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The Merry Widow
The Merry Widow was performed at the Co-Op Arts Theatre in Nottingham between Monday 5th October and Saturday 10th October 1992.
Celebrating our Silver Jubilee, Beeston Operatic Society presented The Merry Widow by arrangement with Glocken Verlag Ltd., the book and lyrics were by Phil Park and the music adapted and arranged by Ronald Hamner. The original operetta, in three acts, was by Victor Leon and Leo Stein with music by Franz Lehar.
To ensure that her money remains in the national bank of Pontevedro, which country is badly in need of funds, Baron Zeta instructs his aide, Count Danilo, either to marry her or find a fellow-countryman who will.
Unknown to the Baron, the two had previously been prevented from marrying by Danilo's aristocratic parents, who had then thought a penniless country-girl unsuitable. Although Anna and Danilo rapidly re-fall in love, both feign indifference; Danilo because of Anna's recently acquired fortune, and Anna because he refuses to declare his love openly.
Ostensibly to save the Fatherland from bankruptcy Danilo attempts to find a Pontevedrian husband for Anna, and in his quest he exposes several love intrigues at the garden-party which she arranges.
The Baron's wife, Valencienne, has the words "I love you" written on her fan by her lover Camille, but to prove she is a "highly respectable wife" she encourages him to marry the Widow himself and thus foil the same intentions of Vicomte Cascada and Monsieur St. Brioche, two elderly diplomats.
The Baron, who suspects that Camille is after the Widow's fortune, discovers the fan and, recognising Camille's handwriting, gives it to Danilo with instructions to find the lady to whom the message refers!
For some time afterwards, this fan is the cause of much consternation and no little amusement.
In the garden summerhouse, Valencienne and Camille are discovered by the Baron, but Njegus, his secretary, deftly persuades Anna to change places with the Baroness. Anna carries the situation by announcing her forthcoming marriage to Camille; the Baron is shattered by the loss of her millions to Pontevedro, and Danilo is disgusted to find himself supplanted. He bids Anna a contemptuous goodbve and departs for "Maxim's" and "les Grisettes".
Later that evening Valencienne entertains the guests by masquerading as one of the "Maxim's Grisettes". Danilo is tricked into returning and is delighted to find the gardens decorated as a replica of his favourite night-spot. He asks Anna to give up the idea of marrying the Frenchman and she agrees, confessing that the summerhouse incident was a ruse to save a friend. They dance to the famous "Merry Widow" waltz, but Danilo still feels unable to propose because of the money.
However, after Valencienne confesses that the fan is hers, the Baron, in anger, himself proposes to Anna, who reveals that should she re-marry, her money is forfeit. A delighted Danilo at last declares his love and he wins not only the Widow, but her fortune as well.
A Highly Respectable Wife (Valencienne and Camille)
So Many Men Admire Me (Anna and Male Ensemble)
You'll Find Me At Maxim's (Danilo and Ladies of Maxim's)
It Goes To Show (Anna and Danilo)
Finale (Ensemble)
Driving In The Park With You (Anna and Danilo)
Women! Women! Women! (Danilo, Cascada, St. Brioche, Zeta, Kromov, Bogdanovitsch, Njegus, Pritsch)
Flowers Are Awakened in Maytime (Valencienne and Camille)
Finale (Ensemble)
The Grisettes' Song (Valencienne, Ladies of Maxim's Grisettes, Can-Can Dancers and Ensemble)
Reprise : You'll Find Me At Maxim's (Ensemble)
The Merry Widow Waltz (Anna and Danilo)
Finale (Ensemble)
Anna, Madam Glavari - Cheryl Mills
Baron Zeta - John Henson
Bogdanovitsch - Colin Richmond
Camille - Jim Blackmore
Cascada - John Maddison
Clo-Clo - Anthea Hinchliffe
Count Danilo - Alan Richmond
Dodo - Jane Cottee
Frou-Frou - Carolyn Benson
Jou-Jou - Wenda Smith
Kromov - David Walters
Lolo - Kate Richmond
Margot - Maxine Taylor
Njegus - Frank Edmonds
Olga - Ruth Beards
Praskovia - Kathlyn Phillips
Prisch - John Stafford
St Brioche - Guy Benson
Sylvia - Ruth Maddison
Valencienne - Val Sutton
Cello - Abbe Rockall
Clarinet - Heather Parkin, Kathy Benfield
Conductor - Pauline Toone
Flute - Stephen Hicking
Oboe - Ann Allcock
Percussion - Trevor Sansom
Trumpet - David Hinson, Sarah Theobald
Violin - Brenda Hallam, Eric Wileman, Pauline Toone
Choreography - Christine Kilbourn
Front of House - Pat Leatherhead & Tea
Make Up - Sandra & Team
Musical Director - Wally Brown
Producer - Michael Wright
Prompt - Beryl Henson
Props - Linda Hinchliffe
Rehearsal Pianist - Iris Edgington
Set Design/Painter - Michael Dowdeswell
Stage Manager - Martyn Wright
Wardrobe Mistress - Barbara Smith
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.
The Merry Widow
The Merry Widow was performed at the Co-Op Arts Theatre in Nottingham between Monday 5th October and Saturday 10th October 1992.
Celebrating our Silver Jubilee, Beeston Operatic Society presented The Merry Widow by arrangement with Glocken Verlag Ltd., the book and lyrics were by Phil Park and the music adapted and arranged by Ronald Hamner. The original operetta, in three acts, was by Victor Leon and Leo Stein with music by Franz Lehar.The Story of The Merry Widow
At the Pontevedrian Embassy ball in Paris, Anna Glavari, a young and incredibly wealthy widow, captivates all the men's hearts.To ensure that her money remains in the national bank of Pontevedro, which country is badly in need of funds, Baron Zeta instructs his aide, Count Danilo, either to marry her or find a fellow-countryman who will.
Unknown to the Baron, the two had previously been prevented from marrying by Danilo's aristocratic parents, who had then thought a penniless country-girl unsuitable. Although Anna and Danilo rapidly re-fall in love, both feign indifference; Danilo because of Anna's recently acquired fortune, and Anna because he refuses to declare his love openly.
Ostensibly to save the Fatherland from bankruptcy Danilo attempts to find a Pontevedrian husband for Anna, and in his quest he exposes several love intrigues at the garden-party which she arranges.
The Baron's wife, Valencienne, has the words "I love you" written on her fan by her lover Camille, but to prove she is a "highly respectable wife" she encourages him to marry the Widow himself and thus foil the same intentions of Vicomte Cascada and Monsieur St. Brioche, two elderly diplomats.
The Baron, who suspects that Camille is after the Widow's fortune, discovers the fan and, recognising Camille's handwriting, gives it to Danilo with instructions to find the lady to whom the message refers!
For some time afterwards, this fan is the cause of much consternation and no little amusement.
In the garden summerhouse, Valencienne and Camille are discovered by the Baron, but Njegus, his secretary, deftly persuades Anna to change places with the Baroness. Anna carries the situation by announcing her forthcoming marriage to Camille; the Baron is shattered by the loss of her millions to Pontevedro, and Danilo is disgusted to find himself supplanted. He bids Anna a contemptuous goodbve and departs for "Maxim's" and "les Grisettes".
Later that evening Valencienne entertains the guests by masquerading as one of the "Maxim's Grisettes". Danilo is tricked into returning and is delighted to find the gardens decorated as a replica of his favourite night-spot. He asks Anna to give up the idea of marrying the Frenchman and she agrees, confessing that the summerhouse incident was a ruse to save a friend. They dance to the famous "Merry Widow" waltz, but Danilo still feels unable to propose because of the money.
However, after Valencienne confesses that the fan is hers, the Baron, in anger, himself proposes to Anna, who reveals that should she re-marry, her money is forfeit. A delighted Danilo at last declares his love and he wins not only the Widow, but her fortune as well.
Synopsis of Show
Act 1
A Salon in the Pontevedrian Embassy in ParisAct 2
The Gardens on Madame Glavari's Residence - the following eveningAct 3
The Same - a la Maxim's - later that nightMusical Numbers
Act 1
Pontevedro in Paree (Cascada, Zeta and Ensemble)A Highly Respectable Wife (Valencienne and Camille)
So Many Men Admire Me (Anna and Male Ensemble)
You'll Find Me At Maxim's (Danilo and Ladies of Maxim's)
It Goes To Show (Anna and Danilo)
Finale (Ensemble)
Act 2
Vilia (Anna and Ensemble)Driving In The Park With You (Anna and Danilo)
Women! Women! Women! (Danilo, Cascada, St. Brioche, Zeta, Kromov, Bogdanovitsch, Njegus, Pritsch)
Flowers Are Awakened in Maytime (Valencienne and Camille)
Finale (Ensemble)
Act 3
Opening Dance (Ensemble)The Grisettes' Song (Valencienne, Ladies of Maxim's Grisettes, Can-Can Dancers and Ensemble)
Reprise : You'll Find Me At Maxim's (Ensemble)
The Merry Widow Waltz (Anna and Danilo)
Finale (Ensemble)
Photo Gallery
The Cast
Anna, Madam Glavari - Cheryl MillsBaron Zeta - John Henson
Bogdanovitsch - Colin Richmond
Camille - Jim Blackmore
Cascada - John Maddison
Clo-Clo - Anthea Hinchliffe
Count Danilo - Alan Richmond
Dodo - Jane Cottee
Frou-Frou - Carolyn Benson
Jou-Jou - Wenda Smith
Kromov - David Walters
Lolo - Kate Richmond
Margot - Maxine Taylor
Njegus - Frank Edmonds
Olga - Ruth Beards
Praskovia - Kathlyn Phillips
Prisch - John Stafford
St Brioche - Guy Benson
Sylvia - Ruth Maddison
Valencienne - Val Sutton
The Chorus
Anthea Hinchliffe, Barbara Saville, Barbara Smith, Betty Bosworth, Carolyn Benson, Carolyn Maxwell, Christine Kilbourn, Claire Farrand, Colin Richmond, Cyra Deaville, David Walters, Fiona Kitch, Frank Edmonds, Guy Benson, Jane Cottee, Jim Blackmore, John Maddison, John Stafford, Kate Richmond, Kathleen Phillips, Ken Short, Margaret Weir, Maria Lambley, Maxine Taylor, Mollie Harwood, Paul Lemon, Peter Prentice, Philip Steele, Roma Drinkwater, Ruth Beards, Ruth Maddison, Simon Pringle, Simon Sutton, Susan Evans, Vera Edmonds, Wenda SmithThe Orchestra
Bass - John OsborneCello - Abbe Rockall
Clarinet - Heather Parkin, Kathy Benfield
Conductor - Pauline Toone
Flute - Stephen Hicking
Oboe - Ann Allcock
Percussion - Trevor Sansom
Trumpet - David Hinson, Sarah Theobald
Violin - Brenda Hallam, Eric Wileman, Pauline Toone
The Production Team
Box Office - Jim LeatherheardChoreography - Christine Kilbourn
Front of House - Pat Leatherhead & Tea
Make Up - Sandra & Team
Musical Director - Wally Brown
Producer - Michael Wright
Prompt - Beryl Henson
Props - Linda Hinchliffe
Rehearsal Pianist - Iris Edgington
Set Design/Painter - Michael Dowdeswell
Stage Manager - Martyn Wright
Wardrobe Mistress - Barbara Smith
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.
