1949 Iolanthe 1976 The Mikado 1950 The Gondoliers 1977 Iolanthe The Mikado 1978 Orpheus in the Underworld 1951 HMS Pinafore The Yeomen of the Guard Iolanthe 1979 The Sorcerer 1952 Patience 1980 The Pirates of Penzance The Yeomen of the Guard 1981 Lilac Time 1953 Trial by Jury and HMS Pinafore 1982 The Mikado Ruddigore 1983 Princess Ida 1954 The Gondoliers Patience 1955 The Mikado Trial by Jury and 1984 The Gondoliers The Pirates of Penzance 1985 Ruddigore 1956 Patience and Iolanthe 1986 The Merry Widow 1957 HMS Pinafore and Cox and Box Iolanthe 1958 The Sorcerer and The Yeomen 1987 Trial by Jury and The Pirates of the Guard of Penzance 1959 The Mikado and Ruddigore 1988 La Belle Helene 1960 The Gondoliers and Patience The Yeomen of the Guard 1961 Princess Ida 1989 The Gypsy Baron 1962 The Mikado Trial by Jury 1990 The Mikado and The Pirates of Penzance Die Fledermaus 1963 Iolanthe 1991 HMS Pinafore The Yeomen of the Guard 1992 Princess Ida The Gondoliers 1964 The Sorcerer and Ruddigore 1993 Ruddigore 1965 The Gondoliers 1994 Patience Iolanthe 1966 The Gypsy Baron Trial by Jury 1995 The Grand Duke and HMS Pinafore 1996 The Merry Widow 1967 Princess Ida The Sorcerer 1968 Blossom Time 1997 The Pirates of Penzance The Yeomen of the Guard La Vie Parisienne 1969 The Mikado and The Gondoliers 1998 The Yeomen of the Guard 1970 Patience 1999 The Mikado 1971 Trial by Jury and The Pirates of 2000 The Gondoliers Penzance Iolanthe 2001 Ruddigore 1972 Ruddigore 2002 Iolanthe 1973 La Belle Helene 2003 Patience The Yeomen of the Guard 2004 The Pirates of Penzance 1974 The Gondoliers 2005 Orpheus in the Underworld 1975 HMS Pinafore 2006 The Mikado 2007 The Sorcerer Page sponsored by Tim Perkins and Tony Grace affiliated to N.O.D.A. and Ealing Arts registered charity no. 1103764 Hon. President Margaret Bannon Hon. Life Members Pam Craddock, Edwin Owen, Pauline Pressey Peggy Sceats, Roy Talbot, Dave & Pam Thomas Chairman Edwin Owen Vice-Chairman Alan Whitworth Hon. Secretary Debbie Edwards, 12 Sovereign Close, Ealing, London, W5 2DE Tel: 0844 880 1852 Patron’s Secretary Alvina Doughty, 415 Allenby Road, Southall, Middlesex UB1 2HG Committee Alvina Doughty, Catherine Hickling, Geof Morgan James D’Souza, Rachael Wood PATRONS Mr R. E. Cave Roy & Marion Haworth Stephen Pound M.P John Chamberlain Miss E. A. Hayes Cllr. & Mrs John Ross Mr L. W. J. Clarke Catherine Hickling Norman Simons Peter Clark Judith Higgs Miss P. Sceats Alvina Doughty Miss J. Jarvis Mrs J. B. Smith Fraser Grant Brenda Knaggs Mr & Mrs M. Strachan Harry Greenway (M.P. 1979-1997) Mr & Mrs F. Lummes Jill Talbot www.julianoperatic.org The autumn is a season of mellow fruitfulness – it is also the party (political) conference season – all parties of whatever complexion prattle on about the need for change, with disastrous results. Change, however, is not necessarily to be decried because of recent financial events. Change in healthcare and technology, amongst many fields of endeavour, have brought undisputed benefits. Changes in communications may have enabled some of the audience here to book tickets “on-line”. The Julian’s web site is a source of information about the Society and its activities – we were recently contacted by a lady from Harefield clearing effects from a recently deceased family member who had attended our shows in the 1950’s and had kept the programmes and these were offered to us for archive purposes. Contact was made possible by typing in Julian Operatic into Google and up we come. The programmes reminded me that Gilbert & Sullivan was performed in those days “By permission of Bridget D’Oyly Carte”. When the copyright expired in 1961, the way was open to discard Gilbert’s prompt-book stage instructions and for societies to do it their own way. Our production this week is Fraser Grant’s interpretation – you will not find the chorus in static semi-circles. Everybody on stage matters. Change in presentation - yes. Change in the original concept – no. However done, the piece is as good a show today as it was when first presented on 25th May 1878. As always the production credits in the programme are extensive and we are extremely appreciative of the work undertaken by those supporting those on stage and helping to put the show on – time and effort given freely. The set, in particular, is ambitious and our thanks go to Martin Jarvis for its design. Generally we try to appeal to as wide an audience as possible and we particularly appreciate the support of those who attend our shows regularly – if you are not on our mailing list, and wish to join this, give your name to a steward. We also appreciate the support of our Patrons - again if you wish to become one, please contact the Secretary (Patrons get priority bookings for the main show). We are also pleased, due to our activities, to support a local charity - PESTS (helping special needs children). The Julian operates as a charity for the education of those interested in all aspects of stagecraft, music and singing. Most do it just for the fun and relaxation that participation brings, whilst some do it to gain singing and operatic experience. Some are old hands, and some are new for this production. In any event the Society also values a good social side and new members are always welcome. All voice ranges are required and previous experience is not necessary – good opportunities exist for rehearsal and learning. Experienced performers are also welcome where the opportunities are available for main parts, consistent with the Society’s policy of casting from existing members wherever possible. Rehearsals take place weekly throughout the year (except August) at Ealing Town Hall on Wednesday evenings. During the winter months, the Society rehearses for a spring concert/soiree. From March to October/November rehearsals are devoted to the main autumn production. For more information contact the Secretary, Debbie Edwards, on 0844 880 1852 or view our web site at www.julianoperatic.org I hope you enjoy the performance. Edwin Owen Chairman ACT ONE Ralph has fallen in love with Josephine, the daughter of his commanding officer, Captain Corcoran. Likewise, Little Buttercup, a buxom peddler-woman, has fallen in love with the Captain himself. Class pride, however, stands in the way of the natural inclinations of both the Corcorans to reciprocate Ralph’s and Buttercup’s affections. The Captain has, in fact, been arranging a marriage between his daughter and Sir Joseph Porter, First Lord of the Admiralty, who is of the social class above even the Corcorans. When Act 1 opens, the sailors are merrily preparing the ship for Sir Joseph’s inspection. The generally happy atmosphere on deck is marred only by Little Buttercup’s hints of a dark secret she is hiding, by the misanthropic grumbling of Dick Deadeye, and by the lovelorn plaints of Ralph and Josephine. Sir Joseph appears, attended by a train of ladies (his rela- tives, who always follow him wherever he goes). He explains how he became Lord of the Admiralty and examines the crew, patronizingly encouraging them to feel that they are ev- eryone’s equal, except his. Like the Captain, he is very punctilious, demanding polite diction among the sailors at all times. Josephine finds him insufferable. When Ralph again pleads his suit and finally threatens suicide, she agrees to elope. The act ends with the general rejoicing of the sailors at Ralph’s success; only Dick Deadeye croaks his warning that their hopes will be frustrated. ACT TWO Act 2 opens with the Captain in despair at the demoralization of his crew and the coldness of his daughter towards Sir Joseph. Little Buttercup tries to comfort him, and prophesies a change in store. But Sir Joseph soon appears and tells the Captain that Josephine has thoroughly discouraged him in his suit; he wishes to call the match off. The Captain suggests that perhaps his daughter feels herself inferior in social rank to Sir Joseph, and urges him to assure her that inequality of social rank should not be considered a barrier to marriage. This Sir Joseph does, not realizing that his words are as applicable to Josephine in relation to Ralph as they are to himself in relation to Josephine. He thinks that she accepts him, whereas actually she is reaffirming her acceptance of Ralph. They all join in a happy song. Meanwhile, Dick Deadeye has made his way to the Captain, and informs him of the planned elopement of his daughter with Ralph. The Captain thereupon intercepts the elopers and, when he learns that Josephine was actually running away to marry Ralph, he is so incensed that he cries, “damne!” Unfortunately, Sir Joseph and his relatives hear him and are horri- fied at his swearing; Sir Joseph sends him to his cabin in disgrace. But when Sir Joseph also learns from Ralph that Josephine was eloping, he angrily orders Ralph put in irons. Little Buttercup now comes out with her secret, which solves the whole difficulty: she con- fesses that many years ago she had charge of nursing and bringing up Ralph and the Captain when they were babies. Inadvertently, she got them mixed up; This error is immediately rectified. The sudden reversal in the social status of Ralph and the Corcorans removes Sir Joseph as a suitor for Josephine’s hand and permits her to marry Ralph, and her father to marry Buttercup. Sir Joseph resigns himself to marrying his cousin, Hebe. Page sponsored by Edwin Owen OVERTURE ACT ONE Opening Chorus - “We sail the ocean blue” ................................................................Chorus Recit.