Let's make an Opera Dec. 1950

We started this year in fine style with the production of the extremely successful "Let's Make an Opera" by Benjamin Britten. With a full Hall every night and tremendous enthusiasm from the cast, this unusual venture deserved the acclamation it received.
The non-singing but dramatic members of the school felt that the choice of this opera-play laid too much stress on the more musical members of the school who have their concert later in the year, but I think that these, and all other opposers of this choice of play, were converted after seeing one of the performances.
Mr. Walker put in a great deal of hard work on the production and he must also have spent some anxious moments speculating whether or not it would be a success; but his enterprise was rewarded, during rehearsals, by the loyal co-operation of actors and stagehands, and, at each of the three performances, by the enthusiastic approval of a full house.
The introduction of a musical element into the play this year brought Miss. Carter to the forefront, and we must congratulate her not only on the good work she put in with the performance but also on the courageous way in which she tackled the difficult problem of encouraging a reluctant audience to sing. In justice to these audiences, however, we must remember with gratitude that they accepted their share of the responsibility and thus prevented the songs from being failures.
Thelma Robinson, U6A.

Hemsworth Grammar School presents:

"Let's make an Opera"

Words by Eric Crozier. Music by Benjamin Britten

The names of the performers are used for the characters of the play.

Characters:
Of the Play.......................Of the Opera

Mabel Horbury..................Miss. Baggott, the housekeeper
John Combs.....................Black Bob, the sweepmaster and Tom the Coachman
Gordon Burnett................Clem, Black Bob's assistant and Alfred, the gardener
Angela Lockwood..............Rowan, the nursery-maid
Ella Godwin......................Juliet Brook
Maurice Poole...................Gay Brook.
Shirley Smith....................Sophie Brook
Alec Wall..........................John Crome
Wendy Toone....................Tina Crome
Peter Glasby.....................Sam, the new sweepboy
Brian Poole.......................Hugh Crome.
Miss. J. Carter...................The conductor of the opera
Mr. K. Revill......................Ken - pianist
Miss. C.M. McBride.............pianist
Percussion.........................Edith Lill, Miss. B. Corfe

Understudies: Joyce Farnsworth, Jean Foreman, M.B. Johns, T. Wheatcroft, H. Peel.

Geoff Govier sends us this newspaper review - December 16th. 1950

"Let's make an Opera". Pleasing H. G. S. Performance.

One of the brightest productions given by the scholars of Hemsworth Grammar School in the school hall on Wednesday and Thursday, attracted large attendances. The final performance will be given tomorrow (Saturday).

The play "Let's make an Opera", could hardly have been bettered. An unusual feature of the second act is that the cast are speaking to the audience most of the time and there is quite a lot of conversation from the orchestra and electricians, which gives the impression that it is a rehearsal into which the audience have gate-crashed.

The warmth of the play and its homeliness give great credit to the producer, Mr. A. E. Walker. The lighting and scenery were admirably executed.

Outstanding performances were given by Mabel Horbury, J. Combes and G.R. Burnett, the bullying housekeeper, the two sweepmasters and later on Tom the coachman and Alfred the gardener, were very well played. The young sweep was portrayed by Peter Glasby, who gave a creditable performance. Angela Lockwood, who played Rowan the nursery maid, sang very sweetly. Lesser parts were played by Ella Godwin (Juliet Brook), Maurice Poole (Gay Brook), Shirley Smith (Sophie Brook), Alec Wall (John Crome), Wendy Toone (Tina Crome), Brian Poole (Hugh Crome), whose clowning in the first two acts had the audience in fits of laughing.

Even the audience had their part to play, by singing four choruses together with the cast on the stage. Understudies were Joyce Farnsworth, Jean Foreman, M.B. Johns, T. Wheatcroft and H. Peel. The orchestra was conducted by Miss. J.E. Carter, with Mr. K. Revill and Miss. C. McBride at the piano, and Miss Edith Lill & Miss B. Corfe on the percussion. The play was produced by Mr. A. E. Walker and the musical director was Miss J. E. Carter. Decorations were designed by Mr. J. Combes and other helpers were :
Stage Managers - Messrs. C.H. Owen and D. Taylor.
Costumes - Misses B.J. Woodward, M. Metcalfe, S. Close and K. Wimpenny.
Make-up - Mr. W. J. Leonard, Miss. K. Wimpenny, Thelma Robinson.
Properties - Miss K. Ward.
Business Manager - Mr. E. G. Lock.
Lighting - R. Gorton, P. Gunthorpe and G. Manning.
Stage Staff - D. Drabble, R. Wilkinson, P. Fisher, D. Birley, R. Hassall, D. Pope, D. Jackson, J. Bredon.
Assistance was also given by Messrs. G. Young, T. Manning, R. Foy, W. Farrar, E. Atack, Miss. N.F. Harris and Miss. M.P. Austin.

Image from Angela Lockwood. Thank you, Angela.

Ella Godwin is on the left, Angela Lockwood on the right and behind the 2 girls is Miss Austin.