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Director's note
"Its subject is the craze of a single writer," wrote one critic in 1881, having seen Gilbert and Sullivan's latest work. Following the simple and robust humour of The Pirates of Penzance (1879), Patience seemed too topical and slight to last. Even the librettist thought its chances of survival were slim. However, 110 years on, in between writing essays, drinking coffee, searching for careers and doing the 1001 other things required of the student, we've been rehearsing hard with the hope of proving Gilbert wrong.
Patience originally ran for 578 performances - second only to The Mikado - and marks the development of a more satirical humour in the Savoy Operas. Despite that, and some splendidly catchy tunes, it hasn't been performed by us since 1978, when some of today's cast were honing their dramatic skills in infant school. After 13 years we thought it was overdue an airing. So, on behalf on all those who have devoted their time, energy and talent to the production of Patience (many thanks to them all), I very much hope you'll enjoy this unusual aesthetic opera.
James Geldard
Musical Director's note
My earliest memories recollect a time when, as a boy of three, my father used to take me into the fron room, where we would perform The Pirates of Penzance. Occasionally my younger sister would join us, and many a happy hour was shared; swapping roles and costumes and so on. My father is now seeking medical help, and I ended up at university.
Anyway, to Patience, one of the funniest of Gilbert's librettos. This operetta has been most enjoyable to rehearse. Much work and dedication (in front and behind the scenes) has been thrown (literally - Ed.) into the last three months.
Apart from this, there's nothing much to tell, except enjoy the show.
John Hargreaves
Production Team
James Geldard - Director
By a curious coincidence, James, like the musical director, was born in Blackburn. However, he grew up in Leicester, and in 1989 graduated from the English department at York, where he is now (in 1991!) a postgraduate student. With the society, he has appeared in Iolanthe, The Gondoliers, The Zoo, The Mikado and Pirates. His interests range from Brahms to Laurel and Hardy, and from painting to cricket, at which he plays for the university.
John Hargreaves - Musical Director
Born at an early age in Blackburn, Lancashire, John achieved his ambitions by becoming a second year music student. Apart from performing music, John enoys eating smarties and growing facial hair.
Crew
- Production Manager
- Toby Long-leather
- Assistant Production Manager
- Martin Miles
- Stage Manager
- Deborah Bowers
- Assistant Stage Manager
- Kanwardeep Narula
- Set Construction
- Peter Sharp
- Lighting Engineer
- Martin Atkins
- Lighting Assistants
- Rupert Hoare
- Joe Short
- Sound Engineer
- Colin Bradford
- Sound Assistant
- 'Raggy' Barclay
- Scenery Artist
- Joe Short
- Properties
- Caroline Dollings
- Set Design
- James Geldard
- Photography
- Dave Matz
- Programme & Publicity
- Deborah Bowers
- Kanwardeep Narula
- Programme Typesetting
- Tom Duffy
- Toby Harding
- Make-up
- Jo Shingler
- Stage Crew
- Kanwardeep Narula
- Tom Duffy
- Caroline Dollings
- Toby Winchester
- Mark Broomfield
- Charlotte Moodie
- Nick Cook
- Deborah Bowers
- Jon Curtis
- Front of House
- Jessa Marshall
- Patrick Couzens
- Alison Duncum
- Toby Long-leather
- Ruth Mason
- Matthew Read
- Fiona Trewick
- Poster Design
- James Geldard
- Costume Design
- Rachel Stewart
Cast
- Colonel Calverley
- James Zlychevski
- Major Murgatroyd
- Chris Taylor
- The Duke of Dunstable
- Alastair Anderson
- Reginald Bunthorne
- Howard Branch
- Archibald Grosvenor
- Hugh Sorrill
- Mr Bunthorne's solicitor
- Alison Hulford
- The Lady Angela
- Miranda Park
- The Lady Saphir
- Barbara Logan
- The Lady Ella
- Julie Winkless
- The Lady Jane
- Kate Currey
- Patience
- Rain Wormald
Chorus
- Female Chorus
- Jan Addison
- Liz Allen
- Karen Atkinson
- Sarah Bacon
- Lynne Charnley
- Sally Deeming
- Margaret Frisby
- Christine Harland
- Anna Ho
- Jessa Marshall
- Anne McDonald
- Charlotte Moodie
- Kathryn O'Mahoney
- Lesley Parkinson
- Vanessa Potter
- Heidi Ronfeldt
- Liz Southgate
- Eleanor Smith
- Rachel Stewart
- Helen Secker
- Jo Tyszka
- Beverley Webster
- Male Chorus
- Edward Andrews
- Doug Baillie
- Chris Bell
- Christopher Brennan
- Mark Broomfield
- Laurence Cole
- Nick Cook
- Tom Duffy
- Don Goodeve
- Daniel Jenkins
- Alastair Jolliffe
- Jeremy Lowe
- Simon Mann
- Mike Nash
- John Osgun
- Duncan Robson
- John Sheppard
- Bruce Walton