'H.M.S.' Pinafore raises 65 pounds for school pavilion- from newspaper c1958 Over 65 pounds was raised towards the Kelston High School pavilion. appeal fund through the recent presentation for four nights at Kelston of "H.M.S. Pinafore"by the Titirangi Light Opera Company. Statement of accounts for the year will be given by the committee of the company to a general meeting tonight (Wednesday), when the meeting will also consider a suggestion from the committee that next year it stage "The Mikado" Highlight of "H.M.S. Pinafore", which was staged at Laingholm, Titirangi and Kelston, was the beautiful singing of Dawn Unsworth in the principal part of Josephine. Her true, sweet soprano voice, backed by fluent stage movement, thrilled all who heard it. Another feature of the production was the able way in which Titirangi teacher Graeme Cass took the part of Sir Joseph after accepting the part very late during the rehearsals. David Butler, from Remuera (Ralph Rakstraw) was another who gallantly took a principal part at a late stage after the company had been unable to find a local tenor. Fred Watson (Captain Corcoran) once more gave a capable performance, Ted Buckby was a masterful Dick Deadeye, Harry Staley an impressive bo'sun, George Parrish a competent carpenter's mate, Doris Owens, a "comely" charming Buttercup, with a delightfully natural stage manner, and Heather Carter an impressively sincere Hoebe. The production reflected credit on the Rev. J. T. Gunn, the producer. Mrs Gunn provided a capable piano accompaniment, and members of the chorus were Daphne Armstrong, Pat Astley, Vera Cox, Jocelyn Batchelor, Joan Bradfield, Heather Campbell, Lesley Hankey, Gilda Mills, Enid Morris, Valerie Swanberg, Sharon Van Hardenbrook, Babs Walder, Colleen Jack, Margaret Lloyd, and Catherine MacClement; Don Aitkin Jack Astley, Jack Burrows, Denis Chicken, Charles Caulfield, Jack Fergusson, Ron Hankey, Sandy Matheson, Tom Philip, Wally Round, Ray Saunderson, Alf Sherlock, Terry Small. Costumes were in the care of Babs Walder, scenery (for the Laingholm and Titirangi productions) was devised by Sandy Matheson, and the superb Kelston set by staff and pupils of the school. From newspaper c 1958--( on Pinafore) That on the whole they enjoyed the Light Opera Company's presentation of "Pinafore", especially the glorious voice and wonderful feeling that Dawn Unsworth gave to her songs. Also the way in which Graeme Cass romped enjoyably through his role of Sir Joseph Ponder. The set at Kelston was rather good too, except that it was a pity the edges of the paper hadn't been stuck down properly, then it wouldn't have looked like paper, would it? Also worthy of special mention is Harry Staley, who I understand, is in his seventies. Harry's voice came through clear and true, and as chorus leader he set his men off to a true note every time, a grand job at that age! David Butler's voice was very pleasing but he lacked strength of character and sense of feeling for his spoken lines. His singing nontheless made up for this; his duet with Josephine in Act 1 being most moving. Doris Owens must be praised for the way in which she tenaciously stuck to her character right through when either "in the play" or not. Her example could have been followed to good advantage by almost all the other members of the Company. The chorus knew their songs well and enjoyed giving them a pleasing performance. It was a pity that they didn't know their moves as well. Costumes were excellent, lighting good, make-up fair, and Margaret Gunn did a marvellous job of replacing the traditional orchestra. The production itself was good although the whole could have been speeded up, especially Act 1 which dragged badly once or twice. 'Gilbert and Sullivan seems to be here to stay' - from newspaper c 1959 Gilbert and Sullivan seems to be in this district to stay!. Recently the Titirangi Light Opera Company staged a very colourful and enjoyable production of "The Mikado"- producer, Mr Jack Osborn of Kelston High School, while the musical direction was in the hands of the Rev. J.T. Gunn of Titirangi. Colourful?- YLes. Miss Babs Walder really excelled in the costuming this year. The materials for principals and chorus alike were chosen well and added a brilliant Oriental colour to the magnificent scenery which was done by the Kelston High School Art Department. Enjoyable?- Undoubtedly, to both audience and players, judging byl the smiles and laughter which was not always confined to the auditorium. Ivor Cox, as Nanki Poo, hero of the opera, carried this large and important part with and eased and accuracy which go to make a most successful leading man. Roland Everard made a stately and dignified Pish Tush, whose singing was enjoyable throughout. Jack Davies as Pooh- Bah, and Graeme Cass as Ko- Ko supplied laughs( not only to the audience) during the performance. Mr Davies sang and sneered his pompous way through the evening and did an excellent job. Mr Cass was neither pompous nor sneering. He was a "jolly litte Jap" in plus -fours, with an enormous axe (likewise fan) who danced and tripped about with boundless energy, and spent a considerable amount of time prostrated on the stage. Nevertheless he did stay still long enough to give a most memorable performance as Lord High Executioner. Elizabeth Lott as Yum- Yum sany appealingly and gave a delightful characterisation of the part, as did Gillian Inglis as Pitti Sing, the soubrette, and Jocelyn Batchelor, the other "little maid", who was interested all the time. The three were graceful, charming to look at , and sang in perfect harmony. Doris Owens as the forbidding Katisha did a great piece of character acting. She moved well and despite her tiny stature, contrived most satisfactorily to look down her nose at her inferiors. And to top the principals off came the Mikado himself- Jim Gunn- splendidly arrayled in black and gold, who sang and acted with great gusto and generally added sparkle to a grand and worthwhile show. A special tribute must be paid to Mrs Margaret Gunn, the excellent and hardworking accompanist, without whose services the show would not have been possible. "The Mikado" was staged at Kelston High School Hall, July 15-18; Westlake High School, August 8; and Mt Roskill War Memorial Hall, August 20. Now that "The Mikado" is "shelved," the company is already deep in rehearsals for their next production,"Iolanthe" (again G.& S.) to be staged later this year. Theatre Memories- by Frank Broad- from newspaper. c1959 As long as there are a few groups such as the Titirangi Light Opera Company, lovers of flesh and blood theatre should never be frightened of television competing to the detriment of live shows. The Titirangi company is to be commended for its courageous efforts in staging the Gilbert and Sullivan operas I understand that this enthusiastic little group in its three years' existence has produced "HMS Pinafore", "Pirates of Penzance", "Iolanthe", "The Mikado" and now the latest and most ambitious one, "The Yeoman of the Guard" The latest production of this group is an ambitious one as it is the nearest approach to grand opera and requires not only good vocalists but good actors. "The Yeoman of the Guard"is, of course the 10th of the 13 operas which the two famous collaborators produced. It was first presented on October 3 1888, at the Savoy in London. It was acclaimed both for its musical and dramatic qualities, and was far superior, in the opinion of many, to their other operas, its construction being almost as perfect as that of "The Mikado" How W.S. Gilbert came to write this successful opera makes an interesting story. It is on record that while waiting for a train at a suburban station Gibert's eye was arrested by the picture of a Beefeater in a large displayed advertisement of the Tower Furnishing Company. It at once gave him the first idea of the plot and scene of "The Yeoman of the Guard"- one of the best, if not the best, pieces of straight work that Gilbert ever wrote. Original cast And here is the cast of the original production 72 years ago; Sir Richard Cholmondley, Mr Wallace Brownlow;Col.Fairfax, Mr Courtice Pounds; Sgt Meryll, Mr Richard Temple; Leonard Meryll, Mr W.R. Shirley; Jack Point, Mr George Grossmith; Wilfred Shadbolt, Mr W.H. Denny; The Headsman, Mr Richards; First Yeoman, Mr Wilbraham; Second Yeoman, Mr Metcalf; First Citizen, Mr Boyd; Elsie Maynard, Miss Geraldine Ulmar; Miss Pheobe Meryll, Miss Jessie Bond "Dame Carruthers, Miss Rosena Brandram and Kate, Miss Rose Herby. The scene was Tower Green and the date the 16th Century A notable thing about the opera is the problem set by Gilbert for Sullivan, who was caused mluch anxiety in setting the music for one of his songs. "I Have a Song to Sing O." Gilbert wrote the words after the model of "The House that Jack Built". The opening stanza, "I Have a Song to Sing O," comprises seven lines. To each succeeding verse two lines are added until the last verse is extended to 13 lines. Sleepless nights It is recorded that it was over two weeks before Sullivan was satisfied with the eventual melody and its crescendo movement. It is also said that the task caused Sullivan many sleepless nights. And when a friend called and found him is a semi- demented state, he told him that he was nearly driven mad, adding, "My dear fellow, I have a song to set O and I don't know how the dickens I'm going to do it." In telling another friend about the difficulty of the lyric, he said, "I spent a fortnight over that blessed jingle and must have set it and reset it a dozen times before I was satisfied." In conclusion I feel confident that though thousands of lovers of Gilbert and Sullivan operas will rally round the courageous Titirangi company and give it the reception it richly deserves, great praise must go to Jimmy Gunn, the musical director, and Margaret Gunn, pianist, and to their wonderful band of helpers back stage.