THE DERA FARNBOROUGH AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY PRESENT:

A Musical Thriller

Affiliated to the National Operatic And Dramatic Association

DERA Farnborough Amateur Operatic Society (Founded in 1920)

presents

A MUSICAL THRILLER Music and Lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM

Book by HUGH WHEELER From an adaptation by CHRISTOPHER BOND

Originally directed by HAROLD PRINCE Originally produced on Broadway by Richard Barr, Charles Woodward, Robert Fryer,

Mary Lea Johnson, Martin Richards in association with Dean & Judy Manos.

20th-25th September 1999 PRINCES HALL, ALDERSHOT

Nightly 7.30pm Saturday Matinee 2.30pm

This amateur production is given by permission of JOSEF WEINBERGER LTD. on behalf of MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL of NEW YORK.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The society gratefully acknowledges the valuable support received from Patrons, Programme Sellers, Stewards and all those who have contributed to the production. Special thanks are due to the Theatre Manager and his staff for their help and co-operation, and to the members of the local St. John Ambulance Brigade who are on duty in the hall throughout the week.

Programme, poster and leaflet design was by Tim Canfield. The foyer photographs were taken by Stewart McPherson, programme photographs by Philip Alner. The costumes are from the Haslemere Wardrobe. Sweeney Todd's wig was supplied by 'SHOWBIZ!', Southampton. The scenery, furniture and properties are hired from Scenic & Property Hire, Newport, Gwent. Lighting by 'Prism'.

PROCEEDS TO LOCAL CHARITIES

A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIRMAN - HAYDN THOMAS:

Welcome to our production of Sweeney Todd, probably our most challenging venture to date and also the most risky, in view of its apparent lack of universal appeal. It is, nonetheless, a musical work of the highest quality from the pen of Stephen Sondheim, one of the most notable figures in the musical theatre. His macabre sense of humour was stirred when, during a visit to London in the mid-1970's, he came across a play version derived from an 1847 melodrama, which in turn was based on an old English ballad - the result was 'Sweeney Todd'. The story is mainly told in operatic style through a blend of gruesomely comic and poignantly tender melodies. Although the mayhem is dire at times, I feel optimistic that our audiences will be rewarded by a fascinating evening.

Our next production, which would normally be put on in March, has been moved to May 2000, in order to form part of the Rushmoor Millennium Celebrations. The show will be the highly entertaining and popular Guys and Dolls, written by another master composer and lyricist, Frank Loesser. Hope to see you all then!

The society welcomes people who are keen to take part, either on stage or backstage, in musical shows. If you are interested please refer to the details for joining at the back of this programme.

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The scene opens with a landing of a small rowing boat from one of the ships recently arrived at London docks. Anthony, a sailor escorts a gaunt Sweeney Todd, whom he has rescued from drowning.

Sweeney has obviously been in London before, he retraces his steps to a familiar district where Mrs. Lovett's pie shop is found.

We hear of an unfortunate Benjamin Barker, a barber located above the pie shop, and his young wife & daughter. A jealous judge & his beadle incarcerate Barker on a trumped up charge and ship him off to Australia. Could Sweeney be the returned Benjamin Barker seeking revenge.

Mrs. Lovett tells Todd that his wife had committed suicide, but his daughter, Johanna, lives, as a ward of Judge Turpin.

She has saved Benjamin's shaving implements for all these years and encourages Todd to set up shop once more. To advertise his trade he challenges the mountebank Pirelli to a shaving & tooth-pulling duel. The defeated Pirelli has recognised Todd, and the young sailor has fallen for Johanna. These are complications that Sweeney must deal with. 'To seek revenge may lead to hell, but everyone does it, and seldom as well as Sweeney Todd'.

SSSwwweeeeeennneeeyyy TTTooodddddd TTThhheee MMMuuusssiiicccaaalll On March 1, 1979, Sweeney Todd, The

Demon Barber of Fleet Street premiered at the Uris Theatre on Broadway. This production followed a string of Stephen Sondheim / Harold Prince collaborations; Company, Follies, A Little Night Music and Pacific Overtures. The leads in this first production were taken by Len Cariou (Sweeney) and Angela Lansbury (Mrs. Lovett), both of whom won Tony and New York Drama Critics Circle Awards. The original omitted 'Johanna' (the Judge's song) as we have done in our production. The original cast recording also was a Grammy Award winner for Best Original Cast Show Album.

The London debut opened on July 2nd, 1980 at the Theatre Drury Lane, with Denis Quilley and Sheila Hancock as the two main protagonists.

This 'musical thriller' is probably considered the most operatic of Sondheim's works to date. There have been opera productions of this work, most notably by New York City Opera and Houston Grand Opera.

In London the show enjoyed two revivals, 1985 at the Half Moon Theatre and 1993 with the National Theatre production.

Sondheim revels in the depths of his characters in this dark Victorian style melodrama. The story is indeed a gruesome one, however he does always manage to show the lighter side of even the most morbid scene which engages his audiences around the world. Whilst the show is not punctuated by sing-a-long melodies the music is often brilliant in creating the scene and telling the story for the characters in true operatic tradition.

MMMuuusssiiicccaaalll NNNuuummmbbbeeerrrsss Prologue

"The Ballad of Sweeney Todd" ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Company Act One

"No Place Like London" .. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Anthony, Sweeney, Beggar Woman "The Barber and His Wife". ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Sweeney "The Worst Pies in London" .. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Mrs. Lovett "Poor Thing".. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Mrs. Lovett "My Friends"... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Sweeney, Mrs. Lovett "Green Finch and Linnet Bird".. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Johanna "Ah, Miss".. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Anthony, Johanna, Beggar Woman "Johanna" ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Anthony "Pirelli's Miracle Elixir". ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Tobias, Sweeney, Mrs. Lovett, Company "The Contest".. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Pirelli "Ballad of Sweeney Todd" ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Company "Wait"... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Mrs. Lovett, Beggar Woman "Ballad of Sweeney Todd" ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Trio "Kiss Me" ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Johanna, Anthony "Ladies in Their Sensitivities" ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... The Beadle "Kiss Me/Ladies in Their Sensitivities". ... Johanna, Anthony, The Beadle, Judge Turpin "Pretty Women"... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Sweeney, Judge Turpin "Epiphany" ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Sweeney, Mrs. Lovett "A Little Priest".. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Sweeney, Mrs. Lovett Act Two

"God, That's Good" ... ... ... ... ... Tobias, Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney, Beggar Woman, Company "Johanna". ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Anthony, Sweeney, Johanna, Beggar Woman "By the Sea" ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney Wigmaker Sequence ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Sweeney, Anthony, Quintet "The Letter" ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Quintet "Parlour Songs". ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... The Beadle, Mrs. Lovett, Tobias "City on Fire!". ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Lunatics, Johanna "Searching"... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney, Beggar Woman, Anthony, Johanna The Judge's Return.... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Sweeney, Judge Turpin Final Sequence ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney Epilogue

"The Ballad of Sweeney Todd" ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Company

LADIES CHORUS

Catherine Allinson Tania Armes Carrie Canfield Sue Canfield Jean Collington Claire Fryer Cath Goss Pam Hammick Katherine Little Emma Loader Louella Pelling Doris Short Maureen Strike June Thomas Joanna White

MENS CHORUS

Philip Alner Stuart Armes Tim Canfield Tony Doherty Duncan Heard Brian McMahon Eric Smith Haydn Thomas Malcolm Wellard Matthew Wellard Nathan Wellard

ORCHESTRA

Piccolo, Flute, Recorder ... ... Mary Simmonds Piccolo, Flute, Clarinet ... ... ... David Whittle Clarinet, Bass Clarinet ... ... ... Lynette Hopkin Oboe, Cor Anglais, Clarinet ... Martin Harman Clarinet, Bassoon ... ... ... ... ... Mark Price Horn ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Austin Pepper Trumpets ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Annette Peters Annette Cowles Trombones ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Eddie Harmer Paul Hooper Peter Jones Violins ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... David White Richard Mayall Juliet Balch Violas ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Ann Lloyd Mandy Garside Cello ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Richard Toll Bass ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Geoffrey Russell Percussion ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Derek Vickers Keyboard ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Derek Canfield

Rehearsal Accompanist ... ... ... Jason Brooks

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGERS

Ted Hills Jeremy Freke

STAGE CREW David Atkinson

Joyce Atlee Peter Atlee

Rob Christopher Fred Hammick Andy Harding

Giga Phillips Robert Phillips

Andy Piercy Jim Prescott

Andy Williams Stephen Williams

ASSOCIATED SCENIC

CONSTRUCTION Mike Davall

Anne Garrood Fred Hammick Andy Harding

Ted Hills Barbara Leedale

Robert Phillips Andy Piercy

Stephen Williams

LIGHTING Melvyn Fryer

ASSISTANTS Alan Davis

John Mitten

SOUND Sean Connor

ASSISTANT TO MUSICAL DIRECTOR Sophie Fryer COSTUME MANAGER Philip Alner ASSISTANT Sophie Fryer MAKE-UP MANAGERS Diane Bedford Karen Canfield ASSISTANTS Nicky Hammond Lisa Miles Jean Pharo Victoria Taylor Siân Thomas PROPERTIES MANAGER Anne Garrood ASSISTANT Barbara Leedale FRONT OF HOUSE Peter Adams STAGE DOOR Peter Taylor WARDROBE MISTRESS Rosemary Doherty COSTUMES SUPPLIED BY Haslemere Wardrobe SCENERY SUPPLIED BY Scenic & Property Hire, Newport, Gwent.

NOTICE TO PATRONS: Please do not bring cameras, tape recorders or mobile phones into the auditorium and please remember that noises such as coughing, whispering, rustling programmes and digital watch bleeps can be disturbing to the performers and also spoils the performance for other members of the audience. All gangways, corridors and external passageways intended for exit must be kept entirely free from obstruction, whether permanent or temporary. NO STANDING ALLOWED. NO SMOKING IN THE AUDITORIUM. NO VISITORS BACKSTAGE. NO PHOTOGRAPHY OR RECORDING.

DDiirreeccttoorr SUE SAMPSON

CChhoorreeooggrraapphheerr JOYCE ATLEE

MMuussiiccaall DDiirreeccttoorr DEREK CANFIELD

SSttaaggee MMaannaaggeerr MIKE DAVALL

Cast

SSwweeeenneeyy TToodddd....... .. Martin Sampson

MMrrss.. LLoovveetttt... .. Julie Dance

AAnntthhoonnyy HHooppee. .. Gary Oxenham

JJoohhaannnnaa...... . Elizabeth Flitcroft TToobbiiaass RRaagggg.... .. Mark Foster

JJuuddggee TTuurrppiinn.. . Stephen Woolford

PPiirreellllii.......... .. Myles Harfield

BBeeggggaarr WWoommaann. .. Sophie Fryer

BBeeaaddllee BBaammffoorrdd. .. Paul Tapley

JJoonnaass FFoogggg..... .. Haydn Thomas

BBiirrdd SSeelllleerr..... .. Philip Alner

YYoouunngg LLuuccyy....... .... Tania Armes

THERE WILL BE AN INTERVAL OF 20 MINUTES BETWEEN ACTS I & II

LADIES CHORUS

Catherine Allinson Tania Armes Carrie Canfield Sue Canfield Jean Collington Claire Fryer Cath Goss Pam Hammick Katherine Little Emma Loader Louella Pelling Doris Short Maureen Strike June Thomas Joanna White

MENS CHORUS

Philip Alner Stuart Armes Tim Canfield Tony Doherty Duncan Heard Brian McMahon Eric Smith Haydn Thomas Malcolm Wellard Matthew Wellard Nathan Wellard

ORCHESTRA

Piccolo, Flute, Recorder ... ... Mary Simmonds Piccolo, Flute, Clarinet ... ... ... David Whittle Clarinet, Bass Clarinet ... ... ... Lynette Hopkin Oboe, Cor Anglais, Clarinet ... Martin Harman Clarinet, Bassoon ... ... ... ... ... Mark Price Horn ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Austin Pepper Trumpets ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Annette Peters Annette Cowles Trombones ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Eddie Harmer Paul Hooper Peter Jones Violins ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... David White Richard Mayall Juliet Balch Violas ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Ann Lloyd Mandy Garside Cello ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Richard Toll Bass ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Geoffrey Russell Percussion ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Derek Vickers Keyboard ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Derek Canfield

Rehearsal Accompanist ... ... ... Jason Brooks

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGERS

Ted Hills Jeremy Freke

STAGE CREW David Atkinson

Joyce Atlee Peter Atlee

Rob Christopher Fred Hammick Andy Harding

Giga Phillips Robert Phillips

Andy Piercy Jim Prescott

Andy Williams Stephen Williams

ASSOCIATED SCENIC

CONSTRUCTION Mike Davall

Anne Garrood Fred Hammick Andy Harding

Ted Hills Barbara Leedale

Robert Phillips Andy Piercy

Stephen Williams

LIGHTING Melvyn Fryer

ASSISTANTS Alan Davis

John Mitten

SOUND Sean Connor

ASSISTANT TO MUSICAL DIRECTOR Sophie Fryer COSTUME MANAGER Philip Alner ASSISTANT Sophie Fryer MAKE-UP MANAGERS Diane Bedford Karen Canfield ASSISTANTS Nicky Hammond Lisa Miles Jean Pharo Victoria Taylor Siân Thomas PROPERTIES MANAGER Anne Garrood ASSISTANT Barbara Leedale FRONT OF HOUSE Peter Adams STAGE DOOR Peter Taylor WARDROBE MISTRESS Rosemary Doherty COSTUMES SUPPLIED BY Haslemere Wardrobe SCENERY SUPPLIED BY Scenic & Property Hire, Newport, Gwent.

NOTICE TO PATRONS: Please do not bring cameras, tape recorders or mobile phones into the auditorium and please remember that noises such as coughing, whispering, rustling programmes and digital watch bleeps can be disturbing to the performers and also spoils the performance for other members of the audience. All gangways, corridors and external passageways intended for exit must be kept entirely free from obstruction, whether permanent or temporary. NO STANDING ALLOWED. NO SMOKING IN THE AUDITORIUM. NO VISITORS BACKSTAGE. NO PHOTOGRAPHY OR RECORDING.

DDiirreeccttoorr SUE SAMPSON

CChhoorreeooggrraapphheerr JOYCE ATLEE

MMuussiiccaall DDiirreeccttoorr DEREK CANFIELD

SSttaaggee MMaannaaggeerr MIKE DAVALL

Cast

SSwweeeenneeyy TToodddd....... .. Martin Sampson

MMrrss.. LLoovveetttt... .. Julie Dance

AAnntthhoonnyy HHooppee. .. Gary Oxenham

JJoohhaannnnaa...... . Elizabeth Flitcroft TToobbiiaass RRaagggg.... .. Mark Foster

JJuuddggee TTuurrppiinn.. . Stephen Woolford

PPiirreellllii.......... .. Myles Harfield

BBeeggggaarr WWoommaann. .. Sophie Fryer

BBeeaaddllee BBaammffoorrdd. .. Paul Tapley

JJoonnaass FFoogggg..... .. Haydn Thomas

BBiirrdd SSeelllleerr..... .. Philip Alner

YYoouunngg LLuuccyy....... .... Tania Armes

THERE WILL BE AN INTERVAL OF 20 MINUTES BETWEEN ACTS I & II

BBBiiiooogggrrraaappphhhiiieeesss SSSwwweeeeeennneeeyyy TTTooodddddd MARTIN SAMPSON

After the unfortunate incident in Carousel that saw Billy Bigelow kill himself with a knife, Martin once more has a sharp implement to wield; on this occasion he turns the tables on the bad guys.

Sweeney Todd is a very demanding role, and Martin has thoroughly enjoyed rising to the musical and acting challenges that the part presents. He also trained in how to use a cut-throat razor, which must be reassuring to his victims!

In addition to the lead in Carousel, Martin has been performing major roles for this Society since Sid Sorokin in Pajama Game, which still ranks as one of his favourites. He is perhaps best remembered for his roles of Fred Graham / Petruchio (Kiss Me Kate), Billy Flynn (Chicago) and The Pirate King (The Pirates of Penzance) amongst many others.

MMMrrrsss... LLLooovvveeetttttt JULIE DANCE

Julie's last appearance with DERA was as Sally Bowles in Cabaret, ten years ago. Since then she has had two children, James (8) and Jessica (5).

Julie's other stage credits include Fanny Bryce in Funny Girl, Charity in Sweet Charity and the Duchess of Plaza-Toro in The Gondoliers.

Formerly at Elmhurst Ballet School in Camberley, Julie is now Head of Music at the Marist Convent in Sunninghill.

AAAnnnttthhhooonnnyyy GARY OXENHAM

Gary's debut on stage was at the tender age of 9, playing the North Wind! Since then things have warmed up a little and Gary has performed in shows as diverse as Godspell & Singing in the Rain, to Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. His favourite roles include Kipps (Half a Sixpence), Percy (Andy Capp), Joe (Charlie Girl), Chino (West Side Story), Charlie (Brigadoon) and the demanding part of Professor Harold Hill (Music Man).

A proud Bristolian, Gary is delighted at last to take a part that requires a West Country accent! In his 'spare time' Gary is a Composites Engineer, and supports Arsenal.

JJJooohhhaaannnnnnaaa ELIZABETH FLITCROFT

Elizabeth has been in well over 20 shows with the society, either in the chorus or as a principal. Her past roles have included Marsinah in Kismet and Cupid in Orpheus in the Underworld, as well as more recently, Yum Yum in The Mikado, Mabel in the Pirates of Penzance and Frasquita in Carmen.

Elizabeth enjoys singing a wide range of music from lute songs to modern repertoire and has found the music of Sondheim very atmospheric. Like all the girls she also loves an opportunity to completely

change her hair - 'Is blonde my colour?'.

TTTooobbbiiiaaasss MARK FOSTER

This is Mark's first appearance with DERA although he has a long list of appearances to his credit. His favourite role to date has been as Jack Worthing in The Importance of Being Earnest, although Nicely - Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls, and The Headmaster in The Demon Headmaster run a close second.

He has recently returned from India where he was working under the auspices of The Fulchrum Challenge. Mark is studying A Level Theatre Studies, Communications and English Literature at Gordons School and he hopes to read Drama at University.

JJJuuudddgggeee TTTuuurrrpppiiinnn STEPHEN WOOLFORD

This is Steve's third show with the society having played Rattlesnake in Calamity Jane & Pete, a cowboy, in Crazy for You. Steve has performed with several other societies over the past few years in a variety of roles including Colonel Pickering in My Fair Lady, Molokov in Chess and Daddy Warbucks in Annie. He says it makes a change to play an utterly despicable character like the Judge and wishes to confirm that it has been quite an acting challenge as he is really a nice guy. In the real world Steve works for NatWest Bank at the Business Centre in Guildford.

PPPiiirrreeelllllliii MYLES HARFIELD

Another member of the cast who is appearing with DERA for the first time, Myles enjoys singing all types of music with a number of societies. Recent appearances include Herb (Godspell), Sir Evelyn Oakleigh (Anything Goes) and tenor soloist for Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle. In the next two months he will be playing roles in Orpheus in the Underworld and La Traviata (both in Guildford). Pirelli has given him the opportunity to employ a range of accents - some of them intentionally!

BBBiiiooogggrrraaappphhhiiieeesss

DDDiiirrreeeccctttooorrr SUE SAMPSON

Sue has been treading the boards since the tender age of four when she played a daisy! Since then she has gone from strength to strength - playing criminal's girlfriends (Nancy in Oliver), and Highwaymen's moll (Lucy Locket in The Beggar's Opera).

She has choreographed many shows including Sweet Charity for the DERA and The Guildford Pageant. She has directed for many Societies including Godalming Theatre Group, Woking, Basingstoke and Alton Operatic Societies.

Her favourite roles include Babe in The Pajama Game, Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar, Bloody Mary in South Pacific, and Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun. She enjoys a challenge when directing shows, and has found Sweeney Todd to be just that! !! Her next directing project is Half a Sixpence for Basingstoke Operatic. Her hobbies include playing with her new house and sleeping through "Countdown".

She is Head of Drama at Gordons School.

MMMuuusssiiicccaaalll DDDiiirrreeeccctttooorrr DEREK CANFIELD

Derek has found in this production, the greatest challenge he has faced in his 45 years experience. Of all Sondheim's scores, Sweeney Todd is surely the most modern and technically difficult. But Derek has found the challenge very rewarding and hopes that you, our audience, will enjoy the contrasts of the music, at times dramatically impelling, and at other times of great beauty.

Derek pays tribute also to the support and effort given by the Company in accepting the challenge to present this exciting work, with its juxtaposition of intense drama and musical comedy, so skilfully woven together by Sondheim within an operatic structure and style.

SSStttaaagggeee MMMaaannnaaagggeeerrr MIKE DAVALL

If you came to ‘Crazy For You’ we hope that you enjoyed the show and the presentation. It certainly was the most difficult show that we have ever put on. If this is your first time then we hope that you will like what you see and come back next time for ‘Guys ‘N’ Dolls’.

Once again the team will be very much in evidence in Sweeney. They have practically taken up residence on stage this time. They’ve become very possesive about the scenery and will not let it out of they’re sight. Either that or they have all got the bug to be on stage!

CCChhhooorrreeeooogggrrraaappphhheeerrr JOYCE ATLEE

Joyce has been enjoying a lazy summer with only minimal dancing to create for Sweeney Todd after the challenges posed by Crazy for You for both the cast and the choreographers. she is looking forward to Guys and Dolls in May 2000 even though it is the third time she has been involved in the show, once as a 'Hot Box' dance, the second time as choreographer and 'Hot Box' dancer and this time, well, definitely as choreographer but who knows!!

Joyce is pleased to welcome Sue Grosvenor, who joined us for Crazy for You and is to be choreographer for the October 2000 production of Man of La Mancha giving Joyce time to concentrate on another dance filled show, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers in March 2001.

OOOffffffiiiccceeerrrsss aaannnddd CCCooommmmmmiiitttttteeeeee 111999999999///222000000000

Chairman - Mr H Thomas Publicity Mgr - Mr T Canfield Treasurer - Mr E McLoughlin Minutes Secretary - Mrs V Higgins Secretaries - Mrs A Mitten Gen. Committee - Mr P Adams - Mrs L Taylor - Mrs A Garrood Business Mgr - Mr C Armes - Mr H Prall Box Office Mgrs - Mr P Still - Mr R Walker - Mrs E Adams - Mr D White Librarian - Mr P Taylor

The cast of "Sweeney Todd" 1999

The 'Real' Story: Sweeney Todd was born on

26th October, 1756, in Brick Lane, Stepney, in a damp, overcrowded attic room. His parents were silk weavers by trade and were it seams not known for their sobriety!

It would appear that the young master Todd had a somewhat chequered childhood, landing him in the infamous Newgate prison in his early teens, on what charge it is not sure. Whilst at Newgate amongst ruffians, cut-throats and murderers, he was lucky to gain the apprenticeship to the prison barber, Mr Plummer. This was indeed fortuitous as the barbering profession was ranked in reasonably high esteem, even amongst the prison population.

At this period of time in history, the barber actually played a considerably more extensive role in society than today: he was, in fact, both hairdresser and doctor. People went to him for shaves and haircuts as well as treatment for any minor bodily complaints. Some barbers were even surgeons and quite capable of performing minor operations such as removing a gangrenous arm or leg. Indeed, the ability to wield a blade on human flesh and bones was a pre-requisite of real success in the trade. (Records indicate that some London barbers even traded in spirits - a useful sideline, no doubt, with customers about to go under the knife who would doubtless be more than willing to pay for a strong tot of brandy or two!)

It is interesting to note that the famous striped pole which has been a feature outside barbers' shops for many years is a remnant from these days. The pole itself represents the staff which the 'barber-surgeon' gave his patient to hold while he was being bled, to encourage the blood to flow. The red, black or blue band painted around the pole represents the ribbon or garter with which the arm of the customer was bound up after the operation.

In a filthy and disease-ridden place like Newgate, the services of the barber Plummer were no doubt much in demand. And Sweeney Todd had the good fortune to enter the prison just as the youngster who had served as the barber's assistant - or 'soap boy' - was being discharged. The new inmate lost no time in boasting to Plummer that he had worked for a cutler and was experienced in sharpening razors and generally looking after the implements of a barber's trade. Whether he told the older man precisely why he was now incarcerated we have no way of knowing.

Plummer was evidently impressed enough by the boy to give him the job. He may also have liked Sweeney's touch of cunning, for the barber was still up to his old tricks swindling money from fellow prisoners and gaolers alike. There is no doubt Sweeney Todd learned quickly from his new master - becoming dextrous with the soap brush and deft at lifting small change from the pockets of his master's clients as they reclined in his chair. The boy had, of course, to hand over these ill-gotten gains to Plummer, but was happy to do so in return for the food and clothing and occasional privileges the job earned him. He was, though, always sorry to see the barber's razors carefully collected up by the gaolers at the end of each day - for he would dearly have loved to purloin one for his own use. It seemed obvious to the boy that it was as easy to scrape the whiskers from a man's chin as it would be to slit his throat while he sat, so unaware and vulnerable, in the shaving chair. Clearly, Fate was inexorably moving Sweeney Todd closer towards his destiny.

A 19 year old Sweeney left Newgate with a trade. Five years after his release from Newgate the young barber had apparently earned enough to be operating from his own premises near Hyde Park Corner. There he prospered, until one night just before Christmas 1784. There was evidence that Todd was being helped in business by a young woman, introduced to his clientele as his 'wife' (although there are no records of any marriage). Sweeney's temper had already started to be evident and rumours abound. One night an unfortunate client visiting the barbers chair and extolling his accomplishments with a young lady of the street (who's description exactly matched that of Sweeney's partner) felt the cold steel of his razor through his throat .

Details are sparse, whether

this account is true or not it would appear that Sweeney absconded for some time, reappearing at a small shop in Fleet Street, right in the shadow of Temple Bar, in 1785.

The exact location of Sweeney's barbers sign 'Easy Shaving for a Penny' is not definite, but no.186 Fleet Street would evidently seem most likely. This location is adjacent to St. Dunstan's church, not the current structure which dates from 1833, but a previous 13th century version on the same site. Around the church a series of narrow passageways, tunnels and cellars interconnected the various streets which were frequented mostly by pick-pockets & vermin. The location of Mrs. Lovett's pie shop was at the end of one of these tunnels.

Sweeney had started his murderous spree before meeting Mrs. Lovett. His hapless victims laid piled high in the vaults beneath St.Dunstan's and disposal was becoming a real problem. There are no accounts of people seeing the two together prior to their arrest, their gruesome trade must have been plied through the dismal passageways & back-streets.

Concerns were first raised by unexplained disappearances, items of clothing & jewellery found in the possession of Sweeney & Mrs. Lovett, and unearthly smells emanating from the vaults of the church (although that was not so unusual in these times). The newly formed Bow Street Runners made numerous enquiries but could not discover any wrong-doing.

His final arrest only turned up limited amounts of human remains, although clothing found around the property would have indicated almost 160 bodies had disappeared. The trial was one of the main events of 1802 London. Mrs. Lovett was reported to have confessed to their crimes, but poisoned herself before the trial commenced. Although the actual evidence appeared at best circumstantial the Judge sentenced Sweeney to hang. His life ended upon a portable scaffold outside Newgate Prison at 8a.m., 25th January. 1802.

It was not until several years later that excavations offered up substantial gruesome remains.

PPPaaasssttt PPPrrroooddduuuccctttiiiooonnnsss 1921 The Golden Amulet

1922 The Pirates of Penzance 1923 Patience 1924 The Mikado The Yeomen of the Guard 1925 Les Cloches de Corneville 1926 The Gondoliers 1927 The Pirates of Penzance 1929 The Rebel Maid 1930 The Geisha 1931 H.M.S. Pinafore The Yeomen of the Guard 1932 Iolanthe 1933 Patience 1935 The Mikado 1936 The Gondoliers 1937 Ruddigore 1938 Les Cloches de Corneville 1939 The Yeomen of the Guard 1940 The Pirates of Penzance 1941 The Mikado 1942 A Waltz Dream 1943 The Desert Song 1944 The Vagabond King The Gondoliers 1945 Good Night, Vienna Iolanthe 1946 The Rebel Maid 1947 The Yeomen of the Guard 1948 H.M.S. Pinafore 1949 The Mikado 1950 The Pirates of Penzance 1951 The Arcadians 1952 The Quaker Girl 1953 A Country Girl

1954 Rose Marie 1955 Waltz Time 1956 The Desert Song 1957 The Gondoliers 1958 The Vagabond King 1959 The Gypsy Baron 1960 Iolanthe 1961 White Horse Inn 1962 Brigadoon 1963 Night in Venice 1964 South Pacific 1965 Show Boat 1966 The Land of Smiles 1967 Oklahoma! 1968 Merrie England 1969 Orpheus in the Underworld 1970 Chu Chin Chow 1971 Camelot 1972 Die Fledermaus 1973 Fiddler on the Roof 1974 Kismet 1975 The Music Man 1976 The Merry Widow Robert and Elizabeth 1977 Le Belle Hélène The King and I 1978 Kiss Me Kate My Fair Lady 1979 Rose Marie Half a Sixpence 1980 Carousel Oliver! 1981 Carmen Brigadoon 1982 Die Fledermaus The Most Happy Fella

1983 Guys and Dolls Annie Get Your Gun 1984 Show Boat The Yeomen of the Guard 1985 Camelot Orpheus in the Underworld 1986 Oklahoma! The Desert Song 1987 White Horse Inn South Pacific 1988 Kismet The Pajama Game 1989 My Fair Lady Cabaret 1990 The Merry Widow Variety Showcase 1991 Gigi Street Scene (Premiere) 1992 Fiddler on the Roof The Gypsy Baron 1993 High Society Sweet Charity 1994 The Mikado Hello Dolly 1995 Jesus Christ Superstar Kiss Me Kate 1996 The Pirates of Penzance Carousel 1997 Orpheus in the Underworld Chicago 1998 Calamity Jane Carmen 1999 Crazy for You

(NODA AWARD WINNING PRODUCTIONS)

DON'T MISS OUR NEXT PRODUCTION

15th-20th May 2000

If you have enjoyed this performance why not join our society? Applications for full and associate membership are always welcomed. As well as performing on stage you may wish to consider scenery construction, stage crew, costume or make-up. Our principal auditions will be held on 28th November 1999 and you can apply by either contacting our secretaries on 01252-654899 or 01252-614378, or by completing the slip below:

Ä ÄÄ Ä Ä Ä Ä Ä Ä Ä Ä Ä Ä Ä Ä Ä Ä Ä Ä Ä Ä Ä Ä Ä Ä Ä Ä Ä Ä Ä Ä Ä Ä Ä Ä Ä Ä Ä Ä Ä Ä Ä Ä Ä Ä

Ä Ä Ä Ä Ä Ä I am interested in joining the DERA Farnborough Amateur Operatic Society. Please send me further details of the following: Associate Membership Scenery Construction Performing Stage Crew

Other (please specify) ..............................................................................

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