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THE FIRST OPERA |
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The highlight in all these concerts was the choir singing and it was now decided that an orchestra would greatly enhance the aspiring members. Rehearsals were now being held each Wednesday evening in the old Bedfont School in Hatton Road, and it was suggested that Joan should conduct. This she flatly refused to do, and as Ken's time was already fully occupied with producing, writing scripts, helping Violet Davies to make costumes etc, there seemed no one to take on the job. It was then that Ken remembered a friend of his in Feltham who might oblige and the next Wednesday Reginald Curtis went along to look them over. It has never been revealed what were his first impressions, but we are glad to say he still remains today as Musical Director. |
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It was agreed to put on the light opera "Blossom Time", a musical romance by G.H.Clutsam, with 15 year-old Phyllis Knight as Leading Lady; in almost every subsequent production she has retained this high status. Miss Purrott was induced to act as dancing mistress, and four performances at the Parish Hall, Feltham, were acclaimed a great success. What fun they had in those days making their own scenery and props under the supervision of Alfred Davies and Alfred Smith. This was stored at Ken's house - The Forge, Hatton Road - which must indeed have looked like a glorious combination of Messrs Capes and Charles Fox. This show was repeated at the Borstal Institution, Feltham, where they had already given a concert some months previously. All day long the male members of the cast were at the Prison fixing up scenery, footlights, transporting props etc, then in the evening they returned to The Forge to collect the girls. It was a very wet, windy night, but with bicycles as their only means of transport they pedalled along courageously and made it in good time. As the prisoners were under obligation to attend, some of them showed their protest by reading books; others - the really bad boys - sat on mats in the front guarded by armed warders. And immediately in front of them sat Joan at the piano. But it was a riotous evening; every time the young girls appeared on the stage there were whistles and shouts. In the role of Archduchess Maria Victoria, Bet Venton had to severely reprimand her Colonel (Alf Smith). In her best aristocratic voice she enquired "Well, what is the meaning of this?" and before Alf could reply, a voice from the audience shouted "Give 'im 'is cards, Missus" |
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In this first production of "Blossom Time" there were only 28 artists, and Ken - with the aid of rolls of cotton-wool padding for his legs - played Count Rudi to the Vicki of Phyllis Knight. Also in this - as in previous concerts - were three members of one family: Mrs Ethel Cooper and her two daughters, Joyce and Peggy, both of the latter having played in several later shows. When the cast was getting ready for 'curtain up' on the first night, they were met by a frantically worried Producer. By some oversight the scenery had not been fireproofed according to regulations, and the official had called and stopped the show until every piece of scenery had been proofed. Nowadays all of it is ordered from a firm who specialise in complying with restrictions. |
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DORIS SEAMAN |
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EDITOR'S NOTE |
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The Parish Hall was situated behind the Playhouse Theatre in Feltham High Street. The Playhouse opened in 1930 as a cinema and was later used as a bingo hall and a furniture warehouse. Both buildings were demolished in 1993 to make way for a new Tesco Superstore. |