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 Martins
Bank Operatic Society in H. M. S. Pinafore and Trial by Jury by Gilbert and
Sullivan
Staged:
21 to 25 March 1961 at the Crane Theatre Liverpool
Two for the price of one! As if
it were not ambitious enough to stage one Gilbert and Sullivan Opera at a
time, Martins Bank Operatic Society settles upon TWO for its Spring 1961
performance. (The lengths of these works make them suitable for pairing). By now, we are used to this polished group
staging a production over several night, and even occasionally a matinee. As
ever, the talented members of the staff are helped out by professional
musicians, and one or two “transfers-in” from other societies in the
area. Look out for Bill Morris, who is
the star of both shows, and who later will become an even brighter star of
the Birkenhead Amateur Operatic Society, who appeared on ABC Television’s
Opportunity Knocks on 8 June 1968. They were a smash hit with the television
audience, and were back for the All-Winners Show just a few weeks later
- the very last edition of this
much-loved programme before it moved from ABC’s Didsbury Studios in
Manchester to Thames Television in Teddington, the new London ITV Franchise
resulting from the merger of ABC and Rediffusion. As for Martins Bank’s Operatic Society, the
visual results on stage are always spectacular, as we shall see from later
productions, some of which were photographed in glorious colour for Martins
Bank Magazine. In 1963, the Operatic
Society will to enter a new era, where all involved must work harder than
ever before to shine – and win trophies – in what is a competitive era for
amateur dramatic and operatic groups in Liverpool, Birkenhead and the Wirral.
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 For their 1961
production Martins Bank Operatic Society chose “Trial by Jury” and “H.M.S.
Pinafore”, presenting these Gilbert
and Sullivan operas for five nights and one matinee, March 21st to 25th.
The Society first produced “Trial by Jury” in 1947, and it was, in fact,
their very first production they had not previously produced “H.M.S.
Pinafore”. The musical direction, by Donald H. Gilroy, was outstandingly
good, and both operas were characterised by musical precision and pace
which was excellent. The outstanding actor in both operas was Bill Morris
who took the parts of the Court Usher and Dick Deadeye. His magnificent
voice, which is always such a joy to listen to, is not given full scope in
these operas, but it was more than adequate for the demands made upon it.
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HMS Pinafore: The Chorus of the Sailors
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W E. Dean took the
parts of the learned judge and Captain Corcoran, portraying them with
dignity and humour Sheila Mealey made a very charming plaintiff and William
Lawler almost had our sympathy as the defendant he has a voice of fine
quality Jack Holroyd, too, has a fine voice but his part as counsel for the
plaintiff did not give us nearly enough of his singing. Barrie Stevenson
gave us an excellent performance as the foreman of the jury, as also did
Val Tilley as the chief bridesmaid. The overall standard of
performance of this well-known piece was as good as any we have seen and
better than many by reason of the quality of the musical direction. Two
members of the Society excelled all their previous performances in these
operas.
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HMS Pinafore: The Sisters the Cousins and
the Aunts
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HMS Pinafore: Phyllis Ritchie and Bill Morris
as Little Buttercup and Dick Deadeye
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HMS Pinafore: Clive Jones. Mary Nelson and Stephen Rooke
as Ralph Rackstraw, the Captain's daughter
and the Midshipmite
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Phyllis M Ritchie
as Little Buttercup sang better than ever and Jas. Robertshaw as the
Boatswain’s Mate found in the part something which suited his talent to
perfection. Incidentally, it is not inappropriate to mention at this point
the immense contribution which both of them have made over a number of
years to the running of the Operatic Society Without them and people like
them the Society could not survive. The Rooke family gave a varied and
talented performance. First of all, there was Pamela, as Hebe, her voice as
lovely as ever, Stephen as the Midshipmite. as appealing and attractive a
little lad as ever portrayed the part, and Michael, who sang in the chorus.
Mary Nelson portrayed the Captain’s daughter, and both her singing and
acting were outstanding. Each of her songs was a delight and her quality as
an actress improves each time.
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Trial by Jury
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Clive S. Jones
took the part of Ralph Rackstraw and his line tenor is always one of the
outstanding features of these presentations. Ken Morris played the Sergeant
of Marines and Barrie Stevenson the Carpenter’s Mate. Once again, we must
record our grateful thanks to all those friends from other societies who
helped to swell the ranks of the chorus, especially on the male side, and,
more important still, in taking certain principal parts which our Society
was not able to cast from its own members. We must mention especially W E.
Dean. William Lawler, Barrie Stevenson and Terence M Egan. May Collins
produced the opera for us with her usual patience and competence and fully
deserved the appreciation which was accorded to her efforts. Nor must we
forget those ladies and gentlemen behind the scenes who help in so many and
varied ways with the job of staging and presenting these shows. Each
production is a noteworthy team effort. Postscript It is of interest to
note that Jack Holroyd received high praise several months ago for his
singing and performance in the St. Paul’s Operatic Society’s production of
“Iolanthe” in Seacombe. He took the part of Strephon.
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