The Official Newsletter of the Victoria Gilbert & Sullivan Society
Volume 27 September 2016
October 15 at 2 pm and 7.30 pm, October 16 at 2 pm Dave Dunnet Community Theatre, Oak Bay - 2121 Cadboro Bay Road TICKETS AVAILABLE AT POLL-JURY.EVENTBRITE.COM IVY’S BOOKSHOP - OAK BAY VILLAGE (250-598-2713) OR CASH AT DOOR Adrian Sly – President’s Message
Here we are at the end of another summer and just about to launch into yet another G&S season! In our last newsletter I stated that we had a “lot going on” in our society – well – we STILL have a lot going on! We have started rehearsals for Trial by Jury and we have a great principal line up, but we still require more choristers – particularly MEN (so, what’s new??!!). We are looking forward to working with Steven Benson as Music Director and Elizabeth Sly as Stage Director. We are also excited to be performing at the new Dave Dunnet Theatre in Oak Bay High School. It is going to be great fun working with the lovely people at Ballet Etoile again in our co-production. Ashley Evans of Ballet Etoile has produced an excellent poster, which will be available in the next few days. Jonathan Woodward has printed the tickets, once again, and they are already on sale at Ivy’s Bookshop in Oak Bay and through Eventbrite. Ticket prices are a real “steal” at $25 ($20 for seniors and students!). Don Lambton has designed our set and it is just about ready! Our Stage Manager is going to be Jessica Bambrough, who we are looking forward to working with again Work is also well underway for next spring’s production of Princess Ida. I am delighted to say that George Corwin has agreed to be Music Director, Chris Moss Stage Director and Ashley Evans, of Ballet Etoile, Choreographer. Our Producer is once again the indefatigable Linda Troke who will work her magic keeping everything “on track”. Costumes are once again being designed and built by our own Norma Jee for both shows, in spite of recovering from some heavy-duty surgery, so we will all be looking good again on stage!! Auditions will take place on Saturday September 24th and Sunday September 25th. Princess Ida requires a large cast, so come on out for this very seldom produced show. This may be your very last chance to sing the fabulous music of this show, as who knows if it will ever be performed again in Victoria.
Our 2016-2017 Board of Directors
Adrian Sly - President Ron Skelton - Vice President Linda Troke - Treasurer Allison Chandler - Secretary Inge Illman - Community Liason Jennifer Hoener - Website Shireen McNeilage - Social Media Ilda Turcotte - Publicity Don Fetherston - Legal Advisor Sarah Pugh - Grants
SOCIETY MISSION STATEMENT: The Victoria Gilbert and Sullivan Society is a dynamic theatrical organization, providing quality entertainment through musical theatre and choral presentations with emphasis on the works of W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan.
2 Stage Whispers Official Newsletter of the Victoria Gilbert & Sullivan Society Trial by Jury - Synopsis
Trial by Jury or A Court of Justice is the second operetta that Gilbert and Sullivan wrote and is in one Act. It is unique in that there is no spoken dialogue; the entire libretto is sung. It was first performed in 1875 and has been hailed as “probably the most successful British one-act operetta of all time”. The story is set in the Court of the Exchequer where Angelina is sueing Edwin for breach of promise, claiming that he has broken his word to marry her. In his own defence, Edwin argues that is unfair to punish him for loving one girl one day and, bored with her, loving another the next. However, the sight of this beautiful girl overcome by emotion and greatly distressed quickly captures the hearts of the ‘impartial’ jury. In an attempt to resolve the matter, Edwin offers to marry both girls but his suggestion is rejected on the grounds of bigamy. Faced with potentially substantial damages, Edwin then claims to be a drunkard and a bully, liable to beat Angelina when intoxicated, and worth very little in financial terms. This leads the Judge to suggest that they make him drunk and observe his behaviour towards Angelina! When all except Edwin object to this the Judge becomes very impatient with the whole affair and, in a final effort to bring the trial to a conclusion, he declares that he will marry Angelina himself. This suits. CAST The Learned Judge ...... Grant Smalley The Plaintiff ...... Inge Illman The Defendant ...... Jonathan Woodward Counsel for the Plaintiff ...... Adrian Sly Usher ...... George Morfitt Foreman of the Jury ...... Ron Skelton Associate ...... De Roger
CHORUS Allison Chandler, Aria Koster, Shireen McNeilage, Suzanne Moreau, Mary Shiffer, Elizabeth Sly, Fiona St. Clair, Linda Troke, Ilda Turcotte, Monica Yarman. Tony Cmela, Ted Davies, Rick Johnson, Tony Mulford, Don Pink, Phil Rogers, Charles Vanderwilt
September 2016 Stage Whispers 3 Naomi Derksen Award
The Naomi Derksen Award is an award named after our beloved accompanist Naomi Derksen who passed away in 2013. She was a valued member of our Society and her infectious laughter and love for the music of Gilbert and Sullivan made every rehearsal she attended enjoyable for all. This award is given to a member of the cast who exhibits such characteristics as enthusiasm, a positive attitude, attendance at rehearsals as well as a member who goes above and beyond in a production, and essentially someone who makes everyone else better. This year the award was given to Ron Skelton. Ron spent much of his time recording rehearsals for the chorus to use to reference choreography and staging. These recordings were very helpful in making the cast perform with our best foot forward.
Thank You To All Our Volunteers – We Need You!
If you would like to be notfed of volunteer opportunites, please join our mailing list. You can contact us at [email protected]. The Victoria Gilbert & Sullivan Society is a volunteer-run theatre company and volunteers are involved in every aspect of our productons, from the beginning of the producton process, through the entre run of a show. There are “behind the scenes” opportunites available for those interested in: • Grant writng • Assistant stage management • Data input • Lightng • Set constructon and paintng • Makeup and hair abilites • Prop collecton and constructon • Costume work, including building, sewing and alteratons
4 Stage Whispers Official Newsletter of the Victoria Gilbert & Sullivan Society Ilda Turcotte – Advertising
The Victoria Gilbert and Sullivan Society is well known for its quality musical theatre, increasing its audiences for each production on southern Vancouver Island. In April 2017 we are proudly presenting Princess Ida, a highly entertaining work of W.S. Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan. We would like to offer you the opportunity to advertise in our program. We are performing two shows at the Dave Dunnet Theatre at Oak Bay High School and three shows at the Charlie White Theatre in Sidney. Ad specifications: trim size: 5.5” x 8.5”, page print area: 4.5” x 8”. Colours: black & white (full colour only on back cover) • .ai Adobe Illustrator files with all fonts converted to outline, version CS4 or older • high-resolution printable .pdf • 300 dpi .tif or .jpg files Scanning of any hard-copy artwork may result in poor quality in the final printed ad and will incur Sample of G&S Programme an additional charge of $30.00. Ad Sizes: Cost 1/8 page Business Card size ...... $65.00 1/4 page vertical ...... 2.125" w x 3.5 ...... $100.00 1/4 page horizontal ...... 4.5" w x 1.625” ...... $100.00 1/2 page vertical ...... 2.125" w x 7.5” ...... $195.00 1/2 page horizontal ...... 4.5" w x 3.5” ...... $195.00 full page ...... 4.5" w x 7.5” ...... $425.00 back page, full colour ...... 4.5" w x 7.5” ...... $500.00 Booking deadline: March 3 and artwork deadline: March 17. Too busy to prepare an ad? We offer the service to provide the creative through final artwork for your ad, for $95. To discuss, please call Ilda at 250-642-3315. Thank you for your support
September 2016 Stage Whispers 5 Auditions for Princess Ida – Our April 2017 Production
Once again, under the superlative baton of George Corwin, the comedic brilliance of Chris Moss and joining us for the first time, Ashley Evans from Ballet Etoile. ROLES: Auditions will be held KING HILDEBRAND (bass-baritone) September 24 and 25 HILARION - King Hildebrand’s Son (tenor) from 1 pm to 4 pm CYRIL - Hilarion’s Friend (tenor) at James Bay FLORIAN - Hilarion’s Friend (lyric baritone) New Horizons 234 Menzies St. KING GAMA (comic baritone) ARAC - King Gama’s Son (bass-baritone) GURON - King Gama’s Son (bass-baritone) SCYNTHIUS - King Gama’s Son (bass) PRINCESS IDA - King Gama’s Daughter (soprano) LADY BLANCHE - Professor of Abstract Science (contralto) LADY PSYCHE - Professor of Humanities (soprano) MELISSA - Lady Blanche’s Daughter (mezzo-soprano) SACHARISSA - Girl Graduate (soprano) CHLOE - Girl Graduate (speaking role/chorus) Performance dates: March 24, 25 and 26 ADA - Girl Graduate (speaking role/chorus) Charlie White Theatre SONGS FOR AUDITIONEES (Mary Winspear Centre) in Sidney and King Hildbrand - Now harken to my strict command (pg 15) April 1 and 2 at the Hilarion - Today we meet ... (pg 22) Dave Dunnett Theatre Cyril, Hildabrand, Florian - Gently, gently evidently (pg 82) (Oak Bay High School) King Gama - If you give me your attention (pg 36) in Victoria. Princess Ida - Minerva! O hear me (pg 74) Call Linda Troke Lady Blanche - Come mighty must (pg 79) for more info: Florian - Will Prince Hilarion’s hopes be sadly blighted (pg 10) 250-592-9268 Arac, Guron, Scynthius - We are warriors three (from pg 29) Ladies Psyche, Melissa, Sacharrissa - Towards the Empyrean Heights (pg 64)
6 Stage Whispers Official Newsletter of the Victoria Gilbert & Sullivan Society Island Theatre
September 2016 Stage Whispers 7 Island Theatre VOS PROUDLY PRESENTS
November 25 to December 4 McPherson Theatre
May 5 to 14, 2017 McPherson Theatre Auditions for the VOS May 2017 production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard are scheduled for the weekend of October 15/16. The search is on for Norma, Joe, Betty and the rest of the Hollywood gang. Check out the auditions link on the VOS website for audition details and roles, and to schedule your audition time.
8 Stage Whispers Official Newsletter of the Victoria Gilbert & Sullivan Society