Sweeney Programme TO PRINT 26/2/09 14:52 Page 1

HITCHIN THESPIANS present

The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

March 2009 The Queen Mother Theatre, Hitchin Sweeney Programme TO PRINT 26/2/09 14:52 Page 2

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HITCHIN THESPIANS present

Music & Lyrics by Book by A Musical HUGH WHEELER Thriller From an adaptation by CHRISTOPHER BOND Originally directed by HAROLD PRINCE Originally produced on Broadway by Richard Barr, Charles Woodward, Robert Fryer, Mary Lea Johnson, Martin Richards in association with Dean & Judy Manos 5th - 7th, 10th - 14th March 2009 The Demon Barber The Queen Mother Theatre, Hitchin

This amateur production is presented by arrangement with JOSEF of Fleet Street WEINBERGER LTD. on behalf of MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL of NEW YORK The Hitchin Thespians - About us... In 1902 Miss Pepper, Each year we present two fully staged musicals at The returning to Hitchin after Gordon Craig Theatre in Stevenage. We thrive on challenge and have presented a visit to the south some shows that many other societies are wary of. In addition there are coast, told her friend, occasionally smaller scale productions of musicals which are performed at Mrs Walter Carling, of a our purpose built rehearsal suite, Woodside Hall, or at the Town Hall, Hitchin. performance she had Groups of members are also welcome to get together and perform concerts seen there. Hitchin, she and shows with a smaller cast. said, must have an operatic society. Mrs Carling agreed, and arranged a local performance, by ladies only, of Coleridge Taylor's "The Gitanos". On February CONCERTS AND CHORAL WORKS In addition to our musical theatre activities 21st 1903, a decision was taken, to form the Hitchin Amateur Light Opera we have a thriving choir. The variety of music performed by this group is Company, with the Reverend G.B. Gainsford, as president. In its early years, the staggering, as one member put it - "from Bach to Bernstein!"There are Society devoted itself largely to the works of Gilbert and Sullivan. In March typically three concerts each year, often performed at Woodside Hall, but 1905, the name was changed, for the sake of brevity, to Hitchin Thespians. sometimes in surroundings that might suit the performance better such Though the Society suspended its activities during World War 1, the popularity as the lovely parish church of St. Mary's in Hitchin. of its shows grew rapidly in post-war years. In May 1933, "The Desert Song" was played to almost 10,000 people in a week at the Hermitage Cinema! In WORKSHOPS AND SPONSORSHIPS We are proud to fulfil our educational 1958 the Thespians purchased the freehold of the Old Guild Rooms in aims and ambitions through workshops and sponsorships. In recent years we Paynes Park, in which they had rehearsed for a number of years, for £750. have sponsored members to attend voice and performance training at the In 1977 the Society presented "Robert and Elizabeth" in Stevenage's Little Benslow Music School in Hitchin and have also arranged for members new Gordon Craig Theatre, where it still continues to stage its major to participate in masterclasses with professional singers and voice coaches. productions. Its policy has been to present, whenever possible, the first One of our Musical directors has also led a fascinating series of lectures amateur performance of newly released shows, of near-professional standard. on wide-ranging aspects of music. Sweeney Programme TO PRINT 26/2/09 14:52 Page 4

From the Chairman... Welcome to this evening’s performance of Sweeney Todd. This has been an exciting and challenging venture for us with a different venue and more creative freedom in the designing of sets etc. It is a thrilling piece of theatre and the music of Stephen Sondheim showing off its usual brilliance and complexity. The change of venue to the Queen Mother Theatre should make the experience more intimate and really bring it to life. The recent film version has brought it to a wider audience and I hope that you will be suitably gripped by this performance. We are delighted to welcome back Jim Snell as our stage director for this show and Mike Payne as musical director. Rehearsals have been hard work - but tremendous fun and I’m sure you will enjoy the results of the company’s labours in this performance. Hitchin Thespians like to maintain a varied programme and so this more traditional show is a contrast to the previous production of Calamity Jane and of course our next show Fiddler on the Roof in October which will be back at the Gordon Craig Theatre - which we welcome you to as well. I would like to thank you for supporting us in this production and if this is the first production of ours you have attended we hope it will be the first of many. Now its time to sit back, read the synopsis and be transported as the curtain rises on the dark, dank streets of the City of - somewhere near Fleet Street.

LUCY MILLER-WHITE

The Committee 2008 / 2009 PRESIDENT: Derek Jenkins LIFE MEMBERS:

CHAIRMAN: Lucy Miller-White Olive Ansell, Ann Crook,

TREASURER: Mark Savage Brenda Cundell, Marion Hargraves,

HONORARY GENERAL SECRETARY: Alex Evans Audrey Jenkins, Derek Jenkins,

PRODUCTION MANAGER: Michelle Marple Denis Rowland, Gordon Wharton

CHORAL MANAGER: Susan Osbourn

BUSINESS MANAGER: Kate Webb HONORARY MEMBERS:

WOODSIDE HALL MANAGER: Ann Crook Bert Broe, Mollie Gilbert, Edgar Gilbert, Roger Heath, SOCIAL & FUNDRAISING: Vivienne Tadman Alfons Krupp, Bernard Mallett, COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Sarah Bailes, Christine Fox, Jane Homer Jim Snell, Justin Thomas Sweeney Programme TO PRINT 26/2/09 14:52 Page 5

TheProductionTeam

Snell Mike JimPRODUCTION MUSICALPayne DIRECTOR DIRECTOR

Jim has directed over forty shows for Hitchin Thespians This is Mike’s second show with the Thespians, having and is delighted to be undertaking ‘Sweeney Todd’ - previously worked on ‘Chess’ last year. He has worked a show he has long wanted to be involved with. extensively throughout Herts, Beds, Bucks and Essex on shows In the coming months he will undertake productions ranging from ‘Carmen’ to ‘’Mack & Mabel’, with many more of ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ at Broxbourne in between. Mike also directs and choreographs shows, as well and ‘My Fair Lady’ at Harlow. as having his own production company which tackles rarely He has won numerous NODA awards and is an performed smaller cast shows. As a performer, Mike has active voluntary fundraiser for ‘Breakthrough’ played several leading roles including Kings - ‘Siam’ and - the Breast Cancer research charity. ‘of the Fairies’, Pilate in ‘’, The Snake in ‘Children of Eden’ (at the same time as MD!) and the one that sums up his character (some would say!) - MC in ‘Cabaret’.

For all up-to-date news and information, don’t forget to log on to... www.hitchinthespians.org.uk If you are interested in joining the Society as either a member or a patron, then please contact:- Alex Evans - Hon. Secretary, 4 Cubitt Close, Hitchin, Herts. SG4 0EL Email: [email protected] Alternatively, if you would prefer you can join our ‘SHOW MAILING LIST’ Sweeney Programme TO PRINT 26/2/09 14:52 Page 6

Act One The Story... The show opens in 1846, with the citizens of London introducing the tale of the ‘Demon Barber of Fleet Street’. A young sailor, Anthony Hope, rides a ship into London - his Act Two shipmate is ‘Sweeney Todd’. As they prepare to part, Todd Mrs. Lovett's pie shop has now become a thriving business tells Anthony a tragic story about a young and naive barber, with its ‘new menu’. Anthony discovers the Judge has his beautiful wife, and the lustful judge who exiled him committed Johanna to Fogg's Asylum for the mentally to Botany Bay on a trumped up charge, so he could covet deranged and, with Todd's help, infiltrates the asylum, his wife, Lucy. A half-mad Beggar Woman who begs and posing as a wigmaker. Unknown to Anthony, Todd sends a solicits them approaches and she appears to recognise Todd, letter to the judge notifying him of Anthony's intent to but he runs her off. kidnap Johanna and her professed love for Turpin, hopeful of luring the judge to his shop. Meanwhile, in the pie shop, Todd visits a meat pie shop on Fleet Street, where he Toby begins to suspect that Todd is up to no good. encounters the shop's proprietress, Mrs. Nellie Lovett. When Todd asks about the upstairs apartment, she tells Mrs. Lovett encounters Beadle Bamford when he is him the sad tale of the previous tenant, a barber named commissioned by the neighbours to investigate the strange Benjamin Barker. She reveals that once Barker had been smell from the pie shop's chimney. She offers the Beadle sent to , the Judge lured Lucy to his house and a free shave from Todd whilst he waits. In the basement, assaulted her. In agony, Todd confirms Mrs. Lovett's Toby discovers a fingernail in a pie when the bloody suspicions that he is, in fact, Benjamin Barker. Mrs Lovett corpse of the Beadle tumbles down the chute. Horrified, he tells him that Lucy has poisoned herself and that his infant tries to escape but realises that he is locked in. Mrs. Lovett daughter, Johanna, has become a ward of the Judge. Todd tells Todd that Toby has guessed everything. They set off swears revenge... to hush to boy in the only method they know how.

Meanwhile, Anthony notices a girl singing at a window. The show ends with Todd satisfying his The passing Beggar Woman tells Anthony that the girl is evil needs, but a surprise is in store Johanna. Anthony is immediately smitten and pledges to for all, especially Sweeney Todd. woo her, but the Judge and the Beadle threaten him off. Elsewhere, in the crowded marketplace, renowned ‘Italian’ barber Adolfo Pirelli and his simple-minded assistant Tobias Ragg pitch a cure-all for hair loss. Todd, after exposing the elixir as a fraud, challenges Pirelli to a shaving competition. When Pirelli later resorts to blackmail, Todd slits his first throat. This begins a trail of horrific revenge across London in desperate attempt to get to the Judge. The Beadle suggests to the Judge that he visit Todd's barbershop to improve his appearance, after hearing the news that he plans to wed Johanna. The act ends with a sudden burst of inspiration from Mrs Lovett about how to conceal evidence of Todd’s murderous revenge spree by using the victims in her meat pies! Sweeney Programme TO PRINT 26/2/09 14:52 Page 7

The Company ...

Australian born Richard trained at the Canberra School of Music before moving to the UK in 1999. He has enjoyed a variety of roles in plays, musical theatre, opera, oratorio, television and film, and toured USA, Europe, Scotland and . His favourite stage outings include Barnum in ‘Barnum’, Tony in ‘West Side Story’, John Tallentire in ‘The Hired Man’, Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince in ‘Into the Woods’, Franklin Shepherd in ‘Merrily We Roll Along’ and Stone in ‘City of Angels’. For Hitchin Thespians, Richard has sung leads in The Merry Widow, Iolanthe, Trial By Jury and various charity concerts. He has also composed musicals based on Noah’s Ark, Around the World in Eighty Days and St Patrick. Future engagements include playing Don John in ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ and Stainer’s Crucifixion. Sweeney

RICHARD Todd COWLING Sweeney Programme TO PRINT 26/2/09 14:52 Page 8

The Company ...

Maz says she is ‘relishing’ her part as Mrs Lovett, remarking “It’s not often you get to play a desperate, ageing, flirtatious, unscrupulous hag is it.” So she is making the most of it! Maz has been with Hitchin Thespians for several years now and thinks it is the friendliest group she has ever worked with. As a member of several local amateur dramatic societies she says she has been lucky enough to play some lovely roles including the Voice of the Plant in ‘Little Shop of Horrors’, Helene Hanff in ‘84 Charing Cross Road’, The Baker’s Wife in ‘Into The Woods’ and Mrs Meers in ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’. When Maz is not treading the boards she can be found spinning around the floor at Ceroc and Jiveswing.

Mrs MAZ Lovett GREENBANK Sweeney Programme TO PRINT 26/2/09 14:52 Page 9

The Company ...

Anthony Johanna KIER HOME KATIE LAMBERT

Kier started performing at the age of five and has Katie is only seventeen and says she ‘absolutely loves been involved in thirty-seven performances since, from acting’. She is currently at The Knights Templar School concerts and musicals, to plays and small-scale films. studying A levels. Having performed in numerous shows with He has a degree in performing arts and has performed in Letchworth Arcadians and Young Arcadians, she is excited venues such as The Gordon Craig Theatre, Her Majesty’s about the prospect of her first show with Hitchin Thespians. Theatre and The Dell (Queen Mother Theatre). This is Katie’s previous shows have included Copacabana, High Kier’s eleventh show with the Hitchin Thespians since School Musical as ‘Martha’, Wind in the Willows as ‘Mole’, joining them for ‘West Side Story’, also played Hortensio Oliver, Little Shop of Horrors and . Aside from drama, in ‘Kiss Me Kate’ and Apostle in ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’. Katie enjoys playing guitar, running, listening to music, Kier says he is hooked on Sondheim’s work, after being socialising and drinking tea! In regards to her future, terrified by a recording of the final Ballad that closes the she can’t predict where she will be in ten years time, but her show and is delighted to be playing ‘Anthony’ . ultimate dream would be to star in a West End show! Sweeney Programme TO PRINT 26/2/09 14:52 Page 10

✯ THE COMPANYThe Company✯ ... ✯

Judge Beadle MIKE Bamford IAN BARKER Turpin HAMILTON

This is Mike’s twenty second show with Hitchin Thespians. Ian first ventured onto the stage at the age of eight and it has He has performed many character roles for us, such as been a devil of a job to get him off it since. As his career has Prince Nikki in ‘My One and Only’, Alexander Molokov in progressed he has come to specialise in violent death scenes ‘Chess’, Henry Miller in ‘Calamity Jane’ and Harold in and, tonight, he adds to his modest accomplishments - bird ‘The Full Monty’. Mike has also enjoyed taking lead roles strangling! Ian has played Shakespeare and, like so many for other local societies such as Eric ‘Rubber-Legs’ Devine others, lost. He has also taken on some great doubles in ‘Slice of Saturday Night’, Dr. Whackoff in ‘Saucy players - Gilbert & Sullivan, Rogers & Hammerstein and Jack and the Space Vixens’ and Colonel Pickering in Rice and Lloyd Webber - with a little more success. In real ‘My Fair Lady’. He has been performing, directing and life he practices as a solicitor and seems doomed never to get choreographing shows locally for many years and has that right either. Almost a freak of nature, he still plays just finished a run in a 2009 Panto - ‘The Snow Queen’. cricket and hockey. He also sings with a local function band thereby enabling his vocal inability to be heard even ✯ more widely. He is now entitled to a bus pass! Sweeney Programme TO PRINT 26/2/09 14:52 Page 11

The Company ...

Beggar PHILIPPA BAYFIELDWoman Tobias SAM RAYNER

Philippa has been performing since she was eight, and Sam made his stage debut at the age of six in the singing and acting ever since. At Durham University Thespians’ production of ‘The King and I’ and has been Philippa took an active role in the Drama Society performing ever since. He has been a member of Hitchin in production and direction and was President. Young Thespians for over nine years, with his favourite Philippa studied Acting and Musical Theatre at roles including Mole in ‘The Wind in The Willows’, Fat Hertfordshire Theatre School working with a number Sam in ‘Bugsy Malone’ and Will Parker in ‘Oklahoma’. of professional directors and musical directors. For the past four years Sam has also performed at Sylvia Philippa's first show with Hitchin Thespians was The Full Young Theatre School and has enjoyed playing Danny Monty playing ‘Georgie’, a role which she later revived Zuko in ‘Grease’, Nathan Detroit in ‘Guys and Dolls’ and when the show went to the Edinburgh Festival. Sweeney Sid in ‘The Pyjama Game’. Outside the world of theatre, Todd is Philippa's fifth show with Hitchin Thespians and Sam rows in his school crew and is currently studying for she is delighted to be playing the ‘Beggar Woman’. his GCSE’s. Sam is ecstatic to be playing the role of Tobias. Sweeney Programme TO PRINT 26/2/09 14:52 Page 12

✯ THE COMPANYThe Company✯ ... ✯

Mrs Pirelli Fogg JULIA JOHN DUNLEAVY NICOLSON

This is John’s first performance with the Hitchin Thespians. Julia has been involved with amateur dramatics He is no stranger to the stage having appeared in many locally for over fifteen years, previously with Stevenage productions over the years. John especially enjoys character Lytton Players before joining Hitchin Thespians in roles, which have included Buggins in’ Half a Sixpence’, Feste 2007 for ‘The Mikado’. Julia's favourite roles to date in ‘Twelfth Night’, Jigger Craigin in ‘Carousel’, Lord Evelyn in musicals have been Widow Corney in ‘Oliver!’ and Oakleigh in ‘Anything Goes’, Herr Schulz in ‘Cabaret’, Yente the Matchmaker in ‘Fiddler on the Roof’. Mercutio in ‘Romeo and Juliet’, Molokov in Chess, Leonato She also enjoys drama having played Claree Belcher in Much Ado About Nothing, and recently Uncle Ernie in in ‘Steel Magnolias’ and Anna Cinzano in ‘Five Blue ‘Tommy’. John also sets his hand to writing and directing Haired Ladies Sitting on a Green Park Bench’. and has penned four successful Murder Mystery events. She is somewhat concerned though that all these When not involved with Amateur Dramatics, roles involved playing slightly eccentric old women - John keeps fit by riding around the fields and forests stating that “Mrs Fogg's hardly sane either!!” of Hertfordshire on his cross country mountain bike. Sweeney Programme TO PRINT 26/2/09 14:52 Page 13

Act One MUSICAL NUMBERS

‘Prelude’ ...... Orchestra

‘The Ballad of Sweeney Todd’ ...... The Company

‘No Place Like London’ ...... Todd, Anthony, Beggar Woman

‘The Worst Pies in London’ ...... Mrs Lovett

‘Poor Thing’ ...... Mrs Lovett

‘My Friends’ ...... Todd, Mrs Lovett

‘Green Finch and Linnet Bird’ ...... Johanna

‘Ah, Miss’ ...... Anthony, Johanna, Beggar Woman

‘Johanna’ ...... Anthony

‘Pirelli’s Miracle Elixir’ . . . Pirelli, Tobias, Todd, Mrs Lovett & Company

‘The Contest’ ...... Pirelli

‘Johanna’ ...... Judge Turpin

‘Wait’ ...... Mrs Lovett

‘Kiss Me’ ...... Anthony, Johanna

‘Ladies in Their Sensitivities’ ...... Beadle

‘Kiss Me / Ladies in Their Sensitivities’ ...... Judge Turpin, Beadle

...... Anthony, Johanna

‘Pretty Women’ ...... Judge Turpin, Todd

‘Epiphany’ ...... Todd

‘A Little Priest’ ...... Mrs Lovett, Todd Sweeney Programme TO PRINT 26/2/09 14:52 Page 14

Act Two MUSICAL NUMBERS

‘God, That’s Good’ . . . Mrs Lovett, Todd, Tobias, Beggar Woman & Company

‘Johanna’ ...... Anthony, Todd, Johanna, Beggar Woman

‘By The Sea’ ...... Mrs Lovett, Todd

‘Wigmaker Sequence’ ...... Anthony, Todd

‘The Letter’ ...... Quintet

‘Not While I’m Around’ ...... Tobias & Mrs Lovett

‘Parlour Songs’ ...... Beadle, Mrs Lovett & Tobias

‘Fogg’s Asylum’ ...... The Company

‘City on Fire!’ ...... Beggar Woman & Company

‘Searching’ ...... Mrs Lovett, Todd, Beggar Woman & Company

‘The Judge’s Return’ ...... Todd, Judge Turpin

‘Final Sequence’ ...... Todd, Mrs Lovett & Tobias

‘The Ballad of Sweeney Todd’ ...... The Company

There will be an interval of 20 minutes between acts.

Please do not smoke in the auditorium. The use of cameras, mobile phones and other recording equipment is strictly prohibited. Sweeney Programme TO PRINT 26/2/09 14:52 Page 15

The Company...

SWEENEY TODD ...... Richard Cowling

MRS LOVETT ...... Maz Greenbank

ANTHONY ...... Kier Home

JOHANNA ...... Katie Lambert

BEADLE BAMFORD ...... Ian Hamilton

JUDGE TURPIN ...... Mike Barker

PIRELLI ...... John Dunleavy

TOBIAS ...... Sam Rayner

BEGGAR WOMAN ...... Philippa Bayfield

MRS FOGG ...... Julia Nicolson Ensemble Melanie Plowman, Nerys Martin, Nicola Niles, Katy King, Chris Fox, Lynne Leggat, Lucy Miller-White, Pat Staff, Samantha Barham, Kirsty McArthur, Julia Nicolson, Caroline Hirst, Caroline Bonja, Sarah Cunningham, Vivienne Tadman, James Hamilton, Charles Langford, Peter Auker, Mark Savage, Jonathan Fletcher, Mike Steele. Sweeney Programme TO PRINT 26/2/09 14:52 Page 16

Hitchin Thespians is proud to be affiliated The NODA Annual Summer School offers to the National Operatic and Dramatic training from professional tutors in acting, Association (NODA) which was founded in directing, music directing, musical theatre, 1899 as the main representative body stage management and other technical for amateur theatre in the UK. It has a aspects of theatre performance. membership of some 2,500 amateur/ Burseries are available from National community theatre groups and 3,000 and Regional funds. Regular Regional individual enthusiasts throughout the magazines and the quarterly ‘NODA country, staging musicals, operas, plays, National News’ provide a range of useful concerts and pantomimes in a wide advice and information for amateur variety of performing venues, ranging societies and practitioners, as well as free from leading professional theatres to village halls. listings of performances, free classified ads for NODA is divided into eleven national Regions, each selling, buying or hiring scenery, props, scripts, and headed by a Regional Councillor who sits at the ruling details of shows released or restricted for amateur body of the Association and who is supported by performance. NODA’s trading area offers access to a network of Regional Representatives and other goods and services for members and other amateur volunteers. The Representatives and their volunteers theatre enthusiasts,such as NODA pantomimes,a sheet are the vital link to the grass roots of the Association, music service,official badges,youth representatives, the amateur theatre companies themselves. The commendation badges and Long Service Awards. association is administered from its headquarters in There awards are available for presentation to those Peterborough. who have given active service to amateur theatre NODA offers multiple benefits to its members, for a period of ten years and every five years thereafter. providing free expert advice and factsheets on NODA Insurance provides a package that caters the many issues which can arise in putting on a for the specific needs of amateur theatre with performance. NODA represents the interests of discounted premiums for NODA members. amateur theatre in authorities, rights holders and NODA aims to ensure that it provides help to the media. Conferences, workshops and seminars amateur societies and individuals in achieving the held at National and Regional level all help the highest standards of best practice and performance, members to share information on best practice. and in meeting the challenges of the 21st century.

CALLING YOUNG THESPIANS... If you want to sing, want to act, and want to dance and are in Year 6 and above we want to hear from you.Young Thespians meet Sunday mornings from 10am to 12 noon at Woodside Hall, Walsworth Road, Hitchin. There is a charge of £25 to take part in each production.

Young Thespians will be presenting ‘Aladdin’ at Woodside Hall from 16th - 18th April 2009. ...Come and see us! There are no auditions to join so if you are interested please contact Ann Crook 01462 434181, [email protected] Sweeney Programme TO PRINT 26/2/09 14:52 Page 17

The Orchestra... CLARINET: ...... Ian Killoran PERCUSSION: ...... Wallace Ruby

BASSOON: ...... Caroline Cartwright BASS: ...... Fiona Nisbett

HORN: ...... John Lavelle KEYBOARD: ...... Matt Hallas

TRUMPET: ...... Chris Clark

Sweeney Todd - Stage & Screen ORIGINAL STORY STEPHEN SONDHEIM From The Annual Register of London in 1785, Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of the entry read: “A most remarkable murder Fleet Street was a 1979 Tony Award- was perpetrated in the following manner by a winning musical thriller with music journeyman barber that lived near Hyde Park and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a Corner, who had been for a long time past book by Hugh Wheeler. jealous of his wife, but could no way bring it Sweeney Todd opened on Broadway home to her.” Thus began, according to one at the Uris Theatre on March 1, 1979 hypothesis, the infamous tale of Sweeney Todd, and ran for 557 performances. It was the demon barber whose homicidal activities at directed by Harold Prince with musical 186 Fleet Street have chilled and thrilled the hearts staging by Larry Fuller. It starred Len of Londoners for over 200 years. The historical Cariou as Sweeney Todd and Angela Sweeney Todd, hanged for murder in 1801, may Lansbury as Mrs. Lovett. have been the most successful serial killer of all The UK production opened in London's time, some accounts attributing 160 unfortunate West End on July 2, 1980, at the Theatre customers to his victim list. Sweeney's saga has Royal, Drury Lane, starring passed through so many retellings that what facts Denis Quilley as Sweeney Todd remain about this menace are enshrouded in and Sheila Hancock as Mrs. layers of colorful exaggeration. One fact remains: Lovett. The show ran for 157 the dark deeds of Sweeney Todd have crowned performances. This production him the king of melodramatic villains. won the Laurence Olivier Forty-five years after the crime spree, Thomas Award for new musical (1980). Peckett Prest adapted the story of Sweeney into a Most recently, Sondheim’s serial entitled ‘The String of Pearls: A Romance’ ‘Sweeney’ has been brought to published in The People's Periodical and Family a more modern audience, with the hugely Library, and presented as a melodrama at the Royal Britannia successful movie version, directed by Tim Burton, and Saloon, where it soon became a long-running success. starring Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham-Carter. Sweeney Programme TO PRINT 26/2/09 14:52 Page 18

LOCALLY BASED EXPERIENCED MUSICIANS ChildsIndividual tuition for flute, clarinet, Music saxophone, piano, organ, theory & aural for beginners to advanced students of all ages. Book your Liz Childs GRSM (Hons), LRAM - woodwind specialist, adjudicator and council member lessons British & International Federation of Festivals (BIFF). Directs flute choirs and other ensembles Alan Childs GRSM (Hons), LRAM , ARCO - keyboard specialist, today! examiner Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM)

For further information visit www.childsmusic.co.uk or telephone 01462 816244

Sweeney Todd Sweeney Programme TO PRINT 26/2/09 14:52 Page 19

Dear All, This is just a short note to wish you all good luck for your forthcoming production of “Sweeney Todd”. I am a great admirer of Sondheim and have performed in three of his shows - ‘Follies’ - ‘Sunday in the park with George’ and ‘Sweeney Todd’. I can honestly say that ‘Sweeney’ is my favourite for its mixture of the comic, macabre and gruesome amongst others. I can tell you that it is a piece that needs complete focus, but one that I am sure you will enjoy performing. Once again, I wish you a successful opening night and a very enjoyable run.

Best wishes, Dave Willetts

Dave Willetts - actor and singer - has been critically acclaimed both Nationally and Internationally from Europe to Australia for numerous leading roles in some of the most renowned musicals of our time. www.davewilletts.com Sweeney Programme TO PRINT 26/2/09 14:52 Page 20

HITCHIN THESPIANS PAST PRODUCTIONS 1903 ...... The Gitanos 1932 ...... Rose Marie 1968 ...... Half A Sixpence 1993 ...... H.M.S. Pinafore 1904 ...... The Sorcerer 1933 ...... The Desert Song 1969 ...... Carmen 1994 ...... Guys and Dolls 1905 . . . . .The Yeomen of the Guard 1933 ...... The Vagabond King 1970 ...... Kismet 1994 ...... Charlie Girl 1905 ...... The Mountebanks 1934 ...... The New Moon 1971 ...... The Merry Widow 1995 ...... A Little Night Music 1906 ...... The Pirates of Penzance 1935 . . . .The Maid of the Mountains 1972 ...... The Sound of Music 1995 ...... Barnum 1907 ...... The Gondoliers 1936 ...... Miss Hook of Holland 1972 ...... Hello Dolly 1996 ...... 1908 ...... The Mikado 1937 ...... The Student Prince 1973 ...... Most Happy Fella 1996 ...... The Pirates of Penzance 1909 ...... H.M.S. Pinafore 1938 ...... Goodnight Vienna 1974 ...... Night in Venice 1997 ...... Hello Dolly 1910 ...... Trial by Jury 1939 ...... Showboat 1975 ...... 1997 ...... La Cage Aux Folles* 1910 ...... Ruddigore 1946 ...... The Rebel Maid 1976 ...... The Beggars Opera 1998 ...... Crazy For You 1911 . . . . .The Yeomen of the Guard 1947 ...... The Desert Song 1976 ...... Bitter Sweet 1998 ...... Chess 1913 ...... Patience 1948 ...... The Gondoliers 1977 ...... Robert & Elizabeth 1999 ...... Oliver! 1920 ...... The Gondoliers 1949 ...... Chu Chin Chow 1977 ...... Yeomen of the Guard 1999 ...... Singin’in the Rain* 1921 ...... The Mikado 1950 ...... Rose Marie 1978 ...... Die Fledermaus 2000 ...... Mack & Mabel 1922 . . . . .The Yeomen of the Guard 1951 ...... Bitter Sweet 1979 ...... Fiddler on the Roof 2000 ...... South Pacific 1922 ...... The Pirates of Penzance 1951 ...... Yeomen of the Guard 1980 ...... Showboat 2001 ...... The King & I 1923 ...... Ruddigore 1952 ...... Viktoria & Her Hussar 1981 ...... Hello Dolly 2001 ...... Half A Sixpence 1923 ...... The Sorcerer 1953 ...... The New Moon 1982 . . .Orpheus in the Underworld 2002 ...... Carmen 1924 ...... Iolanthe 1954 ...... Wild Violets 1983 ...... The Music Man 2002 ...... My One & Only 1924 ...... The Gondoliers 1955 ...... Magyar Melody 1983 ...... Grease 2003 ...... West Side Story 1925 ...... Merrie 1956 ...... The Quaker Girl 1984 ...... Carousel 2003 ...... Barnum 1925 . . . . .The Yeomen of the Guard 1957 ...... Goodnight Vienna 1985 ...... The Merry Widow 2004 ...... Seven Brides for 1926 ...... Patience 1957 ...... Call Me Madam 1986 ...... The Pirates of Penzance ...... Seven Brothers* 1926 ...... Trial by Jury 1958 ...... Bless the Bride 1986 ...... Trial by Jury 2004 ...... Jesus Christ Superstar 1926 ...... H.M.S. Pinafore 1959 ...... Love from Judy 1987 ...... Kismet 2005 ...... Kiss Me Kate 1927 ...... The Mikado 1960 ...... Oklahoma 1987 ...... West Side Story 2005 ...... Carousel 1927 ...... Miss Hook of Holland 1961 ...... Carousel 1988 ...... Annie Get your Gun 2006 ...... Me & My Girl 1928 ...... The Geisha 1962 ...... Hansel & Gretal 1989 ...... The Mikado 2006 ...... The Full Monty 1928 ...... A Country Girl 1962 ...... The Merry Widow 1989 ...... The Boyfriend 2006 ...... Jekyll & Hyde* 1929 ...... Princess Ida 1963 ...... Kiss Me Kate 1990 ...... My Fair Lady 2007 . . . .Thoroughly Modern Millie 1929 ...... Veronique 1964 ...... Pink Champagne 1991 ...... Kiss Me Kate 2007 ...... The Mikado 1930 ...... Tom Jones 1965 ...... The Music Man 1991 ...... Cabaret 2008 ...... Chess 1931 ...... The Pirates of Penzance 1966 ...... Trial By Jury 1992 ...... Oklahoma 2008 ...... Calamity Jane 1931 ...... Merrie England 1966 ...... The King & I 1992 ...... The Sound of Music 2009 ...... Sweeney Todd 1932 ...... The Belle of New York 1967 . . .Orpheus in the Underworld 1993 ...... Trial by Jury * NODA Region 9 Eastern Area Award

HITCHIN THESPIANS PATRONS 2008 Mrs J Aked Miss B Deamer Mr & Mrs D Haynes Mrs N Morgan Mrs V Slade Mrs J Armstrong Mrs G Donald Miss B Hillyard Mrs J Morris Mrs & Mrs A Smith Mrs V Barker Mr M P Doonan Mr P & Mrs A Hollingsworth Mr M Newbery Mrs B Smith Mr & Mrs P Barry Mr & Mrs A Dover Mr P Houldcroft Mrs J Newton Mrs J Smith Mr & Mrs J Bedingfield Mrs H Dublino Mrs J E Howe Mr & Mrs D Nicholls Mrs J Smith Mrs M Bidwell Mrs E Edwards Mrs W T Hoy Mrs M Oliver Mr J Smyth Miss V Bishop Mr M Everitt Mr & Mrs L Hughes Mr I Page Miss P Tadman Mr & Mrs P Blacker Mrs M E Fairchild Mrs P Hunter Mrs C Page Mr & Mrs A.R.Taylor Mr N Bone Mrs D Fisher Mrs J Huthert-Averill Mrs E Parsons Mrs K Theakstone Mr R Bray Mr & MrsJ Franks Mrs M Jones-Davies Mr & Mrs K A Parsons Mrs V Thompson Mrs M Brendish Mrs J Frith Mrs M Kemball-Cook Mr M C Pascal Mr F Turgoose Mrs M Briddon Mr & Mrs M Galloway Mr I Kennedy Dennis E. Pateman J.P. Mr & Mrs D H Verney Mrs S Budin-Jones Dr & Mrs S P Gardiner Mr P King Mrs B Pennicott Mr & Mrs R Vickers Miss R E Burrows Mrs N Gilderthorp Mr & Mrs H Leonard Mrs C Plowman Mrs M Walker Mrs E Calverley Mrs M Gill Mr & Mrs W E Lewis Mrs I Pollard Mrs B Wall Mrs D E Chennells Mr R Gorbing Mr A Lintern Mrs P M Pollard Mr S & Mrs M Watson Mr G Cobb Mr B Griffiths Mrs & Mrs M Mackenzie Mrs E Pratt Mr G Williams Mr R Cobb Mr PGuthrie Mrs B Mallett Mr & Mrs N W Revill Mr & Mrs P Willmott Mr & Mrs GT Cork Mrs D Guyton Mrs A Mansfield Mrs M Richmond Mrs R Willmott Mr & Mrs D R Crick Mrs S Haigh Miss H Mansfield Mrs G Rowland Mrs S Wisbey Mr N Cundell Mr & Mrs C Hamilton Dr C F & Mrs E A Mathews Mrs R Saunders Mrs B Wiseman Mrs S Davies Mrs A Hammond Mr & Mrs J Metzger Mrs L. M. Shaw Mr R Woodhead Mrs M Day Mrs B Harvey Mrs G Moles Mrs A Shephard Mr & Mrs P Woods Mr R Day Mr R Hawkins Mrs M Moore Mrs P Slade Mr & Mrs R Worbey Sweeney Programme TO PRINT 26/2/09 14:52 Page 21

The Company

For Hitchin Thespians...

Stage Manager ...... Philippa Tadman Make Up Manager ...... Donna Barrett Assistant Stage Manager ...... Richard Cobb Make Up Team ...... Sarah Cunningham, Sarah Barry Production Manager ...... Michelle Marple ...... Rhian Watkins, Sheila Soothill, Ron Burton Lighting & Sound ...... Alan Bailes & team Rehearsal Accompanists ...... Robert Day, Matt Hallas Wardrobe Manager ...... Keryle Rutherford Set Design ...... Rosemary Bianchi Wardrobe Team ...... Margaret Brendish, Judy Page, Costumes . . .Carousel Costumes, Bancroft Players & cast Mary Roberts, Helen Goddard, Pearl Hare, Iain Rutherford Business Manager ...... Kate Webb Set Construction ...... Ronald Burton, Jack Lardent, Business Team ...... Jane Homer, Nick Morgan ...... Neil Leggat, Leah Cooke Programme Design ...... TeeeGeee Design Stage Crew ...... Richard Cobb, Neil Leggat Programme/Poster Printing ...... Streets of Baldock ...... Wayne Hough, Viv Stephenson Photography ...... Ralph Rapley/XMO4 Properties Manager ...... Vivienne Tadman Librarian ...... Lucy Miller-White Properties Assistants ...... Nick Morgan, Cliff Gulbis Front of House ...... Susan Osbourn, Kate Webb Continuity ...... Michelle Marple, Iain Rutherford Chaperones ...... Sue Rayner, Peter Bailey

Hitchin Thespians would like to thank the Queen Mother Theatre and the Bancroft Players for the use of their facilities. Our special thanks go to Keith Crook and Rosemary Bianchi for their assistance with this production. Sweeney Programme TO PRINT 26/2/09 14:53 Page 22

OUR LAST PRODUCTION ‘OCTOBER 2008’ CALAMITY JANE Sweeney Programme TO PRINT 26/2/09 14:53 Page 23

THE HITCHIN THESPIANS Hitchin Thespians choir is COMING SOON... looking for new members... THE YOUNG THESPIANS PRESENT ALADDIN 16th - 18th April 2009,Woodside Hall, Hitchin

THE HITCHIN THESPIANS

Choral Classics We are a long established choral group singing a diverse range of music at St. Mary’s encompassing everything from modern show Saturday 30th May, 2009 songs to large scale classical choral works. St. Mary’s Church, Hitchin We perform three concerts a year, including the ever popular and always sold out ‘Christmas at Woodside’ concerts. At the moment we are rehearsing for our next concert which is ‘Choral Classics at St. Mary’s’, Fiddler on featuring works by Dvorak, Elgar, Rutter, Franck and Faure taking place on Saturday 30th May. See the coming the Roof soon section for further details and booking information. 5th - 10th October 2009 Interested in joining us? If so, contact our secretary The Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage at [email protected] or by phone on 01462 458803 for further details. Visit our HITCHIN THESPIANS: 01462 641575 website at www.hitchinthespians.org.uk to learn GORDON CRAIG THEATRE: 08700 131030 more about our choral and show activities. Sweeney Programme TO PRINT 26/2/09 14:53 Page 24 HamiltonHamilton DaviesDavies 28 High Street, Stevenage, SOLICITORS Herts, SG1 3HF Fax: (01438) 740084 Email: [email protected] Website: www.hamiltondavies.co.uk Tel: 01438 315898

We always offer a truly approachable, friendly and efficient professional service • Personal injury work • Problems of the elderly • Commercial work • Family and divorce work • Wills and probate • Employment issues • Estate planning • Property transactions ...that’s law with a human face! Sweeney Programme TO PRINT 26/2/09 14:53 Page 25