Rodgers and Hart

Press, 29 February 1984, Page 18

Rodgers and Hart

Repertory Theatre audiences will be taken back into the 192 cs and 1930 s for the next two weeks. The Giristchurch Gilbert and Sullivan and Light Opera Society has chosen “Rodgers and Hart — a musical celebration" especially for the Christchurch Festival and has been rehearsing since Christmas.

The society's chairman. Nance Mason, said they discovered the show in’l9B2. “When we heard the Festival was to take place we decided that the show had enough merit for us to ap-

proacb the Festival committee and suggest its inclusion in the programme. - The show was first produced as a song and dance tribute to the musical talents and contribution of Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart. The two men wrote more than 550 songs for 41 musicals and films between 1925 and 1942. Ten per cent of these songs, including some from “The Lacy anti the Tramp. - “The ’ Girlfriend. - and “Manhatten. - have been included in the show. The director. Brvan

Aitken, is enthusiastic about the production. “I am enchanted bv the music and designs of the .Art Deco period. - he said “It was a time o: ama ring artistic development anti 2X*Q HTuStS cr&2Lec something cd:e different to shift away’ from the old Victorian values. - Torry Ryan, the musical director, will direct the singers and nann. wnile Marlene Le Cren anti Mr .Aitken will put the finishing touches to the dance sequences and the visual components.