"Pinafore" Launching On Saturday

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31412, 4 July 1967, Page 13

"Pinafore" Launching On Saturday

On Saturday, after months of preparation, the Christchurch Gilbert and Sullivan Society will launch its first production, “H.M.S. Pinafore.” It has been a big step from the inauguration of the society to this point, but this newcomer to the Christchurch theatrical scene has inherited talent from a very wide field. Added to this there is a high degree of enthusiasm and somewhat more than a modicum of experienced direction. Gilbert and Sullivan's music and satire, now some 80 years old, are so seemingly ageless and of such a quality that they continue to attract audiences and also singers and actors of a high calibre who are prepared to give performances of the demanded quality.

Diana Parsons, a singer known to Christchurch audiences for her part in “The Merry Widow,” plays Josephine. Gillian Stiev, who plays Hebe, received her early G. and S. training in England and studied singing for a number of years with the Guildhall School of Music in London. Margaret Snelling will play Buttercup, a role which she sang in a recent production by the Wellington Gilbert and Sullivan Society. Glen Wilson has grown a beard for his part as Captain Corcoran.

Martin Harris, who toured with the Southern Comedy Players in “Salad Days," will take the role of Ralph Rackshaw.

This production should reach a high standard because the society’s orchestra of 28 players and the chorus have been in rehearsal for a long period, and because combined rehearsals have been held for some weeks. Mr L. G. Clark, who directs this production, has not departed from the book, except in minor details. He is an experienced G. and S. director, having produced the operas both in Oamaru and Christchurch.

Mr J. G. Cunningham, wno directs the music, has worked with Mr Clark in Oamaru productions.

The society has received considerable assistance from the Navy. Cutlasses, uniforms, one of them a period uniform valued at £2OO, lanterns, and ropes have been lent by H.M.N.Z.S. Pegasus. The rigging on the quarter

deck of the H.M.S. Pinafore was supplied and rigged by the Navy. The opening night of “Pinafore” on Saturday will be a full dress occasion, with a naval guard from H.M.N.Z.S. Pegasus to welcome the Mayor, Sir George Manning, and Lady Manning and other guests. The foyer will be given a naval appearance and will be decked with flags. In the photograph Captain Corcoran (Glenn Wilson) listens to Buttercup (Margaret Snelling) describe what is in store for him.

Three Plays

The Elmwood Players will perform three one-act plays, “Song of Louise in the Morning" by Patricia Joudry, “Grave Expectations” by Ernest Adams, and “A Resounding Tinkle” by N. F. Simpson, at the Elmwood

Playhouse from July 12 to 15. These plays are entered in the British Drama League Festival.

“Song of Louise in the Morning,” produced by Ronald Hawkins, will provide the drama of the evening. The cast includes Frances Pattinson. Norm Diehl, and Suzanne Stanley. “Grave Expectations,” a comedy, has been specially written for the Elmwood Players and will be produced by Alex Henderson. The cast includes Keith Cook, Brian DeavolL Basil O’Sullivan, Helen Browning, Glennis Paine, John Milligan, Audrea Beddie, Ruth Winstanley, Helen O’Grady, Richard Gates, Margaret Collins and Barry Clark. “A Resounding Tinkle,” to be produced by Ivan Finlayson, has been a popular choice for B.D.L. Festivals, and has reached the finals on two occasions. The cast includes Sue Ryan, Mervyn Glue, and Shirley Low.

Modern Bill

Three modern one-act plays “guaranteed to disturb the passivity of almost any audience” will be presented by the Group at the Plainsman on July 10 and 11. The plays, which will be entered in the British Drama League Festival, are the Group’s most ambitious oneact bill to date, i

Samuel Beckett's "endgame” will be produced by Nigel Williams with a cast consisting of Bill Floyd, Kevin Milne, Dianne Smith and Jeff Rowe.

Harold Pinter’s "The Collection,” a stage version of a television play, will be produced by Murray Atkinson. The cast is April Kelland, Endel Lust, Russell Fisk and Alex Bodger. Jean Genet’s “The Maids” will be produced by Chris Blackman. The cast is Heather Eggleton, Ann Smart and Margaret McArthur.