The Yeomen Of The Guard

60th Anniversary

Production

15th - 19th NOVEMBER 2011

STEWARTBY VILLAGE HALL

W.S.Gilbert &

Arthur Sullivan

PROGRAMME: £1.50

STEWARTBY OPERATIC & DRAMATIC SOCIETY PRESENTS

STEWARTBY AMATEUR OPERATIC AND DRAMATIC SOCIETY

PRESIDENTLady Skeet

VICE-PRESIDENTS:MRS JOAN GILLETT, MISS VIRGINIA SHORTEN

MR. ALLAN THOMAS, MR. GEORGE THOMPSON

PATRONS OF THE SOCIETYMr C.D.G. Burton Mr and Mrs R.C. KentsbeerMr and Mrs E. Caves Mr and Mrs C.H. MouleMrs B. Corney Mrs G. LecocheMr and Mrs T.R. Daw Mr and Mrs A.G. ParfittMrs J.M.H. Epton Mr and Mrs R.J. RaynerMr A.L. Green Mr and Mrs D. RowlandMrs S. Hale Mr and Mrs H. SchwarzMr J.J. Hall Rev. and Mrs M. WellsMr A. Hare Mrs S. WoodsMr and Mrs J.D. Ireland Mr and Mrs J. WrightMr P. Magee

HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSBrian and Laura Adams, John Gribble, John and Pam Ireland, Hazel and Roger Kentsbeer, Pam Massey, Virginia Shorten,

George Thompson, Shirley Woods

ASSOCIATE MEMBERSMr. K. Blane, Mrs. P. Garner, Mrs. J. Gilder,

Mr. A. Hunter, Mr. R. Hull, Mrs. J. Swain, Mr. P. Urwin

Affiliated to N.O.D.A

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

OFFICERSChairman .................................................................... Roger KentsbeerDeputy Chairman................................................................. John EptonSecretary ......................................................................... Hazel DanielsSubscribers Secretary ......................................................... John EptonTreasurer .........................................................................Pamela Blane

COMMITTEERichard Hull, Doreen Hunter, Pam Massey Alex Saunders, Ann Stearn, Becky Wright

Chairman’s Message

Good evening Ladies, Gentlemen and Children

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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The StoryThe 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.

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 IITwo 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.

ELSIE

CHARLOTTE GARRAWAY

FAIRFAX

JACK

POINT

PHOEBE

WILFRED

STEPHEN HOATH

PETER DAVISALISON GIBBS

CHARLES MILLS

COLONEL

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COLIN JONESCAROL URWIN

SUZANNE HORLOCKJOHN EPTON

CHOLMONDLEY

CARRUTHERS

KATE

MERYLL

RICHARD HARDWICK

2ND

YEOMAN

GRAHAM BREEZE

LEONARD

DAME

SERGEANT

SIR

RICHARD

Programme of MusicACT I

ACT II

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

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?

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

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

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

PRUE GARDINER

DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION Written by W. S. Gilbert

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

Sir Richard Cholmondley (Lieutenant of the Tower) ......... Colin Jones

Colonel Fairfax (Under sentence of death) ......................Charles Mills

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

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

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

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

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

First Yeoman ........................................................... Mike Cocke

Second Yeoman .............................................Richard Hardwick

Citizen ...................................................Jamie Fairweather

Headsman ...................................................... Robin Lawrence

orThe Merryman and His Maid

“The Yeomen of the Guard”

ALLAN THOMASMUSICAL DIRECTORComposed by Sir Arthur Sullivan

CHORUS OF YEOMEN OF THE GUARD

NO MOBILE PHONES OR PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE AUDITORIUM

Steve Bartlett, Mike Cocke, Jamie Fairweather, Richard Hardwick, Andrew Hodges, Lesley Thomas

ACT I

ACT II *

Tower Green

The same - moonlight Time: The 16th Century

Two days elapse between Acts I and II

Interval of 20 minutes between Acts

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

CHORUS OF CITIZENS

*Patrons please note that during Act II a gun is fired off-stage

MIKE COCKE

1st

YEOMAN

1st

CITIZEN

Ampthill Music Centre

ORCHESTRA

Leader: Alana Thackray

1st Violins Pam Davies, Peter Housden2nd Violins Maggie Bullen, Rebecca Bolt

Viola Larissa FelceCello Susan Bradley

Double Bass Christine HorrellFlute Helen Sims

Clarinets Susan Sims, Oliver MiltonBassoon Caroline Cartwright

Oboe Cheryl BenfieldFrench Horn Sean Bolt

Trumpet Frank StevensTrombone John Lingings

Percussion Chris Gray

Musical Director: ALLAN THOMAS

Musical Instruments Sheet Music & Song books

Guitar, Bass Guitar & Piano Lessons

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01525 - 403359/404304

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DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION ............................................. Prue GardinerMUSICAL DIRECTOR ............................................................Allan ThomasSTAGE MANAGER .............................................................Robin LawrenceSTAGE CREW ........................................................................... Alan WrightSCENIC ARTISTS & CONSTRUCTION ..........Hazel Daniels, John DanielsLIGHTING DESIGN & OPERATION ......................................... Richard HullAssisted by ................................................................................. Alan WrightLIGHTING EQUIPMENT .......................................................... Bubbles HireWARDROBE .........................................................................Jenny JacksonCOSTUMES .................................................. Berenice Stage Costume HireREHEARSAL PIANISTS ..........Brian Caves, Pam Rogers, Barbara TippingHOUSE MANAGER ...........................................................Roger KentsbeerPROGRAMME COVER and POSTERS ...............................Stephen HoathPUBLICITY OFFICER ..........................................................Chris GarrawayBOX OFFICE .................................................Ann Stearn, Roger KentsbeerBOUQUETS ................................................................ Growswell of ClophillPUBLICITY & CAST PHOTOGRAPHS ............Colin Jones, Stephen HoathFRONT OF HOUSE ............................................................ Virginia ShortenREFRESHMENTS .......................Pam & Ken Blane, Friends of the SocietyRAFFLE ......................... Becky Wright, June Swain, Friends of the SocietyPROMPT .............................................................................Angie McdonaldORCHESTRAL SCORES ........................................................ D’Oyly CartePROPERTIES .............................................................................. Hilary HullPROGRAMME ................................................. John Epton, Stephen HoathPRINTERS .................................................................. FIDELITY of Ampthill

THE PRODUCTION TEAM

Shirley HaleSinging & Performance

Coaching

For all types of voices. Beginners Welcome.

Tel: 01234 381394

Future Programme

4th - 5th May, 2012 Tel 01525 404573

STEWARTBY AMATEUR OPERATIC AND DRAMATIC SOCIETY

Next Year’s Show

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

Our Spring Concert

The Putteridge Bury GILBERT & SULLIVAN SOCIETY

presents

“Patience”2nd - 5th May 2012

The Queen Mother Theatre, Walsworth Road, HitchinBox Office: 01462 455166

For further information contact Paula Fraser on 07956 678720

OUR PAST PRODUCTIONS1951 The Pirates of Penzance 1952 HMS Pinafore1953 Patience 1954 The Gondoliers1955 no production 1956 Iolanthe1957 The Mikado 1958 The Pirates of Penzance1959 Patience 1960 The Sorcerer1961 Ruddigore 1962 Trial by Jury & HMS Pinafore1963 The Gondoliers 1964 Yeomen of the Guard1965 Princess Ida 1966 The Mikado1967 Iolanthe 1968 Utopia Ltd1969 The Pirates of Penzance 1970 Ruddigore1971 Trial by Jury & HMS Pinafore 1972 Princess Ida1973 Yeomen of the Guard 1974 Patience1975 Iolanthe 1976 The Gondoliers1977 The Sorcerer & Cox and Box 1978 The Mikado1979 Ruddigore 1980 HMS Pinafore1981 Princess Ida 1982 The Pirates of Penzance1983 Yeomen of the Guard 1984 Patience1985 The Gondoliers 1986 Iolanthe1987 The Mikado 1988 Trial by Jury & HMS Pinafore1989 Ruddigore 1990 Princess Ida1991 The Pirates of Penzance 1992 The Sorcerer1993 Yeomen of the Guard 1994 The Gondoliers1995 The Mikado 1996 The Zoo & HMS Pinafore1997 Patience 1998 Iolanthe1999 Princess Ida 2000 Ruddigore2001 Trial by Jury & The Pirates of Penzance 2002 Yeomen of the Guard2003 The Gondoliers 2004 The Mikado2005 The Sorcerer 2006 Cox and Box & HMS Pinafore2007 Patience 2008 Iolanthe2009 Ruddigore 2010 The Pirates of Penzance

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 GOLDTHORPEGOLDSMITH

DESIGN JEWELLER

THE GAZEBO KATHERINE’S GARDENS

AMPTHILL BEDS MK45 2JP

TEL: 01525 402086

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60 years of G&S in StewartbyFounded as a school society in 1951 our first production was The Pirates of Penzance, a show that has been performed several times since.

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.

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.

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.

The Pirates of Penzance 1951

Wednesday night is Quiz Night

Starts at 7:30

Cash Prizes

Teams up to 6 people

Entry Fee £2/person

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