Our 2008 production was directed by Alisdair Baker with Margaret Blenkin as our Musical Director. We received some very positive and complimentary comments from our audiences and the Company enjoyed themselves during their week in Japan! We welcomed a number of new members and many comments were passed on how lovely to see so many young people in the ranks.
Our NODA review from Michael G Williamson NODA Rep : District 1
The very minimalist set may have been inspired by economic considerations but this is an operetta where it can work extremely well, enhancing the traditional Japanese formality and providing a very effective background to performance. It was not always adequately complemented by the lighting plot but the costumes were attractive and when everything did come together, there were many visually pleasing set pieces. Of course none of this would have mattered if the performances had not been strong and here the Players were very fortunate in being able to assemble a well disciplined chorus and an exceptional group of principals. It was particularly nice to see so many young people in the team. All of the company were well cast but, once again, at the centre of the action, there were really excellent performances from John Torr as a sympathetic and hilariously topical Ko-Ko and Philip Sendall as the eponymous despot, both in fine voice. As the blighted lovers, both Julian Ransom and Louise Kaminski made an attractive and expressive pair and it was a delight to listen to them. Other memorable interpretations came from Fernley Copping as the self motivated Pooh Bah and S imon Blenkin as Pish-Tush. Marianne Vivash made a charming Pitti-Sing while Amanda Thomson gave an emotionally charged, suitably dramatic performance as Katisha. This was a fast moving presentation with the whole company working hard to produce a very enjoyable, and vocally pleasing, entertainment.
This year we took on the challenge of staging the rarely performed operetta, 'Utopia Limited'. Indeed it is only the fourth time in our history that we have produced
the show. One of the reasons behind our decision was to give as many members as possible the opportunity to
perform a principal role (18 in total!). Members rose to the occasion and it is therefore such a pity that our audiences were smaller
than normal. It did feel as if the production was fated when one of our ladies broke her ankle on dress rehearsal day leaving only a few
hours for someone to literally "step into" her role! Our leading man was struck down with a respiratory virus after opening night
and at the eleventh hour Richard Hales from Godalming Operatic Society took over the part having very fortunately just finished the same production only a few weeks before!! How
lucky were we ..... The majority of feedback received has been positive which is rewarding and the NODA critique by Michael Williamson is reproduced below.
Off stage, we helped to celebrate two marriages and our congratulations go to Margaret (our MD) and Simon Blenkin, this year's Mr Blushington; also to Marilyn and Steve Oliver (Mr Goldbury), whose innovative proposal is described in the Iolanthe review, below.
Life on our south sea island can be viewed HERE!
NODA Critique
Director : Pat O’Connell Musical Director : Margaret Blenkin
‘Utopia Limited’ is one of the lesser known Gilbert and Sullivan operas and, therefore, it is always good to see a revival.
Unlike some of the other titles in the canon, it is rather difficult to fully update some of the humour but it remains a
charming period piece incorporating a melodic score and the Players are to be congratulated on another thoroughly professional and very
colourful production. John Torr and Mike King made a splendid partnership as the two Wise Men, complementing each other with great
originality, while Amanda Thomson, as Princess Zara, displayed all the authority, charm and vocal range necessary for this part.
Unfortunately, Julian Ransom was ill on the night that I attended but, standing in at short notice, Richard Hales matched her perfectly as Captain Fitzbattleaxe.
I loved the understated humour of Mel Elwes and Sue Goldspink, as the demure younger princesses and enjoyed the developing relationship
between Christine Anson as Lady Sophy and Fernley Copping as King Paramount. This was a well matched company and the ensembles and duets
in Act 2 were particularly memorable. The Flowers of Progress were a well co-ordinated group with particularly strong performances
from Mike Sampson, Stephen Oliver and Philip Dawson while Harry Baker showed great promise and a talent for comedy in the role of Tarara.
Altogether this was an excellent production supported by a very attractive and informative programme."
We welcomed back new members from 2005 and again our membership numbers increased. Pat O'Connell and Margaret Patterson teamed up once more to put together an innovative and colourful production - if you would like to take a quick look at our adventures in Fairyland click HERE!
On a personal front, we celebrated two very happy occasions this year - one planned and one unexpected (well, at least in it's proposal!) Phil Dawson and Lorayne (nee Shaw) tied the knot on July 29. Phil has been a member of the Players since he was 14 years old and met Lorayne when she joined for 'Yeomen' in 2002. We wish them a long and happy life together.
Steve Oliver surprised his partner, Marilyn Whitney, by proposing to her on stage on the last night of the show! Steve and Marilyn will marry later this year and we send them our congratulations and very best wishes. (At our recent AGM, Steve was elected Chairman of the Players!)
NODA critique by Michael Williamson
"Iolanthe lived again at the Key Theatre during this lively and original production by the Players.
An informative, well-designed programme introduced a performance which contained many surprises. This is an operetta that I know very
well and I found it easy to pick out the updated amendments to script and lyrics. Some of them, like the Tony Blair references, were inspired
and all of them added relevance and humour to a very enjoyable show. The orchestra, under the competent direction of Margaret Patterson,
was well co-ordinated and the direction of the very large company by Pat O'Connell was deft and competent. A large chorus often causes
problems but it was particularly refreshing to note the large numbers of men and, of course, this helped to make the set pieces, such as the
Entrance and March of the Peers, especially effective. There were nice comedy touches from the chorus throughout. Amongst the principals
John Torr was impressive as a very suave Lord Chancellor and his rendition of the Nightmare song was superb. He was well supported by
Julian Ransom and Louise Kaminski as an atttractive and expressive pair of lovers. As the Earl of Mountararat, Philip Sendall demonstrated
both a strong stage presence and a memorable voice. The trio between the Lord Chancellor, Lord Tolloller and Lord Mountararat was very enjoyable
There were few weak elements in this production which also featured Simon Blenkin as an engaging Private Willis, attracting the attention
of Christine Anson as a formidable Queen of the Fairies. Julie Bjerregaard was a suitably dramatic Iolanthe while both Bethan Jones
and Peter Godly contributed to the fun. Well done!"
Having chosen 'Pirates' as our show for this year the challenge was on to find a Frederic of the right age and we finally found him in Adam Patman - who turned 21 three weeks after the show finished! Although no stranger to the world of drama and singing, this was Adam's first G&S show and he certainly rose to the occasion bringing a fresh approach to the production, whilst still keeping within the traditional G&S style. New member Louise Kaminski took the part of Mabel, again her first G&S role, prompting comment in the programme from Chairman John Torr, (Major General Stanley) 'this year we take pride in being one of the few societies, amateur or professional, boasting a Frederic and Mabel whose ages match the characters they play!' Not only were we fortunate in matching the ages of the leading couple, but our Pirate King was played by someone with the same name (King that is, not Pirate!) and the Sergeant of Police, Mike Sampson, who is a Police Inspector in real life!
The show was great fun and served to encourage a large number of new members to join the Players. Take a look at a small selection of our publicity photographs HERE!
Our programme again won the NODA regional award and we were very proud to receive another NODA nomination for Best Show in the Eastern Region.
(Our congratulations to the Peterborough Operatic and Dramatic Society whose production of 'Jesus Christ Superstar' won the
category).
CLICK ON THE IMAGES TO VIEW DETAILED FRONT COVERS OF PAST PROGRAMMES
| Yeomen of the Guard 2002 show programme | 
| Trial by Jury and HMS Pinafore 2003 show programme |
| Many thanks to our graphics and design expert, Julie B!! | |||
