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Viva Mexico! was performed at Round Hill Primary School, Beeston, between Monday 23rd October and Saturday 28th October 2006.
This tongue-in-cheek romantic comedy melodrama involves bandits, American tourists and revolutionaries - and features a highly colourful Aztec ceremonial. The score is a feast of world-famous melodies and dances including "A Media Luz", "El Rancho Grande", "La Cucaracha" and "The Mexican Hat Dance". The show also has songs using the best known tango music in the world (Federico) and a much used football chant (Oh! What A Shame).
With a Book by Phil Park and Bernard Dunn, lyrics by Phil Parl and with the music of Latin America adapted and arranged by Ronald Hanmer. this amateur production is presented by arrangement with Josef Weinberger Ltd.
The arrival of US Senator Vanders and his daughter Lucille at the same time as a visit from Mendoza, the bandit chief, brings mayhem and mischief, love and betrayal. Mendoza, Mexico's maddest revolutionary, has heard that a stage coach due to pass by El Rancho Grande carries a million American dollars on their way to support the tyrannical rule of the current Presidente.
Ramon, Mama Inez's son, is one of Mexico's promising young bandits, so what is more natural than for Mendoza to despatch Ramon to rob the coach.
With the mission accomplished, Pablo and Pepe, two rather foolish ranch hands who seldom do anything right, are left to bring the stolen luggage back to the Rancho.
Lopez, the villainous chief of the local police, suggests to the outraged Senator that he and his daughter could best recover from their alarming experience by resting a few days at El Rancho Grande.
Lucille, overawed by her experience, recognises Ramon as Zorro, the bandit behind the mask! This considerably disturbs his fiancée Raquelita and her fiery friend Lola. Will Lucille betray him, or must an unacceptably high price be paid for her silence?
Bernardo, the sergeant of police offers no threat, as he is more concerned with the musicianship of the police band rather than anything as dull as catching outlaws, but Mama Inez cannot suppress the creepy premonition she has about the sinister Lopez.
The story reaches a tense climax during the colourful Aztec ceremony held in a ruined temple where exactly ten years ago Ramon's father was shot dead by Lopez. Will the fate of Ramon be the same as his father's or will he gain revenge?
Mañana (Pablo & Pepe)
Love, Stay My Heart (Raquelita & Ramon)
Oh, What A Shame (Lucille, Mama, Bernardo & Senator)
The Sergeant's Song (Bernardo, Dancers and Chorus)
La Cucaracha (Mendoza & Chorus)
The Clapping Song (Raquelita, Casilda, Lola, Ramon, Mendoza and Chorus)
O Foolish Moon (Lucille)
It's Aztec Night Tonight (Chorus)
Ay-Ay-Ay (Priestess, Dancers and Chorus)
Ritual of the Rising Sun (Priestess, Dancers and Chorus)
Tango For Two (Mama and Pepe)
Toreadors (Pablo, Pepe, Dancers & Choru)
In Love (Raquelita)
“May I take this opportunity to welcome you here today for our production of “Viva Mexico”. This is our third production at Round Hill following “The Mikado” in October 2004 and "Jesus Christ Superstar" in April this year, and we hope that you enjoy what is a delightful musical, very funny, with some lovely songs. "Jesus Christ Superstar" was a hard act to follow but we feel that this show is a foil to the serious nature of JCS, being totally tongue in cheek and light hearted.
The scenery, as usual, is designed and painted by Celia Birch who has been working with us now for eight years, and our shows would be the poorer without her undoubted talents. The lighting is by Mike and Margaret Beedham and the sound by Channel Zero, often unsung but never forgotten. The success of any show, given a superb amateur cast, can be made or broken by the scenery, sound and lighting team, and we are fortunate to have the best in the area. Thanks guys!
Whilst we have produced two shows this year due to circumstances beyond our control, we are now reverting to our normal pattern of concerts in the spring and a show in the autumn. In April 2007, we will be performing a concert of songs from all the shows we have produced since the Society was formed back in 1967, some 32 songs in total, as a celebration of our 40th year.
Then in October we will be producing the ‘Broadway’ version of the musical "Annie Get Your Gun", a lively, rowdy show with many well know songs as Annie Oakley battles with Frank Butler to determine who is the best shot. We are anticipating a lot of fun with this show and I’m sure you will enjoy another, albeit updated, golden oldie. Book early to avoid disappointment!
Mike Cottee, Chairman
A very warm welcome to Beeston Musical Theatre Group's performance of Viva Mexico!
It is a pleasure to be back with Beeston Musical theatre Group after a break of 3 years. Having been Director of Kismet just before the tragedy of losing the Duchess Theatre, to return to Round Hill School, the original home of Beeston Operatic Society, is a new experience for me.
Viva Mexico is an hilarious comedy with some twists and turns like any good comedy needs. The music is full of tunes that you will have heard before, but maybe the words are different, yes popular Latin American tunes have been used and words appropriate to the story have been added.
Not wanting to give too much of the story away, it is a story of good versus evil, love and romance with a love triangle, comedy from two not so bright Mexican bandits, and a traditional Aztec ceremony all adding up to a colourful Mexican treat.
It is my third production with BMTG, my first with Mandy Fogg, our Musical Director, who I have known for many years. The company have worked hard and I’m sure their reputation for putting on very professional performances will once again prove to be correct as they bring you this delightful light hearted musical – let yourself be transported to the sunny climes of Mexico in Edwardian times, and enjoy VIVA MEXICO !!!
John Blackwell, Director
Bernardo (A Police Sergeant) - Jonny Dagley
Carolyn Smith - Mama Inez (Owner of El Rancho Grande)
Casilda (Friend of Raquelita) - Catherine Furber
Jennifer Tinsdeall - Raquelita (A Bella Senorita)
Lola (Friend of Raquelita) - Stephanie Gray-Blest
Lopez (Chief of Police) - David Heard
Lucille (The Senator's Daughter) - Cheryl Camm
Mendoza (Mexican Revolutionary) - Paul Mills
Pablo (Ramon's Handyman) - Luis Ogando
Pepe (Ramon's Handyman) - John Carley
Priestess - Cheryl Mills
Ramon (A.K.A. Zorro) - Dan Bates
Senator Vanders (American Executive) - Martin Holtom
Clarinet - Lisa Mills, Sharon Cardwell
Conductor - Mandy Fogg
Flute - Becky Smith
Horn - Lilla Stennett
Percussion - Ben Marples
Piano - Gareth Jones, James Barnett
Trombone - Nadine Evans
Trumpet - Danny Otis
Call Girl - Rachel Maddison
Choreography - Judith Mason
Costumiers - Stageworld (Wolverhampton)
Front of House Manager - Val Sutton
Lighting - Margaret Beedham, Mike Beedham
Make-up - Anthea Hinchliffe
Musical Director - Mandy Fogg
Poster Design - David Artiss
Producer - John Blackwell
Production Manager - Stuart Veitch
Programme - Stuart Veitch
Props - Tracy Woolley
Répétiteur - Gareth Jones
Set Construction - David Hinchliffe, Mike Cottee
Set Design - Celia Birch
Sound - Paul Frost
Stage Crew - Bill Skeavington, David Hinchliffe, Emma Watson, John Blackwell, Stuart Veitch
Stage Manager - David Artiss
Wardrobe - Brenda Skeavington, Nina Blackwell
If you took part in this show and have memories to share or don't have a profile, and would like one, we'd love you to contact us.
It's available free of charge and all images and fonts are royalty free. As well as the base images for you to build your own version of the poster with, we can also supply fonts and anything else that could be of use.
Viva Mexico!
Viva Mexico! was performed at Round Hill Primary School, Beeston, between Monday 23rd October and Saturday 28th October 2006.
This tongue-in-cheek romantic comedy melodrama involves bandits, American tourists and revolutionaries - and features a highly colourful Aztec ceremonial. The score is a feast of world-famous melodies and dances including "A Media Luz", "El Rancho Grande", "La Cucaracha" and "The Mexican Hat Dance". The show also has songs using the best known tango music in the world (Federico) and a much used football chant (Oh! What A Shame).
With a Book by Phil Park and Bernard Dunn, lyrics by Phil Parl and with the music of Latin America adapted and arranged by Ronald Hanmer. this amateur production is presented by arrangement with Josef Weinberger Ltd.
The Story of Viva Mexico
El Rancho Grande, run by Mama Inez, is the haunt of patriotic Mexican bandits led by a locally popular hero known as Zorro. In order to finance a revolution against the tyrant dictator, these bandits rob passing travellers. This is very frustrating for the local police, especially Captain Lopez.The arrival of US Senator Vanders and his daughter Lucille at the same time as a visit from Mendoza, the bandit chief, brings mayhem and mischief, love and betrayal. Mendoza, Mexico's maddest revolutionary, has heard that a stage coach due to pass by El Rancho Grande carries a million American dollars on their way to support the tyrannical rule of the current Presidente.
Ramon, Mama Inez's son, is one of Mexico's promising young bandits, so what is more natural than for Mendoza to despatch Ramon to rob the coach.
With the mission accomplished, Pablo and Pepe, two rather foolish ranch hands who seldom do anything right, are left to bring the stolen luggage back to the Rancho.
Lopez, the villainous chief of the local police, suggests to the outraged Senator that he and his daughter could best recover from their alarming experience by resting a few days at El Rancho Grande.
Lucille, overawed by her experience, recognises Ramon as Zorro, the bandit behind the mask! This considerably disturbs his fiancée Raquelita and her fiery friend Lola. Will Lucille betray him, or must an unacceptably high price be paid for her silence?
Bernardo, the sergeant of police offers no threat, as he is more concerned with the musicianship of the police band rather than anything as dull as catching outlaws, but Mama Inez cannot suppress the creepy premonition she has about the sinister Lopez.
The story reaches a tense climax during the colourful Aztec ceremony held in a ruined temple where exactly ten years ago Ramon's father was shot dead by Lopez. Will the fate of Ramon be the same as his father's or will he gain revenge?
Musical Numbers
El Rancho Grande (Mama Inez, Ramon & Chorus)Mañana (Pablo & Pepe)
Love, Stay My Heart (Raquelita & Ramon)
Oh, What A Shame (Lucille, Mama, Bernardo & Senator)
The Sergeant's Song (Bernardo, Dancers and Chorus)
La Cucaracha (Mendoza & Chorus)
The Clapping Song (Raquelita, Casilda, Lola, Ramon, Mendoza and Chorus)
O Foolish Moon (Lucille)
It's Aztec Night Tonight (Chorus)
Ay-Ay-Ay (Priestess, Dancers and Chorus)
Ritual of the Rising Sun (Priestess, Dancers and Chorus)
Tango For Two (Mama and Pepe)
Toreadors (Pablo, Pepe, Dancers & Choru)
In Love (Raquelita)
“May I take this opportunity to welcome you here today for our production of “Viva Mexico”. This is our third production at Round Hill following “The Mikado” in October 2004 and "Jesus Christ Superstar" in April this year, and we hope that you enjoy what is a delightful musical, very funny, with some lovely songs. "Jesus Christ Superstar" was a hard act to follow but we feel that this show is a foil to the serious nature of JCS, being totally tongue in cheek and light hearted.The scenery, as usual, is designed and painted by Celia Birch who has been working with us now for eight years, and our shows would be the poorer without her undoubted talents. The lighting is by Mike and Margaret Beedham and the sound by Channel Zero, often unsung but never forgotten. The success of any show, given a superb amateur cast, can be made or broken by the scenery, sound and lighting team, and we are fortunate to have the best in the area. Thanks guys!
Whilst we have produced two shows this year due to circumstances beyond our control, we are now reverting to our normal pattern of concerts in the spring and a show in the autumn. In April 2007, we will be performing a concert of songs from all the shows we have produced since the Society was formed back in 1967, some 32 songs in total, as a celebration of our 40th year.
Then in October we will be producing the ‘Broadway’ version of the musical "Annie Get Your Gun", a lively, rowdy show with many well know songs as Annie Oakley battles with Frank Butler to determine who is the best shot. We are anticipating a lot of fun with this show and I’m sure you will enjoy another, albeit updated, golden oldie. Book early to avoid disappointment!
Mike Cottee, Chairman
Photo Gallery
A very warm welcome to Beeston Musical Theatre Group's performance of Viva Mexico!It is a pleasure to be back with Beeston Musical theatre Group after a break of 3 years. Having been Director of Kismet just before the tragedy of losing the Duchess Theatre, to return to Round Hill School, the original home of Beeston Operatic Society, is a new experience for me.
Viva Mexico is an hilarious comedy with some twists and turns like any good comedy needs. The music is full of tunes that you will have heard before, but maybe the words are different, yes popular Latin American tunes have been used and words appropriate to the story have been added.
Not wanting to give too much of the story away, it is a story of good versus evil, love and romance with a love triangle, comedy from two not so bright Mexican bandits, and a traditional Aztec ceremony all adding up to a colourful Mexican treat.
It is my third production with BMTG, my first with Mandy Fogg, our Musical Director, who I have known for many years. The company have worked hard and I’m sure their reputation for putting on very professional performances will once again prove to be correct as they bring you this delightful light hearted musical – let yourself be transported to the sunny climes of Mexico in Edwardian times, and enjoy VIVA MEXICO !!!
John Blackwell, Director
The Cast
Bernardo (A Police Sergeant) - Jonny DagleyCarolyn Smith - Mama Inez (Owner of El Rancho Grande)
Casilda (Friend of Raquelita) - Catherine Furber
Jennifer Tinsdeall - Raquelita (A Bella Senorita)
Lola (Friend of Raquelita) - Stephanie Gray-Blest
Lopez (Chief of Police) - David Heard
Lucille (The Senator's Daughter) - Cheryl Camm
Mendoza (Mexican Revolutionary) - Paul Mills
Pablo (Ramon's Handyman) - Luis Ogando
Pepe (Ramon's Handyman) - John Carley
Priestess - Cheryl Mills
Ramon (A.K.A. Zorro) - Dan Bates
Senator Vanders (American Executive) - Martin Holtom
The Chorus
Alison Lawrence, Anthea Hinchliffe, Claire Farrand, Dorothy Woodall, Erica Coleman, Jane Cottee, Jennie Ashworth, Kathryn McAuley, Kristen Hager, Les Davies, Mina Machin, Mollie Harwood, Naomi Cummins, Philippa Dean, Roma Drinkwater, Ruth Maddison, Weifeng JiangThe Orchestra
Bass - Tony MortimerClarinet - Lisa Mills, Sharon Cardwell
Conductor - Mandy Fogg
Flute - Becky Smith
Horn - Lilla Stennett
Percussion - Ben Marples
Piano - Gareth Jones, James Barnett
Trombone - Nadine Evans
Trumpet - Danny Otis
The Production Team
Bar Manager - John MaddisonCall Girl - Rachel Maddison
Choreography - Judith Mason
Costumiers - Stageworld (Wolverhampton)
Front of House Manager - Val Sutton
Lighting - Margaret Beedham, Mike Beedham
Make-up - Anthea Hinchliffe
Musical Director - Mandy Fogg
Poster Design - David Artiss
Producer - John Blackwell
Production Manager - Stuart Veitch
Programme - Stuart Veitch
Props - Tracy Woolley
Répétiteur - Gareth Jones
Set Construction - David Hinchliffe, Mike Cottee
Set Design - Celia Birch
Sound - Paul Frost
Stage Crew - Bill Skeavington, David Hinchliffe, Emma Watson, John Blackwell, Stuart Veitch
Stage Manager - David Artiss
Wardrobe - Brenda Skeavington, Nina Blackwell
If you took part in this show and have memories to share or don't have a profile, and would like one, we'd love you to contact us.
Photo Gallery
Photography by Nigel Hardwicke, Dave Severn and Simon Walker - members of Beeston (Notts) Camera Club
Newspaper Clippings
Calling Other Societies!
If you are to due to perform this show and you'd like some of our materials, including the poster then please contact the webmaster.It's available free of charge and all images and fonts are royalty free. As well as the base images for you to build your own version of the poster with, we can also supply fonts and anything else that could be of use.
