Yeomen Of The Guard

STEWARTBY OPERATIC & DRAMATIC SOCIETY PRESENTS

The Yeomen Of The Guard W.S.Gilbert & Arthur Sullivan 15th - 19th NOVEMBER 2011 STEWARTBY VILLAGE HALL

60 ry th A nniversa P ro d u c t i o n

PROGRAMME: £1.50

STEWARTBY AMATEUR OPERATIC AND DRAMATIC SOCIETY PRESIDENT Lady Skeet

Affiliated to N.O.D.A

VICE-PRESIDENTS: MRS JOAN GILLETT, MISS VIRGINIA SHORTEN MR. ALLAN THOMAS, MR. GEORGE THOMPSON PATRONS OF THE SOCIETY Mr C.D.G. Burton Mr and Mrs E. Caves Mrs B. Corney Mr and Mrs T.R. Daw Mrs J.M.H. Epton Mr A.L. Green Mrs S. Hale Mr J.J. Hall Mr A. Hare Mr and Mrs J.D. Ireland Mr P. Magee

Mr and Mrs R.C. Kentsbeer Mr and Mrs C.H. Moule Mrs G. Lecoche Mr and Mrs A.G. Parfitt Mr and Mrs R.J. Rayner Mr and Mrs D. Rowland Mr and Mrs H. Schwarz Rev. and Mrs M. Wells Mrs S. Woods Mr and Mrs J. Wright

HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS Brian and Laura Adams, John Gribble, John and Pam Ireland, Hazel and Roger Kentsbeer, Pam Massey, Virginia Shorten, George Thompson, Shirley Woods ASSOCIATE MEMBERS Mr. K. Blane, Mrs. P. Garner, Mrs. J. Gilder, Mr. A. Hunter, Mr. R. Hull, Mrs. J. Swain, Mr. P. Urwin The Society acknowledges, with grateful thanks, the financial support of our President, Vice Presidents, and Patrons. Anyone who is interested in becoming a Patron should contact our Secretary, Hazel Daniels, Tel. 01234 750888 OFFICERS Chairman..................................................................... Roger Kentsbeer Deputy Chairman................................................................. John Epton Secretary.......................................................................... Hazel Daniels Subscribers Secretary.......................................................... John Epton Treasurer..........................................................................Pamela Blane COMMITTEE Richard Hull, Doreen Hunter, Pam Massey Alex Saunders, Ann Stearn, Becky Wright

Chairman’s Message

Kings Arms Yard, Ampthill, MK45 2PJ

UK LIMITED Good evening Ladies, Gentlemen and Children

T - 01525 405 889 E - info@mascotsuk.com W - www.mascotsuk.com

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This year has seen the 100th Anniversary of Gilbert’s death and our own 60th celebration. Many events have provided a testing time both for our society and it’s committee, the members of whom I thank for their tireless efforts most sincerely.

The desire to choose ‘Yeomen’ for this year has been prompted by the excellent talent we have available. Pru Gardiner, our producer and Allan Thomas, our musical director are a formidable team. I thank them along with all the company for bringing us another wonderful production for our anniversary.

Brian and Barbara, our rehearsal pianists, have been a tower of strength throughout the year. Our thanks go to them also.

Equally, your support this evening is also gratefully appreciated and I hope we can provide you all with an enjoyable and convivial evening.

Roger C. Kentsbeer, Honorary Chairman If you would like to become a Patron of this Society please send your gift, however small, to Hazel Daniels.

“An acknowledgement will be sent”

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Order on-line or Tel: 01525 406639 or visit us at: Kings Arms Yard, www.bearinagift.com Ampthill, MK45 2PJ

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LATE NIGHTS WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY

The Story The action takes place on Tower Green, London, during the 16th Century.

Phoebe, daughter of Sergeant Meryll of the Yeomen of the Guard, has lost her heart to Colonel Fairfax, who is to be executed that evening for sorcery.

Fairfax knows he has been unjustly accused by his kinsman who inherits his estates if he dies unmarried. To thwart him, Fairfax asks the Lieutenant of the Tower to find him a bride for a dowry of one hundred crowns.

Here the strolling players, Jack Point and Elsie Maynard, appear on the scene.

Elsie is persuaded to marry Fairfax, as she needs the money for her sick mother, while Point is offered a job as the Lieutenant’s jester.

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Meanwhile, Phoebe and her father who is an old comrade of Colonel Fairfax, are hoping that a reprieve will come in time to save him. The Sergeant’s son, Leonard, arrives from the Court at Windsor to join the Yeomen of the Guard.

He tells them there is no reprieve. The three conspire to save Fairfax by stealing the key to his cell from Phoebe’s admirer Wilfred Shadbolt, the Head Jailer.

Fairfax is then disguised as Leonard Meryll whilst the real Leonard goes into hiding. All is accomplished so that Fairfax is able to take Leonard’s place with the Yeomen just before his own execution and the discovery of his escape.

Act II Two days after the escape and everyone is still searching for Fairfax. Jack Point is very distressed as he realises that he wants to marry Elsie himself but cannot as she is now married to Fairfax. Shadbolt is equally distressed as he has been blamed for the escape! So, the two men agree to say that they have in fact shot Fairfax as he was swimming the river, solving both their problems.

Meanwhile, Elsie, now in the care of Dame Carruthers, has fallen in love with ‘Leonard Meryll’ (Fairfax in disguise). Shadbolt discovers the plot to rescue Fairfax but is silenced by Phoebe, who promises to marry him if he will keep silent. Dame Carruthers also hears of the plot but is in turn silenced by a proposal of marriage from a very unwilling Sergeant Meryll.

News finally arrives that Fairfax’s reprieve had been purposely held up to bring about his death. He is now able to come to life again to claim his bride. Point is left broken-hearted, realising that he has lost the girl he loves.

C O L O N E L

E L S I E

F A I R F A X

Es’d Cambridge

CHARLOTTE GARRAWAY

CHARLES MILLS

J A C K

1993 England

C A M B R I D G E

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PETER DAVIS

M E R Y L L

S E R G E A N T

D A M E

C A R R U T H E R S

Programme of Music ACT I 1. Introduction and Song (Phoebe)................. When maiden loves she sits and sighs 2. Double Chorus (People and Yeomen).........................Tower warders under orders

Solo (2nd Yeoman).........................................................................This the Autumn

3. Song with Chorus (Dame Carruthers & Yeomen)

. ............................................................................. When our gallant Norman Foes

4. Song (Sergeant Meryll).............................................. A laughing boy but yesterday

JOHN EPTON

K A T E

SUZANNE HORLOCK

S C I H R O L R M I O C N H D A L R E D Y

5. Trio (Phoebe, Leonard & Sergeant Meryll)..........................Alas! I waver to and fro 6. Ballad (Fairfax).................................................................................. Is life a boon?

7. Chorus (Entrance of Crowd, Elsie & Point)........................... Here’s a man of jollity 8. Duet (Elsie & Point).......................................................... I have a song to sing, O! 9. Trio (Elsie, Point & Lieutenant).......................How say you, maiden, will you wed?

10. Recitative and song (Point)........................... I’ve jibe and joke and quip and crank 11. Recitative and song (Elsie)....................................................Tis done! I am a bride 12. Song (Phoebe)............................................................................... Were I thy bride 13. Finale - Act I..............................................................Oh Sergeant Meryll, is it true?

ACT II 1. Chorus............................................................Night has spread her pall once more

CAROL URWIN

2

COLIN JONES

Y E O M A N

Solo (Dame Carruthers)................................................................ Warders are ye?

2. Song (Point)........................................ Oh! A private buffoon is a light hearted loon 3. Duet (Point & Wilfred)................................................ Hereupon we’re both agreed

L E O N A R D

ND

4. Ballad (Fairfax).................................................................Free from his fetters grim 5. Quartet (Kate, Dame Carruthers, Fairfax & Sergeant Meryll)

................................................................................................... Strange Adventure

6. Scene (Elsie, Phoebe, Dame Carruthers, Fairfax, Wilfred, Point, Lieutenant, ........

Sergeant Meryll & Chorus)................................................Hark! What was that sir?

7. Trio (Elsie, Phoebe & Fairfax)............................ A man who would woo a fair maid 8. Quartet (Elsie, Phoebe, Fairfax & Point).................. When a wooer goes a wooing 9. Duet (Dame Carruthers & Sergeant Meryll)................................ Rapture! Rapture!

10. Finale - Act II.............................................................Comes the pretty young bride

RICHARD HARDWICK

GRAHAM BREEZE

“The Yeomen of the Guard” or

The Merryman and His Maid DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION

Written by W. S. Gilbert

Composed by Sir Arthur Sullivan

PRUE GARDINER

DRAMATIS PERSONAE Sir Richard Cholmondley (Lieutenant of the Tower).......... Colin Jones Colonel Fairfax (Under sentence of death).......................Charles Mills

MUSICAL DIRECTOR ALLAN THOMAS

CHORUS OF YEOMEN OF THE GUARD Steve Bartlett, Mike Cocke, Jamie Fairweather, Richard Hardwick, Andrew Hodges, Lesley Thomas

Sergeant Meryll (his Lieutenant).................................................. John Epton

CHORUS OF CITIZENS

Leonard Meryll (his son)..................................................... Graham Breeze

Elinor Ashby, Graham Breeze, Hazel Daniels, Jan Faulkner, Jamie Fairweather, Kate Garraway, Lesley Gillett, Shirley Hale, Jenny Hall, Hilary Hull, Jenny Jackson, Juliet Jones, Vicky Lane, Frankie Mackey, Margaret Magee, Pam Massey, Ann Stearn, Carol Urwin, Becky Wright

Jack Point (a strolling jester)..................................... Stephen Hoath Wilfred Shadbolt (Head Jailer & Assistant Tormentor)............Peter Davis Elsie Maynard (a strolling singer)....................... Charlotte Garraway Phoebe Meryll (Sergeant Meryll’s daughter)...................... Alison Gibbs

ACT I

Dame Carruthers (Housekeeper to the Tower)...........Suzanne Horlock

Tower Green

Kate (her niece)............................................................ Carol Urwin

Interval of 20 minutes between Acts

First Yeoman............................................................ Mike Cocke Second Yeoman.............................................. Richard Hardwick Citizen

...................................................Jamie Fairweather

Headsman ...................................................... Robin Lawrence NO MOBILE PHONES OR PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE AUDITORIUM

ACT II *

The same - moonlight Time: The 16th Century Two days elapse between Acts I and II *Patrons please note that during Act II a gun is fired off-stage

1st

1st

Y E O M A N

C I T I Z E N

MIKE COCKE

ORCHESTRA Leader: Alana Thackray

JAMIE FAIRWEATHER

1st Violins 2nd Violins Viola Cello Double Bass Flute Clarinets Bassoon Oboe French Horn Trumpet Trombone Percussion

Pam Davies, Peter Housden Maggie Bullen, Rebecca Bolt Larissa Felce Susan Bradley Christine Horrell Helen Sims Susan Sims, Oliver Milton Caroline Cartwright Cheryl Benfield Sean Bolt Frank Stevens John Lingings Chris Gray

Musical Director: ALLAN THOMAS

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DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION.............................................. Prue Gardiner MUSICAL DIRECTOR.............................................................Allan Thomas STAGE MANAGER..............................................................Robin Lawrence STAGE CREW............................................................................ Alan Wright SCENIC ARTISTS & CONSTRUCTION...........Hazel Daniels, John Daniels LIGHTING DESIGN & OPERATION.......................................... Richard Hull Assisted by.................................................................................. Alan Wright LIGHTING EQUIPMENT........................................................... Bubbles Hire WARDROBE.......................................................................... Jenny Jackson COSTUMES................................................... Berenice Stage Costume Hire REHEARSAL PIANISTS...........Brian Caves, Pam Rogers, Barbara Tipping HOUSE MANAGER............................................................Roger Kentsbeer PROGRAMME COVER and POSTERS................................Stephen Hoath PUBLICITY OFFICER...........................................................Chris Garraway BOX OFFICE..................................................Ann Stearn, Roger Kentsbeer BOUQUETS................................................................. Growswell of Clophill PUBLICITY & CAST PHOTOGRAPHS............. Colin Jones, Stephen Hoath FRONT OF HOUSE............................................................. Virginia Shorten REFRESHMENTS........................Pam & Ken Blane, Friends of the Society RAFFLE.......................... Becky Wright, June Swain, Friends of the Society PROMPT..............................................................................Angie Mcdonald ORCHESTRAL SCORES......................................................... D’Oyly Carte PROPERTIES............................................................................... Hilary Hull PROGRAMME.................................................. John Epton, Stephen Hoath PRINTERS................................................................... FIDELITY of Ampthill

Shirley Hale Singing & Performance Coaching Tel: 01234 381394 For all types of voices.

Beginners Welcome.

STEWARTBY AMATEUR OPERATIC AND DRAMATIC SOCIETY

Future Programme Our Spring Concert 4th - 5th May, 2012 Tel 01525 404573

Next Year’s Show

“The Gondoliers” 20th - 24th November, 2012

OUR PAST PRODUCTIONS 1951 1953 1955 1957 1959 1961 1963 1965 1967 1969 1971 1973 1975 1977 1979 1981 1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009

The Pirates of Penzance Patience no production The Mikado Patience Ruddigore The Gondoliers Princess Ida Iolanthe The Pirates of Penzance Trial by Jury & HMS Pinafore Yeomen of the Guard Iolanthe The Sorcerer & Cox and Box Ruddigore Princess Ida Yeomen of the Guard The Gondoliers The Mikado Ruddigore The Pirates of Penzance Yeomen of the Guard The Mikado Patience Princess Ida Trial by Jury & The Pirates of Penzance The Gondoliers The Sorcerer Patience Ruddigore

1952 1954 1956 1958 1960 1962 1964 1966 1968 1970 1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010

HMS Pinafore The Gondoliers Iolanthe The Pirates of Penzance The Sorcerer Trial by Jury & HMS Pinafore Yeomen of the Guard The Mikado Utopia Ltd Ruddigore Princess Ida Patience The Gondoliers The Mikado HMS Pinafore The Pirates of Penzance Patience Iolanthe Trial by Jury & HMS Pinafore Princess Ida The Sorcerer The Gondoliers The Zoo & HMS Pinafore Iolanthe Ruddigore Yeomen of the Guard The Mikado Cox and Box & HMS Pinafore Iolanthe The Pirates of Penzance

The Putteridge Bury

GILBERT & SULLIVAN SOCIETY presents

“Patience” 2nd - 5th May 2012

The Queen Mother Theatre, Walsworth Road, Hitchin Box Office: 01462 455166 For further information contact Paula Fraser on 07956 678720

THE SOCIETY EXPRESSES ITS SINCERE THANKS TO Everyone who has made this production possible, especially our Musical Director, ALLAN THOMAS and our Producer, PRUE GARDINER. Our accompanists, BRIAN CAVES and BARBARA TIPPING. STEWARTBY UNITED CHURCH. Front of House displays - Doreen Hunter Bedford, Ampthill and Flitwick Libraries Wootton & Putnoe Libraries. St. John Ambulance.

Bouquets by Growswell of Clophill.

Pam Massey, Pam Blane, June Swain and Ann Stearn who have ‘refreshed us’ on rehearsal evenings.

The society acknowledges the assistance given by Mr & Mrs Radok The firms who have advertised in the programme and we respectfully call your attention to their announcements.

TO YOU for your attendance and support.

We wish you all a pleasant and enjoyable evening. *****

HEATHER GOLDTHORPE GOLDSMITH DESIGN JEWELLER THE GAZEBO KATHERINE’S GARDENS AMPTHILL BEDS MK45 2JP TEL: 01525 402086

60 years of G&S in Stewartby

The Pirates of Penzance 1951

We have always prided ourselves on the quality of our performers, some of whom have gone on to sing with leading opera companies. The music is vital too and we are proud that our productions have been accompanied by a full orchestra right from day one.

Recent productions have attracted attention too. Our 2008 production of Iolanthe was awarded the Best Musical and Best Overall Production Award by NODA East - District 2.w.

It is to be hoped that the Stewartby Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society can look forward to many more years of bringing pleasure to a great number of people.

No society can celebrate 60 years of successful achievement without a tremendous debt to all those who have given us financial support - as patrons, sponsors, advertisers and by coming along as our audience.

We are grateful to you all and we hope we can entertain you for many years to come.

Anyone interested in becoming a singing member or a backstage helper should contact our Secretary, Hazel Daniels on Bedford 01234 750888. Web Site: www.saods.org.uk

Soon after our formation an association was established with Stewartby United Church and this continues today, with weekly rehearsals being held in the church hall.

NEW MEMBERS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME

As well as the major Operettas, over the years, we have performed some of the lesser known operettas from G&S too: Utopia Ltd, Cox and Box and The Zoo.

CAST PHOTOGRAPH 2011

Founded as a school society in 1951 our first production was The Pirates of Penzance, a show that has been performed several times since.

2 miles north of Ampthill, and 5 miles south of Bedford. The Chequers is a traditional family friendly pub-restaurant, with a varied menu and beautiful large garden overlooking the fields of Houghton Conquest.

We run special and themed events through-out the year. Look out for our famous Halloween Party, Christmas Dinners & Summer Pig Roast events

Wednesday night is Quiz Night Starts at 7:30 Cash Prizes Teams up to 6 people Entry Fee ÂŁ2/person