1980s
1980
OLIVER
Director: Bernardo Quantrill Choreographer: Carole Wilden Musical Director: Bernard Reader
Venue: The Gaumont Theatre, St Helens Street, Ipswich
‘Chosen to hopefully fill the Gaumont and give talented children in the area the chance to shine. The cast numbered 85 with tickets at £2, £1.80 and £1.50. This was Bernardo Quantrill’s last production with the Society having decided to retire after 20 years due to his work commitments as House Manager at the Corn Exchange. He was presented with a silver plated engraved tray on stage after the Saturday night performance.’
SOUNDS FAMILIAR
Director: John White
Producer: Pam White
Musical Director: Bernard Reader
Venue: Westbourne School, Ipswich and Martlesham Post Office Telecommunications Centre Theatre
‘After last year’s successful Sounds Familiar, this was more of the same but this year for 2 nights at Westbourne School, Ipswich and later in the year at Martlesham Post Office Telecommunications Centre Theatre. Continuing to be popular.’
1981
OKLAHOMA
Director: Allan Austin
Choreographer: Pat Foulds Musical Director: Bernard Reader
Venue: The Gaumont Theatre, St Helens Street, Ipswich
Second time round for this popular Western last produced in 1964. A new director on board, Allan Austin, drama advisor to schools in Ipswich with Pat Foulds as choreographer with her special skills for ballet. Bernard Reader directed a superb 13 piece orchestra. David Lowe, Manager of the Gaumont reported in local press that he was more hopeful of increasing live entertainment in the town but financial help to improve stage and dressing room facilities was needed.’
1982
ANNIE GET YOUR GUN
Director: Martin Dye Choreographer: Pat Foulds Musical Director: Bernard Reader
Venue: The Gaumont Theatre, St Helens Street, Ipswich
Another repeat for the Society last produced in 1960 and this time Martin Dye joined the production team as director. The Society still not in the best of financial health with rising costs. Tickets now at £3.00, £2.50 and £2.00 and souvenir programmes up to 30p.’
SOUNDS FAMILIAR
Director: John White
Producer: Pam White
Musical Director: Bernard Reader
Venue: Westbourne School, Ipswich and Copleston High School, Ipswich
‘In response to popular demand this took place for 2 nights at Westbourne High School followed by 1 night at Copleston High School. A great way to raise funds at this crucial time along with members setting up their own sponsored activity ranging from ‘giving up puddings’, putting on Olde Thyme Music Halls and running jumble sales. The efforts of these members should never be forgotten because they enabled the Society to continue and grow from strength to strength.’
1983
HALF A SIXPENCE
Director: Ken Smith Choreographer: Doreen Matthews Musical Director: Bernard Reader
Venue: The Gaumont Theatre, St Helens Street, Ipswich
‘As a result of all the efforts made by members this show was able to take place at the Gaumont Theatre. Joining Bernard Reader this time on the production team was Ken Smith, having been involved with many shows in Colchester and Clacton along with Doreen Matthews, also from Colchester as choreographer adding her slick and colourful dance routines. A letter from Tommy Steel wishing the cast a wonderful success appeared in the programme and having been make or break time the good news was ‘see you next year!’.’
SOUNDS FAMILIAR
Director: John White
Producer: Pam White
Musical Director: Bernard Reader
Venue: Westbourne School, Ipswich
‘The opening involved ‘Everything’s Coming Up Roses’ and with the show now running 4 nights at Westbourne High School it seemed to epitomize the feeling that we were ‘on the up’. Compiled and directed by John and Pam White the show was going from strength to strength.’
1984
CAROUSEL
Director: Ken Smith
Choreographer: Doreen Matthews Musical Director: Bernard Reader
Venue: The Gaumont Theatre, St Helens Street, Ipswich
‘Last performed in 1957 and 1966 the current production team injected all the colour, immaculate chorus singing and imaginative dance routines needed in this wonderful melodic show with a plot nevertheless a little light on laughs. The press revues were good and the audience left humming down the street.’
SOUNDS FAMILIAR
Director: John White
Producer: Pam White
Musical Director: Bernard Reader
Venue: Westbourne School and Northgate High School, Ipswich
‘By now a great favourite with the audiences. This year saw two nights at Westbourne School followed by 2 nights at Northgate High School. Rehearsals through the summer produced sparkling selections from Cole Porter, Simon and Garfunkel, Camelot, Kismet and Rose Marie. Something for everyone.’
1985
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
Director: Ken Smith
Choreographer: Doreen Matthews Musical Director: Bernard Reader
Venue: The Gaumont Theatre, St Helens Street, Ipswich
‘How costs have risen since our last production in 1973. Now with the biggest budget ever of £10,000.00, ticket prices up to £4.00, £3.50 and £3.00. As well as directing the company, Ken Smith took on the task of playing leading man Tevye. Evening Star headlines ‘Magnificent singing, remarkable dancing’. A great ensemble success.’
SOUNDS FAMILIAR
Director: John White
Producer: Pam White
Musical Director: Bernard Reader
Venue: Ipswich Corn Exchange
‘Getting bigger and more ambitious all the time, this year saw a move to the Corn Exchange for 2 nights including a matinee on the Saturday. Ticket prices £2.50 and £1.50. Included in the programme ‘42nd Street, ‘Showboat’, ‘Snoopy’, ‘Chicago’ and the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber.’
1986
THE MUSIC MAN
Director: Ken Smith Choreographer: Doreen Matthews Musical Director: Bernard Reader
Venue: The Gaumont Theatre, St Helens Street, Ipswich
‘Having staged most of the popular shows more than once this was a welcome first for the Society. Written by Meredith Wilson it is most famous for ‘Seventy-Six Trombones’ and tells the story of Harold Hill, a travelling salesman out to con the folk of River City. A happy colourful feel-good show but in the present climate still very difficult to fill the Gaumont Theatre and break even.’
SOUNDS FAMILIAR
Producer: Mary Meredith
Musical Director: Bernard Reader
Venue: Northgate High School, Ipswich
‘This year’s show was produced by Mary Meredith and took place at Northgate High School. Bernard Reader beautifully arranged a selection of Carpenters songs and he was also MC. Critic Carol Carver wrote in the paper about the value for money, a show full of good and glamorous selections.’
1987
HELLO DOLLY
Director: Ken Smith
Choreographer: Doreen Matthews Musical Director: Bernard Reader
Venue: The Gaumont Theatre, St Helens Street, Ipswich
‘Last staged in 1970. This time tinged with some sadness as Chairman Peter Taylor wrote in the programme that this could well be the last show we stage at the Gaumont due to decisions made by the Rank Organisation. He stressed we would be putting every effort into saving the Theatre for live entertainment. The Society and thousands of other Suffolk people set out to fight the decision.’
SOUNDS FAMILIAR
Producers: Pam White, Mary Meredith and Margaret Mudd Musical Director: Bernard Reader
Venue: The Spa Pavilion, Felixstowe
‘A move this year to the Spa Pavilion, Felixstowe for 2 nights, and hoping our supporters would make the trip to the seaside. With no available venues in Ipswich, this was certainly a step-up in terms of facilities. A production team this year consisted of Pam White, Mary Meredith and Margaret Mudd. The cast rose to the occasion.’
1988
KISS ME KATE
Director: Pat Taplin
Choreographer: Doreen Matthews Musical Director: David Cawdell
Venue: Ipswich Corn Exchange
‘Our first major show at The Corn Exchange and whilst sad to leave the Gaumont we looked forward to the challenge of the future. Last staged in 1964 this production saw 2 new members to the production team, Pat Taplin as director and David Cawdell as MD, both with considerable experience. Pat’s artist daughter Helen designed, built and painted the scenery in a barn in Trimley. The stage at the Corn Exchange without a proscenium arch is not ideal for musicals.’
SOUNDS FAMILIAR
Director: Mary Meredith Choreographer: Margaret Mudd Musical Director: Alan Humphrey
Venue: The Spa Pavilion, Felixstowe
‘Running for 3 nights this year at the Spa Pavilion. Directed by Mary Meredith with choreography by Margaret Mudd, we welcomed Alan Humphrey as MD leading a 5 piece band. Alan was well known to us as a string player in the orchestra. Getting more polished as each year passes this is a firm favourite with the membership of the Society.’
HELLA TOROS
Musical Director: Alan Humphrey
Venue: Ipswich Corn Exchange
‘This was a show featuring the words and music of Jerome Kern and featured the singers of the professional Hella Toras Company. We were honoured to be asked to form the singing ensemble and rehearsed with the music before the show with Alan Humphrey. After an afternoon of rehearsal with the professional MD we had very successful evening and truly rose to the occasion.’
1989
SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS
Director: Pat Taplin
Choreographer: Doreen Matthews Musical Director: Alan Humphrey
Venue: Ipswich Corn Exchange
‘Our second major show at the Corn Exchange directed by Pat Taplin, choreographed by Doreen Matthews and on board the team Alan Humphrey as MD. With 14 principal parts this was a great show for the younger members of the Society who visited Sproughton House Stables for publicity photos. A truly colourful and fun show for all the family. A cheque for £500 was presented to the Cystic Fibrosis Children’s Dream Holiday Fund.’
SOUNDS FAMILIAR
Director: Mary Meredith Choreographer: Margaret Mudd Musical Director: Bernard Reader
Venue: The Spa Pavilion, Felixstowe
‘By now well established at the Spa Pavilion, this year included the music of Jerry Herman, Cole Porter’s “Anything Goes” and Bernard Reader’s arrangement of Barry Manilow’s music for the Stand and Sing item, by now a firm favourite with the audience. The company staged a 12 hour rehearsed marathon on a Sunday to raise more money for the Cystic Fibrosis Disneyworld fund. Members arranged their own personal sponsorship forms.’