1992, Iolanthe
Rehearsals
The executive, after consultation with the orchestra had chosen Iolanthe for the Gilbert and Sullivan production for 1992, and had interviewed Rosemary Chapple, an experienced singer and director who had written expressing interest in directing the next production. She seemed extremely suitable and offered to provide her own choreographer, Lisa Stampf, thus solving two problems at once, as Jeanette had also said that she was unavailable for this production. Because of the timing move of the Gilbert and Sullivan to July, auditions were held late February. Most roles were filled by regular members but two new faces were David Cox, who secured the role of Chancellor when Michael Knuckey had to pull out, and Carolynn O'Brien who was to play Leila. Other successful candidates were Jenni Williams (Phyllis), Ellen Hundley (Iolanthe), Barbara Amatnieks (Fairy Queen), Michael Try (Strephon), Robert Alves (Lord Toller) and Rod Gorfine (Lord Mountararat). Smaller roles went to Merrill Hogan and Mary-Anne Neal. Peter Thomas auditioned well with the Sentry's Song, however, as Peter was less confident about the ensemble work involved in the role of Private Willis, it was decided to create a new character, Private Willison, to be played by Graham Ford, who would sing in the Act 2 quartet.
While all this musical activity was going on, rehearsals of Iolanthe were in full flight, with Rosemary and Lisa working extremely well as a team, at the same time fitting in well with the company as a whole. This is probably one of the best prepared shows so far, and the charity performance looked more like part of the season than a glorified dress rehearsal.
Performances
Show Program
Opening night drew one of the best first night audiences in the group's history - in terms of both numbers and response. The show was visually most attractive, mainly because the women had made their own costumes (designed by Marilyn and Jeanette) which were colourful and appropriate. These were sold after the show to Babirra Players, providing a credit for hire the next year.
Costuming is an area which rarely gets top billing. Marilyn Billing and Jeanette Donehue, who joined the company to sing, have for many years now taken responsibility for this demanding task which requires great attention to detail. Even hired costumes require adjustments and "tizzying up" and Marilyn and Jeanette provided the much needed support to help cast members with this. For Iolanthe they surpassed themselves by designing and selecting the materials for the women's costumes.
The bridge incident
The rest of the season was very successful, with large and enthusiastic audiences. However, one performance was memorable for "hiccups" on concentration, and for an incident so spectacular it surely qualified for a place in the Funniest Home Video Show. Part of the set was a bridge - formerly an accident-prone gondola (see The Gondoliers) - over which the peers paraded as they left the stage "dignified and stately".
This procession turned out to be anything but "dignified and stately" as the bridge decided to give way at that strategic moment. Ian Bell and Graham Ford were the unfortunate victims, and although Ian rode the broken structure gracefully to the floor, Graham went "head over turkey", injuring more than his dignity. He managed to carry the situation off though, by resorting to a quote from The Highly Esteemed Goon Show - "He's fallen in the water" and "swam" in dignified fashion off the stage.
This incident did provide its share of "quotable quotes": Jeanette to Graham shortly afterwards - "You're very pale tonight - go and put some more makeup on."; everyone on hearing about the bridge - "At least it was only Graham."; Les (hopefully) - "Do I get the sack now?". Another was after the last night when Rod Gorfine spotted his hero in the audience: "I've often seen Peter Brock perform - now he's seen me!".
Children were again used in the show, and appeared as toadstools in the fairy scenes, and pages in the Peers and Chancellor scenes. What an investment in future talent.
The company now seemed to be going from strength to strength, and had good reason to be proud of its achievement. The Production Committee's report stated that Iolanthe, had been one of the most successful shows so far, both artistically and financially and was probably the happiest.
Entrance of the peers - new words?
Perhaps the final word should go to Rosemary, or rather her husband Peter, who coined some new words for the entrance of the peers:
Loudly let the Director roar
And the M.D.! And the M.D.!
Hear the raving and the ranting, you oaves!
As we stuff up every move
In a parody of Keystone
Left, Right a-Left, Left, Left a-Right,
Right, Right a-Right, Left, a-Right,
Left-a-Left, Right-a-Left,
Left-a-Right, Right-a-Left
Left-a-Left, Right-a-Both,
Both-a-Left, Stand-a-Still! Trip! Crash!
Why can't you men get all your moves right?
You only have to march, not do the fox trot!
Blow the lot of you! Think you're so clever!
Left-Left-a-Right, Trip! Oof!
Oh, God! The fool's going backwards!
Turn round - about face! Not you others!
Why did I bother - could have done it better
With the monkeys at the Zoo!
You are dumb clucks of the highest order
Wanted Helpmann - all I got was Graham Ford - er
Can't you front men go any faster?
No! Not like that! Not like that!
Trip! Oof!
Trip! Oof! Oh, my gosh, Trip! Dung!
Never mind the moves, lift the singing!
Forget your feet! Get those voices ringing!
Tear you hear and into the Aspros
Sing you goats, Sing out! Yodel! Crack! Pass Out!
(Well - the girls thought it was pretty funny!)
Show Program
Opening night drew one of the best first night audiences in the group's history - in terms of both numbers and response. The show was visually most attractive, mainly because the women had made their own costumes (designed by Marilyn and Jeanette) which were colourful and appropriate. These were sold after the show to Babirra Players, providing a credit for hire the next year.
Costuming is an area which rarely gets top billing. Marilyn Billing and Jeanette Donehue, who joined the company to sing, have for many years now taken responsibility for this demanding task which requires great attention to detail. Even hired costumes require adjustments and "tizzying up" and Marilyn and Jeanette provided the much needed support to help cast members with this. For Iolanthe they surpassed themselves by designing and selecting the materials for the women's costumes.
The bridge incident
The rest of the season was very successful, with large and enthusiastic audiences. However, one performance was memorable for "hiccups" on concentration, and for an incident so spectacular it surely qualified for a place in the Funniest Home Video Show. Part of the set was a bridge - formerly an accident-prone gondola (see The Gondoliers) - over which the peers paraded as they left the stage "dignified and stately".
This procession turned out to be anything but "dignified and stately" as the bridge decided to give way at that strategic moment. Ian Bell and Graham Ford were the unfortunate victims, and although Ian rode the broken structure gracefully to the floor, Graham went "head over turkey", injuring more than his dignity. He managed to carry the situation off though, by resorting to a quote from The Highly Esteemed Goon Show - "He's fallen in the water" and "swam" in dignified fashion off the stage.
This incident did provide its share of "quotable quotes": Jeanette to Graham shortly afterwards - "You're very pale tonight - go and put some more makeup on."; everyone on hearing about the bridge - "At least it was only Graham."; Les (hopefully) - "Do I get the sack now?". Another was after the last night when Rod Gorfine spotted his hero in the audience: "I've often seen Peter Brock perform - now he's seen me!".
Children were again used in the show, and appeared as toadstools in the fairy scenes, and pages in the Peers and Chancellor scenes. What an investment in future talent.
The company now seemed to be going from strength to strength, and had good reason to be proud of its achievement. The Production Committee's report stated that Iolanthe, had been one of the most successful shows so far, both artistically and financially and was probably the happiest.
Entrance of the peers - new words?
Perhaps the final word should go to Rosemary, or rather her husband Peter, who coined some new words for the entrance of the peers:
Loudly let the Director roar
And the M.D.! And the M.D.!
Hear the raving and the ranting, you oaves!
As we stuff up every move
In a parody of Keystone
Left, Right a-Left, Left, Left a-Right,
Right, Right a-Right, Left, a-Right,
Left-a-Left, Right-a-Left,
Left-a-Right, Right-a-Left
Left-a-Left, Right-a-Both,
Both-a-Left, Stand-a-Still! Trip! Crash!
Why can't you men get all your moves right?
You only have to march, not do the fox trot!
Blow the lot of you! Think you're so clever!
Left-Left-a-Right, Trip! Oof!
Oh, God! The fool's going backwards!
Turn round - about face! Not you others!
Why did I bother - could have done it better
With the monkeys at the Zoo!
You are dumb clucks of the highest order
Wanted Helpmann - all I got was Graham Ford - er
Can't you front men go any faster?
No! Not like that! Not like that!
Trip! Oof!
Trip! Oof! Oh, my gosh, Trip! Dung!
Never mind the moves, lift the singing!
Forget your feet! Get those voices ringing!
Tear your hair and into the Aspros
Sing you goats, Sing out! Yodel! Crack! Pass Out!
(Well - the girls thought it was pretty funny!)
These history notes have been kindly provided by our long-term artistic director and co-founder, Graham Ford.
