Callander Amateur Operatic Society
Past Productions
Over the years we have put on some magnificent shows - a wide variety to suit every taste. The full list appears below and if you want to discover more about a particular show, just click on its name.
If you have any particular memories or funny stories associated with any of these shows that you'd like to be added to the descriptions below, just contact the Website Administrator us sing the 'Contact Us' facility.
List of Productions
1980 Land of Smiles
1981 White Horse Inn
1982 Castles in Spain
1983 The Arcadians
1984 Oklahoma!
1985 Finian's Rainbow
1986 Tom Jones
1987 By-Passed
1988 The Mikado
1989 Orpheus in the Underworld
1990 Listen to the Man
1991 The Pirates of Penzance
1992 Kiss Me Kate
1993 Pink Champagne
1994 Fiddler on the Roof
1995 La Belle Helene
1996 HMS Pinafore / Trial By Jury
1997 Brigadoon
1998 Calamity Jane
1999 Half A Sixpence
2000 La Vie Parisienne
2001 Me And My Girl
2002 Kaleidoscope
2003 Gypsy Love
2004 Viva Mexico
2005 Ultimate CAOS
2006 South Pacific
2007 The Merry Widow
2008 Annie Get Your Gun
2009 Fiddler On The Roof
2010 The Pirates Of Penzance
2013 Anything Goes
2014 Oklahoma
1980 - Land of Smiles
Our first production .... this operetta, with music by Franz Lehar, is set in 1912. In Act I, set in Vienna, the wedding takes place of Lisa, the heroine and a countess, and a Chinese prince, Sou Chong. He returns with her to China, although her family and friends have voiced their concerns.
Act II is set in Beijing. Lisa has difficulty adjusting to the Prince’s culture and traditions – especially the one that says that he should take several wives – and although she is told that this is a formality (rather than a matter of the heart), difficulty develops in the relationship, and resentment in her attitude, resulting in her being locked into the palace.
In Act III, Lisa leaves the Prince and returns to her homeland. The Prince’s sister had developed a relationship with a Viennese official, making the ending exceptionally unhappy. The Prince however falls back on one of his local traditions: always smile.
Probably the best know number from this show was 'You Are My Heart's Delight', a song that we still occasionally sing at our annual concerts.
CAST
General Count Lichtenfeis
Countess Roheim
Colonel Bloch
Captain Guste Von Ploetz
Lisa, General Lichtenfeis' daughter
Franz, a footman
Lieutenant Rudi Von Westhof
Lore
Toni
Franzi
Valli
Prince Sou-Chong
Fu-Li, Secretary of the Chinese Embassy
Prince Tschang
Mi, Sou-Chong's sister
Chi-Fu
Wong-Ta
John Taylor
Emma McLements
Craig Stewart
Andy Monkman
Heather Grant
Ken Dunn
Graham McIntee
Margaret Milligan
Marion Fleming
Helen Murray
Kathleen Brown
Bob Johnson
Neil McNaught
Craig Stewart
Alison McIntee
Keith Stevenson
John Taylor
CHORUS OF GUESTS, SERVANTS, MANDARINS, PRIESTS, BRIDES ETC
Elaine Bateman, Margaret Bradshaw, Jean Brownrigg, Marjorie Clark, Isbie Dow, Jeanette Hutton, Sandie Luti, Julie Mackay, Margaret McKenzie, Sheena McNight, Jean Millar, Agnes Milligan, Isobel Rochford, Margaret Smith, Liz Tarrant, Mary Wardrop
Iain Baxter, Alistair Chrichton, John Milligan, George Petrie, Trevor Smith, Murray Ure
DANCERS
Morag Campbell, Martha Chalmers, Gillian Fleming, Susan Milligan, Prue Newton and Catriona Ross
Musical Director - Ian Milligan
Producer - Neil McNaught
More about this show can be found by clicking here.
1981 - White Horse Inn
The White Horse Inn is a holiday hotel in the Salzkammergut area of Austria. Leopold, the head waiter, fancies Josepha, the owner of the hotel, a widow, but receives no encouragement. Grinkle, a clothing manufacturer from Oldham, arrives with his daughter Ottoline, followed by Sutton, a lawyer. Leopold, sensing a possible romance between Sutton and Ottoline, starts to organise things.
At the beginning of Act II, Leopold, making no progress with Josepha, declares that he is going off to join the Foreign Legion. More guests arrive: Sigismund Smith, son of Grinkle’s great business rival, and Professor Hinzel and his daughter, Gretel. In the town hall, the Mayor announces that the Emperor is coming to visit. Leopold rushes back to tell Josepha.
In Act III, the Emperor departs, and Leopold says goodbye again. Sutton tries to get Ottoline engaged to Sigismund, whose father is a millionaire. Leopold returns and gets an unexpected reference from Josepha. The show ends with a triple engagement party.
Well known numbers included 'White Horse Inn' and 'Goodbye'. For the first (and so far only) time we featured an animal in the cast - a goat. More tails about the goat to come.
CAST
Kathi, a Postwoman
Karl, Junior Waiter at the White Horse Inn
Forester
Zenzi, a Goatherd
Leopold, Head Waiter at the White Horse Inn
Josepha, Owner of the White Horse Inn
John Ebenezer Grinkle
Ottoline, his Daughter
Valentine Sutton, a Solicitor
Sigismund Smith
Professor Hinzel
Gretel, his Daughter
The Mayor
The Mayor's Lady Secretary
The Emperor
Margaret Smith
Mark Harris
Jim Dawson
Frances Wood
Louis Pope
Moira Pope
Keith Stevenson
Margaret Milligan
Bob Johnson
Graeme McIntee
John Taylor
Alison McIntee
Alastair Chalmers
Julie Mackay
Andrew Monkman
VILLAGERS, CHAMBERMAIDS, ALPINE GUIDES, TOURISTS, HOTEL GUESTS, PORTERS, DAIRYMAIDS, WAITERS, GAMEKEEPERS, ETC
Margaret Bradshaw, Kathleen Brown, Jean Brownrigg, Heather Burns, Marjorie Clark, Sheila Cleland, Isabell Dow, Marion Fleming, Jeanette Hutton, Emma McClements, Julie Mackay, Margaret McKenzie, Sheena McKnight, Helen Millar, Jean Millar, Agnes Milligan, Helen Murray, Vivien Pope, Sheila Pressey, Ann Ross, Mary Smith, Elizabeth Tarrant, Janette Vanhegan
James Cameron, Alistair Crichton, Ken Dunn, Derek Harrison, John Milligan, Trevor Smith, Craig Stewart, John Taylor, Murray Ure
DANCERS
Adwoa Burnley, Martha Chalmers, Gillian Fleming, Lindsay McNight, Susan Milligan, Prudence Newton, Catriona Ross, Heather Burns, Sheena McNight, Alison Morton, Enid Raynes, Mhairi Stewart, Mary Wardrop
Charles Coull, Jim Dawson, Robin Wardrop
Musical Director - Ian Milligan
Producer - Neil McNaught
More about this show can be found by clicking here.
1982 - Castles in Spain
Ricardo returns to the little town of Santa Lucienda in South America and meets Juanita, his sweetheart of former days. Manucho, a wealthy local man, is also in love with Juanita, but his affection is not returned. Don Miguel, the great impresario, is in town and Ricardo asks him to hear Juanita sing. Miguel is sufficiently impressed with her voice to agree to train her, but Juanita cannot possibly raise the 10,000 pesetas it will cost for training.
When the mighty matador “El Tigre” cannot appear at the fiesta bull fight, the promoter offers 10,000 pesetas to anyone who will successfully take his place. Ricardo’s father was killed in the bull-ring and Ricardo made a vow to his mother never to enter the ring again. When he refuses to accept the challenge to win the money, he is branded a coward. Manuelo accepts the challenge on condition that Juanita accepts the prize money as a betrothal gift. She agrees but Manuelo is gored. The hero of the bull-fight is the “unknown” masked matador Mario.
The comedy element is very strong and is supplied by, among others, Sam Tipple, the new proprietor of the local newspaper, and his assistant Sally.
Well known numbers included 'March, March Mighty Matador' and 'Come to Romero's'. An animal did feature in this show - a bull. However, it was played by two of the cast.
CAST
Ricardo and Mario
Carlos
Fernando
Sam
Rudolfo
Don Miguel
Father Gabriel
Don Pedro
Don Juan
Manuelo
Percy (Bull)
Romero
Ramon (Dancer)
Juanita
Maria
Theresa
Sally
Dolores (Dancer)
Conchita
Bob Johnson
Jim Cameron
Bill Duthie
Louis Pope
John Taylor
Murray Ure
Trevor Smith
John Taylor
Neil McNaught
Andy Monkman
Emma McClements and Margaret Coull
John Taylor
Robin Wardrop
Margaret Milligan
Vivien Pope
Sandie Luti
Mhairi Stewat
Mary Wardrop
Kahtleen Brown
CHORUS
Jean Arnott, Elaine Bateman, Margaret Bradshaw, Jackie Brown, Helen Carfrae, Marjorie Clark, Irene Craigie, Isbie Dow, Heather Grant, Jeanette Hutton, Alison McIntee, Helen Millar, Jean Millar, Agnes Milligan, Helen Murray, Moira Pope, Sheila Pressey, Kate Rathbone, Ann Robertson, Ann Ross, Margaret Smith, Mary Smith, Elizabeth Tarrant, Janette Vanhegan
Alistair Crichton, Ken Dunn, Mark Harrism, John Milligan, Peter Tarrant, Robert Vanhegan
DANCERS
Heather Burns, Sheila Cleland, Julie Mackay, Sheena McKnight, Enid Raynes, Mary Wardrop
CHILD DANCERS
Nicola Barr, Suzie Cross, Shona McDonald, Kirsten Snow, Margo Steadman, Laurie Ure
1983 - The Arcadians
Time has stood still for hundreds of years in Arcady – and the Arcadians live together in perfect harmony. In Act I, an aeroplane comes into their midst bringing a strange being from a far away land. This person, otherwise James Smith, a caterer from London, is just as surprised as the strangely clad Arcadians. Smith finds Sombra easy prey for a flirtation and tells her a few lies. He is thrown into the “Well of Truth” and emerges dressed as an Arcadian. They christen him “Simplicitas” and he returns to England with Sombra and Chrysaea on a mission to convert others to tell the truth.
Act II sees their crusade begin at Ascot races where their presence causes considerable curiosity. Simplicitas meets his wife, Maria Smith, who doesn’t recognise her husband and starts a flirtation with him. Peter Doody, a mournful jockey, who has never won a race, is engaged to ride “The Deuce”, the favourite in the principal race. Unfortunately the horse objects. Doody suffers in the conflict, and the horse is left without a rider. Sombra arranges for Simplicitas to take his place, and The Deuce wins in an exciting finish.
In Act III, the suggestion that the Arcadians are part of an advertising scheme gives Maria the idea to turn one of Smith’s white elephant hotels into an Arcadian restaurant, which becomes all the rage in London. It is designed on the lines of an Arcadian glade and includes the “Well of Truth”. Simplicitas is having a grand time until he tells another lie! He falls in to the well and emerges as his former self to the astonishment (and confusion) of his wife!
'The Pipes of Pan' is probably the best know number from this musical.
CAST
Amaryllis
Daphne
Astrophel
Strephon
Damoetas
Chrysaea
Sombra
Time
James Smith
Simplicitas
Lady Barclay
Percy Marsh
Lucy Selwyn
Reggie
Marion
Bobbie
Jack Meadows
Sir George Paddock
Eileen Cavanagh
Mrs. Smith
Peter Doody
Vivien Pope
Heather Burns
Peter Tarrant
Bill Duthie
Jim Cameron
Ann Ross
Sheila Pressey
Neil McNaught
Louis Pope
Louis Pope
Kate Rathbone
Peter Tarrant
Liz Tarrant
Jim Cameron
Vivien Pope
Craig Stewart
Bob Johnson
Murray Ure
Mhairi Stewart
Sheena McKnight
Neil McNaught
DANCERS
Mandy Drummond, Leigh Rennie, Gilliam McKay, Angela Duthie, Elizabeth Cracknell, Sarah Tarrant
Musical Director - Ian Milligan
Produce - Emma McClements
More about this show can be found by clicking here.
1984 - Oklahoma!
The show is set in Oklahoma territory, USA, in 1906 (by the end of the show, it is about to become a State). As Act I opens, cowboy Curly McLain comes into Laurey Williams’s yard to invite her to come with him to the social dance that night. She refuses, even when he offers high-quality transport. In order to spite or tease Curly, she accepts an invitation to attend the dance with Jud Fry, a gloomy farm worker.
Meantime, Ado Annie confides to Laurey that she cannot choose between cowboy Will Parker and a Persian pedlar Ali Hakim. Her father discovers her with Hakim, and forces him to agree to marry her. Curly tries to persuade Laurey to come to the social with him, but, when she teasingly makes him keep his distance, he goes to see Jud in the smokehouse where Jud lives, and suggests to Jud that he (Jud) would be better appreciated if dead. Laurey dreams about her feelings and about Curly, realising that he is the man for her.
In Act II, the rivalry between farmers and cowboys flares up at the dance, until Aunt Eller succeeds in getting them to make peace. Curly sells all his key possessions and outbids Jud in an auction to win Laurey’s lunch basket. Ali Hakim outbids Will for Ado Annie’s basket, which happily leaves Will with the bounty which Annie’s father requires for his daughter’s hand. Jud and Laurey fall out. Laurey sacks him, and seeks moral support from Curly.
Three weeks later, at Laurey and Curly’s wedding, there is a fight between Jud and Curly, and Jud dies by falling accidentally on his own knife. Curly is agreed not to be guilty of murder, and the honeymoon can begin.
Great numbers abound in this one and include 'Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’, 'The Surrey With the Fringe on Top', 'I Cain’t Say No', 'Many a New Day', 'People Will Say We’re in Love', 'The Farmer and the Cowman' and of course “Oklahoma!”
CAST
Aunt Eller
Curly
Laurey
Ike Skidmore
Slim
Will Parker
Jud Fry
Ado Annie Carnes
Ali Hakim
Gertie Cummings
Andrew Carnes
Cord Elam
Sandi Luti
Bob Johnson
Margaret Milligan
James Cameron
Murray Ure
Alastair Chalmers
Sandy Bennet
Mhairi Stewart
Neil McNaught
Morven Ross
Trevor Smith
Ken Dunn
CHORUS
Elaine Bateman, Kathleen Brown, Heather Burns, Sheila Cleland, Isbie Dow, Anne Drummond, Fiona Gourlay, Agnes Hutchison, Helen Millar, Jean Millar, Agnes Milligan, Helen Murray, Alison McIntee, Sheena McKnight, Margaret McNicol, Sheila Pressey, Ann Ross, Margaret Smith, Mary Smith, Meg Stewart, Elizabeth Tarrent, Janette Vanhegan
Peter Arnott, Alistair Crichton, Charles Fitches, John Milligan, Arthur Smith, Robert Vanhegan
DANCERS
Elaine Bateman, Heather Burns, Sheila Cleland, Margaret Coull, Kenzie Colquhoun, Katie Cross, Alisa Hutton, Sheena McKnight, Helen Millar, Claire Rochford, Kirsty Taylor, Sarah Turnbull, Mary Wardrop
Musical Director - Ian Milligan
Producer - Emma McClements
More about this show can be found by clicking here.
1985 - Finian's Rainbow
The story opens with the Sheriff of Rainbow Valley, Missitucky, and Buzz Collins attempting to begin a sale of land, up for sale because of non payment of taxes. They try to rush the sale through so that Senator Rawkins can buy up all of Rainbow Valley. The sharecroppers anxiously await the arrival of Woody Mahoney, who they hope will have made enough money to save their shares going to the much disliked Senator.
Meanwhile Finian McLonergan, a whimsically naive Irish immigrant and his daughter Sharon arrive in the Valley, which is near Fort Knox. He argues that America’s riches have increased as a result of the country’s gold being buried underground at Fort Knox and decides to reap the same benefit by “planting” a crock of gold he has stolen from a leprechaun. This leprechaun, Og, follows the Irishman, trying to find his crock of gold, as he will eventually turn into a mortal without it. Complications arise as he becomes susceptible to the charms of Sharon and Woody’s sister Susan.
To add to the confusion, three wishes are granted to anyone standing above the buried crock of gold, and the racist and greedy Senator Rawkins is dramatically changed by one of the wishes. This and the changing fortunes of the sharecroppers help point the moral of the tale: “that gold is a base metal and people constitute a country’s true wealth”.
Songs to remember from this show include 'How Are Things in Glocca Morra?' and 'Old Devil Moon'.
CAST
Buzz Collins
Sheriff
Maude
Sharecropper
Susan Mahoney
Finian McLonergan
Sharon McLonergan
Woody Mahoney
Og (a Leprechaun)
Howard
Senator Billboard Rawkins
White Geologist
Black Geologist
John (the Preacher)
Miss Hire
Mr Purchase
Deputy
Bob Johnson
Arthur Smith
Ann Ross
Douglas Pearson
Helen Millar
Louis Pope
Vivien Pope
John Taylor
Kenneth Milligan
Calum Alexander
Craig Stewart
Kate Rathbone
Michael Brown
Ken Roberts
Sandi Luti
Rory Michael
Fraser Hume
WHITE CHORUS
Elaine Bateman, Heather Burns, Sheila Cleland, Betty Faulds, Fiona Gourlay, Noreen Hinton, Sandi Luti, Agnes Milligan, Margaret Milligan, Angela Murdoch, Emma McClements, Sheena McKnight, Isobel Orr, Diane Peebles, Enid Ranes, Kate Rathbone, Isabelle Smith-Gorman, Carol Steedman, Elizabeth Tarrent
Sandy Bennet, Derek Harrison, Fraser Hume, Rory Michael, John Milligan, Douglas Pearson
BLACK CHORUS
Kathleen Brown, Agnes Hutchison, Ann Ross, Margaret Smith, Mary Smith, Janette Vanhegan
Calum Alexander, Michael Brown, Alistair Crichton, Ken Roberts, Trevor Smith
Musical Director - Ian Milligan
Producer - Mhairi Stewart
More about this show can be found by clicking here.
1986 - Tom Jones
Tom Jones, a west country lad and the adopted son of Mr Alworthy, a magistrate, falls in love with Sophia who is the daughter of the ambitious Squire Western. Squire Western and Alworthy decide that Tom is not suitable material to be a member of the family of the Squire, owing to his questionable birth history, and they make strenuous efforts to have Sophia marry Mr Alworthy’s nephew, Blifil. Sophia, being not the least interested in Blifil, protests and begs her father to let her marry Tom who is the only real love in her life.
Apparently unperturbed at this state of affairs, Tom turns his attentions to other local attractions and is flattered when Lady Bellaston, cunning, devious and malicious, takes an interest in him. However, things turn out to show that it is not Tom’s birth which is not wholly within the law but Blifil’s, and in fact Tom is Blifil’s elder brother, which leaves the way open for Tom to marry Sophia after all.
The comedy in the show is provided by Benjamin Partridge, a local quack doctor and barber, Honour, who is the maid to Sophia, Gregory the servant to Squire Western, and Miss Western who is the Squire’s sister.
The plot complex and generally considered to be the most difficult to follow. The best known number is probably 'Dream O’Day Jill'.
CAST
Squire Western
Gregory
Miss Western
Alworthy
Blifil
Tom
Honour
Sophia
Hostess
Partridge
Lady Bellaston
Officers
Louis Pope
Bob Johnson
Noreen Hinton
Derek Harrison
Jim Cameron
Kenneth Milligan
Vivien Pope
Angela Murdoch
Sheila Morrison
John Taylor
Sandi Luti
Cameron Martin
Arthur Smith
CHORUS
S. Balfour, E. Bateman, S. Cleland, B. Faulds, A. Hutchison, S. McKnight, M. McNicol, H. Millar, A. Milligan, M. Milligan, S. Mlligan, P. Montgomery, N. Murdoch, M. Napier, I. Orr, E. Raynes, A. Ross, C. Ross, M. Smith, I. Smith-Gorman, E. Tarrent, H. Tarrent, J. Vanhegan
C. Coull, W. Frazer, C. Michael, J. Milligan, N. McKnight
Musical Director - Ian Milligan
Producer - Emma McClements
More about this show can be found by clicking here.
1987 - By-Passed
A brand new show commissioned by the Society. Written by Ian Ross and Ian Milligan, it is set in modern times, the show depicts life in a village which is adjusting to the recent construction of the by-pass.
The curtain rises at a meeting on the eve of the annual Village Fair to make last minute arrangements. At the Fair next day – complete with the Queen of the Fair and her attendants - , everyone is in a happy mood, when Max McLintock, property developer, accompanied by his laddie (and a minder), appear with big ideas of how to inject new life into the community. Not everyone is enamoured of his proposals, but he tries to show them what life could be like if they fell in with his wishes.
The prospect of “a big night out”, courtesy of Max, might be a bit of excitement – and oil the wheels. Will he get his way or will he have to compromise? There are congratulations all round, at the end, so the outcome is not a disaster.
The show gained the Society lots of publicity and thanks to BBC TV, nationwide coverage. We went on to produce the show again, this time for charitable purposes, at the MacRobert Arts Centre in Stirling. As a result we raised £2,500 and were invited to participate in a big charity show at the Theatre Royal in Glasgow. Peter Macdonald made his debut in this show.
CAST
Richard Sanderson (Chairman of the Committee)
Mrs. McBain (Jenny's Mother)
Elizabeth
Callum
Mrs. Livingstone
Jenny McBain
Elaine
Maxwell McLintock (Property Developer)
Bob (Max's Minder)
Julian McLintock (Max's Son)
Walter
Kathleen
Mrs. Sanderson (Richard's Wife)
Jemma Shine (Cabaret Star)
Joe (the Barman)
Herald
Page
Attendant
Piper
Queen
John Taylor
Emma McClements
Olga Watkins
Murray Ure
Margaret Milligan
Vivien Pope
Janet Donoghue
Bob Johnson
Jim Cameron
Peter Macdonald
Michael Cantlay
Fiona Gourlay
Helen Millar
Noreen Hinton
Derek Harrison
Matthew Chester
Angus Black
Jennifer Beeley
Alan McLean
Lucy Bateman
CHORUS
Elane Bateman, Kathleen Brown, Sheila Cleland, Betty Faulds, Jean Harrison, Anne Houston, SheenaMcKnight, Margaret McNicol, Jean Millar, Agnes Milligan, Pat Montgomery, Angela Murdoch, Nanette Murdoch, Isobel Orr, Susan Orr, Ann Ross, Isabelle Smith-Gorman, Liz Tarrent, Katie Taylor, Janette Vanhegan
Alistair Crichton, Bill Fraser, Neil McNaught, Peter Tarrent
1988 - The Mikado
Our first shot at Gilbert & Sullivan. The scene for Act I is the courtyard of Ko-Ko’s palace in the town of Titipu, in Japan. Nanki Poo, the Mikado’s son, disguised as a wandering minstrel, arrives looking for Yum Yum, one of Ko-Ko’s wards, with whom he fell in love whilst playing in the town band. Unfortunately, Yum Yum is betrothed to Ko-Ko, and Nanki Poo is in despair. However, after speaking to Yum Yum he discovers that she does not love Ko-Ko, but he will not allow her to marry anyone else, and that a “wandering minstrel” is hardly a suitable husband for a ward of the Lord High Executioner. Nanki Poo then reveals his true identity and the reasons for his disguise. As the course of true love never runs smooth, complications arise, none more so than with the arrival of Katisha (unprepossessing, influential and unattached).
As Act II begins, we are in the garden of Ko-Ko’s palace where Yum Yum is preparing for her wedding. However Ko-Ko reveals some startling news which places everyone in a dilemma, which is not helped by the arrival of the Mikado, who is looking for his son, with the inevitable Katisha in tow. But, as in all good stories, once the deceit and lies have been ironed out, all is well and a happy ending follows.
As with all G&S works, great fun and lots of catchy songs including - 'A Wandering Minstrel I', 'Three Little Maids', 'Tit Willow', 'As Some Day' and 'The Flowers that Bloom in the Spring'.
CAST
The Mikado of Japan
Nanki-Poo (The Mikado's Son)
Ko-Ko (Lord High Executioner)
Pooh-Bah (Lord High Everyone Else!)
Pish Tush (a Noble Lord)
Yum Yum
Pitti Sing
Peep Bo
Katisha (an Elderly Lady in Love with Nanki-Poo)
Dick Halliday
Bob Johnson
John Taylor
Kenneth Milligan
Louis Pope
Angela Murdoch
Vivien Pope
Janet Donoghue
Wilma Anderson
CHORUS
Margaret Cameron, Eslyn Craven, Isobel Dickinson, Sheila Dickson, Isbie Dow, Betty Faulds, Fiona Gourlay, Jean Harrison, Noreen Hinton, Anne Houston, Muriel Inglis, Gill Kirkham, Evelyn McFarlane, Margaret McKenzie, Helen Millar, Jean Millar, Margaret Milligan, Pat Montgomery, Nanette Murdoch, Helen Murray, Isobel Orr, Ann Ross, Effie Smith, Mary Smith, Katie Taylor, Beryl Temple, Janette Vanhegan, Olga Watkins
Alistair Crichton, Bill Fraser, Andy Gardiner, Ron Gibb, David Hannah, Derek Harrison, Peter Macdonald, Jim Nelsn, Maurice Temple
Musical Director - Ian Milligan
Producer - Emma McClements
More about this show can be found by clicking here.
1989 - Orpheus in the Underworld
Serious students of Greek mythology will squirm in their seats at this lot, but there can be no money-back guarantee just because the storyline is a bit hard to believe. You see, there’s this fellow Orpheus who’s something of a music teacher. His wife, Eurydice, has gone off him and fallen for a shepherd called Aristaeus – except the shepherd is actually one King Pluto, King of Hades, which is the hot place down below.
Eurydice’s mother–in-law, Calliope, is less than happy when Pluto decides to fix it for Eurydice to pass over into another world (he wants her back at his place). Calliope insists that Orpheus should be outraged, which is difficult for him since he’s delighted at the prospect of never seeing his wife again. Only one thing for it. They decide to travel by balloon to Mount Olympus and ask Jupiter, King of all the Gods, to insist that Pluto sends Eurydice home.
Word of these goings-on on earth reaches Jupiter & Co., before Calliope and Orpheus get there. (Mercury the messenger is the source of all the interesting information). Pluto is sent for and duly arrives, denying the allegations.
Meantime, Jupiter has a few domestic problems as a result of his family and relatives becoming bored with the good life – all that nectar and ambrosia. Things in fact become very personal when he has to listen to a catalogue of his iniquities hurled at him in song, but he is saved further embarassment by the arrival of Orpheus and mother. The finale of Act II finds Pluto guilty as charged and Jupiter instructs him to return Eurydice to her husband.
To make sure Pluto does as he’s been told, Jupiter decides to supervise things, so in Act III he decides to take everyone with him on a journey to the Underworld - to have a good time. In Hades, Eurydice is unhappy and her predicament is not helped all that much by amorous advances from Jupiter. Now she has the King of Hades AND the King of the Gods both after her. Whom should she choose? Should she return to her husband Orpheus? What with all the singing and dancing and riotous behaviour and more singing and dancing – it’s difficult for a girl to know what to do. But fun for us all to watch and hear them trying to work it all out.
The number you may remember from the show include 'Mortals Below, Gods Up Above'.
CAST
The Mikado of Japan
Nanki-Poo (The Mikado's Son)
Ko-Ko (Lord High Executioner)
Pooh-Bah (Lord High Everyone Else!)
Pish Tush (a Noble Lord)
Yum Yum
Pitti Sing
Peep Bo
Katisha (an Elderly Lady in Love with Nanki-Poo)
Dick Halliday
Bob Johnson
John Taylor
Kenneth Milligan
Louis Pope
Angela Murdoch
Vivien Pope
Janet Donoghue
Wilma Anderson
CHORUS
Liz Cameron, Margaret Cameron, Sheila Dickson, Janet Donoghue, Betty Faulds, Fiona Gourlay, Jean Harrison, Anne Houston, Jean Kirk, Evie McFarlane, Margaret McKenzie, Helen Millar, Jean Millar, Pat Montgomery, Angela Murdoch, Nanette Murdoch, Helen Murray, Isobel Orr, Ann Ross, Effie Smith, Mary Smith, Katie Taylor, Beryl Temple, Janette Vanhegan, Olga Watkins, Kitty Wood
Alistair Crichton, Bill Fraser, Ron Gibb, Joe McElroy, Maurice Temple
DANCERS
Lesley Crowe, Aileen McCallum, Gillian Alexander, Suzanne Cairns
Musical Director - Ia Milligan
Producer - Ian Ross
More about this show can be found by clicking here.