Newsletter - Summer 2011
Officers of the Society 2010/11President .......................................Sheila Tuffield Chairman .......................................Robin Richardson Treasurer ......................................John Bill Secretary .......................................Margaret Collingwood Asst. Secretary .............................Vivienne Plunkett Patrons' Secretary ........................Marion Jackson CommitteeBeryl Meaden, Caroline Lee, Larry Pendleton, Gennie Plunkett, Victoria Seals, Paddy Wildman |
Editor’s NoteHello Everybody, and welcome to another ENOS Newsletter. Thanks to everyone who has helped me by contributing stories, articles and information. Best Wishes, Victoria “Tod” Seals. |
Iolanthe
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New Arrival
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Princess Ida
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Irene and Gilbert & Sullivan: The StoryIrene Mowat, our current and longest serving Tea Lady, and a Patron of the Society for many years, celebrated her 90th birthday on the 29th March. Marion, Patrons’ Secretary for the Society, delivered a card and basket of flowers to her from everyone at East Norfolk Operatic Society and took the opportunity to have a chat with Irene about her amateur singing career and how she became a fan of Gilbert & Sullivan operettas. Read on: In the Beginning Irene was born in Stratford in the East End of London on the 29th March 1921. When she was nineteen she married Jack Newman, who was an RAF Navigator. Tragically, he was killed in action in the war just two years later. Irene chose to join the army and met her second husband, Bill, who was a Research Engineer for the RAF and MOD. He had a very good Bass singing voice and had been a member of Farnborough Operatic Society in Hampshire, before the War. First Introduction to Gilbert & Sullivan Bill realised that Irene also had a pleasant singing voice and suggested that she joined the Farnborough Operatic Society when he rejoined after the war was over. This is where she had her first taste of Gilbert & Sullivan, and never looked back. First Show Performed Her first show was as a chorus member in Pirates of Penzance. She embarked on some singing lessons and this resulted in her voice changing from a light soprano to a rich mezzo soprano/ contralto. First Principal Role The second show was Gondoliers and she was given her first principal role, as Tessa, which she enjoyed immensely. Many principal roles followed including The Queen, in Merry England. Subsequent Roles Some friends of theirs, who lived near Farnborough, in Camberley, Surrey, wanted to start up a singing group to perform the Gilbert & Sullivan Operettas. They asked Irene & Bill to be Founder Members of the Camberley Savoy Singers, and they agreed. The first show was Gondoliers and Irene was cast in the role of the Duchess of Plaza-Toro. A role she really enjoyed because of its humour. She also played Dame Caruthers in Yeoman of the Guard on several occasions. It is one of her favourites because of the humorous nature of that role and also the songs. Favourite Operetta Iolanthe stands out clearly as Irene’s favourite of all the Gilbert & Sullivan Operettas. Her first role in the show was as Iolanthe. She remembers having to wear a long blond wig, which she didn’t think suited her. She has played the Fairy Queen several times and it is her favourite role because of the amusing dialogue and the songs. Iolanthe also proved to be the last show she performed in before moving to Hoveton, and then to Horning a few years later. This time she was in the chorus. Most Memorable Moment A professional makeup artist was brought in for the shows and gave Irene, playing the Queen in Iolanthe, false eyelashes. In the Finale Act I, something came loose and was irritating her left eye so much that it was visibly streaming. She had to complete the finale in great discomfort. During the interval a First Aider was called and had to roll her eyelid back to remove the offending item. The second act was delayed by fifteen minutes to enable Irene to recover and have fresh makeup applied. Thankfully, Irene was able to carry on with the show without any further problems. The Story Continues In Norfolk Irene moved to Two Saints Close in Hoveton in 1987 and mentioned to a neighbour that she was a singer and her love of Gilbert & Sullivan. They suggested she went along to East Norfolk Operatic Society. She remembers being taken along to a rehearsal of Yeoman of the Guard by a member of the cast, but can’t remember her name. Unfortunately the Society was already well into rehearsals and Irene was just sat down and left, which made her feel rather uncomfortable. However, she didn’t get put off but became the Prompt for the show. She also joined the chorus for a concert. She became very friendly with Hilda Good, wife of Ernie Good. Hilda made the teas and coffees for members during rehearsals and Irene joined her in the kitchen. This was a partnership that lasted many years. Irene’s Granddaughter, Emma, joined ENOS for the production of Princess Ida in 2000 and stayed with the Society until 2004, taking on several principal roles. Irene and Bill introduced Emma to Gilbert & Sullivan operettas at a young age. To Conclude Irene and her daughter, Linda (Lin), who is also a Patron, make the teas and coffees each week at rehearsal in St. Mary’s Church Hall. They find ENOS a lovely friendly Society and enjoy being part of it. “Even making tea and coffee and washing up”. They are always greeted on arrival and thanked as they leave, which means a lot to them both. How fitting that the Society is performing Irene’s favourite show, Iolanthe, this year. She will be along to watch one of the performances and she and Lin will also be helping with Front of House. Irene may now be 90 but has no intention of taking it easy. Marion Jackson |
Sylvia Coward
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Chorus Lines
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| Its a
sad life
inside the men’s chorus For audiences tend to ignore us. What we want, don’t’ye know Is to sing the WHOLE show With no-one behind or before us. |
Said a
cad to a
girl in the chorus, “Let’s disrobe, go backstage and explore us.” But she put down this rake, “My honour’s at stake - What would Margaret say if she saw us!” |
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| A rain-sodden lad
in the chorus Was given a coat by Dolorus. It had no arms at all Was in fact far too small And, saddest of all, was porous. |
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| Can chorus decline
into chorum As in say omnibus/omniborum I may look absurd If I misuse this word So I need to proceed with decorum. |
Said Trevor “I’ll
cut the Peers’ Chorus, Read your notes!” every week he’d implore us. But we said with a yawn “Your hopes are forlorn These notes, quite simply, they bore us!” |
MEMBER PROFILE - Luke Davey
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1. What was your first show with ENOS?
Princess Ida 2000.
2. What was or is your favourite ENOS show and why?
Gondoliers as it was my first G&S, aged 14 when I played Luiz. I had to sing the tenor part in soprano level as my voice hadn't broken!
3. Your most disliked food.
Sprouts
4. Your favourite film or TV show.
Law Abiding Citizen
5. The part you would most like to play on stage (not necessarily G&S but anything, anyhow, anywhere).
I'd like to have a go at playing a Dame in a Panto one day.
6. Any irritating habits, that is - your own.
Things have to be level - it's an engineer thing, but not so good when you have an old house!
7. Most embarrassing moment.
Walking round a packed hotel swimming pool in Benidorm in a bright green Mankini!
8. Favourite animal.
Misty, my fluffy black and white cat.
9 . First musical memory.
My Nan bought me my first record - the sound track to Beverly Hills Cop. I loved Axel F by Harold Faltermeyer!
10. What did you have for breakfast (day not specified).
Porridge and a banana.
Diary DatesTEA CONCERT FOR A SUMMER AFTERNOON WITH VOCALITY (a new group of experienced singers based in North Norfolk) on Sunday, 17th July, 4.00 pm at The Priory Church of St Mary and the Holy Cross, Binham. Programme to include a cappella gems from Lassus to Gershwin and music for soprano and organ (and trumpet) by Vivaldi and Handel with guest soloist Jayne May Sysum. Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival on 10th and 11th September. (This will potentially be an ENOS event as we are hoping to get a slot in the morning and in the afternoon on both days. If this is the case it would mean two rehearsals before our AGM on the 23rd and 30th August and then 8th September). Upcoming ENOS EventsENOS AGM on Tuesday 6th September 2011 at 7:30pm in Wroxham Church Hall. Concert at Trunch Church on Saturday 15th October 2011 at 7:30pm. Rehearsals for this will take place on Thursdays, 29th Sept. 6th Oct. and 13th Oct. **************************************************** ENOS Summer Newsletter available on 17th October 2011. Please could anybody who has any interesting stories, diary dates or any relative information please email them to Victoria Seals at toddy_rox@yahoo.co.uk by 3rd October 2011. NOTE: The contents of this newsletter do not reflect the views or opinions of the Society as a whole, or those of its Committee. THANK YOU |