Pirates 2019

Shirley Hale
Singing & Performance
Coaching
tel. 01234 381394
For all types of voices
Beginners welcome
Bathroom
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Mon/Tue/Wed: 8am until 6pm
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Sat: 8am until 4pm
94 Dunstable St. (opp. Fratelli’s) 01525 838313

The Story of the Opera
ACT 1
A ROCKY SEA SHORE ON THE COAST OF CORNWALL
The Pirates of Penzance are making merry, for young Frederic has almost
completed his apprenticeship. Although years previously Frederic discovered
that his nurse, Ruth, had mistakenly apprenticed him to a PIRATE instead of a
PILOT, his strong sense of duty has so far made him faithful to the pirate band.
Now, in his 21st year, he is out of his indentures and his conscience tells him he
must destroy the pirates who, in their turn, agree he must do what he feels to
be right.
Some beautiful girls appear in the distance and while they are exploring the
beach Frederic promptly falls in love with one of them whilst also warning them
all of their danger - but too late! The pirates seize the girls and declare their
intention of marrying them. When their father, Major-General Stanley, appears
he secures his daughters’ release by claiming (falsely, as it turns out) that he is
an orphan. The pirates are well known for their sympathetic attitude towards
orphans and so have ruined many of their enterprises by releasing captives who
have claimed to be orphans.
ACT 2
A RUINED CHAPEL BY MOONLIGHT
Major-General Stanley is surrounded by his daughters who are trying to comfort
him: he is conscience-stricken because of the lie he has told the pirates in order
to get his daughters released. Frederic enlists the aid of a squad of police and
their sergeant in order to attack the pirates.
Unfortunately, Frederic discovers that he was born in leap year on 29th February
and that he has only a birthday once in every four years. The Pirate King and
Ruth say that he is only a little boy of five and has a number of years to go
before his 21st birthday and he is free from his apprenticeship.
As a result of his strong sense of duty Frederic feels he must return to the pirate
band and also tells the Pirate King of the Major-General’s deceit. Enraged, the
pirates seize General Stanley and his daughters and in the battle which follows
the police are defeated. The pirates in turn surrender, however, when they are
called upon to yield in Queen Victoria’s name.
At this moment Ruth conveniently explains that the pirates are all noblemen
who have gone wrong and the story ends happily with the news that they are
now eligible suitors for Major-General Stanley’s daughters.

The Production Team
director of production
musical director
choreographer
rehearsal pianists
prompt
properties
stage manager
stage crew
scenic artists and construction
lighting design and operation
lighting equipment
costumes
wardrobe assistance
publicity and cast photos
front of house
box office
SAODS web site
programme
poster design
orchestral scores
Wendy Field
Alana Thackray
Carol Wallman
Brian Caves, Pam Rogers
Pam Ireland
Margaret Brown, Richard Hull,
Carol Wallman
John Daniels
Jessica Hallett and cast members
Hazel Daniels, John Daniels
Richard Hull
Bubbles Hire
Harlequin Costumes, Baldock
Margaret Brown
Gary Chester
Friends of the Society
Bill Hall, Mike Cocke, Jessica Hallett
Colin Jones
John Epton, Colin Jones
Susan Wells, Colin Jones
Pattersong Music
in rehearsal

Programme of Music
ACT 1
Overture
Pour, Oh Pour The Pirate Sherry (Chorus of Pirates and Samuel)
When Fred’ric Was A Little Lad (Ruth)
Oh, Better Far To Live And Die (Pirate King and Chorus)
Oh! False One, You Have Deceived Me (Ruth and Frederic)
Climbing Over Rocky Mountains (Chorus of Girls)
Stop, Ladies Pray! (Edith, Kate, Frederic and Chorus)
Oh! Is There Not One Maiden Breast (Frederic and Chorus of Girls)
Poor Wand’ring One (Mabel and Chorus)
What Ought We To Do? (Edith, Kate and Chorus of Girls)
How Beautifully Blue The Sky (Mabel and Frederic with Chorus of Girls)
Stay, We Must Not Lose Our Senses (Frederic and Chorus of Girls and Pirates)
Hold, Monsters! (Mabel, Major-General, Samuel and Chorus)
I Am The Very Model Of A Modern Major-General (Major-General and Chorus)
Oh! Men Of Dark And Dismal Fate (Finale)
ACT 2
Oh! Dry The Glist’ning Tear (Mabel and Chorus of Girls)
Now, Frederic, Let Your Escort Lion-Hearted (Frederic and Major-General)
When The Foeman Bares His Steel (Chorus with Mabel, Edith and Sergeant)
Now For The Pirates’ Lair (Ruth, Frederic and Pirate King)
When You Had Left Our Pirate Fold (Ruth, Frederic and Pirate King)
Away, Away, My Heart’s On Fire (Ruth, Frederic and Pirate King)
All Is Prepared! Your Gallant Crew Await You! (Mabel and Frederic)
Stay, Frederic, Stay! (Mabel and Frederic)
No, I’ll Be Brave! (Mabel, Sergeant and Chorus of Police)
When A Felon’s Not Engaged In His Employment (Sergeant and Chorus of Police)
A Rollicking Band Of Pirates We (Sergeant and Chorus of Pirates and Police)
With Cat-Like Tread (Samuel and Chorus of Pirates)
Hush! Hush! Not A Word (Frederic, King, Major-General, Pirates and Police)
Sighing Softly To The River (Major-General and Chorus and Finale)

CHRIS HODGES - SAMUEL
Following previous appearances in “Audience” and “Band”
this will be Chris’s second appearance in a Stewartby G & S
production following his role as Wayne in last year’s
“Ruddigore” and he has also performed in Stewartby
concerts in 2019. Chris has also appeared in The Sorcerer
with Abbots Langley G & S and “Don Giovanni” with Felici.
PETER DAVIS - THE PIRATE KING
Peter has performed many roles with Stewartby over the
years. Apart from Stewartby and G & S he has performed as
Ben Rumson (Paint Your Wagon), Jerry Reynolds (Friend or
Foe), Bartolo (Marriage of Figaro) and the Commendatore
(Don Giovanni). He recently played Lord Mountararat in
Iolanthe with Putteridge Bury G & S.
CHARLES MILLS - FREDERIC
Charles balances his day job as finance director of Graeae
Theatre Company with evenings spent on the amateur
stage and in chamber choirs. Over his many years of
association with Stewartby he has played most of the
leading tenor parts in the G & S operettas and is pleased to
be playing opposite Carol Urwin once again.
LINDA BOWEN - RUTH
Linda is delighted to be playing the role of Ruth again with
Stewartby. She has performed many of the leading lady
roles in the G & S canon from a terrifying Katisha (The
Mikado) to a luscious Lady Jane (Patience) and the leading
role of Iolanthe. Last year she played Mad Margaret in the
Stewartby production of “Ruddigore”.
MARGARET MAGEE - EDITH
Margaret has played most of the leading roles in G & S
productions for St Neots Operatic Society and societies in
London. Trained at the Royal College of Music she was a
wonderful Magnolia in “Show Boat” and has taken leads in
Stewartby concerts for many years.

JENNY JACKSON - KATE
Jenny has exhibited an extraordinary range from top
soprano to alto in her various roles. In St Neots Operatic
Society she has played Mabel (The Pirates of Penzance) and
Valencienne (The Merry Widow) amongst others. For
Stewartby she has performed in minor and leading roles
and brought her knowledge of music hall to our concerts.
SANDRA BUCK - ISABEL
Sandra joined Stewartby back in 2005 and has since
performed in many G & S productions in the chorus. She
has also performed with ShowCo, Bedford. At Stewartby
she played Fleta in “Iolanthe” and Ruth in “Ruddigore” and
is delighted to be playing Isabel and helping the poor old
Major-General to get through his song.
CAROL URWIN - MABEL
Carol has played all the soprano leads for Stewartby
Operatic Society, most of them twice, and has taken part in
many concerts. Carol runs in half-marathons to keep fit and
took part in the London Marathon in 2019, raising money
for Bedford Hospital. She will be repeating this endeavor in
2020 and will happily accept offers of sponsorship.
COLIN JONES - MAJOR-GENERAL STANLEY
Having seemingly specialised in titled or ranked roles
including the Duke of Plaza Toro (Gondoliers), Private Willis
(Patience) and Sir Joseph Porter (HMS Pinafore) Colin played
plain Bruce in “Ruddigore” but is delighted to regain his
status in 2019. Like the best actors he can also brag that he
has appeared - very, very briefly - in EastEnders.
STEVE BARTLETT - SERGEANT OF POLICE
Steve joined the society in 2011, coming from a mainly
Music Hall background, now performing baritone roles in
the chorus line of a number of previous G & S productions
and all of the spring concerts. He is delighted to be
undertaking the role of the Sergeant of Police so let`s
capture those Pirates. Ha, ha, ha, ha! Ho, ho, ho, ho!

CAST PHOTOGRAPH 2019 by Gary Chester
If you are keen on musical theatre as a performer, backstage or front of house, why not give us a try?
NEW MEMBERS ALWAYS WELCOME

Obituaries
It is with sadness we mourn the deaths of two of our members
Hilary Hull
Gladys Lecoche
Hilary Hull joined the Society in 1963. She was made a life
member and latterly took charge of properties and helped with
costumes. She took minor principal roles and was also a
member of Ampthill Operatic Society from 1962.
Gladys Lecoche joined Stewartby in 1971 and was also a
member of Westoning Ladies Choir, Westoning Dramatic
Society and Ampthill Operatic Society.
They will be missed by all who knew them and we extend our
sympathy to all families and friends.
“Is life a boon?
If so, it must befall that Death
when e’er he call, must call too soon.”
Some Things You Didn’t Know You Didn’t Know About “Pirates”
Gilbert’s original idea for this opera
featured a band of thieves rather than
pirates and was titled “The Robbers”.
The 1983 film of a modern adaptation of “Pirates”
starred Kevin Kline (Pirate King), Angela Lansbury
(Ruth) and Linda Ronstadt (Mabel).
In its first runs “Pirates” proved even more popular in
the USA than in England, being performed in different
parts of the country by four different theatre companies.
In the original New York
production the Sergeant of Police
was given the name Edward.
Prince Charles played
the Pirate King whilst
at Gordonstoun
School in 1967.
The song “Poor Wandering
One” was a last minute
composition for the
American first production.
The song “Climbing Over Rocky
Mountains” was adapted from a
song in Gilbert and Sullivan’s
first collaboration “Thespis”.

21st December to 1st January at the Corn Exchange, Bedford
Upwell Gilbert and Sullivan
Society’s Golden Jubilee
production
April 2020 at
Outwell Methodist Hall
www.upwellgands.weebly.com