programme - Hitchin Thespians

HITCHIN THESPIANS PRESENT
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2012
QUEEN MOTHER THEATRE, HITCHIN

HITCHIN THESPIANS present
BY ARRANGEMENT WITH
SAMUEL FRENCH LIMITED.
HITCHIN THESPIANS IS A REGISTERED
CHARITY, NUMBER 1005332
www.hitchinthespians.org.uk
Direction Linda Dyne
Musical Direction Charlie Wakely
Monday October 29th -
Saturday November 3rd, 2012
The Queen Mother Theatre,
Hitchin
HITCHIN THESPIANS ...COMING SOON...
Christmas at Woodside
THURSDAY 13TH, FRIDAY 14TH & SATURDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2012
Woodside Hall, Hitchin - Tickets: Hitchin Thespians Box Office
ANNIE
THE YOUNG THESPIANS - THURSDAY 21ST, FRIDAY 22ND & SATURDAY 23RD FEBRUARY 2013
Woodside Hall, Hitchin - Tickets: Ann Crook
Annie Get Your GUN
TUESDAY 12TH MARCH - SATURDAY 16TH MARCH 2013
The Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage
Spring Concert
Friday 12th and Saturday 13th April 2013
Woodside Hall, Hitchin
Tickets: Hitchin Thespian Box Office
JOAN LITTLEWOOD’S Musical Entertainment
OH WHAT A LOVELY WAR
By Theatre Workshop, Charles Chilton,
Gerry Raffles and Members of the Original Cast
Title Suggested by Ted Allan
Summer Concert
Thursday 18th, Friday 19th
and Saturday 20th July 2013 Woodside Hall
Tickets: Hitchin Thespian Box Office
HITCHIN THESPIANS 01462 641575, QUEEN MOTHER THEATRE 01462 455166 GORDON CRAIG THEATRE: 01438 363200
www.hitchinthespians.org.uk Visit Hitchin Thespians Website for further details of all of our productions

FROM THE CHAIRMAN...
Good Evening... Welcome to the Queen Mother Theatre and our production of ‘Oh, What a Lovely War’.
There are many challenges facing musical theatre groups such as ours. Not least of which is the rising cost of
putting on a show which is why we have started to perform only one show per year at the Gordon Craig Theatre.
Obviously the Queen Mother Theatre is much smaller than the Gordon Craig but that isn’t a bad thing.
Putting on a show in this more intimate venue is enabling us to consider the opportunity to put on rarely
performed pieces which don’t necessarily work in a large theatre. This is how we arrived at our choice for tonight’s show.
‘Oh, What a Lovely War’ is a true ensemble piece with all of us in the show assuming many roles and characters.
It’s great to see some of our members who often prefer to stay in the chorus step forward into the limelight for
the numerous character roles. We are delighted to be working with the Territorial Army and the Royal British Legion,
who have helped to organise local cadets to sell poppies at each of our performances. I hope you enjoy this evening’s
show and look forward to seeing you at our next show ‘Annie Get Your Gun’ at the Gordon Craig Theatre in the Spring.
TOM EVANS - CHAIRMAN, HITCHIN THESPIANS
THE COMMITTEE 2012 - 2013
CHAIRMAN: Tom Evans
VICE CHAIRMAN: Ann Crook
HON. SECRETARY: Lynne Leggat
HON. TREASURER: Melanie Troiano
PRODUCTION MANAGER: Sarah Bailes
BUSINESS MANAGER (PUBLICITY): Kier Home
SOCIAL & FUNDRAISING MANAGER: Vivienne Tadman
CHORAL MANAGER: Susan Osbourn
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Holly Böhme, Alan Dickinson,
Susan Osbourn, Iain Fishpool, Jan Nash
LIFE MEMBERS: Ann Crook, Brenda Cundell, Marion Hargraves,
Audrey Jenkins, Derek Jenkins, Denis Rowland, Gordon Wharton
HONORARY MEMBERS: Bert Broe, Edgar Gilbert, Mollie Gilbert,
Roger Heath, Jim Snell, Justin Thomas
Woodside Hall Available for Hire
Hitchin Thespians have their own rehearsal facilities, Woodside Hall which is next to
the Queen Mother Theatre in Walsworth Road, Hitchin, SG4 9SP, which is available for
group activities or private function hire. It is well equipped, with a main hall holding
up to 200 people, a smaller room off, which can accommodate about 40 adjacent to
a big kitchen. There is a fully stocked bar, good toilets including facilities for the
disabled and baby nappy change. There is also a good size lawn and free parking for
six cars outside. There is a ramp for wheelchair access.
For further details contact Ann Crook:
Email: woodsidebookings@hitchinthespians.org.uk Tel: 01462434181

★
of this production as the rest of the cast and crew do. Linda would like to thank the Committee and
★LINDA DYNE - DIRECTOR
After 20 years of acting and 35 years of directing, Linda thought she had either acted in, or directed,
practically all the shows that were on the local theatrical circuit, so she was delighted to be asked back
by Hitchin Thespians to direct a musical that she had never seen, been in or directed before. Having
immersed herself in WW1, Linda realised that this was a show where she could indulge her love of
improvisation, as the whole cast had to be totally involved to make it believable. This has meant everyone
creating and evolving their own characters and we hope that the audiences will feel just as much a part
everyone involved in the show for making it such an enjoyable yet moving experience. Her next show in
May 2013, will be back at The Alban Arena in St Albans with ‘Guys and Dolls’.
CHARLIE WAKELY - MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Charlie was born and raised in Hertfordshire, but his career as a conductor and trombonist has taken him
all over the world, including Australia and the Czech Republic. Nowadays, the transient life of a musician
has given way to fatherhood, a mortgage and a steady job as a physics teacher. Nevertheless, Charlie
continues to conduct and musically direct extensively in London and the home counties. He is delighted
to be waving his stick once more for the Thespians, whom he regards as his ‘home team’.
THE ORCHESTRA
Piano . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steve Hessian
Bass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pete Hutchinson
Drums . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steve Fawbert
Trumpet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James Lawrence
Reed 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Neil Pennock
Reed 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jamie Semark
Reed 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . George Barbett

THE COMPANY
LADIES
Gina Abbatt, Jean Austin, Sarah Bailes
Holly Bohme, Caroline Bonja, Belinda Gee
Judith Harrison, Lynne Leggat, Katherine Males
Nicola Niles, Melanie Plowman-Cobb
Sue Rayner, Mel Troiano, Sheila Soothill
MEN
Michael Bailes, Mike Barker, Phil Calver
Tom Evans, Isaac Evans, Iain Fishpool
Graham Garley, Stephen Holder, Kier Home
Mike Niles, Mike Roberts, Mark Savage
Bryan Summers, Raff Troiano

SYNOPSIS
‘Oh ,What A Lovely War’ won critical
acclaim when it was first performed
in 1963, quicklyy establishing itself
as a classic of the modern theatre.
It was devised and presented by
Joan Littlewood’s Theatre Workshop
and first performed at the Theatre
Royal, Stratford East, London. The
original production took the form of a
seaside pierrot show and chronicled
the key events of the First World War through songs and
sketches. Members of the original cast had each done their
own research about the personalities and events of the
First World World War and many of the scenes we see in
today’s show came about through improvisation.
The show is a collection of songs
and sketches which more or less
follow the chronology of historical
events. Many of the songs are
parodies of popular hits of the time
with words made up by the soldiers
in the trenches to maintain morale.
There are many songs you will
recognise such as ‘Pack Up Your
Troubles’, ‘Goodbye-ee’ and ‘Keep
The Home Fires Burning’.
There are many events you will have heard about such
as the moving protrayal of Christmas and in the trenches
when the opposing forces ceased their hostilities and
met up in no-man’s land.
HITCHIN THESPIANS - Founded in 1902
PAST PRODUCTIONS INCLUDE:
1970 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kismet
1971 . . . . . . . . . . .The Merry Widow
1972 . . . . . . . . .The Sound of Music
1972 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hello Dolly
1973 . . . . . . . . . . .Most Happy Fella
1974 . . . . . . . . . . . . .Night in Venice
1975 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .South Pacific
1976 . . . . . . . . .The Beggar’s Opera
1976 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bitter Sweet
1977 . . . . . . . . .Robert & Elizabeth
1977 . . . . . . . .Yeomen of the Guard
1978 . . . . . . . . . . . .Die Fledermaus
1979 . . . . . . . . .Fiddler on the Roof
1980 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Showboat
1981 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hello Dolly
1982 . . .Orpheus in the Underworld
1983 . . . . . . . . . . . .The Music Man
1983 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Grease
1984 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Carousel
1985 . . . . . . . . . . .The Merry Widow
1986 . . . . . .The Pirates of Penzance
1986 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Trial by Jury
1987 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kismet
1987 . . . . . . . . . . . .West Side Story
1988 . . . . . . . . .Annie Get your Gun
1989 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Mikado
1989 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Boyfriend
1990 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .My Fair Lady
1991 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kiss Me Kate
1991 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cabaret
1992 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Oklahoma
1992 . . . . . . . . .The Sound of Music
1993 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Trial by Jury
1993 . . . . . . . . . . . .H.M.S. Pinafore
1994 . . . . . . . . . . . .Guys and Dolls
1994 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Charlie Girl
1995 . . . . . . . . .A Little Night Music
1995 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Barnum
1996 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42nd Street
1996 . . . . . .The Pirates of Penzance
1997 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hello Dolly
1997 . . . . . . . . .La Cage Aux Folles*
1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Crazy For You
1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chess
1999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Oliver!
1999 . . . . . . . . .Singin’ in the Rain*
2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mack & Mabel
2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .South Pacific
2001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The King & I
2001 . . . . . . . . . . . .Half a Sixpence
2002 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Carmen
2002 . . . . . . . . . . . .My One & Only
2003 . . . . . . . . . . . .West Side Story
2003 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Barnum
2004 . . . . . . . . . . .Seven Brides for
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Seven Brothers*
2004 . . . . . . .Jesus Christ Superstar
2005 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kiss Me Kate
2005 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Carousel
2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Me & My Girl
2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Full Monty
2006 . . . . . . . . . . . .Jekyll & Hyde*
2007 . . . . .Thoroughly Modern Millie
2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Mikado
2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chess
2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . .Calamity Jane
2009 . . . . . . . . . . . .Sweeney Todd*
2009 . . . . . . . . .Fiddler on the Roof
2010 . . . . . . . . . . . .The Music Man
2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The King & I
2011 . . . . . . . . . . . .The Gondoliers
2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gypsy
2012 . . .Orpheus in the Underworld
2012 . . . . . . .Oh, What A Lovely War
* NODA Region 9 Eastern Area Award

HITCHIN THESPIANS PATRONS 2012
Mrs J Armstrong
Mrs G Atkinson
Mr & Mrs P Barry
Mr & Mrs J Bedingfield
Mrs M Bidwell
Mr P Blacker MBE
Mrs P R Blacker
Mrs M Brendish
Mrs M Briddon
Miss R E Burrows
Mrs D E Chennells
Mr R Cobb
Mr N Cundell
Mrs S Davies
Mrs M Day
Mrs G Donald
Mrs E Edwards
Mr M Everitt
Mrs D Fisher
Mr J Fletcher
Mr & Mrs J M Franks
Dr & Mrs S P Gardiner
Mrs N Gildenthorp
Mrs M Gill
Mrs M Greenbank
Mr P Guthrie
Mr & Mrs C E Hamilton
Mrs A Hammond
Mr R G Hawkins
Miss B Hillyard
Mr & Mrs L E Hughes
Mrs M Kemball-Cook
Mr I Kennedy
Mr P King
Mr & Mrs W E Lewis
Mr M Mackenzie
Mrs B Mallett
Mrs A Mansfield
Miss H Mansfield
Miss K McArthur
Mrs M Moore
Mrs N J Morgan
Mrs J Morris
Mr M Newbery
Mrs J Newton
Mr & Mrs D Nicholls
Mrs M Oliver
Mr & Mrs I Page
Mrs E Parsons
Mr & Mrs K A Parsons
Mr M C Pascal
Mrs P M Pollard
Mrs E Pratt
Mr & Mrs N W Revill
Mrs H Roberts
Mrs G Rowland
Mr G H Russell
Mrs P M Slade
Mrs B J Smith
Mrs J Smith
Miss P Tadman
Mrs A Taplin
Mr & Mrs A R Taylor
Mrs V Thompson
Mr & Mrs D H Verney
Mr & Mrs R Vickers
Mrs B Wall
Mrs M Watson
Mr G Williams
Mr & Mrs P Willmott
Mrs S B Wisbey
Mr R Woodhead
Mr & Mrs P Woods
Mr & Mrs R C Worbey
For Hitchin Thespians...
Stage Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Richard Cobb, Neil Leggat
Production Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tom Evans
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Alan Bailes
Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hitchin Thespians
Scenery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rosemary Bianchi
Props . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Matt Cooper, Emily Napier
Continuity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Vivienne Tadman, Kate Webb
Costumes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hitchin Thespians, Harlequin Costumes
Wardrobe Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jan Morris
Wardrobe Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sarah Cunningham, Alex Evans, Michelle Marple
Make Up Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Donna Barrett
Front of House Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lilian Dixon
Programme Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .TeeeGeee Design
Programme Editors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tom Evans, Susan Osbourn
Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ralph Rapley/XM04
Hitchin Thespians would like to thank The Royal British Legion,
The Hitchin Territorial Army,The Queen Mother Theatre
and The Bancroft Players for the use of their facilities.
HITCHIN THESPIANS is a Registered Charity, Number 1005332

HITCHIN THESPIANS present
Music & Lyrics by IRVING BERLIN
Book by HERBERT & DOROTHY FIELDS
As revised by PETER STONE
Tuesday 12th - Saturday 16th March 2013
Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage
Box Office: 01438 363200
www.hitchinthespians.org.uk
This amateur production is presented by arrangement with JOSEF
WEINBERGER LTD. on behalf of R&H Theatricals of New York