THE NEW LONDON OPERA GROUP
THE NEW LONDON OPERA GROUP
presents
Scenes from the Savoy Operas:
The Sorcerer (Opening Chorus and Act I Finale)
The Mikado (Act I Finale)
Iolanthe (Act I Finale)
Libretti by W.S. Gilbert
Music by Arthur Sullivan
&
The Zoo
(A Musical Folly in One Act)
Libretto by Bolton Rowe
Composed by Arthur Sullivan
There will be one interval of 20 minutes
The New London Opera Group
Welcome to this evening’s performance of The Zoo, Arthur Sullivan’s little comic gem, written with Bolton Rowe at the same time that he was working on Trial by Jury with W.S. Gilbert. We present it in a double bill with substantial scenes from three Savoy Operas: the opening chorus and Act I finale of The Sorcerer (performed in the slightly longer original version of 1877) and the dramatic Act I finales of The Mikado and Iolanthe. This is the fourth annual Autumn concert at Holy Trinity Church by The New London Opera Group (newLOG).
newLOG is an amateur company dedicated to producing high-quality musical theatre in London and on tour. It was founded in October 2003 by members of the disbanded University of London Opera Group who sought to preserve the heritage and ethos of the society, whilst expanding both the membership base and repertoire. Thanks to the generosity of Holy Trinity, Prince Consort Road, the group has a very happy home in South Kensington and proceeds from this evening’s concert will go to support the work of this beautiful Edwardian church.
Although based in London, the group has a very happy second home at Louth Playgoers’ Riverhead Theatre. Since our foundation in 2003, The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance, Cox & Box, Ruddigore, Patience and The Sorcerer have been given in Louth, together with concerts of G&S, Viennese and French operetta. In addition, newLOG has given acclaimed concert performances at Holy Trinity of Rutland Boughton’s Nativity opera, Bethlehem and Michael Balfe’s The Bohemian Girl.
We hope you enjoy this evening’s performance. For more information about newLOG, or to join our FREE mailing list, do e-mail us at info@newlog.org.uk or log onto our website:
www.newlog.org.uk
Performance History
2004
Here’s a how-de-do! (A concert celebration of Gilbert & Sullivan)
The Mikado or The Town of Titipu by Gilbert & Sullivan
2005
A Viennese Soirée (A celebration of Viennese operetta)
The Pirates of Penzance or The Slave of Duty by Gilbert & Sullivan
Bethlehem(A Choral Drama) by Rutland Boughton
2006
Cox & Box or The long-lost brothers by Burnand & Sullivan
A night at the Savoy (A celebration of the operas of Arthur Sullivan)
Ruddigore or The Witch’s Curse by Gilbert & Sullivan
The Bohemian Girl (in concert) by Michael William Balfe
2007
La vie Parisienne (A celebration of French Operetta)
Patience or Bunthorne’s Bride by Gilbert & Sullivan
Trial by Jury & Scenes from the Savoy
2008
Never mind the why or wherefore! (A concert celebration of Gilbert & Sullivan)
The Sorcerer by Gilbert & Sullivan
The Zoo & Scenes from the Savoy
Company
Sally Avery Tony Bannister
Alaric Barrie Graeme Barton
Kirsty Bennett Nicky Berkley
Chris Cann Fay Carradine
Charlotte Collier Juliet Crissell
Alan Doherty Philip Errington
Robert Felstead Simon Glass
Benjamin Gray Catrine Kirkman
Jeremy Longley Fiona Nash
Nicole Oppler William Parry
Jamie Patterson David Pim
Claire Pooley Miriam Robertson
Graham Rogers Rachel Stack
Ian Stirling Clare Sturdy
Eirian Walsh Atkins Tom Washington
Conductors: Graham Rogers (except Iolanthe) / David Bignell (Iolanthe)
Pianist: Paul Guinery
The Zoo - Orchestra
Violins: David Bignell (leader)
Liz Errington
Meriel Cartwright
Viola: Chris Brody
Cello: Clare Sturdy
Flute: Ally Silver
Oboe: Sarah Ashworth
Clarinets: Kat Harris
Philip Errington
Bassoon: Colin Bromelow
Horns: Matthew Sackman
Martin Priestley
Trumpet: Robin Avery
Trombone: Matt Clancy
Production Credits
Concert Devised: Graham Rogers & Chris Cann
Musical Direction: Graham Rogers
Staging: Chris Cann
Repetiteur: David Bignell
Poster Design: Tony Bannister
Programme: Chris Cann
The Sorcerer (First performed at the Opéra Comique, 1877)
Act I - Opening Chorus & Act I Finale (original 1877 version)
Sir Marmaduke Pointdextre (an elderly baronet) Benjamin Gray
Alexis Pointdextre (his son) Robert Felstead
The Reverend Dr. Daly (Vicar of Ploverleigh) Chris Cann
John Wellington Wells (of J.W. Wells & Co, Sorcerers) Alaric Barrie
Notary Ian Stirling
Lady Sangazure (a lady of ancient lineage) Nicole Oppler
Aline Sangazure (her daughter)Sally Avery
Mrs. Zorah Partlet (a pew opener) Eirian Walsh Atkins
Constance Partlet (her daughter) Fay Carradine
Chorus of Villagers
Synopsis
The villagers of Ploverleigh gather at the mansion of Sir Marmaduke Pointdextre in preparation for the formal betrothal of Sir Marmaduke’s son, Alexis, to Aline, daughter of Lady Sangazure. (“Ring forth, ye bells”)
Alexis is desperately happy and believes that “faithful love is the true source of every earthly joy”. He plots to pair the villagers off without distinction of rank, that they might share in his happiness themselves. To this end, he engages the services of the professional sorcerer, John Wellington Wells, who has invented an infallible love potion that sends whoever drinks it to sleep for twelve hours. On waking, they fall in love with the first person they see who has also tasted it. Mr Wells brews the potion in the large teapot to be used for the forthcoming feast (“Sprites of earth and air”). When the villagers assemble for the bunfight (“Now to banquet we press”), the potion is unwittingly administered by the vicar, Doctor Daly in the drinking song “Eat drink and be gay”. Aline and Alexis sing a rapturous duet (“Oh love, true love”) as the villagers drink the doctored tea. Then, as the potion starts to take effect, one-by-one the villagers start to feel drowsy. (“O marvellous illusion, O terrible surprise”). The villagers summon their last reserves of strength to repeat the drinking song before collapsing into a deep, magic sleep.
The Mikado or The Town of Titipu (First performed at the Savoy Theatre, 1885)
Act I finale
Nanki-Poo (son of the Mikado, disguised as a wandering minstrel)
Jeremy Longley
Ko-Ko (Lord High Executioner) David Pim
Pooh-Bah (Lord High Everything Else) Benjamin Gray
Pish Tush (a noble lord) Tony Bannister
Yum-Yum (betrothed to Ko-Ko) Catrine Kirkman
Pitti-Sing (her sister) Sally Avery
Peep-Bo (her sister) Fay Carradine
Katisha (a formidable noblewoman) Nicole Oppler
Chorus of Townsfolk
Synopsis
Nanki-Poo, the son of the Mikado of Japan has fled his father’s court to avoid the attentions of the formidable Katisha. In the town of Titipu he falls in love with the beautiful Yum-Yum, but she is in turn betrothed to Ko-Ko, the Lord High Executioner. Distraught, Nanki-Poo is bent on suicide, but he encounters Ko-Ko, who is desperately looking for someone to execute to satisfy an Imperial edict. Nanki-Poo offers himself as the victim on condition that he may marry Yum-Yum and be executed in a month.
The townsfolk arrive to ask if a victim has been chosen (“With aspect stern and gloomy stride”). Ko-Ko introduces Nanki-Poo and reluctantly hands over Yum-Yum amid general rejoicing (“The threatened cloud has passed away”). At the height of the celebrations, Katisha herself storms in and denounces Nanki-Poo as her rightful fiancé (“Your revels cease!”). Yum-Yum’s sister, Pitti-Sing, faces up to Katisha and orders her to leave Nanki-Poo “For he’s going to marry Yum-Yum”. Katisha mourns her lot (“The hour of gladness”), but her melancholy is soon replaced by fury and she attempts to reveal Nanki-Poo’s true identity. However, the populace shout her down (“O ni! bikkuri shakkuri to!”) At last Katisha gives up and sweeps off, threatening to tell the Mikado all “Ye torrents roar! Ye tempests howl!” Everyone remains unconcerned as they carry on with the celebrations (“We do not heed their dismal sound for joy reigns everywhere around”)
Iolanthe or The Peer and the Peri (First performed at the Savoy Theatre, 1882)
Act I Finale
The Lord Chancellor Philip Errington
The Earl of Mountararat William Parry
Earl Tolloller Chris Cann
Strephon (an Arcadian Shepherd) Graham Rogers
Phyllis (ward of the Lord Chancellor) Catrine Kirkman
Iolanthe (a fairy. Strephon’s mother) Eirian Walsh Atkins
Queen of the Fairies Charlotte Collier
Celia Fiona Nash
Leila Miriam Robertson
Chorus of Peers and Fairies
Synopsis
The Arcadian shepherd, Strephon, is in love with Phyllis, a ward of the Lord Chancellor. When he asks for her hand, the Lord Chancellor angrily refuses and Strephon is comforted by his mother, the fairy Iolanthe (“When darkly looms the day”). Unfortunately, Phyllis and the Peers see them together, and, not realising that Iolanthe’s fairyhood gives her eternal youth, they assume that Stephon is unfaithful. Phyllis denounces Strephon and the Peers pour scorn on his explanation that Iolanthe is his mother (“In babyhood, upon her lap I lay”). Phyllis breaks her engagement to Strephon and announces that she will marry the richest of the Peers (“To you I give my heart so rich”).
Strephon summons the fairies to aid him and they confirm his story (“The lady of my love has caught me talking to another”). However, the Lord Chancellor orders them away dismissively (“Go away, madam”). The Fairy Queen is not used to such treatment and she announces her terrible vengeance on the Peers: Strephon will enter Parliament and force through all manner of reforms, including opening up the Peerage to competitive examination (“Henceforth Strephon cast away”). The Peers cower in terror at this prospect.
The Zoo (First performed at the St. James’ Theatre, 1875)
Æsculapius Carboy (a poor-but-honest apothecary) Robert Felstead
Thomas Brown Chris Cann
Mr. Grinder (a grocer) David Pim
Lætitia Grinder (his daughter) Catrine Kirkman
Eliza Smith (proprietor of the refreshment stall) Kirsty Bennett
Chorus of Ladies and Gentlemen of the British Public
Synopsis
At London Zoo, the great British public gather to see the animals. All are in high spirits, except for Æsculapius Carboy, a poor-but-honest apothecary, who is in the last stages of despair. He reveals that he is in love with Lætitia, the daughter of Mr. Grinder, a social-climbing grocer, who intends a wealthy husband for his only child. Carboy plans to communicate secretly with Lætitia by means of prescriptions. He sends her peppermint to arrange a rendezvous, and a blister (or poultice) to her father to get him out of the way. However, Carboy’s assistant mixes up the labels. Consequently, he assumes that Lætitia has consumed the blister by mistake and plans to hang himself. The down-to-earth proprietor of the refreshment stall, Eliza Smith succeeds in preventing his suicide, but fails to cheer him up. Eliza is being wooed (not unsuccessfully) by Thomas Brown, who has spent all morning at the café, working his way through the bill-of-fare. Lætitia escapes from her father and comes to find Carboy. She explains that the labels were not muddled after all and that her father is safely in bed with the poultice on his back. Reunited, they sing of their love, but they are interrupted by Thomas, who having eaten everything on the menu, has a severe attack of indigestion. He faints and the public try to help him, but with little success. Carboy writes out a prescription, which Eliza rushes off to fetch. Thomas deliriously starts calling for his servants, and on opening his coat, Carboy discovers the Order of the Garter. Thomas comes to his senses and confesses that he is, in fact, the Duke of Islington, and that he is disguised in order to seek a bride of true virtue, which he has found in Eliza. He leaves to change into more respectable clothes in order to propose. As soon as the Duke has left, Mr. Grinder enters, looking for his daughter. He confronts Lætitia and Carboy and again refuses to allow the marriage. Carboy decides to throw himself into the bear pit and bids a fond farewell to Lætitia. No sooner has he disappeared than Thomas re-enters in his full ducal regalia. He proposes to Eliza, but she turns him down: she cannot bear to part from the animals. However, this is no obstacle to the duke, who announces that he has bought them all for Eliza as a wedding present. She relents and all seems set for a happy ending when a cry comes from the bear pit. Carboy climbs out and announces that due to repairs to the pit, the bears have been moved. Instead, he resolves to throw himself to the lions. Fortunately, Thomas has heard of the thwarted romance and gives Carboy a generous allowance of ten thousand pounds a year. This is more than satisfies Mr. Grinder who now happily accepts Lætitia’s marriage to Carboy. All look forward to the weddings.
The Zoo - Musical Numbers
Chorus with solo (Carboy)
“The British Public here you see”
Song (Carboy and Chorus)
“I loved her fondly and her father had been a grocer”
Recitative and Duet (Eliza, Carboy, Thomas and Chorus)
“And now let’s go back to where we were” … “Ah, maiden fair”
Song (Lætitia)
“Lætitia waits for her belov’d”
Recitative and Quartet (Lætitia, Eliza, Carboy and Thomas)
“Where is he?” …. “Once more the face I loved so well”
Scene (Lætitia, Eliza, Carboy, Thomas and Chorus)
“Help! Ah help!”
Scene (Lætitia, Carboy, Thomas and Chorus)
“Ho – guards! Minions!”
Solo (Thomas and Chorus)
“Ladies and gentlemen”
Scene (Eliza, Mr. Grinder and Chorus)
“Where is my daughter?”
Song (Eliza)
“I’m a simple little child”
Quartet and Chorus (Lætitia, Eliza, Carboy, Mr. Grinder and Chorus)
“My father!”
Finale (Lætitia, Eliza, Carboy, Thomas and Chorus)
“What do I see in this disguise?”
An introduction to The Zoo
The Zoo occurs at a fascinating point in the operatic career of Sir Arthur Sullivan, opening at the St. James’ Theatre on 5th June 1875, less than three months after the triumphant premiere of Trial by Jury marked Sullivan out as the major figure in British light opera. By general consent, Trial by Jury is, of the two works, the great masterpiece, and its popularity has overshadowed the modest success enjoyed by The Zoo at the time. After a brief run at the St James’, it transferred to the Haymarket, where it ran until mid-July. The Zoo did enjoy further revivals later in the year, and again in April 1879, but then the manuscript score disappeared and remained lost until the 1960s. Consequently, The Zoo became little more than a footnote in Sullivan biographies. During these “wilderness years”, legends grew up, akin to those surrounding the score for Sullivan’s first opera with Gilbert, Thespis (1871), that he had recycled the music from the Zoo in later operas.
In 1965, the notable Sullivan scholar, Dr. Terence Rees discovered and purchased the manuscript full score. He produced a fresh performing edition, premiered by the Fulham Light Opera Company and subsequently taken up by other groups as a curtain-raiser to the shorter Savoy Operas. It was recorded by the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company in 1978, a recording currently available as a filler for their 1965 Sorcerer.
The discovery of the original score also disproved the recycling myth. The music of The Zoo differs somewhat from that which Sullivan wrote for Gilbert, not least that the chorus frequently sing in unison, rather than the usual four-part harmonies: perhaps the original chorus were not as music-literate as D’Oyly Carte’s well-drilled company? The score ranges from intelligent parodies of the grand operatic repertoire (the ensemble “Fare thee well, Lætitia - fare thee well” is very much in the style of Bellini) to cheeky numbers that would not be out of place in a music-hall (notably Eliza’s song “I’m a simple little child”).
About the librettist: Bolton Rowe was the pseudonym of Benjamin Charles Stephenson (1838-1906), an experienced librettist who had collaborated with many of the major figures in late nineteenth century British light opera including Ivan Caryll, Basil Hood, Edward Solomon and Arthur Sullivan. His earliest works were written with the composer Frederic Clay, who had also set some of Gilbert’s musical plays and had first introduced Gilbert to Sullivan in 1869. Stephenson also translated a number of French works for the London stage, including Le Petit Duc (Lecocq) and Dora (Sardou). His greatest success was the comic opera Dorothy, written in 1886 and composed by Alfred Cellier, Sullivan’s former assistant. Dorothy was the greatest stage success of the nineteenth century, running for 931 performances (compared with 672 for The Mikado and 571 for HMS Pinafore). Stephenson and Cellier again collaborated in 1889 on the “comedy opera” Doris, which had a modestly successful run of 202 performances, but this was Stephenson’s last major stage success.
Cast Biographies
Sally Avery (Aline / Pitti-Sing / Chorus)
Sally is delighted to return to newLOG for this concert. Previous roles with the company have included Lady Ella (Patience), Pitti-Sing (The Mikado), Zorah (Ruddigore) and a Marlene Dietrich lookalike devil in this year’s wartime production of The Sorcerer. Sally’s other Gilbert and Sullivan appearances embrace a wide range of parts from Angelina (Trial by Jury) to Mad Margaret (Ruddigore) to Baroness von Krakenfeldt (The Grand Duke). Next summer, Sally will make her directorial debut with the 2009 Tour production of The Gondoliers.
Tony Bannister (Pish-Tush / Chorus)
Tony returns to the music of Sullivan after his recent appearance as Tobias in Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd with Croydon Operatic. The Zoo marks Tony’s tenth appearance with newLOG. Previous roles with the company include the Foreman (Trial by Jury), Hercules (The Sorcerer), Pish-Tush (The Mikado),Angel (Bethlehem), and chorus for The Bohemian Girl, The Pirates of Penzance and Iolanthe. With newLOG’s parent company, ULOG: Scynthius (Princess Ida), Marcel (Divorce Me, Darling!) and Bert (Cinderella). He designed the sets for The Sorcerer and Patience, and is designing The Gondoliers for summer 2009.
Elsewhere, he has appeared as the Capuchin in Cyrano de Bergerac and as Innocent in the British premiere of Princess Ivona, both Theatre Royal, Plymouth; Malvolio (Twelfth Night)with Frenzic Theatre; Jonas Fogg (Sweeney Todd) at the Electric Theatre, Guildford and on tour; Rusty Charlie (Guys and Dolls) at the George Wood Theatre; and ensemble for Thoroughly Modern Millie at the Shaw Theatre. TV: Human Rights, Human Wrongs (Channel 4).
Alaric Barrie (John Wellington Wells / Chorus)
Alaric has been involved in productions of all the Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, in which he has played many of the tenor and baritone roles, including Bunthorne (Patience), Nanki-Poo and Ko-Ko (The Mikado), Dick Dauntless (Ruddigore), Marco (The Gondoliers), and John Wellington Wells (The Sorcerer) twice, most recently for newLOG in Louth this year.
He is also a composer and lyricist whose passion for Gilbert and Sullivan was carried over into his affectionate but wicked parody show Sin with Sullivan, which has played around the UK, winning acclaim both in London and at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
He is a great supporter of modern musical theatre, and has served as a judge for the Laurence Olivier Awards; played various lead roles in musicals (notably as Billy Flynn in Chicago); and won prizes for writing musicals in several international competitions,
including the Vivian Ellis Prize and Sir Cameron Mackintosh’s Highland Quest. His musical version of Cold Comfort Farm even played for one sell-out night in the West End!
His next project is to write and direct an avant-garde version of Trial by Jury featuring David Beckham and Cherie Blair amongst other fictional characters.
Graeme Barton (Chorus)
Graeme is making his newLOG debut in The Zoo, having previously been tempted back to the stage for the first time in five years by a role in Patience for King’s College Gilbert and Sullivan society in February this year. Graeme’s previous roles include Daddy Warbucks in Annie, Gladhand in West Side Story, Ross in The Travesty of Macbeth and he has undertaken chorus roles in Iolanthe, The Gondoliers and Stephen Sondheim’s Company. However, for most of the last five years, Graeme has spent his time honing his skills (or lack thereof) in the karaoke bars of Japan, Hong Kong and North Korea.
Kirsty Bennett (Eliza Smith / Chorus)
Kirsty studied at Trinity College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music and has spent the last ten years working as a freelance actor, director and singer. Her company, Cabaret Direct, has recently been touring with their production of Diary of a Nobody, (in which Kirsty plays Carrie playing most of Mr. Pooter’s friends and relations!) and received excellent reviews at the Edinburgh Festival earlier this year.
She was a member of the University of London Group where she created the role of Flora Poste in Cold Comfort Farm and directed Fiddler on the Roof. Gilbert and Sullivan roles include Ruth (The Pirates of Penzance), the Fairy Queen (Iolanthe), Pitti-Sing (The Mikado) and Mad Margaret (Ruddigore) – they quite often seem to involve a silly accent. In between theatrical productions she looks after her three sons, Tom, Felix and Arthur.
Nicky Berkley (Chorus)
Nicky joined newLOG last year to fill the Gilbert and Sullivan shaped hole in her life, which was caused by moving too far South to continue participating in the Manchester University Gilbert and Sullivan Society. She has returned to sing in the chorus for her second performance with newLOG, having thoroughly enjoyed taking part in last year’s concert and carol singing. When she’s not involved in Gilbert and Sullivan productions, Nicky can be found working with children with learning disabilities, in a science laboratory, playing clarinet/saxophone, hiking, or even trampolining. She looks forward to taking part in many more exciting newLOG ventures!
Chris Cann (Dr. Daly / Earl Tolloller / Thomas Brown / Chorus)
Chris has performed in all the extant Gilbert and Sullivan operas. Principal roles include Judge and Defendant (Trial by Jury), Alexis (The Sorcerer), Major-General Stanley (The Pirates of Penzance), Bunthorne (Patience) Lord Chancellor, Lord Mountararat, Strephon and Private Willis (Iolanthe), Cyril (Princess Ida), Pooh-Bah (The Mikado), Dick Dauntless and Sir Despard Murgatroyd (Ruddigore), the Duke of Plaza-Toro and Don Alhambra (The Gondoliers), King Paramount (Utopia Limited) and Ludwig (The Grand Duke). Chris has directed productions for the University of London Opera Group, New London Opera Group and the Centenary Opera Company. Productions include The Sorcerer, HMS Pinafore, Iolanthe, Princess Ida, The Mikado and Ruddigore as well as concerts of G&S, Viennese and French operetta at the Riverhead Theatre, Louth. In London, Chris has produced acclaimed concert performances of Rutland Boughton’s Bethlehem (2005), in which he also sang the roles of Jem the Shepherd and Zarathustra the Wise Man; and Michael Balfe’s beautiful romantic opera The Bohemian Girl (2006).
Fay Carradine (Constance Partlet / Peep-Bo / Chorus)
This is the third time Fay has performed in the newLOG autumn concert having sung in Bethlehem in 2005 and last year’s Trial by Jury. Fay has also been involved with productions in newLOG’s second home in Louth, Lincolnshire, since 2005. She performed on stage in The Pirates of Penzance in 2005; stage managed Ruddigore (2006) and Patience (2007) and appeared in the role of Constance in this year’s fabulous production of The Sorcerer.
Fay’s next singing project follows hot on the heels of this concert when she performs in a semi-staged production of Show Boat in Budleigh Salterton, Devon, with Imperial Productions. When not rehearsing for shows Fay works for the Ministry of Justice and can be found wielding a sword once a week in a passable attempt at fencing.
Charlotte Collier (The Fairy Queen / Chorus)
Charlotte read law at Birmingham University, qualifying as a solicitor. However, she decided to pursue a musical career, studying at Trinity College of Music and the University of London (Birkbeck College). Since then, Charlotte has performed a number of operetta roles including Oreste (La Belle Hélène), Buttercup (HMS Pinafore), Lady Blanche (Princess Ida), Dame Carruthers (The Yeoman of the Guard) andthe Duchess of Plaza–Toro (The Gondoliers). Charlotte made her newLOG debut in June 2007, singing Lady Jane (Patience) at the Riverhead Theatre, Louth.
Concert work includes Bach’s St. John Passion and Mass in B Minor, Handel’s Messiah,Rossini’s Petite Messe Solonelle and the Mozart requiem. Charlotte sang with Scottish Opera in 2006 in Der Rosenkavalier and Carmen. In 2007 she toured extensively in the UK with Carl Rosa. This year she sang for Opera Holland Park in their acclaimed productions of Tosca, La Gioconda and Magic Flute.
Juliet Crissell (Chorus)
Juliet is delighted to be returning to newLOG this Christmas, having missed the summer’s production of The Sorcerer in Lincolnshire due to study commitments - the first time she’s passed up the opportunity of a trip to Louth with the group! Having joined newLOG in its former incarnation as an undergraduate in 1999, she is now in her final year of a physiotherapy masters degree at King’s College London, and still relishes the chance to let off steam via witty (or just downright silly) lyrics and four-part harmony.
Alan Doherty (Chorus)
Alan is delighted to be returning to newLOG after previous appearances in Rutland Boughton’s Bethlehem in 2005 and last year’s evening of Gilbert and Sullivan.
Philip W. Errington (Lord Chancellor / Chorus)
Philip is appearing tonight much against his better judgement. His usual squawking will, tonight, mostly originate from the Zoo band. G&S roles include Counsel and Usher (Trial by Jury), Dr. Daly (The Sorcerer), Dick Deadeye (HMS Pinafore), the Pirate King and Major-General Stanley (The Pirates of Penzance), Grosvenor and Colonel Calverley (Patience), Strephon (Iolanthe), King Gama (Princess Ida), Ko-Ko (The Mikado), Robin Oakapple (Ruddigore), Jack Point (The Yeomen of the Guard), the Duke of Plaza-Toro (The Gondoliers) and Ludwig (The Grand Duke). He’s performed with The Minotaur Music Theatre, Imperial Opera, Grosvenor Light Opera Company, University of London Opera Group, Imperial College Operatic Society and once appeared on stage with the (old) D’Oyly Carte. By day he flogs old books.
Robert Felstead (Alexis / Carboy / Chorus)
Robert is glad to be taking part in his second newLOG winter concert. Having sung Floresteinin The Bohemian Girl two years ago he is excited to be playing a chemist in The Zoo and hopes his degree in chemistry will aid him in this role. Robert has been involved with newLOG for a several years, particularly in the summer tour to Louth. Previous roles include Alexis Pointdextre (The Sorcerer), Samuel (The Pirates of Penzance) and Richard Dauntless (Ruddigore). Outside newLOG, Robert has enjoyed playing various roles in a number of musical theatre productions including Tony (West Side Story), Freddie (Chess), Edgar (Batboy) and Seymour (The Little Shop of Horrors) to name a few. Robert is also a fan of choral music and has recently enjoyed solo parts in Handel’s Messiah, Walton’s Belshazaar’s Feast and a performance of Finzi’s Dies Natalis in Southwark Cathedral. Robert is currently working as a postgraduate researcher in the field of Chemical Biology at Imperial College where he will be for the next three years (or whenever his PhD is completed!)
Simon Glass (Chorus)
Having secured a choral scholarship to sing in the Tonbridge School Chapel Choir at the tender age of twelve, Simon later abandoned singing to pursue a degree in chemical engineering and his passion of working backstage in theatre. Returning to the stage in 2006, he took the role of Pish-Tush in Manchester University Gilbert and Sullivan Society’s production of The Mikado. Now studying for an accountancy qualification, and having only recently joined newLOG, Simon has thoroughly relished this opportunity to once again dust off his vocal chords.
Benjamin Gray (Sir Marmaduke / Pooh-Bah / Chorus)
Ben has been involved in a wide range of shows ranging from musical theatre through G&S to choral work. This is his second outing with newLOG, having previously played Sir Marmaduke in its production of The Sorcerer this year. He is a third year War Studies undergraduate at King’s College London and the Treasurer of their Gilbert and Sullivan Society.
Catrine Kirkman (Yum-Yum / Phyllis / Lætitia / Chorus)
Catrine is a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. She has recently toured the UK with the Carl Rosa Opera Company, playing the roles of Lady Ella (Patience) and Phyllis (Iolanthe). Other recent roles include French Girl and Hotel Guest in Benjamin Britten’s Death in Venice for the 2007 Aldeburgh Festival and Bregenz Festival in Austria; Despina (Così fan Tutte) with the Hayes Symphony Orchestra; Kitchen Boy and Nymph (Rusalka) with Opera Della Luna; Juliet in Britten’s The Little Sweep in Aldeburgh; Gretel in Humperdinck’s Hänsel und Gretel and First Bridesmaid in The Marriage of Figaro at the Savoy Theatre, London. She has also performed in Verdi’s Macbeth and Bellini’s La Sonnambula with Holland Park Opera, London; L’Elisir d’Amore with Grange Park Opera; and Tosca in Bregenz, Austria. Other Gilbert & Sullivan roles include Josephine (HMS Pinafore), Mabel (The Pirates of Penzance), Yum-Yum (The Mikado) and Rose Maybud (Ruddigore). She has also appeared with the Festival Company at the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival, Buxton. Other engagements have included Handel’s Messiah at St Giles, Cripplegate in London, Mozart’s Requiem, and recitals at the Cirencester Early Music Festival and Oxford Lieder Festival. She has appeared with newLOG in all its previous spring concerts in Louth and also as the Virgin Mary in the acclaimed performance of Rutland Boughton’s Bethlehemat Holy Trinity Church in December 2005.
Jeremy Longley (Nanki-Poo / Chorus)
For a second year running, Jeremy continues to brave the world outside of the Orchestra Pit, and feels he is becoming a specialist at Sullivan’s one-act operettas, words that would have been very unlikely a few years ago! As yet, however, he harbours no desire to awaken next to an armadillo or rattlesnake.
Nicole Oppler (Lady Sangazure / Katisha / Chorus)
Nicole studied English Literature at Durham University and Opera at Birkbeck College, where she graduated from the Diploma course in 2006. Previous roles include Second Witch (Dido and Aeneas) for Minotaur Music Theatre, Annio (La Clemenza di Tito),Prince Orlovsky (Die Fledermaus) andThird Lady (Die Zauberflöte) for Opera Express and Romeo (I Capuleti e i Montecchi), Lucretia (The Rape of Lucretia), Olga (Eugene Onegin), Dorabella (Così fan Tutte) and Hänsel (Hänsel und Gretel)while atBirkbeck College. She has since sung Tisbe (La Cenerentola), Nicklausse (Les Contes d'Hoffmann) and Susanna (Le Nozze di Figaro) with Ad Hoc Opera, as well as Lady Sangazure (The Sorcerer), Ruth (Pirates of Penzance), Lady Angela (Patience), Katisha (The Mikado), Tessa and the Duchess of Plaza-Toro (The Gondoliers). Nicole is currently studying with Paula Anglin.
William Parry (The Earl of Mountararat / Chorus)
This is Will’s first performance with newLOG; although he did appear on stage with the company’s predecessor. He was last seen treading the boards as the leader of a religious cult in Sweet Charity at the Bridewell Theatre three years ago. Since then, he has preferred the choral approach to performing with music in the hand with Quorum, the Woodmansterne Collection, the Oriana Choir and EC4.
Over the summer, with a quiet autumn in the offing, doing a show seemed like an excellent idea. Well, I guess it makes a nice change from saving the economy....
Jamie Patterson (Chorus)
Jamie is delighted to be returning to newLOG tonight after a brief break. Previously with newLOG, Jamie has appeared in the bass chorus of The Pirates of Penzance, Patience, The Mikado and Ruddigore. Tonight is a rare opportunity to hear Jamie performing as a baritone rather than in his usual role as a countertenor. A former choral scholar at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Jamie is an alto Lay Clerk in the Ealing Abbey Choir and regularly deputises as an alto in most major London Cathedrals and churches. Earlier this year, Jamie was privileged to be invited to sing in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome as part of the festivities to mark the Pauline year. Jamie is a regular oratorio soloist and will be performing in Handel’s Messiah in a number of venues, across London and in Germany in December.
David Pim (Ko-Ko / Mr. Grinder / Chorus)
This is David’s second outing with newLOG, having first joined the cast for The Sorcerer in June. David has recently graduated with a music degree from King’s College, London, and is currently at the Institute of Education studying to be a music teacher. He is a G&S fanatic, and has been performing since the age of sixteen when he first played the role of Ko-Ko in The Mikado. Other credits include Bunthorne (Patience), Robin Oakapple (Ruddigore), Luiz (The Gondoliers), Orpheus (Orpheus in the Underworld), Bobinet (La Vie Parisienne) and Freddy (My Fair Lady). David will also be taking the role of Alexis in the King’s College Gilbert and Sullivan Society production of The Sorcerer in March.
Claire Pooley (Chorus)
Claire is happy to return for another chorus role with newLOG, having been involved with the company and its predecessor for the last 8 years. She loves the combination of singing, dancing and (over)acting which she carries over into her day job as a primary school teacher where she spends much of her day singing, dancing around children and trying to act as a teacher rather than a big kid in a central London school
Miriam Robertson (Celia / Chorus)
Miriam has enjoyed performing and singing in various Gilbert and Sullivan shows since 2004 including Cousin Hebe (HMS Pinafore), Edith (The Pirates of Penzance), Ruth (Ruddigore) and chorus in Trial by Jury and The Sorcerer. Having graduated from King’s College in 2005, she continued to study Art and Design at Camberwell Art College, and now a part time dressmaker she recently helped create some of the costumes for this summer’s touring production of The Sorcerer. Miriam very much hopes you will enjoy tonight’s performance of The Zoo and other favourite scenes.
Graham Rogers (Conductor / Strephon)
Graham first conducted Gilbert & Sullivan in 1995 with performances of The Gondoliers at the University of York (where he read music and also became ensnared by the magic of G&S). He has subsequently conducted groups at Cambridge University and in London, where he has been Music Director of newLOG since 2003. Onstage his many G&S roles include Dick Deadeye (HMS Pinafore), Sergeant of Police (The Pirates of Penzance), Strephon and Private Willis (Iolanthe), and Robin Oakapple (Ruddigore). Other roles include Count Arnheim in Balfe’s The Bohemian Girl and Dave the Shepherd and Merlin the Wise Man in Boughton’s Bethlehem in newLOG performances here at Holy Trinity. Graham works for BBC Radio 3, and also writes on music: he contributed to the recent book 1001 Classical Recordings You Must Hear Before You Die and writes regular reviews for www.classicalsource.com. He will be conducting newLOG’s production of The Gondoliers next June at the Riverhead Theatre in Louth, Lincolnshire.
Rachel Stack (Chorus)
Rachel is a student at King’s College, London and is currently in her final year studying German. She has enjoyed watching Gilbert and Sullivan operettas from a very early age and started getting involved in them at the age of thirteen, performing in the chorus of The Mikado. Since then she has performed in many operettas including The Sorcerer, Patience and The Gondoliers. Rachel also enjoys performing in other shows such as My Fair Lady, a musical revue and many pantomimes in which she has appeared as the fairy godmother in The Sleeping Beauty. As well as singing she has a passion for Irish dancing, ice skating and is kept very busy being a social secretary for the King’s College Gilbert and Sullivan society. One of her goals in life is to perform in every operetta ever written by Gilbert and Sullivan.
Ian Stirling (Notary / Chorus)
Ian is delighted to be performing with newLOG this evening after previous appearances in the summer tours of The Pirates of Penzance, Ruddigore and his cameo as Trevor Howard in this summer’s wartime production of The Sorcerer, as well as last year’s evening of Gilbert and Sullivan.
Clare Sturdy (Chorus)
Clare returns to newLOG after a couple of years’ break whilst she completed her medical degree. She has performed with the group in Louth in their productions of The Pirates of Penzance and Ruddigore. Clare was a member of King’s College London Gilbert & Sullivan Society and Guy’s, King’s and St. Thomas’s Music Society whilst at university.
Working at Worthing Hospital last year, Clare co-wrote and directed the annual Junior Doctors’ Christmas Show. She also joined Worthing Philharmonic Orchestra. She is playing the cello for tonight’s performance of The Zoo. Clare is currently working as an SHO in General Practice in the Woolwich area and helping to write the Christmas Show at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Eirian Walsh Atkins (Mrs. Partlet / Iolanthe / Chorus)
Eirian has been performing with ULOG and newLOG for ten years. During that time she has sung in almost all of the Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, several musicals and a number of concerts. She specialises in grumpy old domestics, but has been known to moonlight as a fairy or demented bridesmaid, with a small but recognised specialty in hysterical maidens.
When Eirian isn’t making costumes, rearing chickens, breeding cats or fencing, she works for the Ministry of Justice.