Ely High School 1905-1972
1955 Production - LET'S MAKE AN OPERA
ELY HIGH SCHOOL.
PROGRAMME.
LET'S MAKE AN OPERA.
Music by Benjamin Britten
Libretto by Eric Crozier.
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CAST.
| Of the Play | Of the Opera | |
| Gladys | Miss Baggott, the housekeeper | Pamela Whitehead |
| Norman Chaffinch | Clem, Black Bob s assistant and Alfred, the Gardener |
Walter Constable |
| Max Westleton | Black Bob, the sweepmaster and Tom, the coachman |
Nigel Goodin |
| Pamela Wilton | Rowan, the nurserymaid | Patricia Warwick |
| Anne Dougall | Juliet Brook | Anne Browning |
| Bruce | Gay Brook | Cynthia Yardy |
| Monica | Sophie Brook | Jill Ison |
| Peter | John Crome | Josephine Almond |
| Mavis | Tina Crome | Catherine Baker |
| Ralph | Hugh Crome | Marion Malcolm |
| John | The Sweep Boy | Diana Ward |
Produced by Pamela Brook Conductor and Musical Director, Alison Darrell Pianists: J Yeomans and A Darrell Understudies: Gwen Robinson, Iris Leach, Mary Frost, Jean Flude, Janet Cox, Maureen Lawrence. Scenery: Jane Surgey and Margaret Haylock "Let's Make an Opera" is in two acts. The first act is in the form of a play and illustrates the preparation and rehearsal of "The Little Sweep", a children's opera which is performed in Act Two.
ACT I. THE PLAY
Scene 1: The drawing-room of Mrs Parworthy's house.
Scene 2: The same, a month later.
Scene 3: The School Hall; The Dress Rehearsal.ACT II. "THE LITTLE SWEEP".
The Nursery at Iken Hall, Suffolk, 1810
Scene 1: Mid-morning.
Scene 2: Later.
Scene 3: Next morning.
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standing: Miss Alison Darrell - Mrs Yeomans? - Miss Pamela
Brook - 4 - Margaret Haylock - Walter Constable - Miss
Patricia Warwick - 8 - Jill Ison - Cynthia Yardy - Gwen
Robinson - Janet Cox - Josephine Almond
sitting: Diana Ward - Catherine Baker? - Nigel Goodin
(hatted) - Marion Malcolm? - 5 - Anne Browning
source: Sheila Heavens (Cox): photo by Starr & Rignall
IDs: Helen Smith, Sheila Heavens (Cox)
from the May 1955 Ely High School Magazine
Let's make An Opera - Britten - 1955 production
Dramatics.
Another ambitious and original scheme was made early in this School Year - to produce Benjamin Britten's "Let's Make an Opera."
Again much enthusiasm was shown by both soloists and members of the chorus, and a great deal of hard work was done by them and by their directors, Miss Darrell and Miss Brook. The result justified all their efforts, being most finished and enjoyable. We owe much gratitude to those adults who so very kindly helped us, both by taking part, and, by their own high standard of artistry, helping us to reach the level we did - Miss Pamela Whitehead, an old pupil, Miss Patricia Warwick, a member of the Staff, Mr. Nigel Goodin, and Mr. W. Constable, together with Mrs. Yeomans, an old pupil, who very kindly helped with the accompaniments.
Now we look forward to the Staff Play and to this term's School Play.
D. G. DEFEW.