A romantic comedy by Cole Porter

By arrangement with Musicscope and Stage Musicals of New York

  
 Production Director Robert Trawford

 Musical Director Sarah Browne

 Stage Manager Steve Garbett

 Choreographer  Karen Ridley

Bridgnorth Journal

by John Gorman

 
Any town, to be worth at least cultural salt, must have an operatic society, if for no other reason than to give all those who need it an outlet for their talent. Musicals are perhaps the ideal form of entertainment using music, drama and dance, attracting and satisfying a wide range of talent. And, in order to get the show up and running, there has to be a small army of backstage and front of house helpers.

Since I came to Bridgnorth, I have had all the long winters brightened by Bridgnorth Amateur Operatic Society, which has been presenting a musical every year since 1953 (surely it must rank as to be of the country’s longest running operatic societies).

The company’s latest production of Kiss me Kate lived up to all my expectations. The capacity audience was enthusiastic and enthralled, enjoying nearly three hours of first rate entertainment. The audience was across the age range, which must give encouragement to those who constantly worry that young people never go to see anything.

BAOS doesn’t skimp on presentation or production: the costumes were splendiferous: there was a full pit of professional musicians and there was a full company of performers. The result was that, from the tap of the musical directors baton to signal the start of the overture to the extended final note of the last song, the show sparkled and shone with happy passion.

The two leads – Suzanne Millington, playing Kate, and Shaun Carvill, as Fred – would give credence to any professional company and they would be the first to say that with out the support and performance of the rest of the company, their efforts would have been for nought. And Robert Trawford, Production Director, Sarah browne Musical Director, and Karen Ridley, Choreographer proved to be a formidable production team.

I don’t know what next years production is, but I would Book a Ticket now without knowing. The Operatic Society makes Bridgnorth worth a barrel of salt.

Mens Chorus

Graham Boden, John Chambers, John Gaynor, Edmund Hobday, Andrew Kirby, Alvin Mansfield, John Muxworthy, Anthony Swales, Dominic Tiernan, Chris Tew, Steve Thompson.

Ladies Chorus

Trish Beaman, Caroline Bond, Judy Botfield, Ann Burroughs, Dianne Chambers, Sarah Childs, Jane Clifford, Naomi Conway, Barbara Devey, Sue Garbett, Deana Humphries, Mary James, Heidi Kempner, Lindy Macdonald, Gina Millington, Linda O’Connell, Barbara Preece, Alison Rowland-Roberts, Mary Swales, Jane Tew.

Dancers

Trish Beaman, Sarah Childs, Jane Clifford, Naomi Conway, Barbara Devey, Deana Humphries, Mary James, Barbara Preece.

Orchestra

Neil Davies & Tony Smith

Rachael Johnson 

Robert Cracknell

Ian Perry

Paul Raybould, Caroline Woodland, Nikki McClure &  Neil Aston

Ray Crosby & Kay Macintosh

Paul Reid

David Gray

Debbie James

Gil Cowlishaw

Malcolm Bridges

Cygnet Sound

Wardrobe & Hair

Diane Taylor &  Dorothy Allen

Properties

Andy & Elizabeth Johnson

Prompt

Sheena Grant

Muriel Ellis, Doug Allport, Martyn Burroughs, Jane Conway, Brian Conway, David Goodall, Marion Hill, Kathy James, Keri James, Ernie Jarman, Elizabeth Johnson, Norman Oliver, Audrey Pamphilon, Maureen Turner & Joanne Walford.

Alan Walford, Richard Aston, Tony Ashling, Dave Garbett, Albert Cornes, Jamie Chater,  Howard Marsh, Richard Morris, John Palmer, John Ridley, Sue York & Charlotte Beaman.

Midland Costumes

Clifford & Brown