1986 gigi

Rathmines & Rathgar Musical Society

Lemer & Lome's

IIMWWV

From Tuesday 18th to Saturday 29th November Matinees Saturday 22nd & 29th November

GAIETY THEATRE

We’re here because we hear...

The In v e stm e n t B ank o f Irelan d Is a m erc h an t bank with a special ta le n t for listening.

L istening to p lans, listening to p ro b lem s an d th en using our ind ep th ex p ertise to com e up with positive respon ses.

O f course we also ap preciate the ta le n t o f good singers, an d we tak e th is opportunity to w ish The R ath m in es an d R athg ar M usical Society every su ccess.

IBI

THE INVESTMENT BANK OF IRELAND LIMITED 26 Fitzw illiani Place, Dublin 2. Phone 6864-33.

presents

G ig i (by arrangement with Evans Plays, London) Music by Frederic Loewe Book & Lyrics by Alan J. Lemer

Music Director, Gearoid Grant Chorus Master, Heather Hewson Choreography, Margaret Joyce Stage settings designed by Stanley Mills Sets constructed by Arena, Dublin

Entire Production

James Belchamber

invented

He enjoyed it.

The Gigi cast enjoy it.

You will enjoy it.

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G iei Paris in the spring — blossoming trees and flower-filled parks — where young lovers — and an older love affair— form the background for the delightful story of written by Collette, the famous French writer who sadly, sawneither the play, the Hollywood film, nor the musical, all of which, based on her book, were later produced.

T h e scene is set in the Bois de Boulogne, in the first year of this century.

Gaiety, youth and laughter with some mischievous intrigue, are the theme of this beautiful two-act musical, enhanced throughout by Lem er and Loewe’s unforgettable music.

T h e show inevitably brings to mind Maurice Chevalier’s performance in the role ofH onore Lachailles, when he played thirty years ago with Leslie Caron and Louis Jourdan.

H onore meets again his old love Mamita and one of the highlights of the show is their singing of the hauntingly lovely ‘Ah, yes, I remember it well’.

T h e young Gigi, still a child in Gaston’s experienced eyes, soon captures his heart, and in rapturous scenes, where incidentally some very glamorous costumes are worn, the love stories of four elegant people reach a satisfactory conclusion!

Gigi began as a novel. It was first filmed as a straight subject in the 1940s in France with Danielle Delorme in the lead.

In 1951 Anita Loos, the American novelist, made a dramatisation for the stage, and this was produced in London with Leslie Caron, Ena Burrell and Tony Britton, directed by Peter Hall, then the husband of Miss Caron.

T h e story became a Hollywood musical two years later, with Miss Caron again in the title role, Maurice Chevalier and Louis Jourdan as the other principals.

This was directed by Vincente Minelli, father of Liza Minelli.

L em er and Loewe also wrote Brigadoon (1947 Broadway): My Fair Lady (1956); and Camelot (1960). Loewe was bom in Vienna in 1901, the year Gigi’s musical story begins.

Gigi first appeared as a stage musical in New York in November 1973. Alfred Drake, Daniel Massey and Karin Wolfe were in the show, which received several Tony Awards that season.

It was last produced by the R & R in March 1978.

Gladys MacNevin

DECEMBER 26 - JANUARY 3 TWICE DAILY 3pm & 8pm THEREAFTER 8pm. MATINEES WEDNESDAY & SATURDAY 3pm.

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HILARIOUS PATTON BROTHERS

S P E C IA L G U E S T STAR

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THE JOHNNY HUTCH ACROBATS Directed by Johnny Worthy Assoc. Director Caroline FitzGerald

LAURIE MORTON VERNON HAYDEN ROGER KUGLER

Music Director Graham Ripley Choreographer Babil Gandara

EILEEN REID EDMUND BROWNE PETER KEEGAN

THE BILLIE BARRY CHILDREN THE BABIL GANDARA DANCERS

DUBLIN GRAND OPERA SOCIETY

Winter Season 1986 GAIETY THEATRE DUBLIN TURANDOT

ORFEO ED EURIDICE

(Puccini) in Italian D ecem ber 5th, 9th, 11th, 13th

(Gluck) in Italian December 4th, 8th, 10th, 12th

GALA OPERA CONCERT featuring season’s guest artists with R TE SO , Conductor, Albert Rosen December 6th

Public booking opens in Gaiety Theatre November 10th 1986 Phone: 795277 — 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Further information from: D .G .O .S., Thom as Prior House, M errion Road, Dublin 4.

Telephone: (01) 608100

The Westbury Dublin The Westbury Hotel, Grafton St., Dublin 2.

Telephone 791122

0 Other Doyle Hotels Berkeley Court Hotel Burlington Hotel Montrose Hotel Tara Tower Hotel Skylon Hotel Green Isle Hotel

A Member of

^IheFJeadin^Hotels of theFWorld Enjoy the luxurious & elegant atmosphere ofDublin’s newest 5 Star Hotel.

Pre- Theatre Suppers sewed in the traditional SANDBANK BAR AND RESTAURANT Specialising in deliciousfresh Seafood From £5.75 plus 15% Service Charge

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SINGERS

1 0 1

CAST Honore Lachailles : Brendan McShane Gaston Lachailles : Damian Smith Liane d’Exelmans : Maria Quigley Inez Alvarez (Mamita) : Grace Brophy Gigi : Marion Duane Aunt Alicia : Glynis Casson Charles (her chauffeur) : Pascal Walsh Head Waiter : Larry Shelley Receptionist : Brendan Galvin Telephone Man : Mark Cunningham Maitre d’Hotel : Q em Forde Lucille : D o d o O ’Hagan Sandomir : Joe Burke Dancing Teacher : Derek Madden Manuel : Pat Campbell M aitre du Fresne : Maurice O ’Sullivan Maitre Duclos : Merven Grealey Flower Lady : Mary McCann Juliette : Ann Crossan Jacqueline : Paula Hannon Madame du Fresne : Olive Kelly Little Girls : Judith May Georgina Doyle Lawyers : Billy Blood Smyth Eddie Corry Mark Cunningham Mark Murray Larry Shelley Understudy Gigi : Bernadette Bourke Gaston : Mark Cunningham

Bemie Bourke, Lyn Branagan, Joan Brittan, Anne Crossen, Anne Marie Curran, Michelle Foynes, Eileen Gildea, Paula Hannan, Bronach Kelly, Olive Kelly, Irish Neylan, Dodo O ’Hagan, Brfd Staveley, Margo Woods.

David Alexander, Billy Blood Smith, Dom Carroll, Eddie Corry, Mark Cunningham, Eamonn Eaton, Tony Fitzpatrick, Clem Forde, Merven Grealey, Joe Griffin, Matthew Maxwell, Mark Murray, Larry Shelley, Pascal Walsh, Paddy Yeates.

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DANCERS Louise O ’Neill, Rae Cullen, Geraldine Ebbs, Isabelle Martin, Eileen O ’Carroll, Leo O ’Kennedy, Maureen Singleton.

BUS BOYS Brendan Atkins, Stephen Biddulph, Derek Madden, Eamonn Eaton, Thomas McCarthy, Gaiy Finegan.

CA N -CA N DANCERS Eileen O ’Carroll, Rae Cullen, Janet Clegg, Anne Galligan, Louise Kehoe, Charlotte O ’Shaughnessy, Leonie McLoughlin, Adrienne O’Mahoney.

Marion sparkles as Gigi STAR of the appealing and witty “Gigi" musical a t the Gaiety T heatre, which opened last night, was Marion Duane in th e title role.

This lively girl has star quality a G iri with delicately graceful m ovem ent, who to o k the dem anding child part in her stride, dancing well, singing attractively, lending a sparkling mood to the show.

The R & R did a fine cast­ ing job on this popular and tuneful musical.

T he p roduction has great verve and the principals are excellent. B rendan McShane is wedl-cast as the worldly wise H onore, full of am u s­ ing bon mots.

Damien Smith, a >x3ung dashing Gaston, looks and sings well an d Maria Quig­ ley is tall and graceiul as the blonde siren Liane.

T he au n ts deserve ad m ira­ tion. Grace Brophy is ex­ cellent in h e r portrayal of tlhe knowledgeable but dig­ nified Mamita and is paired well with Glynis C asson’s a&iuiv A I. :?t eyes for^ve** on th e loot of rich men.

Both played particularly well in the amusing lawyer scene.

T he supporting cast and c horus added lightness and charm to a show which has some of Lerner & Loewc’s best songs a n d lyrics.

Gearoid G rant is musical d ire cto r with piiaduction by James Bclchambir.

JOAI^ TIGHE

“ G igi” at the G a ie ty

By Gerry Colgan .

FIRST a book, next a film, then a straight stage play, later a great Hollywood musical by Lerner and Lowe and finally a Broadway .musical that carried off Tony Awards. No one can dispute that Colette’s deli­ cately decadent “Gigi" has the stuff of endurance.

But anyone in need of reas­ surance need not languish in vain. The ever reliable R & R are in residence at the Gaiety for a fortnight, bringing their usual plethora of talent to bear on the case. Standards of song, dance, costumes, setting and of committed enthusiasm for their task are as much in evidence as ever.

True, the first act, which is long anyway, could use a little injection of pace and spontane­ ity. It still has moments of melodious charm and some memorable numbers, among which the lilting waltz “She’s Not Thinking Of Me” was q u ite captivating. Nobody suffered.

But the second act brings together the essence of the poignant story and the musical talents o f the composer and lyricist in full fruition. When D am ian Smith as G aston launches into the preamble of ,the beautiful title song, little frissons are almost visible among tiie 2uuic,;ce, and the wistful chorus works a rare spell; an immortal moment of musical theatre, again realised here in all its magic.

and '"amusing “Gigi” at the Gaiety Theatre The Rathmines and Rathgar Musical Society normally dips into its araplw repertoire of Savoy operas for its November presentation at the Gaiety.

This year the society has how­ ever reneged on the old favourites, Gilbert and Sulli­ van, in favour of an equally enterprising team, L erner and Loewe, whose musical Gigi opened in a handsome produc­ tion at the Gaiety last night.

Gigi makes a highly attrac­ tive evening's entertainment.

Loewe’s music has its own unpretentious charm while L em er’s lyrics, based on Col­ lette's original story, are clever and amusing without any hint of being contrived.

The R & R’s production is in the very capable bands of James Belchamber and is excellently costiyned to suit Gigi's 1900s Parisian setting.

These match the Equally colourful designs even if not all of these latter swung readdily into position last night.

(No doubt familiarity will Improve m atters).

This Gigi is also very well cast with Marion Duane as the pe.-t, petite, lithe and lively young lady of the title roit,

She finds the right choice of man in Damien Smith’s strong Gaston. Inez (Mamita), Grace Brophy and Alicia, Glynis Casson, a r t the almost ideal grandmama and . aun t as well as being perfect, foils to each other.

B rendaa McShane’s Honorft makes ItsJ mark with­ out undue excess while Pat CampbeU'i Manuel Is the sup­ portive yet diverting valet.

Gearoid Grant conducts with his usual sense of style and the R & R chorus add their own vitality and gaiety. It was a pity th a t first night revell­ ers ru d e ly ' chatted through Sunniva Fitzpatrick's spotlit cadenza Introduction to Act II b u t like Gigi, maybe this was th e night they ‘tasted’ cham­ pagne.

Still, there li plenty to offer here in relaxing enjoym ent There have been more starstudded xasta, there have been more lavish productions and the old film need not be forgottn b u t . anyone wanting a little escapism .could do worse than slip Into th e Gaiety over th e next two weeks and per­ mit themselves to be carried away on this little gem.

PAT O’KELLY

Marion D uane’s Gigi, Glynis Casson’s Alicia and Grace Brophy’s Mamita are all capti­ vating, but I have saved the final tribute for Brendan McShane’s Honore. Yes, it’s the Maurice Chevalier part, and Mr McShane’s perfor­ mance is none the worse for lacking that self-congatulatory grin; he has everything else.

I suggest early booking.

Principals carry Gigi at the Gaiety

By M ARY Mac CORIS Music Critic A FJNiE q u in tet of prin­ cipals, led by a dclicious “little girl" contributed much to 'the undoubted success of Gigi, as presented by the R athm ines and R ath­ gar Musical Society in the Gaeity.

It is charming, elever musical and it had a topclass • heroine in Marion Duane. Dancing delightfully and putting over her songs intelligently, she even con­

trived to be both credible and engaging as th e child Gigi. full of free unforced gaiety.

She ivas admirably p a rt­ nered by Damien Smith, who acted very well and has a pleasant baritone and a way with a song, and beautifully supported by the two able women in her life — the ironic wordly wisdom of the excellent Glynis Casson and the sweet ser­ enity of the elegant Grace Brophy.

As Honore, the ex­ perienced gentleman who liked little girls because they grew up, Brendan McShane, though he could speed up the opening scene, was thereafter splendidly stylish and amusing.

With a large cast, there were notable small per­ formances, from M ark Cunnigham in a brief vignette, from Pat Campbell most mute and from Maurice O'Sullivan in the brilliant

scene of drawing up a non* marriage contract James Belchamber’s pro­ duction was imaginative, with the chorus making well-posed pictures, graceful whether moving or still.

The orchestra, directed with zest by Gearoid Grant, could sometimes have been quieter and the considerable amount of sccnc-changing will doubtless grow slicker every day.

SYNOPSIS OF SCENES ACT I Scene 1 A park, then a restaurant in the Bois de Boulogne Scene 2

M amita’s apartment (immediately following)

SceneS

Aunt Alicia’s apartment {a short time later)

Scene 4

(a) Transition to the restaurant of the Eiffel Tower (b) Restaurant of the Eiffel Tower (evening)

SceneS

Stage L — Aunt Alicia’s apartment Stage R — H onore’s dressing room (early afternoon, thefollowing day)

SceneS

M amita’s apartment (three weeks later, late afternoon) (a) Enroute to Trouville (immediatelyfollowing)

Scene 7

(a) Lobby of the Grand Hotel, Trouville (b) T he beach at Trouville (thefollowing afternoon)

ACT II Scene 1 M amita’s apartment (four weeks later, mid-afternoon) Scene 2

T he street outside Mamita’s apartment (immediately following)

SceneS

Legal office of Maitre du Fresne (a day or two later)

Scene 4

M amita’s apartment (thefollowing day)

Scene 5

A street cafe (an hour later)

Scene 6

M amita’s apartment (later that day)

Scene 7 Maxim’s (that night)

For Rathmines and Rathgar Musical Society Hon. Treasurer, Stephen Faul Business Secretary, Ted Ryan Assist. Treasurer, Dodo O ’Hagan Marketing Secretary, Tony Sweeny Public Relations, Gladys MacNevin Booking Secretary, Malcolm McCambridge Production Secretary, Brendan Galvin Social Organiser, Barbara Graham Rehearsal Secretary, Eva Staveley Wardrobe Master, Arthur Salmon Wardrobe Mistress, Cynthia Taylor Stage Management by Clodagh Foley & Nora O ’Rourke

BLOCK BOOKING ENQUIRIES Telephone 881483/972765

Acknowledgements The R & R wish to thank Findlater Wine Merchants Ltd., Dublin for their generous support during the current season.

Blindcraft of Rathmines Wigs by Pat of Wicklow St., Dublin 2 Gallic Distributors Limited Distributors of Citroen Cars and a member of the Gowan Group

A Star Cast of Superb Performers 2CV6—quite a character.

Visa—up and coming, showing great promise.

BX— the star of any show.

CX—always a smooth, polished performance.

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Telephone (01) 717077

C Jm * THEATRE

INFORMATION AND SERVICES

Telephone: Box Office 771717

Administration 773614

Box Office Hours: Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. -7 p.m. Visa, Access and American Express Credit Card Bookings taken by telephone 771717.

Mail Order Bookings: processed in order of receipt. Please enclose SAE or add postage to your remittance.

Car Parking: We offer car parking facilities in association with Dublin Corporation.

On production of a car parking voucher, which you will get with your tickets, the charge at the Drury Street Car Park is 5Op. To qualify for this special price, cars must enter after 6 p.m. and leave before midnight.

Latecomers: In response to general request, latecomers will only be seated when a suitable break occurs in the performance.

Performance information: Smoking is not permitted in the auditorium and patrons are requested not to bring into the auditorium bottles or glasses and to refrain from using tape recorders and cameras.

Gaiety Shop: The Gaiety Shop, selling a full range of confectionery, cigarettes, minerals and ices, is situated next to the main door of the theatre. The Gaiety Shop is open from 9 a.m. until after the interval.

Gaiety Gallery: The Gaiety Gallery, exhibiting the work of Irish artists, is situated on the ground floor, next to the Parterre Bar. Interval Drinks: To avoid queuing at the interval, drinks maybe ordered and paid for, and a table reserved in advance in any of the bars. The Bars will remain open after the performance.

Ice Creams: For the benefit of party organisers, ices may be ordered in advance for the interval. * Conference/Reception Facilities: The Gaiety Bars offer an attractive setting for small conferences or receptions. These can be arranged during the day, or immediately before/after a performance.

The management reserves the right to refuse admission, and to make any alteration in the cast or programme which may be rendered necessary by illness or other unavoidable cause. « « « « « « « « « « » » » » » » » »» »

FOR GAIETYSTAGE PRODUCTIONS Group Managing Director, Joe Dowling General Manager, Aileen Connor House Manager, Frank Cormican Public Relations & Marketing Officer, Gerry Lundberg Production Manager, Eddie Gowen Chief Electrician, Sean Burke Stage Manager, Geroge McFall

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