to see the programme - Hitchin Thespians

HITCHIN THESPIANS
October 2009, The Gordon Craig Theatre,Stevenage

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HITCHIN THESPIANS
present
Original choreography
and direction reproduced by
LINDA DYNE
Musical Direction
JOHN EDWARDS
Monday 5th - Saturday10th October 2009
The Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage
The Hitchin Thespians - About us...
In 1902 Miss Pepper,
returning to Hitchin after
a visit to the south
coast, told her friend,
Mrs Walter Carling, of a
performance she had
seen there. Hitchin, she
said, must have an operatic society. Mrs Carling agreed and arranged a local
performance, by ladies only, of Coleridge Taylor's ‘The Gitanos’. On February
21st 1903 a decision was taken to form the Hitchin Amateur Light Opera
Company with the Reverend G.B. Gainsford as president. In its early years the
Society devoted itself largely to the works of Gilbert and Sullivan. In March
1905 the name was changed, for the sake of brevity, to Hitchin Thespians.
Though the Society suspended its activities during World War 1, the popularity
of its shows grew rapidly in post-war years. In May 1933 ‘The Desert Song’
was played to almost 10,000 people in a week at the Hermitage Cinema! In
1958 the Thespians purchased the freehold of the Old Guild Rooms in
Paynes Park, in which they had rehearsed for a number of years, for £750.
In 1977 the Society presented "Robert and Elizabeth" in Stevenage's
new Gordon Craig Theatre, where it still continues to stage its major
productions. Its policy has been to present, whenever possible, the first
amateur performance of newly released shows, of near-professional standard.
Book by
JOSEPH STEIN
Music by
JERRY BOCK
Lyrics by
SHELDON HARNICK
Produced on the New York stage by
HAROLD PRINCE
Original New York stage production directed
and choreographed by Jerome Robbins
Based on SHOLEM ALEICHEM stories
by special permission of ARNOLD PERL
This amateur production is presented by arrangement with JOSEF WEINBERGER LTD.
on behalf of MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL of NEW YORK.
MUSICAL THEATRE Each year we present two fully staged musicals at The
Gordon Craig Theatre in Stevenage. We thrive on challenge and have presented
some shows that many other societies are wary of. In addition there are
occasionally smaller scale productions of musicals which are performed at
our purpose built rehearsal suite, Woodside Hall, or at the Town Hall, Hitchin.
Groups of members are also welcome to get together and perform concerts
and shows with a smaller cast.
CONCERTS AND CHORAL WORKS In addition to our musical theatre activities
we have a thriving choir. The variety of music performed by this group is
staggering, as one member put it - "from Bach to Bernstein!"There are
typically three concerts each year, often performed at Woodside Hall, but
sometimes in surroundings that might suit the performance better such
as the lovely parish church of St. Mary's in Hitchin.
WORKSHOPS AND SPONSORSHIPS We are proud to fulfil our educational
aims and ambitions through workshops and sponsorships. In recent years we
have sponsored members to attend voice and performance training at the
Little Benslow Music School in Hitchin and have also arranged for members
to participate in masterclasses with professional singers and voice coaches.
One of our Musical Directors has also led a fascinating series of lectures
on wide-ranging aspects of music.

From the
Chairman...
Welcome to this evening’s performance of ‘Fiddler on the Roof’.
This classic musical theatre piece will be well known to most as it has
long been one of the more popular shows. Despite the rather grim topic of the
pogroms, Jewish clearances, there are still some joyous moments in the story.
Numerous love stories, weddings and comedic moments from family life all bring
this story to life and many of the issues seen are very relevant in today’s society.
We are delighted to welcome back Linda Dyne as our stage director for this show and
John Edwards as musical director. Rehearsals have been hard work but tremendous
fun and I hope you will enjoy the results of the company’s labours in this performance.
Hitchin Thespians like to maintain a varied programme and so this more traditional show is a
contrast to the previous production of ‘Sweeney Todd’. Our next production in March 2010 will be
‘The Music Man’ also at the Gordon Craig Theatre and I hope you will come along to this too.
I would like to thank you for supporting us in this production and if this is the first production of ours
you have attended, we hope it will be the first of many. Now its time to sit back, read the synopsis and be
transported as the curtain rises on the countryside, somewhere in Eastern Europe.
Lucy Miller-White
The Committee 2009 /2010
CHAIRMAN: Lucy Miller-White
TREASURER: Mark Savage
HONORARY GENERAL SECRETARY: Alex Evans
PRODUCTION MANAGER: Sarah Bailes
CHORAL MANAGER: Sheila Soothill
BUSINESS MANAGER: Kate Webb
WOODSIDE HALL MANAGER: Ann Crook
SOCIAL & FUNDRAISING: Vivienne Tadman
LIFE MEMBERS:
Olive Ansell, Ann Crook, Brenda Cundell,
Marion Hargraves, Audrey Jenkins, Derek Jenkins,
Denis Rowland, Gordon Wharton
HONORARY MEMBERS:
Bert Broe, Mollie Gilbert, Edgar Gilbert,
Roger Heath, Alfons Krupp,
Bernard Mallett, Jim Snell,
Justin Thomas
COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Christine Fox, Charles Langford, Sue Osbourn

The Production Team
Linda Dyne
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
Linda has now been acting both professionally and directing
Amateur Societies for longer than she will admit to! Her last
two shows have both been directed at the Gordon Craig
Theatre with ‘Calamity Jane’ and ‘Kiss Me Kate’. She is
delighted to direct ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ again, as this has
been a favourite show of hers since she herself played
Tzeitel. Linda says that although this production is going to
be ‘traditional’, it will be a slightly different portrayal of this
classic piece. Linda is very pleased to have retired this year
so that she has more time to direct, and has ‘Princess Ida’ at
Watford Palace, ‘Hot Mikado’ in the Arena at St Albans and
‘Crazy for You’ at the Gordon Craig lined up for 2010.
John Edwards
MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Throughout his career, often in far-flung places (Scotland,
Singapore and New Mexico included), John has directed
choirs and stage productions in a wide variety of styles and
locations.He also composes in his spare (?) time – his
cantata ‘England’s Heartland’ was awarded first prize in the
1989 ‘Theme for Hertfordshire’ competition. He is also
involved in the annual fund-raising concerts in aid of
Breakthrough, the breast cancer charity.
This will be his 11th production as M.D. with Hitchin
Thespians – two of which (‘Singing in the Rain’ and ‘Jekyll
and Hyde’) won the company NODA awards - and he is
looking forward (hopefully) to adding ‘Fiddler’ to the tally.
For all up-to-date news and information, don’t forget to log on to...
www.hitchinthespians.org.uk
If you are interested in joining the Society as
either a member or a patron, then please contact:-
Alex Evans - Hon. Secretary, 4 Cubitt Close, Hitchin, Herts. SG4 0EL
secretary@hitchinthespians.org.uk
Alternatively, if you would prefer you can join our ‘SHOW MAILING LIST’

The
Story...
The year is 1905 and a Jewish community in Tsarist Russia is trying to eke out a
living in the village of Anatevka. Tevye, a milkman, strives very hard to keep up the
traditions of his faith, race and culture. He has five daughters, itself a problem but what is
more pressing is trying to find husbands for the eldest three children. Yente, the village
matchmaker, does her best but with no money and no dowry to offer she finds that her
work is very difficult. Even so, the girls dream of the love that they will find one day.
Tevye is called to see the butcher, Lazar Wolf, who is interested in marrying his eldest daughter
Tzeitel. They make an agreement and celebrate. However, Tzeitel rejects the butcher’s proposal. She
has her heart set on the young, impecunious tailor, Motel. The ‘new way’ is that children shall decide
partners for themselves. But will Golde, Tevye's loving wife, accept this change in traditional values? Tevye conjures
up a dream, and in the relating of it, he attempts to persuade Golde that Lazar Wolf is not a good match and that
Grandmother would much prefer her granddaughter to marry the tailor. Golde is persuaded and that is the first chink
in the breakdown of traditional values.
Tevye's second daughter, Hodel, has fallen in love with Perchik, a political student and an activist against the
repressive regime. Tevye refuses to give his permission for Hodel and Perchik to marry but they inform Tevye that they
do not wish to seek his permission to marry but merely his blessing. Traditions are obviously changing. Later, Perchik
is arrested and is sent to Siberia, where Hodel intends to join him. She promises her father they
will be married under a canopy in the traditional Jewish way. Her father accompanies her to the
railway station to bid her farewell.
Chava, Tevye's third eldest daughter, has fallen for a Russian soldier Fyedka. Not only is
he Russian, he is not a Jew and the bending of tradition this far is something that
Tevye cannot reconcile himself to. From this point on, Chava ceases to be his daughter
and is shunned.
Meanwhile, Anatevka itself is under threat. The Jews are being forced to leave their
homes and many of them decide to go to live in America where many of them
have friends and relations. That is where Tevye and Golde and
the two youngest children are to go. Motel and Tzeitel, who now
have a child of their own, will join them. Chava
and Fyedka, wanted by neither Jew nor Russian,
go to live in Poland. The Fiddler on the Roof,
the indomitable spirit of the Jewish people, will
live on in all of them.

The Company
After a break of six years, Steve is delighted to
return to the Thespians in his favourite role, playing
‘Tevye’ for the fourth time. His other favourite roles
have included Higgins in ‘My Fair Lady’, The King in
‘The King and I’, Emile in ‘South Pacific’, Escamillo
in ‘Carmen’, Pirate King in ‘Broadway Pirates of
Penzance’, Pilate in ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, Judas
in ‘Godspell’, Cervantes in ‘Man of La Mancha’,
Adam in ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers’,
Billy Bigelow in ‘Carousel’, Captain in ‘Titanic’
and Rico in ‘Copacabana’. Steve hopes that
you will enjoy this version of one of his
perennial favourites.
Steve Wilks
TEVYE, THE MILKMAN
Judith is delighted to be back with the Hitchin
Thespians after a fifteen year absence and is
pleased to note that nobody has aged at all since
she was last here! Over the years she has enjoyed
playing lots of parts for different societies,
including Sally Bowles in ‘Cabaret’, Adelaide in
‘Guys and Dolls’, Ado Annie in ‘Oklahoma’,
Eliza Doolittle in ‘My Fair Lady’ and Katisha in ‘The
Mikado’. This is her third trip to Anatevka; the first
time round she played the part of ‘Tzeitel’
so now feels that she has really grown up.
As well as amateur dramatics Judith enjoys
looking after her three children and three cats.
Judith Coen
GOLDE, HIS WIFE

The Company
Melanie Plowman
TZEITEL
Melanie joined Hitchin Thespians six years ago for ‘Seven Brides for Seven
Brothers’. Since then she has had many small roles including Nellie in ‘Jekyll &
Hyde’, Ruth in ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ and Susan Hershey in the ‘Full Monty’
(both in Hitchin and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival) but her current favourite
was Susan in ‘Calamity Jane’. She is also a member of the Lytton Players where
she most recently performed as Caroline Neville in ‘Titanic’. Aside from the
shows, Melanie enjoys singing with the choir and participating in fundraising
performances at Woodside Hall such as ‘That Ole Devil Called Love’.
Melanie works as a production co-ordinator working on programmes for the
Community Channel, Sky and Five. In the coming months she hopes, after
being married twice on stage in the last year, to finally plan her real wedding.
Nicola Niles
HODEL
This is the second time Nicola has appeared in ‘Fiddler on the
Roof’, having previously played ‘Chava’ for Luton Amateurs.
Her previous roles for Hitchin Thespians have included Gloria in
‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’, Emma in ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ and
Yum-Yum in ‘The Mikado’. For Luton Amateurs, she has had the
fortune to play roles such as Hope Harcourt in ‘Anything Goes’,
Ann in ‘Half a Sixpence’ and Eliza Doolittle in ‘My Fair Lady’.
During the day she teaches part-time in a Special Needs
School in Luton and spends the rest of her time
looking after her two children.
Katie Lambert
CHAVA
Katie has performed in numerous shows mainly with Letchworth
Arcadians and Young Arcadians, but you will have seen her last
with the Hitchin Thespians as Johanna in ‘Sweeney Todd’.
Katie’s previous shows have included ‘Copacabana’, ‘High School
Musical’ as Martha, ‘Wind in the Willows’ as Mole, ‘Oliver!’,
‘Little Shop of Horrors’ and ‘Annie’. Aside from drama, Katie
enjoys playing guitar, running, listening to music, socialising
and drinking tea! In regards to her future she can’t predict
where she will be in ten years time, but her ultimate
dream would be to star in a West End show!

The Company
Charles Langford
MOTEL, THE TAILOR
Charles has been a member of Hitchin Thespians since 2000.
He has performed in many of the shows since then. His favourite roles
have included Tobias in 'Sweeney Todd', Cornelius in 'Hello Dolly',
Demetrius in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' (The Lytton Players),
and Bossy Barbara in ‘Beauty and the Beast’. He says his most
memorable experience was performing at the Edinburgh Fringe
Festival in 2007 playing Malcom in ‘The Full Monty’. His last
principal role for us was the Arbiter in 'Chess'. He says he is looking
forward to working with the wonderful company in ‘Fiddler’.
James Hamilton
PERCHIK, THE STUDENT
When James made his first appearance with the Hitchin
Thespians in 1987, it never crossed his mind that twenty-two
years later he’d still enjoy having people pay to watch him
attempting to act. Having been a pirate, a Jet, a gong basher,
an apostle and a stripper, he wonders if his portrayal of a bolshy
student will be better than his impression of a real student
whilst at university. When he’s not spending his time in
rehearsals, James sings and plays brass in a covers band,
plays hockey for Stevenage and football when he can.
Kier Home
FYEDKA
Kier has spent most of his life on stage, mostly with Hitchin Thespians -
his first musical being ‘The King And I’ for us in 1991. ‘Fiddler on the
Roof ‘ will be Kier's twelfth show with Hitchin Thespians. Kier has played
many roles - an Apostle in ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, Hortensio in ‘Kiss Me
Kate’, ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers’, and various chorus roles.
His favourite role has been Anthony in our last production of ‘Sweeney
Todd’. Kier is pleased to be playing Fyedka, a character that he can
relate to and had his eye upon since watching the film adaptation of
‘Fiddler’. When he’s not involved in a show, Kier is either working
here at the Gordon Craig Theatre Box Office, at home listening to
‘The Rat Pack’, or with his nose in a book somewhere!

The Company
Julia Nicolson
YENTE, THE MATCHMAKER
Despite her involvement in hair-pulling, attempted
murder and fatal shootings in our last show
‘Sweeney Todd’ where she played the rather evil
‘Mrs Fogg, Julia has been allowed to remain
a member of Hitchin Thespians and is delighted
to be playing the role of Yente.
Julia has been involved in amateur dramatics
locally for over fifteen years and first played the role
of Yente in the Stevenage Lytton Players 2004
production. She is always happy to forfeit a pretty
costume in favour of an ageing wig for the challenge
and fun that comes from eccentric comedy character
roles. Previous favourite roles include Widow Corney
in ‘Oliver!’ and Claree Belcher in ‘Steel Magnolias’.
This is Dom's debut with the Thespians but he is
no newcomer to the theatre. He has taken several
character and lead roles with other societies including
Billy Bigelow in ‘Carousel’, Jud Fry in ‘Oklahoma’, The
King in ‘The King and I’ and most recently he sank
without a trace as Edgar Beane in ‘Titanic’.
He also enjoys acting in plays and took the
part of the narrator in ‘Blood Brothers’.
Previously, Dominic lived in Russia and
sang at the Bolshoi theatre... (it may have
been the in bar, but the Bolshoi, nonetheless!)
Dominic Baker
LAZAR WOLF,
THE BUTCHER

Act One
Scenes & Songs...
THE PLACE: Anatevka, a small village in Russia
Prologue - Tradition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tevye & Company
Scene One: The Kitchen in Tevye’s House
Matchmaker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tzeitel, Hodel, Chava, Shprintze & Bielke
Scene Two: The Yard of Tevye’s House
If I Were A Rich Man . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tevye
Scene Three: The Kitchen in Tevye’s House
Sabbath Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tevye, Golde & Villagers
Scene Four: The Inn
To Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tevye, Lazar Wolf, Villagers & Russians
Scene Five: The Street outside the Inn
Scene Six: The Yard of Tevye’s House
Tevye’s Monologue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tevye
Miracle of Miracles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Motel
Scene Seven: Tevye’s Bedroom
The Dream. . . . . . . Tevye, Golde, Grandma Tzeitel, Rabbi, Fruma-Sarah & Villagers
Scene Eight: A Village Street
Scene Nine: Tevye’s Barn
Sunrise, Sunset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tevye, Golde, Perchik, Hodel & Villagers
The Wedding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Company
There will be an interval of 20 minutes between acts.
There will be strobe lighting during this performance.

Act Two
Scenes & Songs...
THE TIME: 1905, on the eve of the Russian Revolutionary Period
Prologue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tevye
Scene One: The Yard of Tevye’s House
Now I Have Everything . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Perchik & Hodel
Tevye’s Rebuttal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tevye
Do You Love Me? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tevye & Golde
Scene Two: A Village Street
The Rumour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Yente, Shaindel, Mendel, Avram & Villagers
Scene Three: A Railway Station
Far From The Home I Love . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hodel
Scene Four: Motel’s Tailor Shop, several months later
Scene Five: Tevye’s Barn
Chava Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tevye
Scene Six: The Yard of Tevye’s House
Anatevka . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Company
Scene Seven: Tevye’s Barn
The use of cameras, mobile phones and other recording equipment
is strictly prohibited. Please do not smoke in the auditorium.

The Company
Tevye, the milkman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steve Wilks
Golde, his wife. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Judith Coen
Tzeitel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Melanie Plowman
Hodel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nicola Niles
Chava. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Katie Lambert
Shprintze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Charlotte Roberts
Bielke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Emma Roberts
Yente, the matchmaker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Julia Nicolson
Motel, the tailor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Charles Langford
Perchik, the student . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James Hamilton
Lazar Wolf, the butcher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dominic Baker
Mordcha, the innkeeper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chris Ingley
Rabbi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stephen Holder
Mendel, his son . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sam Rayner
Avram, the bookseller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Roberts
Nachum, the beggar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Smith
Grandma Tzeitel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Katy King
Fruma Sarah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Barbara Thomas
Constable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Barker
Fyedka. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kier Home
Fiddler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sarah Jones
Villagers
Paul Adams, Michael Bailes, Sarah Bailes, Donna Barrett, Holly Böhme,
Caroline Bonja, Phil Calver, Andrew Davies, Alison Day, Bethany Duxberry,
Alex Evans, Isaac Evans, Judith Harrison, Caroline Hirst, Andy Johnson,
Laura Johnson, Dean Kirkbride, Frazer Lucas, Kirsty McArthur,
Colette Mitchell, Nick Morgan, Mark Savage, Julia Skinner,
Bryan Summers, Vivienne Tadman, Gareth Thomas.

Hitchin Thespians is proud to be affiliated to the National
Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) which was founded
in 1899 as the main representative body for amateur theatre
in the UK. It has a membership of some 2,500 amateur/
community theatre groups and 3,000 individual
enthusiasts throughout the country, staging musicals,
operas, plays, concerts and pantomimes in a wide
variety of performing venues, ranging from leading
professional theatres to village halls.
NODA is divided into eleven national Regions, each
headed by a Regional Councillor who sits at the ruling
body of the Association and who is supported by
a network of Regional Representatives and other
volunteers. The Representatives and their volunteers are
the vital link to the grass roots of the Association, the amateur
theatre companies themselves. The association is administered from
its headquarters in Peterborough.
NODA offers multiple benefits to its members, providing free expert
advice and factsheets on the many issues which can arise in putting
on a performance. NODA represents the interests of amateur theatre
in authorities, rights holders and the media. Conferences, workshops
and seminars held at National and Regional level all help the members
to share information on best practice. The NODA Annual Summer
School offers training from professional tutors in acting,
directing, music directing, musical theatre, stage management
and other technical aspects of theatre performance.
Bursaries are available from National and Regional funds.
Regular Regional magazines and the quarterly ‘NODA
National News’ provide a range of useful advice and
information for amateur societies and practitioners, as
well as free listings of performances, free classified ads
for selling, buying or hiring scenery, props, scripts,
and details of shows released or restricted for
amateur performance.NODA’s trading area offers access to
goods and services for members and other amateur
theatre enthusiasts, such as NODA pantomimes, a sheet
music service, official badges, youth representatives,
commendation badges and Long Service Awards. Their awards are
available for presentation to those who have given active service
to amateur theatre for a period of ten years and every five years
thereafter. NODA Insurance provides a package that caters for the
specific needs of amateur theatre with discounted premiums for
NODA members.
NODA aims to ensure that it provides help to amateur societies and
individuals in achieving the highest standards of best practice and
performance, and in meeting the challenges of the 21st century.
Fiddler on the Roof- Stage & Screen
Fiddler on the Roof is a musical with music
by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick,
and book by Joseph Stein, set in Tsarist
Russia in 1905. It is based on ‘Tevye the
milkman and his daughters’ and other tales
by Sholem Aleichem. The story centres on
Tevye, the father of five daughters, and
his attempts to maintain his family
and religious traditions while outside
influences encroach upon their lives.
The original Broadway production of the
show, which opened in 1964, was the first
run of a musical in history to surpass 3,000
performances, starring Zero Mostel. Fiddler
held the record for the longest-running
Broadway musical for almost 10 years
until Grease surpassed its run. It remains
Broadway's thirteenth longest-running show
in history. The production was extraordinarily
profitable and highly acclaimed. It was
nominated for ten Tony Awards, winning nine,
including best musical, score, book, direction
Chaim
Topol
and choreography. It spawned four
Broadway revivals, a successful
1971 film adaptation, and the show
has enjoyed enduring international
popularity. It is also a very popular
choice for school and community
productions. The film version was
released in 1971 and won three
Academy Awards including one for
arranger-conductor John Williams.
Chaim Topol played the role of Tevye.
Zero Mostel

Sheila Soothill wishes
Hitchin Thespians
every success with
‘FIDDLER ON
THE ROOF’
THE DRUM PLACE
Unit 5, 80 High Street
Walkern, Herts. SG2 7PG
Tel: 01438 860334
Fax: 01438 861326
Email: sheila@thedrumplace.co.uk
info@thedrumplace.co.uk
Fiddler on the Roof

The
Orchestra...
FLUTE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ian Killoran
CLARINET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Neil Pennock
TRUMPET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ellie Lovegrove
TROMBONE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paul Sylvester
PERCUSSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James Pickford
VIOLIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Janet Hicks
VIOLIN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Andrea Kelly
CELLO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rachel Sanders-Hewett
DOUBLE BASS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fiona Nisbett
KEYBOARDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nigel Gray

HITCHIN THESPIANS PAST PRODUCTIONS
1903 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Gitanos
1904 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Sorcerer
1905 . . . . .The Yeomen of the Guard
1905 . . . . . . . . . . . .The Mountebanks
1906 . . . . . . .The Pirates of Penzance
1907 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Gondoliers
1908 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Mikado
1909 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .H.M.S. Pinafore
1910 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Trial by Jury
1910 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ruddigore
1911 . . . . .The Yeomen of the Guard
1913 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Patience
1920 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Gondoliers
1921 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Mikado
1922 . . . . .The Yeomen of the Guard
1922 . . . . . . .The Pirates of Penzance
1923 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ruddigore
1923 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Sorcerer
1924 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Iolanthe
1924 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Gondoliers
1925 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Merrie England
1925 . . . . .The Yeomen of the Guard
1926 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Patience
1926 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Trial by Jury
1926 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .H.M.S. Pinafore
1927 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Mikado
1927 . . . . . . . . .Miss Hook of Holland
1928 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Geisha
1928 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A Country Girl
1929 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Princess Ida
1929 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Veronique
1930 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tom Jones
1931 . . . . . . .The Pirates of Penzance
1931 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Merrie England
1932 . . . . . . . . .The Belle of New York
1932 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rose Marie
1933 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Desert Song
1933 . . . . . . . . . . .The Vagabond King
1934 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The New Moon
1935 . . . .The Maid of the Mountains
1936 . . . . . . . . .Miss Hook of Holland
1937 . . . . . . . . . . . .The Student Prince
1938 . . . . . . . . . . . .Goodnight Vienna
1939 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Showboat
1946 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Rebel Maid
1947 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Desert Song
1948 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Gondoliers
1949 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chu Chin Chow
1950 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rose Marie
1951 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bitter Sweet
1951 . . . . . . . . .Yeomen of the Guard
1952 . . . . . . . . .Viktoria & Her Hussar
1953 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The New Moon
1954 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wild Violets
1955 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Magyar Melody
1956 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Quaker Girl
1957 . . . . . . . . . . . .Goodnight Vienna
1957 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Call Me Madam
1958 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bless the Bride
1959 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Love from Judy
1960 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Oklahoma
1961 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Carousel
1962 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hansel & Gretal
1962 . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Merry Widow
1963 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kiss Me Kate
1964 . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pink Champagne
1965 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Music Man
1966 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Trial By Jury
1966 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The King & I
1967 . . .Orpheus in the Underworld
1968 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Half A Sixpence
1969 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Carmen
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 Beggars 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
* NODA Region 9 Eastern Area Award
Mrs V Barker
Mr & Mrs P Barry
Mr & Mrs J Bedingfield
Mrs M Bidwell
Miss V Bishop
Mr & Mrs P Blacker
Mr N Bone
Mr R Bray
Mrs M Brendish
Mrs M Briddon
Mrs S Budin-Jones
Miss R E Burrows
Mrs E Calverley
Mrs D E Chennells
Mr G Cobb
Mr R Cobb
Mr & Mrs GT Cork
Mr & Mrs D R Crick
Mr N Cundell
Mrs S Davies
Mrs M Day
Mr R Day
Miss B Deamer
Mrs G Donald
HITCHIN THESPIANS PATRONS 2009
Mr M P Doonan
Mr & Mrs A Dover
Mrs H Dublino
Mrs E Edwards
Mr M Everitt
Mrs M E Fairchild
Mr & MrsJ Franks
Mrs J Frith
Mr & Mrs M Galloway
Dr & Mrs S P Gardiner
Mrs N Gilderthorp
Mrs M Gill
Mr R Gorbing
Mr B Griffiths
Mr PGuthrie
Mrs D Guyton
Mrs S Haigh
Mr & Mrs C Hamilton
Mrs A Hammond
Mrs B Harvey
Mr R Hawkins
Mr & Mrs D Haynes
Miss B Hillyard
Mr P & Mrs A Hollingsworth
Mr P Houldcroft
Mrs J E Howe
Mrs W T Hoy
Mr & Mrs L Hughes
Mrs P Hunter
Mrs J Huthert-Averill
Mrs M Jones-Davies
Mrs M Kemball-Cook
Mr I Kennedy
Mr P King
Mr & Mrs H Leonard
Mr & Mrs W E Lewis
Mr A Lintern
Mrs & Mrs M Mackenzie
Mrs B Mallett
Mrs A Mansfield
Miss H Mansfield
Dr C F & Mrs E A Mathews
Mr & Mrs J Metzger
Mrs G Moles
Mrs N Morgan
Mrs J Morris
Mr M Newbery
Mrs J Newton
Mr & Mrs D Nicholls
Mrs M Oliver
Mr I Page
Mrs C Page
Mrs E Parsons
Mr & Mrs K A Parsons
Mr M C Pascal
Dennis E. Pateman J.P.
Mrs B Pennicott
Mrs C Plowman
Mrs P M Pollard
Mrs E Pratt
Mr & Mrs N W Revill
Mrs M Richmond
Mrs G Rowland
Mr G H Russell
Mrs R Saunders
Mrs L M Shaw
Mrs A Shephard
Mrs P Slade
Mrs V Slade
Mrs & Mrs A Smith
Mrs B Smith
Mrs J Smith
Mr J Smyth
Miss P Tadman
Mrs A D Taplin
Mr & Mrs A R Taylor
Mrs K Theakstone
Mrs V Thompson
Mr F Turgoose
Mr & Mrs D H Verney
Mr & Mrs R Vickers
Mrs M Walker
Mrs B Wall
Mrs M Watson
Mr G Williams
Mr & Mrs P Willmott
Mrs R Willmott
Mr & Mrs C Wilson
Mrs S Wisbey
Mrs B Wiseman
Mr R Woodhead
Mr & Mrs P Woods
Mr & Mrs R Worbey

For Hitchin Thespians
Stage Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Philippa Tadman
Assistant Stage Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Richard Cobb
Production Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sarah Bailes
Lighting & Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Black Duck AV LTD
Scenery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Scenic Projects Ltd
Costumes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Carousel Costumes
Business Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kate Webb
Business Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nick Morgan, Jane Homer
Programme Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .TeeeGeee Design
Programme Editing/Advertising . .Sue Osbourn, Kate Webb
Programme/Poster Printing . . . . . . . . . . .Streets of Baldock
Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ralph Rapley/XMO4
Front of House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sue Osbourn
Chaperone Co-ordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Claire Bailes
Chaperones . . . .Alan Bailes, Peter Bailey, Melanie Troiano
Assistant to the Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Carolyn Roberts
Wardrobe Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Keryle Rutherford
Wardrobe Team . . . . . . .Nicki Bowles, Margaret Brendish,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Angela Hollingsworth, Judy Page,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Barbara Pennicott, Mary Roberts
Stage Crew . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Viv Stephenson, Neil Leggat,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wayne Hough, Cliff Gulbis
Properties Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Charles Langford
Properties Assistants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Philippa Bayfield,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .John Keogh, Lucy Miller-White
Continuity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Iain Rutherford, Kate Webb
Make Up Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Donna Barrett
Make Up Team . . .Karis Allen, Sarah Barry, Ron Burton,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sarah Cunningham, Rhian Hegarty,
. . . . . .Michelle Marple, Bronwen Martin, Sheila Soothill
Rehearsal Accompanist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nigel Gray
Librarian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chris Fox
CALLING YOUNG THESPIANS...
If you like to sing, act or dance and are in Year 6 and above we want to hear from you.
Young Thespians meet Sunday mornings at Woodside Hall, Walsworth Road, Hitchin, from 10am to 12 noon.
There is a charge of £25 to take part in each production. Young Thespians will be presenting...
at Woodside Hall from
15th - 17th April 2010
If you are interested please contact
Ann Crook 01462 434181,
anncrook@btinternet.com

OUR LAST
PRODUCTION
MARCH 2009
Sweeney
Todd

THE HITCHIN THESPIANS ...COMING SOON...
The Last Five Years
20th & 21st November 2009, Woodside Hall, Hitchin
THE HITCHIN THESPIANS CHOIR
Christmas at Woodside r
10th - 12th December 2009, Woodside Hall, Hitchin
The Music Man
8th - 13th March 2010, The Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage
HITCHIN THESPIANS: 01462 641575 GORDON CRAIG THEATRE: 01438 363200
Hitchin Thespians choir is looking for new members...
Hitchin Thespians choir is looking for new members.
We are a long established choral group singing a
diverse range of music encompassing everything from
modern show songs to large scale classical choral
works. We perform three concerts a year, including the
ever popular and always sold out ‘Christmas at
Woodside’ concert. At the moment we are rehearsing
for ‘Christmas at Woodside 2009’ and after Christmas
will be looking forward to our Spring concert on
Saturday 27th March 2010 followed by our Summer
concert on Saturday 17th July 2010.
Interested in joining us?
If so, contact our secretary at: secretary@hitchinthespians.org.uk or by phone on
01462 458803 for further details. Visit our website at www.hitchinthespians.org.uk
to learn more about our choral and show activities.

The
Last Five
Years
Written and Composed by Jason Robert Brown
Originally Produced for the New York Stage by Arielle Tepper and Marty Bell
Originally Produced by Northlight Theatre Chicago, Illinois
20th & 21st November 2009
Woodside Hall, Hitchin
Tickets: £10.00 Box Office: 01763 242158
This amateur production is presented by arrangement with JOSEF WEINBERGER LTD.
FOR THE GORDON CRAIG THEATRE

Hamilton
Davies
28 High Street, Stevenage,
Herts, SG1 3HF
Fax: (01438) 740084
Email: law@hamiltondavies.co.uk
Website: www.hamiltondavies.co.uk
SOLICITORS
Tel: 01438 315898
We always offer a truly approachable,
friendly and efficient professional service
• Personal injury work
• Commercial work
• Wills and probate
• Estate planning
• Problems of the elderly
• Family and divorce work
• Employment issues
• Property transactions
...that’s law with a human face!