material to six more.

Among the shows featuring all-Berlin scores were THE COCOANUTS, AS THOUSANDS CHEER, LOUISIANA PURCHASE, THIS IS THE ARMY, MISS LIBERTY, MR. PRESIDENT, CALL ME MADAM and the phenomenally successful ANNIE GET YOUR GUN. Recent musicals culled from his screen work include IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS (Broadway, across the USA, Canada and Great Britain), and TOP HAT, currently in its 2nd year in London’s West End and winner of the 2013 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical.

Among the Hollywood movie musical classics with scores by Irving Berlin are TOP HAT, FOLLOW THE FLEET, ON THE AVENUE, ALEXANDER’S RAGTIME BAND, HOLIDAY INN, BLUE SKIES, EASTER PARADE, WHITE CHRISTMAS and THERE’S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS. His songs have provided memorable moments in dozens of other films as wide apart in space and time as THE JAZZ SINGER (1927), HOME ALONE (1991) and TITANIC (1997) to THE SIMPSONS (2006), SPIDER-MAN 3 (2007) and DOWNTON ABBEY (2011). Among his many awards were a special Tony Award (1963) and the Academy Award for Best Song of the Year for “White Christmas” in 1942.

An intuitive business man, Irving Berlin was a co-founder of ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers), founder of his own music publishing company, and with producer Sam Harris, builder of his own Broadway theatre, The Music Box. An unabashed patriot, his love for - and generosity to - his country is legendary, exemplified by his establishing The God Bless America Fund, which receives all income from his patriotic songs and distributes it to the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. His actions were acknowledged with such accolades as the Army’s Medal of Merit from President Truman in 1945; a Congressional Gold Medal for “God Bless America” and other patriotic songs from President Eisenhower in 1954; and the Freedom Medal from President Ford in 1977. In 2002, the U.S. Army at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, named the Army Entertainment Division (AED) World Headquarters “The Irving Berlin Center” in his honor. Also that year he was commemorated on a U.S. postage stamp.

Irving Berlin’s centennial in 1988 was celebrated worldwide, culminating in an all-star tribute at Carnegie Hall benefitting the Hall and ASCAP, subsequently an Emmy Award winning special on CBS, and featuring such varied luminaries of the musical world as Frank Sinatra, Leonard Bernstein, Isaac Stern, Natalie Cole and Willie Nelson.

On September 22, 1989, at the age of 101, Irving Berlin died in his sleep in his town house in New York City. A widower since his wife of 62 years, the former Ellin Mackay, had died the previous year at the age of 85, Berlin was survived by three daughters and their families at the time of his death.

FROM SCREEN TO STAGE RKO’S MOTION PICTURE Top Hat is a 1935 American screwball musical comedy film in which Fred Astaire plays an American dancer named Jerry Travers, who comes to London to star in a show produced by Horace Hardwick (Edward Everett Horton).

He meets and attempts to impress Dale Tremont (Ginger Rogers) to win her affection. The film also features Eric Blore as Hardwick's valet Bates, Erik Rhodes as Alberto Beddini, a fashion designer and rival for Dale's affections, and Helen Broderick as Hardwick's long-suffering wife Madge.

The film was written by Allan Scott and Dwight Taylor. It was directed by Mark Sandrich. The songs were written by Irving Berlin. "Top Hat, White Tie and Tails" and "Cheek to Cheek" have become American song classics. It has been nostalgically referred to — particularly its "Cheek to Cheek" segment — in many films, including The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985) and The Green Mile (1999).

Top Hat was the most successful picture of Astaire and Rogers' partnership (and Astaire's second most successful picture after Easter Parade), achieving second place in worldwide box-office receipts for 1935.While some dance critics maintain that Swing Time contained a finer set of dances,Top Hat remains, to this day, the partnership's best-known work.

Matthew white - Book Matthew's writing credits include TOP HAT (R&H) which enjoyed a successful West End run at the Adelphi Theatre, toured Britain and Japan, and which won three Olivier awards including Best New Musical; MR STINK, a theatrical adaptation of David Walliams's best-selling novel (Leicester Curve and national tour), FAR FROM THE MADDENING CROWD (Samuel French), an adaptation of Thomas Hardy's novel, produced at the Watermill Theatre, Newbury, Staging A Musical (Bloomsbury), and three musicals for children based on Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes - THREE LITTLE PIGS, LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD, and JACK AND THE BEANSTALK (Bloomsbury). Matthew is also a director and actor.

HOWARD JACQUES- Book Howard Jacques co-wrote the book for TOP HAT at the Aldwych Theatre which was nominated for seven Laurence Olivier Awards winning three including Best New Musical 2013 as well as the Evening Standard Award for Best Night Out. It played in the West End for almost two years and has enjoyed two major national tours, two productions in Japan and a production in Sweden.

He conceived and wrote SOMETHING WONDERFUL (Savoy Theatre and tour) and is currently developing and co-writing the lyrics for a new musical production of JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS. He was delighted to have been involved in turning Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks' picture book into a live version for the stage which is playing at the Lyric Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue in summer 2017.

FILMING THE TRAILER WITH A N DY, JO A ND GARY

Now with over 8.8 thousand views, we are so proud of our promotional film for Top Hat which has exceeded our expectations and the feedback has been overwhelming.

The promotional film / trailer concept is not unusual to theatre companies and is now a useful promotional tool to promote shows, but with each year the team like to raise the bar on their previous production.

HOPS marketing manager - Mel James met with Jo Harrison and Andy Stenning way back in January to put together some ideas for the promotional film. You may recall that Jo and Andy had worked for the society previously on Sister Act, then Annie and also last year – Betty Blue Eyes.

Andy and Jo have both worked as First and Second Assistant Directors in Television and film for many years. Working for shows like Emmerdale, Heartbeat and The Royal and then focusing in most recent years on BBC comedy shows like ‘Miranda’, ‘Harry and Paul’, ‘Absolutely Fabulous’, ‘Still Open All Hours’ and also children’s TV shows on CBeebies and CBBC like Gigglebiz, Old Jack’s Boat and 4 o’clock Club.

Andy and Jo’s concept of the film sees the cast in Harrogate in their ‘civvy clothes’ in cafes, restaurants and even in the ‘Welcome to Harrogate’ sign by ‘Betty’s’ to really capture the flavour of Harrogate.

‘The film also shows the leading couple take off in the Yorkshire Air Ambulance after the show. This was cleverly put together with the expert camera work of Gary Lawson and the generosity and time from the team at Yorkshire Air Ambulance.’

‘Yorkshire Air Ambulance is our chosen charity of the year and so Andy and Jo came up with the genius idea of using them in the film too. It was a surprise to many!’

Jerry Travers Dale Tremont Horace Hardwick Madge Hardwick Beddini Bates Florist/Chorine/Ensemble Florist Assistant/Ensemble Speciality Dancer/Consierge/Ensemble Hotel Manager/Ensemble Hotel Receptionist/Ensemble Maurice/Hotel Singer/Ensemble Maid Tilly/Chorine/Ensemble Reporter/Waiter/Ensemble Speciality Dancer/Maid/Ensemble Rich Lady/Ensemble Soloist Chorine/Ensemble Chorine/Maid/Ensemble Maid/Ensemble George/Bell boy/Ensemble Chorine/Ensemble Young Lady/Ensemble Hotel Guest/Ensemble Hotel Guest/Ensemble Hotel Guest/Ensemble Hotel Guest/Ensemble

Reed 1 Reed 2 Reed 3 Trumpet 1 Trumpet 2 Trombone Keyboard Drum Kit Percussion Violin 1 Violin 2 Viola Cello Bass

STUART HUTCHINSON JENNIFER HIRST GAVIN MILLS NATALIE PAGE DAN STANFORD CLIVE KIRKHAM MEL JAMES ANGELA MAYES ED HOULT ROB HASTINGS EMMA LEVAHN CHRIS WALL LIZZIE GRAVESTOCK SIMON LITTLEWOOD CASS MCLINTOCK JANET SIMMONS LIZ EALES JO HARRISON LAURA ASKEW THOMAS MILLS FERN SUMMERTON JESS CLIFF LIZZIE OATES ABI SUTCLIFFE LUCY THACKWRAY TRACEY SMITH

ELLIE SANDBROOK KATIE WOOD MATTHEW MCGUFFIE ROSS SIMPSON/SAM FISHER BEN ROBINSON ANNA MARSHALL CHRISTIAN HORTON EDWIN SPARROW HENRY MILLS DAN JACKMAN TERESA CRICK JESS DOUGLAS CHRISTIAN DUTTON ALASDAIR SIMPSON

Director & Choreographer Musical Director Stage Director Music Repetiteur Dance Repetiteur Marketing & Press Publicity Artist Business Manager Wardrobe Mistress Wardrobe Team

Stage Crew

Props Prompt Microphone Co-Ordinatior Microphones Programme Editor Hair/Wigs Front Of House Raffle Photography Programme Printing

MICHAEL KIRKBY CRAIG L. RATCLIFFE LIZ LANCASTER CHRISTIAN HORTON JO HARRISON MEL JAMES STUART HUTCHINSON BEN RUSSELL MARION ELLERKER LAUREN BIRCH PAT HARRISON CHRISTINE LITTLEWOOD RUTH GRAHAM LYNDA BREEN TINA DAVIS STEVE GRAHAM DAN LANCASTER DAVID HARTLEY JOHN GUTHERIE MARK BARRETT SARAH MANSBRIDGE CATHY HELLAS DAVID NEILD, OLNA NEILD MARK SMITH JACKIE BELL ROYAL HALL, TRUESOUND STUART HUTCHINSON RICHARD LILL BEN RUSSELL CHRISTINE LITTLEWOOD MATTHEW KITCHEN TIG

ACT 1 NEW YORK, AMERICA PUTTIN’ ON THE RITZ

Jerry Travers/ Ensemble

LONDON, ENGLAND NO STRINGS (I’M FANCY FREE)

Jerry Travers/ Hotel Maids

HOTEL SEQUENCE

Ensemble

I’M PUTTING ALL MY EGGS IN ONE BASKET

Jerry Travers

ISN’T IT A LOVELY DAY

Jerry Travers/ Dale Tremont

YOU’RE EASY TO DANCE WITH

Dale Tremont/ Hotel Porters

WHAT IS LOVE?

Chorines

TOP HAT, WHITE TIE AND TAILS

Jerry Travers/ Ensemble

ACT 2 VENICE, ITALY THE PICCOLINO WILD ABOUT YOU CHEEK TO CHEEK

Ensemble Dale Tremont Jerry Travers/ Dale Tremont/ Ensemble

BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME LATINS KNOW BEST LET’S FACE THE MUSIC AND DANCE OUTSIDE OF THAT I LOVE YOU FINALE

Dale Tremont Alberto Beddini Jerry Travers/ Dale Tremont Horace Hardwick/ Madge Hardwick Company

Each year, our society takes time to consider several charities to support over our financial year and the members simply vote for the charity that has connected with them the most.

This year, our friend and fellow playing and committee member, Lauren Birch, told us a heart wrenching story of how her close and lifelong friend, Beth Taylor, lost her father last year but then of how the family had been so very grateful to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance for giving him that fighting chance.

And so, the team behind Harrogate Operatic Players worked with the Yorkshire Air Ambulance to put together an exciting fundraising campaign for both the cast and crew and raise a target of ÂŁ2000.

From Carol Singing to The Knaresborough Bed Race to the big opening night of Top Hat in support of Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

The Top Hat Team are really hoping to achieve their ÂŁ2000 target and encourage any members or friends of the society to donate whatever they can spare for this fantastic charity that can give us all a fighting chance if we ever need it.

We understand that it costs an incredible ÂŁ12,000 a day to run the Yorkshire Air Ambulance Service and it is with huge thanks to donations from our community that they can continue to operate.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance will be bucket collecting at the end of each Top Hat performance and we hope that you will support them with whatever change you can afford to spare.

Thank you to all those who have already donated money to Yorkshire Air Ambulance and we look forward to announcing our total for the year at our AGM in September.

1925 The Rebel Maid 1926 Miss Hook of Holland 1927 Iolanthe 1928 The Mikado 1929 The Duchess of Dantzig 1930 The Yeomen of the Guard 1930 The Rose of Persia 1932 Trial by Jury and Pirates of Penzance 1933 The Desert Song 1934 The Vagabond King 1935 The Student Prince 1936 The Maid of the Mountains 1937 Good Night Vienna 1938 Katinka 1939 No, No, Nanette 1946 The Desert Song 1947 The Gondoliers and Merrie England 1948 New Moon 1949 Tom Jones 1950 The Belle of New York 1951 Gipsy Love 1952 Waltz Time 1953 Bitter Sweet 1954 The Land of Smiles 1955 Brigadoon 1956 The Quaker Girl 1957 Wedding in Paris 1958 Goodnight Vienna 1959 Love from Judy

1960 Free as Air 1961 White Horse Inn 1962 The Merry Widow 1963 Oklahoma!

1964 Wild Violets 1965 The Belle of New York 1966 The King and I 1967 Die Fledermaus 1968 Carousel 1969 Waltzes from Vienna 1970 Bless the Bride 1971 Orpheus in the Underworld 1972 Kings Rhapsody 1973 The Vagabond King 1974 Oliver!

1975 Showboat/Showtime Gala Concert 1976 Hello, Dolly!

1977 The Desert Song 1978 My Fair Lady 1979 Oklahoma!

1980 Song of Norway 1981 Kiss me Kate 1982 Kismet/Showtime ‘82 1983 The Sound of Music 1984 La Vie Parisienne/Sixty Glorious Years 1985 Carousel 1986 Summer Song 1987 Half a Sixpence/Showtime ‘87 1988 Hans Andersen

1989 Fiddler on the Roof/Showtime ‘89 1990 The Dancing Years/Showtime ‘90 1991 Annie Get Your Gun/Showtime ‘91 1992 Can Can/Showtime ‘92 1993 Kiss Me Kate/Showtime ‘93 1994 Guys and Dolls/Showtime ‘94 1995 42nd Street/The Boyfriend 1996 Gigi/Showtime ‘96 1997 Me and My Girl/No, No, Nanette 1998 Crazy For You/Salad Days 1999 Oklahoma!/Showtime ‘99 2000 Mack and Mabel/Godspell 2001 Anything Goes/A Summer Serenade 2002 My Fair Lady/A Summer Serenade 2003 Half a Sixpence/A Winter Serenade 2004 The King and I/A Winter Serenade 2005 Oliver!/A Winter Serenade 2006 The Boyfriend/A Winter Serenade 2007 42nd Street/A Winter Serenade 2008 A Century of Song!/A Winter Serenade 2009 Carousel 2010 Fiddler on the Roof/ Celebration of Song 2011 Hello, Dolly!/Serenade 2012 The Sound of Music/Serenade 2013 Anything Goes/Serenade 2014 Oklahoma!/A Night of Musicals 2015 Sister Act/Showtime ‘15 2016 Annie/In The Mood 2017 Betty Blue Eyes

LIFE MEMBERS Mrs Jane Bradley Mrs Betty Bratley Mr Brian Foster Mrs Pat Harrison

JUNIOR MEMBERS Mr John Littlewood Mrs Christine Littlewood Mr Colin Wintersgill

PLAYING MEMBERS Laura Askew Jess Cliff Liz Eales Lizzie Gravestock Joanne Harrison Rob Hastings Jennifer Hirst Stuart Hutchinson Melanie James Clive Kirkham Emma Levahn Simon Littlewood Angela Mayes Cassandra McClintock

Gavin Mills Lizzie Oates Natalie Page Janet Simmons Tracey Smith Dan Stanford Fern Summerton Abi Sutcliffe Lucy Thackwray Chris Wall Ed Hoult

Sophie Baker Eva Featherstone, Katie Hawkes Jacob Holmes Ella Hyde Freya Hyde Maisie Jackson Ellie Lebbon Thomas Mills

FRIEN DS Paula Berger Simon Berger Christine Castle Lisa Graham Ruth Graham Stephen Graham Cathy Hellas

Shirley Hilton Richard Lill Helen Mills Nadia Murrell A Nicholson Fernando North Ruth Pridmore

Norma Rosen Bill Waller Robin Withey.

Remembering past Friends and Members no longer with us.

For an annual subscription of ÂŁ10, you are entitled to priority booking facilities for all our productions.

In addition Friends’ names are printed in our souvenir programme and you have voting rights at our annual general meeting.

If interested, then please email us at hello@harrogateoperaticplayers.co.uk

Jo Harrison and Andy Stennin Harrogate Advertiser BBC Radio York - Neil Foster Harrogate Library Alan Graham - Costumes Ripon Stage Academy Gary Lawson Photography Matthew Kitchen Photography

Katherine Pringle Chloe Prytherch Lily Taylor Holly Todd Iris Wall Amy Wilson

Jamie Sia Photography St John Fishers School Stray FM Hospital Radio Marmaduke Graphic Design Turnip Marketing The Royal Hall TIG - Sponsors

The National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA), founded in 1899, is the leading representative body for amateur theatre in the UK. The Association has a membership of approximately 2400 amateur theatre groups and over 2000 individual members staging musicals, operas, plays, concerts and pantomimes in a wide variety of venues ranging from the country’s leading professional theatres to village halls. Covering a broad spectrum of age ranges NODA member societies meet the needs of all levels of both performers, whether dramatic, dance or musical, and those involved backstage, front of house or in society administration.

NODA aims: • To give a shared voice to amateur theatre • To help societies and individuals achieve the highest standards of best practice and performance.

• To provide leadership and advice to enable amateur theatre to tackle the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century To achieve these aims NODA is divided into eleven regions, each headed by a regional councillor who sits on the National Council (ruling body of the Association), and supported by a network of regional representatives and officials.These volunteers are the vital link to the grass roots of the Association; the amateur theatre groups themselves and their members.

To provide support and assistance to these volunteers, the Association is administered from its office in Peterborough, by a knowledgeable and friendly staff who can deal with any enquiry about amateur theatre.

Membership of NODA provides theatre groups and individuals with a wide range of benefits, including access to NODA’s advice service at national and regional level, as well as representation to government, access to funding agencies, direct access to rights holders and the media, as well access to regional and national conferences, workshops and seminars to help share information on best practice.

NODA holds an annual residential Summer School (with bursaries available) offering training from professional tutors in a wide range of both performance and technical courses as well as a similar residential academy to provide similar performance based training for those under 18. NODA also holds an annual national and regional programme and poster competition to encourage high standards in design.

Through its trading arm, NODA Limited members have access to a varied range of products and services, including insurance for both societies and individuals, long service awards that recognise the dedication made by individuals to amateur theatre, discounts on plays, vocal scores, libretti and technical books and a range of NODA branded merchandise. As a rights holder NODA Limited has 150 pantomimes by leading authors as well as a growing catalogue of plays and musicals.

National Operatic and Dramatic Association Headquarters: 15 The Metro Centre, Peterborough, PE2 7UH Telephone: 01733 374790 Email: info@noda.org.uk Website: www.noda.org.uk

SING | DANCE | ACT TUESDAY’S 5.45 - 7.15PM | 10 -16 YEARS Email: hello@harrogateoperaticplayers.co.uk for more information

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HOPS LERNER AND LOEWE’S

My Fair Lady Book and Lyrics by

ALAN JAY LERNER

Music by

FREDERICK LOEWE

Adapted from George Bernard Shaw’s Play and Gabriel Pascal’s Motion Picture “PYGMALION” Original Production Directed and Staged by Moss Hart

HARROGATE THEATRE | JUNE 2019 An amateur production presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe) All authorised performance materials are also supplied by MTI Europe www.MTIShows.co.uk