Past Productions -
1956-1962
There was some
doubt, indeed, as to where the next show would be performed
but the choice fell on Hitchin Town Hall, where 'The Quaker
Girl' was presented in 1956. Just before the first
performance on Monday evening, the Thespians received a
telegram from Emile Littler, co-author with James Tanner of
the book of 'The Quaker Girl' wishing them I great success'.
The production was well received as' a triumphant success
which audiences have been quick to appreciate'. It was,
incidentally, the last appearance as Musical Director of
Percy Wells, who found himself unable to continue, and in
whose place the Society appointed Peter Cooper, music master
at Hitchin Boys' Grammar School.
The new
Musical Director's first show was 'Goodnight Vienna', staged
in February, 1957, though in fact, as the programme noted,
'Mr Percy Wells' was 'kindly deputising during the
indisposition of Mr. Peter Cooper.' Once again the Press was
generous. 'As a show it contains almost every clich6 in the
musical comedy book, but the artless, enthusiastic way the
Thespians put it across makes it a charming evening of
escapist entertainment.'
In October,
after protracted discussions about the need for repairs to
the Old Guild Rooms, in which rehearsals had been held for a
number of years, the Committee reported that the directors
of 'Old Guild Rooms, Ltd' had offered the premises -
'property and fittings' - to the Society, who were the
principal tenants, for the sum of £750. Os.0d. This offer
was accepted and the purchase effected the following year.
The next
production, in November, 1957, was lrving Berlin's 'Call Me
Madam'. 'A smash hit', wrote the critic of the Hertfordshire
Pictorial'. 'The Thespians have gone a long way since I
first saw them present 'Patience' in 1913 and judging by the
warning which Sally repeats in the last scene of Act I of
'Call Me Madam', I would be right in saying, in Sally's
expressive language 'that they have gone one hell of a long
way!" 'Bless the Bride', in 1958, was followed in 1959 by
'Love from Judy' and in 1960 by the Society's first offering
of a work by Rodgers & Hammerstein - 'Oklahoma'.
The new
venture made a great impact upon the critics. 'Thespians put
the O.K. in 'Oklahoma" ran the headline in the
'Hertfordshire Pictorial'. 'Thespians' 'Oklahoma' a hit'
proclaimed another, while a third newspaper reporter
declared 'No praise is high enough for their wonderful
'Oklahoma' . . . Having seen it nearly a dozen times myself,
I can honestly say that I cannot remember an occasion when I
enjoyed it more!' For many years, members' concerts had
taken place in the Old Guild Rooms or elsewhere. In June,
1961, the Society gave its first public Choral Concert, in
the Town Hall - hardly a major production, but the
forerunner of other and bigger concerts to come. It was not
quite so well supported as it might have been, but it was
enjoyed by everyone who was present. 'Carousel' another show
by Rodgers & Hammerstein, and as successful as the first had
been, was staged in the Town Hall in November 1961.
In 1962, the
Thespians gave a concert version of Bizet's 'Carmen' in
March and followed this in November with the first of their
two productions to date of 'The Merry Widow', by Franz
Lehar.
In April 1962,
a group of young singers between the ages of 10 and 15 had
performed Humperdinck's 'Hansel & Gretel'. The Junior
Thespians were intended to encourage young singers under
sixteen - the minimum age for membership of the Society - in
choral training and public appearances. Despite the general
satisfaction of those involved, the performance, at Hitchin
High School for Girls, was not really well supported and the
idea of a junior section was put into abeyance.
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