Reviews

There was a review on The Zahir - if anyone has a copy, could they please send it to the society.

Kaleidoshow

Review from The Yorker

The show consisted of twenty minute extracts from five well-known musicals: Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat, The Merry Widow, Godspell, The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Les Misérables. This is, in my opinion, a superb idea; all the best numbers from a series of great shows without any of the ‘filler’ tunes.

This pic ‘n’ mix approach did throw up some interesting contrasts; the transition from the ultra-camp Rocky Horror Picture Show to the French tragedy Les Misérables, for example, was potentially very odd. The whole thing was held together quite nicely, however, by another, original storyline. To the right of the stage a bar had been set up and throughout the show one character from each of the musicals would recount that musical’s particular storyline to a barman (Jim Durdin). The device was a success, not only because it gave the mix of shows a consistency but also as a way of filling in the gaps left by the songs that had been cut.

There were many outstanding individual performances during the evening. James Armstrong’s Frank N. Furter was a flamboyant and sinister delight, although I think he might have frightened my little sister a bit. Equally, Matt Ferguson and Chris Charlton gave assured performances as Joseph and Jean Valjean. My favourite performance, however, came from James Gaughan, whose resounding tenor made my hairs stand on end during his performance in Les Misérables as Javert.

As with many musicals, however, the chorus numbers were the ones that I was humming on the way home. ‘Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord’ from Godspell was a particular highlight, with the whole cast dressed as colourful hippies, a nod to the gospel musical’s sixties inception. The ‘Time Warp’ was another superb ensemble performance and I think that there were many members of the audience who would have danced along had it not contravened fire regulations.

Despite its ambitious concept, Kaleidoshow was a joy. The variety was refreshing rather than disjointing and the choice of musicals was excellent. I loved the sense of playfulness in the choreography and costumes and thought that the imagination of the production was only let down by budget constraints. In the words of the show’s assistant director, Chris Charlton: “musicals are fun, and why only do one when five will do”. Exactly.

A note from the Chair

Hello!

Welcome to the Gilbert and Sullivan Society's summer term performance: Kaleidoshow! The cast, technical crew, band, directors, committee and university administration have worked extremely hard and overcome many difficulties (the odd one or two self-inflicted!) to put on what I believe to be a fantastic show. I'd like to thank everyone who's worked so hard to bring the project to an excellent conclusion and I hope that you will have as much fun watching it as we have had rehearsing and putting it on. I'd particularly like to thank Peter Jarvis and his administration team for their efforts in making this performance become a reality.

So sit back and enjoy the ride … except for The Rocky Horror Picture Show, where audience participation is mandatory!

Directors

James Knowles - Director

James Knowles is a man of many talents. Not only has he taken on the challenge of directing the show this term, he's also quite adept in driving the P&P team around York, and knows how to make the best chilli ever. No, really. Anyway, perhaps he underestimated the work involved, and that's why he couldn't write this himself. Nevermind, eh?

Chris Charlton - Directorial Consultant

Having vowed never to direct a show again after Pirates of Penzance last term, Chris found himself volunteering to help direct again only two weeks later. Rumours of his sanity are greatly exaggerated.

Frankie Thomas - Director (Rocky Horror)

Frankie is a star. Without her, we wouldn't have a show, and since she doesn't want to sing her own praises, we're doing it for her. She also directed Patience in 2006, but it involved more clothing than Rocky Horror does. (We hope.)

Hanna Nierstrasz - Assistant Director (Rocky Horror)

Hanna was sent from outer space to save the human race, but got distracted by the 1970s. Recovering from her painful divorce from unicorn master and part-time sumo wrestler Marc Bolan, she now tries to find joy in the simple things in life, such as Adam Ant crossword puzzles, gold lamé shirts, and being a pirate.

J. Mark Pim - Musical Director

Mark has taken a sideways step in the society since the last show, where he co-directed Pirates of Penzance, and is now having a stab in a musical direction. He has loved tackling the huge musical challenge of this show - there are close to 50 musical numbers to arrange, score and teach - and continues to feel incredibly proud to work with such a talented and enthusiastic bunch of people. (He would like to state for the record that, despite possible evidence to the contrary, he is NOT a luvvie…)

Ben Poore - Assistant Musical Director

Arranging the Joseph score for Kaleidoshow dominated most of Ben's life for some weeks and continues to do so. He still wakes up singing "Any Dream Will Do" in a cold sweat. Rehearsing on beautiful sunny days at the weekend with the band was always a pleasure, and the entire project has meant that none of his essays this term are worthy of even marking.

Fiona Constantine - Technical Director

This is Fiona's first attempt at technically directing. She was unaware at the end of last term just how much stress and running around headless-chicken fashion would have to be done to make this show a success. She also didn't realise quite how much she would have to shout, and for this she hopes the cast and crew don't hate her too much. She also wishes to recognise the hard work of all the technical crew, and hopes everyone realised what a darned good job they've all done! Enjoy the show!

Images

Production Team

Director:

James Knowles

Assistant Director:

Chris Charlton

Director (Rocky Horror):

Frankie Thomas

Assistant Director (Rocky Horror):

Hanna Nierstrasz

Musical Director:

J Mark Pim

Assistant Musical Director:

Ben Poore

Crew

Technical Director:

Fiona Constantine

Stage Manager:

Chris Armstrong

Lighting Manager:

Steven 'Stevie D' Day

Sound Manager:

'Pistol' Pete Harbottle

Sound Assistant:

John Poon

Follow Spot Operators:

James 'JEB' Butterworth

David Pim

Backstage Crew:

Carol Backhouse

Christine Lees

David Pim

Additional set-design and construction:

Mike Houston

Morven Hamilton

Stuart Roberts

Lois Cross

Thomas Newby

James Gaughan

Danielle Neville

Karine Dransart

Cast

Joseph

• Narrator - Frankie Thomas
• Joseph - Matt Ferguson
• Pharaoh - Thomas Newby
• Judah - Jake Ong
• Butler - Helen Bourne

Merry Widow

• Anna - Emma Bradley
• Danilo - Thomas Newby
• Camille - Matt Ferguson
• Valencienne - Clare Greener
• Baron Zeta - Ben Humphrys
• Cascada - James Gaughan
• St. Brioche - Charles Hannay
• Njegus - Bill Ruddock

Godspell

• Jesus - James Armstrong
• Judas - Michael Houston
• John the Baptist - Ben Humphrys
• 'Turn Back, O man' - Lauren Mathews
• 'Day by Day' - Anne-Marie Cassidy
• 'By My Side' - Lauren Wade & Megan Bryan
  (with Lois Cross, Ellen Cain and Hanna Nierstrasz)
• 'We beseech thee' - James Knowles

The Rocky Horror Show

• Frank N. Furter - James Armstrong
• Brad Majors (asshole) - Michael Houston
• Riff-Raff - Stuart Roberts
• Rocky - Jim Durdin
• Criminologist / Dr. Scott - Bill Ruddock
• Janet Weiss (slut) - Morven Hamilton
• Magenta / Usherette - Julia Weatherley
• Columbia - Beth Goodwin

Les Misérables

• Valjean - Chris Charlton
• Javert - James Gaughan
• Marius - Stuart Roberts
• M. Thénardier - Jim Durdin
• Enjolras - James Knowles
• Eponine - Helen Steel
• Mme. Thénardier - Jackie Smithers
• Cosette - Sally Rowe

Chorus

• James Armstrong
• Helen Bourne
• Emma Bradley
• Megan Bryan
• Ellen Cain
• Anne-Marie Cassidy
• Chris Charlton
• Lois Cross
• Karine Dransart
• Jim Durdin
• Matt Ferguson
• Alison Foster
• James Gaughan
• Beth Goodwin
• Clare Greener
• Morven Hamilton
• Charles Hanney
• Michael Houston
• Ben Humphrys
• James Knowles
• Lauren Mathews
• Danielle Neville
• Thomas Newby
• Hanna Nierstrasz
• Jake Ong
• Stuart Roberts
• Sally Rowe
• Bill Ruddock
• Jacqueline Smithers
• Helen Steel
• Frankie Thomas
• Lauren Wade
• Julia Wetherley

Orchestra

Conductor

J. Mark Pim

Assistant Conductor / Fixer

Ben Poore

Piano

Robbie Berryman

Keyboard

Virginia Rousiamani

Guitar

Georgios Fragkos

Bass Guitar

Daria Polovina

Drums

Simon Roth

Flute

Neil Smith

Trumpet

Jonathan Sims

Rehearsal Accompanist

Robbie Berryman

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank everyone involved in this production, in particular:

• Andrew Boyes of Boyes
• Peter Jarvis and the Administration team
• Jeanette and everyone at the SU
• The CU
• Jill Stead
• University Porters
• Des from Silverscreen Graphics
• Dave Pumfrey and his ladder
• David Hammond
• Colin Hindson

Programme design by Jackie Smithers, Megan Bryan, Stuart Roberts and Morven Hamilton