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Shows performed over the past 25 years:
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
St Albans Operatic Society presents
The Gypsy Baron / Fiddler on the Roof
Kismet / Iolanthe
Cavalleria Rusticana & I Pagliacci / My Fair Lady
Die Fledermaus / Pirates of Penzance
Show Boat / Cabaret
The Flying Dutchman / La Vie Parisienne
Ruddigore / Carousel
The Merry Widow / The Card
The Arcadians / La Boheme
South Pacific / Guys & Dolls / Trial by Jury
Orpheus in the Underworld / The Yeoman of the Guard
Half a Sixpence / La Traviata
The Pajama Game / Fiddler on the Roof / Trial by Jury
The Great Waltz / An Evening with Mr Gilbert and Mr Sullivan
/ West Side Story
My Fair Lady / The Gondoliers
Macbeth / Kiss Me Kate / Trial by Jury
Bitter Sweet / Jack the Ripper / Anything Goes
Charlie Girl / Connections / The Pirates of Penzance
Me & My Girl / Oklahoma!
Carmen / Hello Dolly
La Belle Helene / Calamity Jane
Sweet Charity / Charlie and Algernon / Guys & Dolls
Die Fledermaus / Chess
Mack & Mabel / Slice of Saturday Night / Trial by Jury & HMS Pinafore
Fiddler on the Roof / Oliver!
Carousel / Mikado
Wizard of Oz / Cavalleria Rusticana & I Pagliacci
Half a Sixpence
Executive committee
President: Don Scott Chairman: Peter Jones
Secretary: Rachel Manser
Treasurer: John Whinney Membership Secretary: Jeanne Cavill
Members: Jane Clark, David Fletcher, Lesley Duggan,
Gemma Farr and Eve Davies
www.saos.org.uk
7th – 11th November 2006 7.45pm
Saturday matinee 2.30pm
2
£ .00
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“International award winning Gilbert & Sullivan company”
Abbots Langley Gilbert & Sullivan Society presents
Love
Mystery
Intrigue
graphic communication
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The Gondoliers
Watford Palace Theatre
22 - 27 January 2007
Box Office 01923 225671
www.watfordtheatre.co.uk
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St Albans Operatic Society presents
St Albans Counselling Centre
A Safe Place
to Talk
St Albans Counselling Centre was established in
1976 to offer a professional and affordable
counselling service to the community. The service
is confidential covering many difficulties, including:
• Feeling unhappy, isolated or anxious
• Suffering loss or grief
• Redundancy, work-related issues
• Worried about family circumstances
• Wanting to improve relationships
Counselling is in comfortable surroundings.
Sessions are held weekly for 50 minutes.
The Centre depends on client voluntary fees, some
small grants, and ongoing fund-raising.
For further information please contact our Centre at:
St Albans Counselling Centre
1 College Yard, Lower Dagnall Street
St Albans, Herts
AL3 4PA
Tel: 01727 856693
The Centre works in association with the British Association for
Counselling and Psychotherapy and is a constituent member of the Herts
and Beds Pastoral Foundation, a registered charity with trustees nominated
by various bodies within the community, including county councils and
churches. All counsellors are bound by a professional code of ethics.
Directed by Bobbie Chatt Musical Direction by Peter Holt
Choregraphy by Matthew Fowler
West Side Story
Based on a conception of Jerome Robbins
Book by Arthur Laurents
Music by Leonard Bernstein
Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Entire original production directed
and choreographed by Jerome Robbins
Originally produced on Broadway by Robert E. Griffith
& Harold Prince by arrangement with Roger l. Stevens
This amateur production is presented by arrangement
with Josef Weinberger Limited on behalf of Music Theatre International of New York.
St Albans Operatic Society
is an Amateur Society
Charity Reg. No. 295795
The object of the society is to
educate the public in the operatic,
dramatic and musical arts.
www.saos.org.uk
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Welcome to the Alban Arena and to our
production of Bernstein’s West Side Story
It has been an exciting few months of intense and rewarding
rehearsal; the company has relished working with the
Production Team of Peter Holt (MD), Bobbie Chatt (Director),
Matt Fowler (Choreographer) and Roger Bartlett (Fight
Arranger). Their dedication, inventiveness and attention
to detail are greatly appreciated.
Our Charity Night on Thursday will be helping raise funds for St Albans Counselling
Centre, who offer confidential counselling for a range of problems. All proceeds from
programme sales on Thursday will be donated to the Centre - please do support this
very worthwhile cause. The Society is always happy to hear from local charities that
would like to be considered for a Charity Night which usually raises several hundred
pounds.
About the show...
When Jerome Robbins, Leonard Bernstein and Arthur Laurents originally conceived
the idea of writing a musical version of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet,
they planned to call it East Side Story and centre it around a star-crossed romance
between Jewish boy and an Italian Catholic girl. Because of other commitments,
however, they were forced to shelve the project for six years, and by the time they
returned to it, they decided that this idea had lost its social relevancy. Instead, they
would tell the story of a native-born Polish boy and a Puerto Rican girl newly arrived
in America - and they would set it against the backdrop of clashing street gangs on
the city's West side. At this point, Bernstein decided against writing his own lyrics
and offered the job to a virtually unknown lyricist named Stephen Sondheim.
West Side Story remains true to its Shakespearean model. Things look good for the
young lovers in the beginning, but when Tony - much like Romeo - accidentally kills
Nancy Booth, our former president, endowed an annual award to be presented to a
member of SAOS in recognition of their contribution to the Society. The current
holder is Lesley Duggan who over more than 25 years has been production manager,
props mistress, prompt and many more roles beside. Lesley has been a wonderfully
effective production manager for West Side Story to whom the cast and directors are
indebted. The holder for next season is Stan Owen who, together with his late wife
Jeanie, has been involved front of house for over 60 SAOS productions in this theatre
and elsewhere; Stan also constructs the front of house displays, and has made many,
many stage props. Thank you, Stan, for your splendid contribution.
his lover's brother while trying to break up a rumble, violence erupts. The musical
received rave reviews for its unflinching portrayal of gang life.
West Side Story opened on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre on September 26,
1957 and ran for 732 performances before embarking upon a tour. The 1961 film
version featured Richard Beymer, Natalie Wood, George Chakiris, Russ Tamblyn and
Rita Moreno and won a staggering ten Oscars. A classic musical which never dates,
West Side Story continues to thrill audiences around the world and leaves a lasting
I do hope that you enjoy this performance of West Side Story, and look forward to
welcoming you back to the Alban Arena next April for Anything Goes.
Peter Jones
Chairman
impression on all those it touches.
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Riff.............................. Stewart Jordan
Tony............................ Matthew Fowler
Action......................... Lee Mason
A-rab...........................Daniel Barry
Baby John...................Joseph Giacone
Snowboy..................... Chris Wheeler
Diesel..........................Hewi Davies
Big Deal...................... Ashley Mead
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Maria.......................... Emma Harrold
Anita........................... Emma Southorn
Bernardo..................... Paul Egan
Chino..........................Richard Watkins
Toro............................ Nikin Patel
Juano..........................Josh Bird
Indio........................... Ben Wyse
Anxious.......................Chris Cooper
Moose........................ Atish Shah
Luis............................ Matthew Burdock
Anybodys....................Rosanne Stewart
Graziella......................Laura McCullagh
Velma..........................Zoe Spurden
Ginger......................... Esther Shiells
Ellie-May.....................Lisa Pearcey
Roxie...........................Lucy Webb
Connie........................ Emma O’Regan
Betty-Jean...................Jessica Taylor
Minnie.........................Corinne Meredith
Marty...........................Lisa Spurway
Paulette.......................Ellie McPhee
Rosalia........................Joanne Goddard
Consuela.....................Kerry Lee
Francisca.................... Katrina Ellis
Teresita....................... Natalie Giacone
Jesenia....................... Cheryl Rosenthal
Carmen....................... Colette Wells
Genevalisse................ Olivia Baker
Estella......................... Jade Seabrook
Chita........................... Stephanie Lawley
Celestina.....................Rachel Alderson
Schrank..............John Dell
Krupke................Russell Stratton
Doc.................... Don Scott
Gladhand............Matthew Burdock
Somewhere Singer
Katy Davies
(Wednesday, Friday,
Saturday evening)
Gina Abbatt
(Tuesday, Thursday,
Saturday Matinee)
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Scene One
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Act 1
Prologue
The Playground and
Streets of New York
Scene Two
Backyard of Doc's Store
Scene One
Orchestra/Jets and Sharks
Jet Song
Riff and Jets
Something's Coming
Tony
Backstreets of New York
Scene Five
Blues, Promenade, Mambo
Cha Cha, Jump
Orchestra
Maria
Tony
Backstreets of New York
America
Anita, Rosalia,
Bernardo and Sharks
Cool
Riff and Jets
The Bridal Shop
Scene Eight
Streets of New York
Scene Nine
Under the Highway
Somewhere
Somewhere Singer
Officer Krupke
A-rab and Jets
A Boy Like That
Anita
I Have A Love
Maria
Finale
Tony and Maria
The Playground
Scene Four
Scene Five
Backyard of Doc's Store
Maria and Tony
Scene Seven
Maria's Bedroom and beyond
Doc's Store
Tonight
Doc's Store
Maria, Rosalia, Consuela,
Francisca and Teresita
Maria's Bedroom
Maria's Balcony
Scene Six
I Feel Pretty
Scene Three
The Bridal Shop
The Gym
Maria's Bedroom
Scene Two
Scene Three
Scene Four
Act 2
Scene Six
The Playground
For everyone’s enjoyment
We want you to enjoy this evening’s performance to the full,
so as a courtesy to both audience and cast:
One Hand One Heart
Tony and Maria
Tonight Quintet
Full Company
The Rumble
Orchestra/Jets and Sharks
Switch off all mobile phones and pagers.
Do not use cameras, video cameras or recording equipment of any kind.
Thank you for your co-operation.
SMOKING IS NOT PERMITTED IN ANY PART OF THE ALBAN ARENA
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From the director…
My association with West Side Story began in 1995 when I
was cast in the role of Maria at the Watford Palace Theatre.
The show had such a major impact on my life in so many
ways that when I was asked by Jane to direct it for SAOS the
decision was almost made for me. Given my view that it is
one of, if not the best piece of musical theatre ever written, I
feel both privileged and terrified to be trusted with it, and
have stuck with one theory throughout - simply to tell the
story. We have had so many exciting moments during
rehearsal though three stick out: seeing the huge amount of
talent at the initial auditions, the first dance call where our
amazing cast got to know each other via a workshop on lifts, some of which were frankly hysterical,
and many of which made their way into the final mix, and - number one - our very first ‘stagger run’
where, minus set or costumes, the simple power and truth of the performances moved all of us so
much.
It is always the case that what you see in front of you in ‘show week’ is the result of a great deal of
work behind the scenes by many wonderful people who give up their time and pull together to help.
They know who they are and I thank them dearly. Special mention must go to Lesley Duggan who has
been there at every rehearsal and of course, our MD, Peter Holt.
I have one more reason to be grateful to that production of West Side Story ten years ago. The two
youngest members of the cast back then were Paul Egan and Matt Fowler, playing a Shark and Jet
respectively. A decade on, and now they have graduated to lead those gangs in the roles of Bernardo
and Tony / choreographer. Alongside his obvious gift for acting Paul, together with Stewart Jordan
(Riff) has been a great source of support to me in rehearsals. As for Matt, the time, talent and
dedication that he has put into this production is extraordinary. He has, quite simply, been my rock.
Thank you Matt, for everything.
This one’s for Mum.
Bobbie's credit's include Eponine and Cosette opposite Colm Wilkinson in Les Miserables (UK National and
International tour for Cameron Mackintosh Ltd,): Emma, Inkle and Yarico (world premiere, London and
Edinburgh): Sharon, A Slice of Saturday Night, (Liverpool Empire): Les Miserables in Concert, (Cardiff Castle);
Ensemble, Sweeney Todd (Royal Festival Hall): Dorothy, The Wizard of Oz (Qdos): Principal vocalist, Beyond the
Barricade (UK tour): Ygraine, Pendragon (UK tour - National Youth Music Theatre): Maria, West Side Story;
Mabel, Mack and Mabel (Watford Palace): Cassie, A Chorus Line, and principal girl in several pantomimes for
Qdos Entertainment and Newpalm.
Bobbie runs Brilliant Productions and ventures have included A Slice of Saturday Night (Liverpool Empire), raising over £30,000 for charity; Little Shop of Horrors: Showstoppers! A Grand Night for Singing, Fame!
Snoopy - The Musical, and the award-winning Company. She currently works in the West End as an agent, is
co-principal of Watford's Moonglow Dance Studios and Artistic Director of the Hertfordshire Youth Music
Theatre and Youth Showchoir.
From the Choreographer…
Having never written a choreographer’s note before, I'm not sure how to
begin. Writing this is in fact more daunting than choreographing West Side
Story, and trust me that is daunting.
There are few musicals where the choreographic style is so well defined and
where so much is expected. Everyone knows the show, everyone expects the
Jerome Robbins choreography, and if you don't deliver that, you need to
make it pretty amazing or the audience leaves disappointed. So simply
copying the original is the safe option. I hope you don't mind that I haven't
played safe. Obviously, only a fool would completely ignore the original
choreography, it's genius. So I have kept the bits I love, adapted a few of
Jerome Robbins' idea's and thrown a huge amount of myself into it. I only
hope this has resulted in something special and I don't leave you
disappointed.
I have a couple of thank yous to make. To SAOS, for giving me the
opportunity to fulfil a dream, to Bobbie, for always having the utmost faith in
me and being an amazing friend and finally to my awesome cast. A
choreographer can only ever be as good as his/her dancers and I have been
blessed. I have never worked with a group of people with such energy, focus
and talent, performing or choreographing. I feel honoured to be their
choreographer and even more honoured to perform alongside them.
From the Musical Director…
Peter has worked in the professional music business since joining the BBC
in 1964 as Assistant Librarian to the BBC Northern Orchestra (now the BBC
Philharmonic). He moved to London in 1970 to be Librarian to the BBC
Radio Big Band and three years later moved into orchestral management and
ran the Light Orchestral Unit at Radio 2. He left the BBC as Manager of the
Langham Chamber Orchestra in 1988 to become Orchestra Manager of the
Guildford Philharmonic Orchestra.
Peter has MD'd some forty productions, including My Fair Lady, Carousel,
Guys and Dolls and Kiss Me Kate. He says, “Musically directing West Side
Story is an ambition fulfilled. It was a watershed in musical theatre when it
hit the stage in 1957. When it came to England the following year, I saw it in
Manchester where it ran for a month before taking London by storm. It was
breathtaking – and still is! It is a musical masterpiece encompassing not only
many favourite songs but vibrant and exciting dance music. The London
production ran for 1939 nights – 307 more than Broadway! It has been a
pleasure to work in such a creative production team, and with a young cast
who have shown a real sense of commitment and energy.”
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Tony
Maria
Matt Fowler
Emma Harrold
Matthew has performed in close to 30 productions in the local
area, since appearing in Hans Anderson at the age of 10. Favourite
roles include, Snoopy (Snoopy: The Musical), Tobias (Sweeney
Todd), Bill (Me and My Girl), Gideon (Seven Brides for Seven
Brothers), Zangara (Assassins), Paul (A Chorus Line), Baby John
(West Side Story), Cain (Children of Eden), Daddy Bruebeck
(Sweet Charity), Tony (Copacabana) and Puck (A Midsummer
Nights Dream). Choreography credits include Snoopy: The
Musical, Kiss Me Kate and Sweet Charity. Matthew would like
to dedicate his performance to his Nanna.
Emma lives in St Albans and is studying her A levels at St Albans
Girls’ School. She trains in a wide variety of dance styles with the
Marguerita Hoare School, regularly competing in dance festivals
across the UK. She has appeared in two pantomimes and will be
appearing in Snow White at the Alban Arena later this year. An
accomplished musician, Emma plays both the violin and the
piano. Emma is thrilled to have had the opportunity of working
with such a talented and committed cast and production team in
this, her first show.
Bernardo
Anita
Paul Egan
Emma Southorn
Paul has been performing on stage since a very early age for
several different societies. His favourite roles include Pish Tush
(Hot Mikado), John Hinkley in (Assassins), Tom Thumb (Barnum),
Bill Calhoun in (Kiss Me Kate) and many more. This is the not the
first time Paul has performed at the Arena but it is long overdue
with his last performance being Joe Vegas in Fame about 8 years
ago. He is pleased to be involved in his first show with SAOS and
has enjoyed working with the cast of West Side Story.
Matthew Burdock - Gladhand
John Dell - Lieutenant Shrank
Don Scott - Doc
Russell Stratton - Officer Krubke
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A post-graduate of Mountview Academy and currently teaching
dance as well as small children, Emma has performed in over 50
plays, shows & concerts (amateur & professional). Emma has also
choreographed many shows including The Sorcerer, Stepping Out,
Fiddler and Jesus Christ Superstar. Favourite performing roles
include Peggy (42nd Street), Sally (Cabaret), Lady Tsiang (King &
I), Mary (Merrily), Eve/Mama Noah (Children Of Eden), Mama Rose
(Gypsy), Lucy (Snoopy), Andy (Stepping Out) and Phoebe
(Yeomen), winning an International Best Actress Award. Emma
always dreamt of playing Anita and is delighted to be performing
with such an awesome cast.
Riff
Chino
Stewart Jordan
Richard Watkin
Stewart has been performing in the local area for several years
with a variety of companies. Favourite roles include Dick (Dames
at See), Jean Michael (La Cage Aux Folles) Freddie Eynsford Hill
(My Fair Lady). For those of you who saw SAOS’s production of
Chess here a few years back you may recognise Stewart as one
of the ‘Pop Chorus’ that were hidden down with the band, however
West Side Story marks his first stage appearance with the
company. He has thoroughly enjoyed rehearsing with this great
cast and production team and hopes you enjoy the end result!
The Adults
As a member of the sixth form at St. George's School, Harpenden,
Richard has enjoyed a lot of success with their drama department,
performing in shows such as Our Country's Good, Guys & Dolls,
Our Day Out and West Side Story. He was part of Harpenden
Stagecoach for seven years, and became a member of the National
youth Theatre last year. He is very excited to be making his debut
with SAOS in the part of Chino.
Anybodys
Roseanne Stewart
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Production
Director................................................................................. Bobbie Chatt
Choreographer...................................................................... Matthew Fowler
Music Director...................................................................... Peter Holt
Fight Director........................................................................ Roger Bartlett
Rehearsal Pianist.................................................................. Peter Jenkin
Production Manager..............................................................Lesley Duggan
Production Secretary.............................................................Jane Forster
Stage Manager...................................................................... Sally Wilson
Assistant Stage Manager.......................................................Nicola Shipp
Stage Carpenter.................................................................... James Shipp
Set Designer......................................................................... Ellie Sindall
Sound................................................................................... Phil Stannard
Lighting................................................................................ Dave Mead
Photography..........................................................................Ralph Rapley (www.XMO4.com)
Stage crew............................................................................ Barry Sawyer, Richard Kessel, Robert Lindsay,
Mike Smith, Clive Cavill, John Hope,
Malcolm Smith, Dorian Brook,Tamzin Evers,
Sue Wilding, Anne Fowler, Bart Bulmer,
Chris Swallow, Colin Chamberlain, Jonathon
Sadie, Siobhan Chown, Jason Brameld,
John Pyke
Dance captains..................................................................... Joanne Goddard, Laura McCullagh
and Nikin Patel
Wardrobe Mistress............................................................... Jane Forster
Assisted by
Bobbie Chatt, Margaret Baker, Janet Biggs,
Helen Davies, Lesley Duggan and the
Company
Props Mistress..................................................................... Liz Waller
Assisted by
Doreen Gray, Rosalind Edwards, Jenny Hale,
Ailsa Edwards, Becki Augustine.
Props Van Driver...................................................................Mike Waller
Signer................................................................................... Paul Whittaker, Music and the Deaf
Publicity and programme......................................................Gemma Farr
Assisted by
Graham Blundell, Eleanor Clark, Rachel
Manser, Yioda Panayiotou, Kathy Pilkinton,
Karen Thorpe and Julia Smith
Ticket Secretary.................................................................... Phyllida Jones
Front of House Manager....................................................... Stan Owen
Front of House Display......................................................... Stan Owen
Steward and Programme Sales............................................. Stan Owen
Assisted by
Friends and members of the Society
The company would like to thank Keeleys Hire and the Company of Ten for their help.
The Orchestra
Jenny Wigram
Claire Wilson
Pia Jeppesen
Benjamin Rothman
Kay Geradine
Muriel Carpenter
Horns
Glyn Wilkes
Alf Ruddell
Trumpets
Geoff Lawrence
Matt Grocutt
Malcolm Dorling
Cellos
Rosemary Leake
Chris Huggett
Trombones
Richard Hyams
Adrian Jarvis
Reed 1
Reed 2
Reed 3
Reed 4
Reed 5
Phil Wayman
Tom Rodda
Sarah Brinkley
Kathryn Stagg
Hannah Balcombe
Keyboard
Peter Jenkin
Bass
Adrian Warrick
Percussion
Kevin Miles
Richard Tait
James Pickford
Violins
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Join us.....
If you've enjoyed watching tonight's performance, think how much more fun
it can be to take part. It takes all sorts of talents, whether on stage or behind the scenes, to
produce such a show and there is an infectious team spirit throughout the society as rehearsals
build towards this week. In addition to Full Active Members, there is a growing number of
Junior Members. Associate membership is also available at reduced cost to give members
access to priority booking and attendance at SAOS meetings and social functions. Anyone who
feels that he or she has something to offer can be sure of a great welcome with SAOS! Pick up
the phone and call Jeanne Cavill on 01727 860986.
Anything Goes
24th to 28th April 2007
Come aboard and join us for Cole Porter,s de-lovely Anything Goes. This cruise ship, bound
for London from New York, is carrying evangelising nightclub singer, Reno Sweeney; a lovesick stowaway, Billy Crocker and a second-rate gangster on the run called Moonface Martin.
Even on a boat this size, comic mishaps are guaranteed to be lurking on every deck!
Get your toes tappin’ with some of the most energetic and feel-good songs in musical theatre,
including De-Lovely, You’re the Top and Anything Goes.
Matthew Fowler teaches at Harpenden Stagecoach
Emma Southorn teaches at St Albans Stagecoach
For a Prospectus and further information please contact:
Stagecoach St Albans - Alan Goss 01582 609762
Stagecoach Harpenden - Alan and Angela Goss 01582 609762
www.stagecoach.co.uk/harpenden or www.stagecoach.co.uk/stalbans