Producer/Director: Jill Stephenson Musical Director: Wayne Shellard
Additional Choreography Lesley Maenami, Alice Maenami and Marie Turnbull
Thanks to James Sidgwick and Jeff Sturdy for their assistance in music rehearsals.
The Boy Friend was written, by Sandy Wilson, at a time when the United Kingdom was still recovering from the devastating effects of World War II and is set in the carefree world of the French Riviera in the Roaring 1920s, a similar period of peace and gradual recovery after the rigours of World War I. It is a comic pastiche of 1920s shows.
We begin at Madame Dubonnet’s finishing school on the outskirts of Nice, France. Five young British girls (students at the school) are dreaming and chatting of the ball that evening - and of their hopes for boyfriends. Nancy hopes to pair off with Pierre, Fay with Marcel, Dulcie with Alphonse, and Maisie with the rich and handsome American Bobby Van Husen. Polly (the original “poor little rich girl”) has invented an imaginary boyfriend that writes to her from Paris because her wealthy and widowed father has forbidden her to date for fear that all boys are after only her money. Of course, Madame Dubonnet is not above dreaming of lovers herself. When she hears that Polly’s father, Percival Browne, will be visiting that very evening, she begins to wonder if he is handsome and rich--and available.
Will their hopes for boyfriends become a reality or will they be as imagined as Polly’s boyfriend from Paris? Will Polly ever find true love? Well sit back and relax as the story unravels, and we prove that it really is ‘much nicer in Nice’.
Orchestra:
Alto Sax & Clarinet John Brett
Alto Sax & Clarinet Jackie Catchpole
Tenor Sax & Clarinet Sue Brett
Trumpet Dave Robinson
Trombone Steve Baxter
Bass Guitar Dave Noble
Banjo & Guitar Paul McArthur
Percussion Stephen Fletcher
Stage Management Eddie Robson
Set built and painted by Marty Maenami, Eddie Robson, Keith Lewis
Lighting/Sound Steve Topham and Debbie Weir
Costume Julie Allen, Jan Lewis
Ticket Sales/Treasurer Maureen Robson
Programme designed by Mark Reed
Supper/Refreshments Maureen, Bernie, Julie Jan and Co.
Bar Ben Scurr
Raffle/Programme sales Betty Stephenson, Margaret Lincoln
Door Bernie Turnbull
Acknowledgements:
The Minstrels would like to thank the following:
North Ormesby Parish Church for the use of the Trinity Centre and Clavinova
St Alphonsus Church for rehearsal facilities
Jane Riley, Pauline Moore, Jan Lewis and Cleveland Police for the loan of scenery and props
Sue Tindale for the street display
Anyone who has helped in any way with this production
You, for your continued support
Spotlight on three decades at The North Ormesby Minstrels
Posted by Evening Gazette on September 16, 2008 12:44 PM | Permalink
AN AMATEUR dramatic group is celebrating 30 years in the limelight this month with a new production.
The North Ormesby Minstrels put on their first show, The Black and White Minstrels, back in 1978, and have wowed Middlesbrough with two shows a year ever since, pictured Minstrels Mark Reed, Alice Maenami and George Maenami try out their costumes.
And the latest offering, a comic musical pastiche of life for 1920s English expats on the French Riviera, promises to be another first-class production.
The Boy Friend by Sandy Wilson first played in London in 1954 and was one of the longest-running musicals in the West End.
Chairman of the Minstrels Jan Lewis said audiences are in for a treat. She said: "We've go a very enjoyable play with lots of good music and lively dancing.
"And during the interval, we'll be serving high tea in keeping with the theme of the play, and that is included in the ticket price."
Jan was a founding member of the Minstrels, who rehearse and perform in the Trinity Centre in North Ormesby, pictured Lana Walker, Lesley Maenami and Melissa Smith in rehearsals.
She said: "We have members aged from nine right up to pensioners, and there is always something to do for anyone who wants to get involved.
"When we set up we wanted to give people in North Ormesby the opportunity to go and see live theatre. Now we have a dedicated following of people who keep coming back to enjoy our shows."
Because they have their own performance space, the group can alter their shows for performing in the round or outdoors.
Jan said: "It's a great hobby and a friendly group to be part of, so we'll carry on doing our shows for the people of North Ormesby and Middlesbrough".
The Boy Friend runs from September 8 to 13 at 7.15pm at the Trinity Centre in James Street, North Ormesby. Tickets, including refreshments, are £7.50 and £8.50 and available from Maureen Robson on 01642 272241.
Comments (1)
Eddie Robson wrote...
Nice article, but it would have been a little more useful had it been published the week before the show rather than the week after! However,"The Boy Friend" was a resounding success much enjoyed by all who saw it, and, apart from the first night, was a sell out.I look forward to similar coverage of ours and other groups like us.
Many thanks
Eddie Robson(30 years a Minstrel)
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