The
Official
Newsletter
of the
Victoria
Gilbert
&
Sullivan
Society
Volume 27
September 2016
October 15 at 2 pm and 7.30 pm, October 16 at 2 pm
Dave Dunnet Community Theatre, Oak Bay - 2121 Cadboro Bay Road
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT POLL-JURY.EVENTBRITE.COM
IVY’S BOOKSHOP - OAK BAY VILLAGE (250-598-2713) OR CASH AT DOOR
Adrian Sly – President’s Message
Here we are at the end of another summer and just about to launch into yet another
G&S season!
In our last newsletter I stated that we had a “lot going on” in our society – well – we
STILL have a lot going on!
We have started rehearsals for Trial by Jury and we have a great principal line up, but we still require
more choristers – particularly MEN (so, what’s new??!!). We are looking forward to working with Steven
Benson as Music Director and Elizabeth Sly as Stage Director. We are also excited to be performing at
the new Dave Dunnet Theatre in Oak Bay High School. It is going to be great fun working with the lovely
people at Ballet Etoile again in our co-production. Ashley Evans of Ballet Etoile has produced an excellent
poster, which will be available in the next few days. Jonathan Woodward has printed the tickets, once
again, and they are already on sale at Ivy’s Bookshop in Oak Bay and through Eventbrite. Ticket prices are
a real “steal” at $25 ($20 for seniors and students!). Don Lambton has designed our set and it is just about
ready! Our Stage Manager is going to be Jessica Bambrough, who we are looking forward to working with
again
Work is also well underway for next spring’s production of Princess Ida. I am delighted to say that George
Corwin has agreed to be Music Director, Chris Moss Stage Director and Ashley Evans, of Ballet Etoile,
Choreographer. Our Producer is once again the indefatigable Linda Troke who will work her magic keeping
everything “on track”. Costumes are once again being designed and built by our own Norma Jee for both
shows, in spite of recovering from some heavy-duty surgery, so we will all be looking good again on stage!!
Auditions will take place on Saturday September 24th and Sunday September 25th. Princess Ida requires
a large cast, so come on out for this very seldom produced show. This may be your very last chance to sing
the fabulous music of this show, as who knows if it will ever be performed again in Victoria.
Our 2016-2017 Board of Directors
Adrian Sly - President
Ron Skelton - Vice President
Linda Troke - Treasurer
Allison Chandler - Secretary
Inge Illman - Community Liason
Jennifer Hoener - Website
Shireen McNeilage - Social Media
Ilda Turcotte - Publicity
Don Fetherston - Legal Advisor
Sarah Pugh - Grants
SOCIETY MISSION STATEMENT: The Victoria Gilbert and Sullivan Society is a dynamic
theatrical organization, providing quality entertainment through musical theatre and choral
presentations with emphasis on the works of W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan.
2 Stage Whispers
Official Newsletter of the Victoria Gilbert & Sullivan Society
Trial by Jury - Synopsis
Trial by Jury or A Court of Justice is the second operetta that Gilbert and Sullivan wrote and is in one Act.
It is unique in that there is no spoken dialogue; the entire libretto is sung. It was first performed in 1875
and has been hailed as “probably the most successful British one-act operetta of all time”.
The story is set in the Court of the Exchequer where Angelina is sueing Edwin for breach of promise,
claiming that he has broken his word to marry her. In his own defence, Edwin argues that is unfair to
punish him for loving one girl one day and, bored with her, loving another the next. However, the sight
of this beautiful girl overcome by emotion and greatly distressed quickly captures the hearts of the
‘impartial’ jury. In an attempt to resolve the matter, Edwin offers to marry both girls but his suggestion is
rejected on the grounds of bigamy.
Faced with potentially substantial damages, Edwin then claims to be a drunkard and a bully, liable to
beat Angelina when intoxicated, and worth very little in financial terms. This leads the Judge to suggest
that they make him drunk and observe his behaviour towards Angelina! When all except Edwin object
to this the Judge becomes very impatient with the whole affair and, in a final effort to bring the trial to a
conclusion, he declares that he will marry Angelina himself. This suits.
CAST
The Learned Judge.............................................................. Grant Smalley
The Plaintiff .............................................................................Inge Illman
The Defendant ......................................................... Jonathan Woodward
Counsel for the Plaintiff............................................................ Adrian Sly
Usher .................................................................................George Morfitt
Foreman of the Jury ...............................................................Ron Skelton
Associate .................................................................................... De Roger
CHORUS
Allison Chandler, Aria Koster,
Shireen McNeilage, Suzanne Moreau,
Mary Shiffer, Elizabeth Sly,
Fiona St. Clair, Linda Troke,
Ilda Turcotte, Monica Yarman.
Tony Cmela, Ted Davies,
Rick Johnson, Tony Mulford,
Don Pink, Phil Rogers,
Charles Vanderwilt
September 2016
Stage Whispers 3
Naomi Derksen Award
The Naomi Derksen Award is an award named after our
beloved accompanist Naomi Derksen who passed away
in 2013. She was a valued member of our Society and her
infectious laughter and love for the music of Gilbert and
Sullivan made every rehearsal she attended enjoyable for
all.
This award is given to a member of the cast who exhibits
such characteristics as enthusiasm, a positive attitude,
attendance at rehearsals as well as a member who goes
above and beyond in a production, and essentially someone who makes everyone else better.
This year the award was given to Ron Skelton. Ron spent much of his time recording rehearsals for the
chorus to use to reference choreography and staging. These recordings were very helpful in making the
cast perform with our best foot forward.
Thank You To All Our Volunteers – We Need You!
If you would like to be notified of volunteer opportunities, please join our mailing list. You can contact
us at [email protected].
The Victoria Gilbert & Sullivan Society is a volunteer-run theatre company and volunteers are involved
in every aspect of our productions, from the beginning of the production process, through the entire
run of a show.
There are “behind the scenes” opportunities available for those interested in:
• Grant writing
• Assistant stage management
• Data input
• Lighting
• Set construction and painting
• Makeup and hair abilities
• Prop collection and construction
• Costume work, including building, sewing and alterations
4 Stage Whispers
Official Newsletter of the Victoria Gilbert & Sullivan Society
Ilda Turcotte – Advertising
The Victoria Gilbert and Sullivan Society is well
known for its quality musical theatre, increasing
its audiences for each production on southern
Vancouver Island.
In April 2017 we are proudly presenting Princess
Ida, a highly entertaining work of W.S. Gilbert
and Sir Arthur Sullivan. We would like to offer
you the opportunity to advertise in our program.
We are performing two shows at the Dave
Dunnet Theatre at Oak Bay High School and
three shows at the Charlie White Theatre in
Sidney.
Ad specifications: trim size: 5.5” x 8.5”, page
print area: 4.5” x 8”.
Colours: black & white (full colour only on back
cover)
• .ai Adobe Illustrator files with all fonts
converted to outline, version CS4 or older
• high-resolution printable .pdf
• 300 dpi .tif or .jpg files
Scanning of any hard-copy artwork may result in
poor quality in the final printed ad and will incur
an additional charge of $30.00.
Ad Sizes:
Sample of G&S Programme
Cost
1/8 page Business Card size .....................................................................$65.00
1/4 page vertical ............................... 2.125" w x 3.5 ..............................$100.00
1/4 page horizontal .......................... 4.5" w x 1.625” .............................$100.00
1/2 page vertical ............................... 2.125" w x 7.5” ............................$195.00
1/2 page horizontal .......................... 4.5" w x 3.5” .................................$195.00
full page ............................................ 4.5" w x 7.5” .................................$425.00
back page, full colour ....................... 4.5" w x 7.5” .................................$500.00
Booking deadline: March 3 and artwork deadline: March 17.
Too busy to prepare an ad? We offer the service to provide the creative through final artwork for your
ad, for $95. To discuss, please call Ilda at 250-642-3315.
Thank you for your support
September 2016
Stage Whispers 5
Auditions for Princess Ida – Our April 2017 Production
Once again, under the superlative baton of George Corwin, the comedic brilliance of Chris Moss and
joining us for the first time, Ashley Evans from Ballet Etoile.
ROLES:
KING HILDEBRAND (bass-baritone)
HILARION - King Hildebrand’s Son (tenor)
CYRIL - Hilarion’s Friend (tenor)
FLORIAN - Hilarion’s Friend (lyric baritone)
KING GAMA (comic baritone)
Auditions will be held
September 24 and 25
from 1 pm to 4 pm
at James Bay
New Horizons
234 Menzies St.
ARAC - King Gama’s Son (bass-baritone)
GURON - King Gama’s Son (bass-baritone)
SCYNTHIUS - King Gama’s Son (bass)
PRINCESS IDA - King Gama’s Daughter (soprano)
LADY BLANCHE - Professor of Abstract Science (contralto)
LADY PSYCHE - Professor of Humanities (soprano)
MELISSA - Lady Blanche’s Daughter (mezzo-soprano)
SACHARISSA - Girl Graduate (soprano)
CHLOE - Girl Graduate (speaking role/chorus)
ADA - Girl Graduate (speaking role/chorus)
SONGS FOR AUDITIONEES
King Hildbrand - Now harken to my strict command (pg 15)
Hilarion - Today we meet ... (pg 22)
Cyril, Hildabrand, Florian - Gently, gently evidently (pg 82)
King Gama - If you give me your attention (pg 36)
Princess Ida - Minerva! O hear me (pg 74)
Lady Blanche - Come mighty must (pg 79)
Florian - Will Prince Hilarion’s hopes be sadly blighted (pg 10)
Performance dates:
March 24, 25 and 26
Charlie White Theatre
(Mary Winspear Centre)
in Sidney and
April 1 and 2 at the
Dave Dunnett Theatre
(Oak Bay High School)
in Victoria.
Call Linda Troke
for more info:
250-592-9268
Arac, Guron, Scynthius - We are warriors three (from pg 29)
Ladies Psyche, Melissa, Sacharrissa - Towards the Empyrean Heights (pg 64)
6 Stage Whispers
Official Newsletter of the Victoria Gilbert & Sullivan Society
Island Theatre
September 2016
Stage Whispers 7
Island Theatre
VOS PROUDLY PRESENTS
November 25 to December 4
McPherson Theatre
May 5 to 14, 2017
McPherson Theatre
Auditions for the VOS May 2017 production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s
Sunset Boulevard are scheduled for the weekend of October 15/16.
The search is on for Norma, Joe, Betty and the rest of the Hollywood gang.
Check out the auditions link on the VOS website for audition details and
roles, and to schedule your audition time.
8 Stage Whispers
Official Newsletter of the Victoria Gilbert & Sullivan Society