|
Martins
Bank Operatic Society in Ruddigore by Gilbert and Sullivan
Staged:
25 to 29 March1958 at the Crane Theatre Liverpool
 Under their new title of Martins Bank Operatic
Society, the group of players formerly known as the Society of the Arts has
already staged one production in 1957 – a reprise of their popular version of
“The Mikado” first offered some eight years earlier. The Society of the Arts
now encompasses the Argosy Players in Liverpool, the Cicala Players in
London, Martins Bank Players (North Eastern) in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and the
Manchester Players. It seems
astonishing today that one organisation could have spawned and nurtured quite
so much acting and singing talent.
Each performer gives of their own free time to put on a show that will
be remembered, and their legacy is here amongst our “Song and Dance Pages”
where we will bring you every one of ther performances for which we have
pictures and details. Every show
depends on revenue from ticket and programme sales, and formal audited
accounts are kept to see which has made a profit, and which has made a loss. In 1958, Martins Bank Operatic Society
chooses another Gilbert and Sullivan opera – “Ruddigore”. The ambition of the the production team
knows no bounds this time, as there are no less than SIX performances – five
evenings and one matinée. Martins Bank
Magazine gets in on the act, rightly proud of ALL of the Bank’s amateur dramatic
and operatic societies, it gives over several pages and a number of pictures
to “Ruddigore”. All this, when the
opera itself is not even considered to be a particular favourite with audiences!
|
 FOR their
1958 production the Operatic Society chose the Gilbert and Sullivan opera
“Ruddigore”, production taking place from March 25th to 29th inclusive,
with a Saturday afternoon matinee as well. It was paradoxical that for the
production which in many ways was the most technically faultless of any
production yet the support accorded was so disappointing that a large loss
was incurred. The fact is, however, that “Ruddigore” has never been one of
the top favourites and two other factors also militated against the box
office—the
week chosen was that during which the Birkenhead Amateur Operatic Society
were at the Royal Court Theatre and the matinee clashed with the Grand
National.
|
|
Chorus in the village
scene outside Rose Maybud’s cottage
|
|
Nevertheless, the performance
delighted good audiences and the later performances were well attended. The
producer, May Collins, working with our Society for the first time, and the
Musical Ditector, Basil Williams, are greatly to
be complimented on the very high standard of the production. The timing of the choruses, the quality
of the acting—not always remarkable in amateur performances of Gilbert and Sullivan,
and the beauty of the singing in which particular attention had been paid
to enunciation, all bore the stamp of an exciting, enthusiastic and most
patient team. We have never had a
better.
|
|
Chorus Scene in the
Ancestors’ Gallery
|
|
The performances of the leading
players were without exception of a very high order, but, if there was an
Oscar to be awarded, we would have to give it to Denis Smerdon for his
portrayal of the nautical Richard Dauntless. He was up to professional standard and
his dancing was a delight to watch.
Jack Holroyd as Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd has a tenor voice of most
pleasing quality and rendered his various numbers beautifully. We are most
grateful to him and to Denis Smerdon for helping us out with these two parts
which we were unable to cast ourselves.
It is sheer delight at any time to listen to the double bass of Bill
Morris and he was perfectly cast as Sir Despard Murgatroyd, the bad
baronet. He enters with complete abandon into parts such as this and never
fails to carry his audience away.
Jill Winship is a comparative newcomer to the Bank and this was her
first appearance with the Operatic Society.
|
|
The Chorus of
the Professional Bridesmaids
|
E Hilary Webster
and Joan Gilroy
|
Jack Holroyd and
Mary Nelson
|
Jill Winship and
Bill Morris
|
|
For sheer brilliance of acting as
Mad Margaret her performance left nothing to be desired and the part is not
easy for an amateur. By contrast,
Mary Nelson as the artless and innocent Rose Maybud, has never sung better
and she seems to improve in '' carrying '' power and in clarity of diction
each year. It is a pleasure to be able to say that in our opinion Phyllis
Ritchie as Dame Hannah gave us the best performance she has yet given and
she reached the heights in her singing of " There grew a little flower."
The soft, sad cadences seemed to suit her voice perfectly and every word
was heard clearly. James Robertshaw
as Old Adam Goodheart gave us a little gem of portrayal and Don Gilroy as
the ghostly Sir Roderic Murgatroyd was most impressive. The professional
bridesmaids, E. Hilary Webster and Joan M. Gilroy, sisters, are talented
singers who can be relied upon to give an intelligent and attractive
performance: they did not disappoint us.
The chorus of fifteen girls was one of the strongest we have had and
included one or two singers, such as Pamela Rooke, who are solo singers in
their own right. The resulting team was beautiful to listen to, and certain
most beautiful to gaze upon. The
chorus of gentlemen, also, was a strong one and we are most grateful to
several outside friends who joined it to make up the required numbers.
|
Intellectual Property Rights ©
Martins Bank Archive Collections 1988 to date.
|
