1970s
1970
THE MERRY WIDOW
Director: Bernardo Quantrill Choreographer: Carole Wilden Musical Director: Roy Budden
Venue: The Gaumont Theatre, St Helens Street, Ipswich
‘This classic show with the music of Franz Lehar contains eight-part harmony and truly was an ensemble gem. In his very detailed critique Diapason praised Bernardo’s production pointing out that many amateur companies were reluctant to embark on a show that contains such good singing and acting. With Carole Wilden and Roy Budden on the production team, this was a glamorous and successful show. The souvenir programme went up to one shilling and sixpence.
HELLO DOLLY
Director: Bernardo Quantrill Choreographer: Margaret Leeke Musical Director: Roy Budden
Venue: The Gaumont Theatre, St Helens Street, Ipswich
‘Based on Thornton Wilder’s famous play ‘The Matchmaker’ this is the story of Dolly Levi’s efforts to arrange a marriage for Horace Vandergelder. Margaret Leeke joined Bernardo Quantrill and Roy Budden as Choreographic Assistant as well as playing the part of Minnie Fay. The cast took a trip to Ipswich Station for publicity photos as well as visiting The Crown and Anchor Hotel with Dolly and the waiters.’
1971
KISMET
Director: Bernardo Quantrill Choreographer: Carole Wilden Musical Director: Roy Budden
Venue: The Gaumont Theatre, St Helens Street, Ipswich
‘Second time round for this Arabian gem. Last produced in 1961 this production cost £4,000 and Lesley Jones, Miss Anglia TV, paid a visit to rehearsals to promote the show. The production team of Bernardo Quantrill and Roy Budden was joined once again by Carole Wilden as choreographer. With an orchestra of over 20, including a harp, the cast and production team numbered over 80.’
SWEET CHARITY
Director: Bernardo Quantrill Choreographer: Carole Wilden Musical Director: Roy Budden
Venue: The Gaumont Theatre, St Helens Street, Ipswich
‘This show is a dancer’s paradise. With music by Cy Coleman and book by Neil Simon it has 11 dance routines. Each one took choreographer Carole Wilden a fortnight to create. Such wonderful numbers such as ‘Big Spender’, ‘If My Friends Could See Me Now’ and the show-stopper ‘Rhythm of Life’. It was a long hot summer of rehearsals and knee pads were a must. It was exhilarating to say the least. With seats at 35p-75p and a box costing £3, the Society offered 2 seats for the price of one on the Monday night.’
1972
SONG OF NORWAY
Director: Bernardo Quantrill Choreographer: Carole Wilden Musical Director: Roy Budden
Venue: The Gaumont Theatre, St Helens Street, Ipswich
‘Edvard Grieg, the Norwegian composer, is the subject of this enchanting musical. With the same production team in place and a large cast, there was Corps de Ballet, trolls and an abundance of wonderful ensemble singing. Special mention to pianist John Butler for his great contribution instrumentally with some fine solo playing, particularly in the finale, based on Grieg’s piano concerto.’
SOUND OF MUSIC
Director: Bernardo Quantrill Choreographer: Carole Wilden Musical Director: Roy Budden
Venue: The Gaumont Theatre, St Helens Street, Ipswich
‘Back to Rogers and Hammerstein for this family favourite. The show ran in October and back in June a staggering 114 youngsters auditioned for the seven Von Trapp children. The understudies performed in the Saturday matinee. Bernardo Quantrill’s production set a new attendance record. Over 11,000 people saw the show putting the Society in a very healthy financial position at this time.’
CAVALCADE OF MUSIC
Director: Dennis Pennock with Bernardo Quantrill
MC: Barry Marshall
Venue: Ipswich Town Hall
‘Performed at The Town Hall, Ipswich on the 25th October 1972 this concert was for the 1972 Season of Music and the Arts. Devised and presented by Dennis Pennock and assisted by Bernardo Quantrill, the Master of Ceremonies was Barry Marshall. A programme of song and dance. A cheque for £50 was presented to the Ipswich Society for Mentally Handicapped Children.’
1973
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
Director: Bernardo Quantrill Choreographer: Carole Wilden Musical Director: Roy Budden
Venue: The Gaumont Theatre, St Helens Street, Ipswich
‘Playing to almost full houses each night this show was not only a success in audience attendance but for the wonderful feeling of camaraderie for the cast. A story of tradition fast becoming eroded by new ideas and values leading to the Russian Revolution. Great music with ‘If I were a Rich Man’ leading the way. Bernardo Quantrill’s sensitive handling of the production was a great success.’
HALF A SIXPENCE
Director: Bernardo Quantrill
Choreographer: Carole Wilden Musical Director: Roy Budden
Venue: The Gaumont Theatre, St Helens Street, Ipswich
‘Based on the novel ‘Kipps’ by H G Wells, this production gave some of the younger members of the Society their chance to shine. This was a completely light frothy piece and Carole Wilden as choreographer produced some dynamic dance routines. Great stamina required by Kipps who is barely off the stage. The Society was now proving to be fully competent of performing a wide range of shows for audience appeal.’
1974
PINK CHAMPAGNE
Director: Bernardo Quantrill Choreographer: Carole Wilden Musical Director: Roy Budden
Venue: The Gaumont Theatre, St Helens Street, Ipswich
‘With music by Johann Strauss ‘Pink Champagne’ is adapted from ‘Die Fledermaus’. Some imaginative touches to the production by Carole Wilden, choreographer, with her impressive Corps de Ballet who appear in one scene, after heavily drinking, as pink elephants in tutus and white mice with pink ears and long tails. Great principal and ensemble singing left the audience humming down the street.’
CALAMITY JANE
Director: Bernardo Quantrill Choreographer: Carole Wilden Musical Director: Roy Budden
Venue: The Gaumont Theatre, St Helens Street, Ipswich
‘One of the most popular Westerns and everyone loves Doris Day. Good family entertainment full of cowpunchers, bullwhackers, trappers, Indians, saloon girls and soldiers. The cast took a trip to the Running Buck in Ipswich, ideally suited for publicity photos. ‘The Deadwood Stage’, ‘Windy City’ and ‘My Secret Love’ are just some of the great numbers from this show. Bernardo Quantrill directed along with Carole Wilden, choreographer and Roy Budden MD.’
1975
SOUTH PACIFIC
Director: Bernardo Quantrill Choreographer: Carole Wilden Musical Director: Roy Budden
Venue: The Gaumont Theatre, St Helens Street, Ipswich
‘The 21st Anniversary of the Society and the second time for ‘South Pacific’. Bernardo Quantrill had great success with the 1965 production and along with several others of the original cast again delivered a success. In celebration of the 21st year the Society announced that this year it was seeking the key to its own door and set up a building fund for new premises. Just how fantastic would that be! Alongside Bernardo again this year was Carole Wilden and Roy Budden.’
VIVA MEXICO
Director: Bernardo Quantrill Choreographer: Carole Wilden Musical Director: Roy Budden
Venue: The Gaumont Theatre, St Helens Street, Ipswich
‘This Latin American musical was written with amateurs in mind and contained 13 principal parts and plenty of chorus work. For the Society it brought out new talent in the Company and for the audience hits such as ‘Mexican Hat Dance’ and ‘La Cucaracha’. Continuing with the same production team, Carole Wilden arranged the speciality dances.’
1976
THE DESERT SONG
Director: Bernardo Quantrill Choreographer: Carole Wilden Musical Director: Roy Budden
Venue: The Gaumont Theatre, St Helens Street, Ipswich
‘The second time of this production by the Society and the greatest scene stealer of all was Worthington, an endearing donkey, whose brief appearance added a touch of magic. This was the 27th production for Bernardo Quantrill and along with Carole Wilden and Roy Budden ‘was a triumph’ according to the Evening Star.’
JUST FANCY
Director: Bernardo Quantrill Choreographer: Carole Wilden Musical Director: Roy Budden
Venue: Ipswich Corn Exchange
‘A review written and directed by Bernardo Quantrill which ran for 2 nights at Ipswich Corn Exchange. This was a light hearted collection of sketches, dance and song. Music was supplied by John Butler on piano, George Sirett on organ and Lionel Ford, percussion.’
1977
MY FAIR LADY
Director: Bernardo Quantrill Choreographer: Carole Wilden Musical Director: Bernard Reader
Venue: The Gaumont Theatre, St Helens Street, Ipswich
‘Some 9 years since the first production this show cost in the region of £5,000. With TV stepping up an alternative form of entertainment all amateur theatre groups were suffering. This show saw the departure of a professional orchestra and welcomed Bernard Reader, a well known Suffolk musician and conductor, as MD using a locally formed 23 piece orchestra. Head of music at the Civic College, Bernard felt local musicians being available for more rehearsals was a great advantage.’
1978
GIGI
Director: Bernardo Quantrill Choreographer: Carole Wilden Musical Director: Bernard Reader
Venue: The Gaumont Theatre, St Helens Street, Ipswich
‘After only one production last year the Society was adventurous in selecting this show as Ipswich was in fact only the second amateur society in the country to stage this delightful musical play. An attractive visual piece capturing the atmosphere of Paris at the turn of the century. Souvenir programmes now selling for twenty pence.’
1979
THE VAGABOND KING
Director: Bernardo Quantrill Choreographer: Carole Wilden Musical Director: Bernard Reader
Venue: The Gaumont Theatre, St Helens Street, Ipswich
‘Chosen by the Society for its 25th Anniversary so that as many members of the Society could be involved. The cast numbered 70. This was Bernardo Quantrill’s 30th production and he had the strong support of Bernard Reader and a large orchestra and Carole Wilden as choreographer. An abundance of rousing chorus numbers with romantic and stirring music by Rudolf Friml. An extravagant production with rising costs and a very bad week for weather, this show did not go down well and lost a lot of money.’
SOUNDS FAMILIAR
Director: John White
Producer: Pam White
Musical Director: Bernard Reader
Venue: Chantry School, Ipswich
‘This was a new venture for the Society to raise funds and enabled the society to keep one major production a year at the Gaumont. Compiled by John White with musical arrangements directed by Bernard Reader, it was produced and costumed by Pam White. It took place at Chantry School, Ipswich, with tickets at 90p and 50p. On a low budget this revue enabled more members to have the chance to step forward and develop skills and experiences. It was also taken to Wickham Market and Saxmundham.’