Past Productions - South Pacific

Music by RICHARD ROGERS Lyrics by OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II Book by OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II & JOSHUA LOGAN Adapted from JAMES A. MICHENER'S Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "Tales of the South Pacific" This amateur production is given by permission of JOSEF WEINBERGER LTD. On behalf of THE ROGERS & HAMMERSTEIN THEATRE LIBRARY of NEW YORK.

The Hitchin Thespians are pleased to announce their production of
South Pacific which will be performed at the
Gordon Craig Theatre, Lytton Way, Stevenage from 2 - 7 October 2000.
Produced by Jim Snell, assisted by Mollie Gilbert. Musical direction by Justin Thomas.

This well-known and much loved show masterfully entwines two love stories, prejudice, war and a hit musical score.

Cast:

Male Chorus:

Philip Arend, Peter Bailey, Roger Bailey, Graham Garley, Paul Harris, Charles Langford, Jack Lardent, Nick Morgan, Keith Mortland, Graham Pattenden, Mike Roberts, Stephen Roles, Stephen Wilkes, Andrew Wylie.

Ladies' Chorus:

ENSIGNS - Michelle Adams, Harriet Albone, Sarah Bailes, Gillian Bailey, Holly Böhme, Sophie Böhme, Caroline Bonja, Katy Bonja, Alison Day, Lucie Day, Alex Evans, Lesley Houldcroft, Michelle Johnstone, Marie Knight, Lucy Miller-White, Donna Potter, Carolyn Roberts, Sami-Jo Ward.

NUNS - Jean Austin, Louise Hollingworth, Jayne Lamb, Sheila Soothill, Pat Staff, Viv Tadman, Gillian Tompkins.

Synopsis

ACT 1

The musical begins at the island home of middle-aged French Planter, Emile de Becque; as he entertains US Navy nurse Nellie Forbush over lunch. The two, though from different backgrounds, are beginning to fall in love; there is an implicit proposal of marriage.

At the Navy camp, the men sing of Bloody Mary, an old Tonkinese woman whose wily commercial skills are exhibited in the selling of souvenirs to the troops. The men wistfully look across the waters to the off-limits island of Bali H'ai, where the local women have been evacuated to.

The arrival of a handsome officer Lieutenant Joe Cable arouses much interest from Bloody Mary. His mission is a dangerous one; providing advance warning of Japanese military manoeuvres. Before enlisting the help of Emile in this mission (he has detailed knowledge of the local islands), the American Forces question Nellie as to his integrity. Their enquiries make her realise that she knows even less about him than the officers; she is especially shocked to learn of Emile's late Polynesian wife and two children. Her resolve to detach herself from him is soon broken on their next encounter. Emile is asked to join the mission, but openly refuses on account of his affection for Nellie and their future together.

Cable's mission is too dangerous without Emile's local knowledge and he wiles away some time by visiting Bali H'ai. Bloody Mary sees an opportunity to marry off her daughter Lait, and arranges her introduction to the officer. The two are immediately attracted.

As the Act draws to a close, after a party arranged for Nellie to meet Emile's friends; Emile chooses his moment to tell Nellie of his late wife and children. Again, her upbringing causes discomfort and Nellie tries to distance herself from Emile.

ACT 2

Amid Thanksgiving celebrations, again the conviction of small town American principles is revealed, when Emile, appearing with flowers for Nellie, discovers she has asked for a transfer to another Island. Meanwhile, Bloody Mary issues her ultimatum that if Cable doesn't marry Lait; she will marry her to another rich white man, who will beat her. Bloody Mary is furious as Cable is torn by his affection for Lait yet is still unable to agree to marry her. Nellie and Cable try to reason their emotions: Nellie will not reconsider, Cable decides to go ahead with the mission and if he survives it, to return to Bali H'ai.

Emile now has nothing to lose and agrees to join Cable on the mission. The two men are safely delivered to the island of Marie-Louise and their intelligence reports promote the American position against the Japanese. A blow is dealt as Nellie hears a message come in from Emile that Cable has been killed, an airplane is heard, then the radio is cut off.

Nellie has chance to reflect on her stance with Emile, realises her future happiness is with Emile and hopes he will return. Her wishes are granted as he re-appears from the mission, battered but safe. For Nellie and Emile, the story has a happy ending.

Musical Numbers:

"Dites-Moi", "Cockeyed Optimist", "Twin Soliloquies", "Some Enchanted Evening", "Bloody Mary", "There Is Nothin' like a Dame", "Bali Ha'i", "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out Of My Hair", "Wonderful Guy", "Younger Than Springtime", "Happy Talk", "Honey Bun", "You've Got To Be Carefully Taught", "This Nearly Was Mine".

Major Professional Runs & Films:

The Broadway opening was on April 7 1949 at the Majestic Theatre. It ran for 1,925 performances. The cast included Ezio Pinza (Emile de Becque), Mary Martin (Nellie Forbush), Juanita Hall (Bloody Mary) and William Tabbert (Cable).

The London opening on 1 November 1951 was at the Drury Lane Theatre. Mary Martin took the role of Nellie to the West End playing opposite Wilbur Evans as Emile. Its revival in the West End on 20 January 1988 ran for over 400 performances and starred Gemma Craven in the role of Nellie.

A film version was produced in 1958 by Twentieth Century-Fox, starring Mitzi Gaynor and Rossano Brazzi.

Awards:

South Pacific won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1950; New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical; 8 Tony awards including Best Musical, Book and Score; 9 Donaldson Awards including Best Musical, Lyrics and Score (detail?); and an Academy Award.

Production Photographs - Click for larger photos

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