2002, Merrie England
The cast
Angie O'Gram - Lesley Walton, Meg-on-the-Prowl - Michelle Birkic and Mary-Anne Neal
May Queen - Christine Keys and Susanna Wailes, Kate - Dianne Richter
Lady-in-Waiting - Jennie Barnett, Queen - Robyn Ford and Diane Morgan
Jack Valentine - Peter Churchland, Walter Wilkins - Michael Try
Silas Simkins - Paul Dernelly, Blackjack - Matthew Coop
Long Tom - Malcom Wilton, Big Ben - Gerard Fullerton
Queen's Fool - Alan Flint, Butcher - Geoff Vaughan
Baker - James Sloan, Tinker - Geoff Collier
Tailor - Darren Rosenfeld, Lord - Alan Field
Rehearsals
In late 2001 there was quite a bit of discussion about the stage show, and a group was convened to look at reworking Merrie England. With the original story by Basil Hood - a successor of WS Gilbert - and lyrical music by Edward German - a successor to Arthur Sullivan - it seemed like the next step for us. Yhe music was lovely, but the libretto was just too complex and wordy.
Graham typed the complete libretto into the computer to work on it, and Lynne came up with the idea of incorporating Queen Elizabeth as the "Queen of Hearts" and the chorus as playing cards, based on Alice Through the Looking Glass. They found they didn't have to change much of the dialogue, mainly the names. Ian also spent some time assuring the publishers that it was out of copyright.
Lynne organised the introductory evening for Merrie England and twenty-five auditioned for parts. With so many auditioning, some roles were shared. This was not always successful, and there were a few tears shed during rehearsals. We had seven tenors, and they all got roles.
The large cast included Lesley Walton and Peter Churchland as the lovers, Michael Try and Paul Dernelly as the actors, Malcolm Wilton and Gerard Fullarton as the woodsmen, Susanna Wailes and Christine Keys as the May Queen and Robyn Ford and Diane Morgan as the Queen. Michelle Birkic and MaryAnne Neal shared the enchanting role of 'Meg on the prowl'.
We weren't sure if we would include the soprano aria in the second act, but during the rehearsal period Lesley suddenly found a top E and it was in! Lynne again did wonders with the set, including ghostly faces on the trees modelled on members of the chorus.
Hood & German's Merrie England - performances
Show Program
Alan Flint, Robyn Ford, Lesley Walton
The opening night went well, apart from some missed lines; the Queen had been counting the audience! It could also be the medication she was on for whooping cough. At the last matinee Jane, the choreographer, had to take the place of a chorus member who was missing.
At the matinee the baker decided to bring some real bread on stage and then threw it over the back - where it started to toast against the lights! No, there's never a show without some dramas!
An award was made to Kevin Pye for best attendance; he was away for the performances, but attended most rehearsals! The "Most animated expression" went to the trees, and Robyn got the "colour blind" award for "I see red, all red' when the lights went green! She offered the award to the lighting crew!
These history notes have been kindly provided by our long-term artistic director and co-founder, Graham Ford.
