South Pacific

The Synopsis

The story takes place during a lull in the war with Japan – the characters – chiefly marines, Seabees, nurses and sailors. Most important of the two romantic themes is the love affair of Ensign Nellie Forbush and the gallant middle-aged French planter, Emile de Becque. The secondary romantic theme is that of the likeable American marine, Lieut. Joseph Cable and the lovely Tonkinese girl, Liat. Nellie Forbush and de Becque fall in love, but Nellie’s love cools on hearing that de Becque had married a Polynesian woman and had by her several children. She is long since dead. Because of Nellies coolness, de Becque goes on a dangerous mission with Lieut. Cable. On his return, de Becque finds Nellie has meanwhile grown fond of his native children and realises his worth as a man. The tragic subplot of South Pacific is the story of the touching romance between Cable and Liat. Exquisite though the Tonkinese girl is, and sincerely though they love one another, Cable fears that the difference in their races would work against a happy marriage for them.

The Production Team

Director – Phillip Godley

Choreographer – Judy Croucher

Musical Director – Lawrence Bell

Rehearsal Pianist – Roslyn Bardwell

The Cast

Marjorie Simpson, Jnr. (Ngana), Caryn Williams (Jerome), Bob Neill (Henri), Judi Burgess (Ensign Nellie Forbush) Don Moffitt (Emile De Becque), Esther Godley (Bloody Mary), Collin and Greg Williams (Bloody Mary’s Assistant), Don Denyer (Abner), Fred Waski (Stewpot), Ron Dines (Luther Billis), Glen Berger (Professor), Alan Royal (Lieut. Joseph Cable), John Beynon (Capt. George Bracket U.S.N), Chris Edwards (Commdt. William Harbison U.S.N) Paul Williams (Yeoman Herbert Quale), Peter Cole (Sgt. Kenneth Johnson)/ (Staff Sgt. Thomas Hassinger), Ross Bell (Seebee Richard West), Geoff Lee (Seaman Tom O’Brian)/ (Pte. Victor Jerome)/ (Marcel), Bob McCaffrey (Radio Operator), Bob Neill (Marine Cpl. Hamilton Steeves), Ross Edmunds (Pte. Sven Larsen), Paul Knois (Sgt. Jack Waters), Diane Williams (Lt. Genevieve Marshall), Jenny Wakeling (Liat), Jeff Ferguson (Lieut. Buzz Adams), Pat Boogaerdt, Alia Godley, Elizabeth Baker, Marie Williams, Carol Mills, Lynne Williams, Barbara Benson, Lorraine Williams, Susan Laplain, Joanne Duvall, Edna Berton, Jenny Birch, Linden Hale, Joy Johnson, Anne Moran, Marion Palazzi, Sharolyn Preece, Gina Savva, Graham Seaman, Brian Watkins, Paul William, Paul Vaicekonis, Alan Lobb.

The Desert Song

The Synopsis

The Desert Song is set in intrigue-ridden Morocco. The story tells of the adventure of The Red Shadow - Robin Hood of the desert, who works to aid the poor and oppressed of the country and who cloaks his identity in that of the timid Pierre, son of General Birabeau, Commander of the French Troops in Morocco. Pierre is in love with Margot Bonvalet, a spoilt, romantic sophisticate, who is staying at the General’s home. Margot meets “The Red Shadow”, is attracted to him & falls in love. “The Red Shadow” realises that as the dashing Robin Hood of the desert Margot may be infatuated by his romantic image. He tries courting her as Pierre. In this he fails miserably. When it seems apparent that she is to wed Captain Paul Fontaine, Pierre – in the guise of “The Red Shadow” – kidnaps her & carries off to the Harem of his friend, Ali Ben Ali. The Riffs are rebellious at this move, feeling that their leader has, for a selfish personal reason, jeopardised the safety of the whole band.

Meantime, Azuri, who has discovered the identity of “The Red Shadow”, vows to revenge herself on General Birabeau who has separated her from her lover Captain Fontaine. She goes to the General and offers to tell him where “The Red Shadow” is hiding. Birabeau buys the information from Azuri, and sets a trap for “The Red Shadow”. This trap leads into a bizarre consequence.

The Production Team

Director – Phillip Godley

Choreographers – Sandra Towle & Jenny Wakeling

Musical Director – Laurence Bell

Pianist – Roslyn Bardwell

The Cast

Phillip Godley (Sid El Kar), Fred Jones (Hadji), Dianne Williams (Neri), Jeff Ferguson (Benjamin Kidd), Allan Royal (Captain Paul Fontaine), Annette Oliver (Margot Bonvalet), Allan Ingles (General Birabeau), Tom Martin (Pierre Birabeau), Barbara Benson (Susan), Betty Tougher (Edith), Janet Lazarus (Azuri), Bob Neill (Ali Ben Ali), Alia Godley (Clememtina), Paul Williams (Mindar), Geoff Lee (Hassi), Max Slade (Lieut. La Verne), Alan Shepherd (Sgt. De Boussac), Jenny Birch, Suzanne Bunn, Janet Devlin, Joy Johnson, Marion Palazzi, Catherine Trevenar, Dawn West, Caryn Williams, Diane Williams, Lorraine Williams, Gail Woods, Greg Higgs, Peter Jex, Geoff Lee, Ken MacMillan, Alex Mackie, Graham Seaman, Wolf Siegmund, Max Slade, Robert Tompsett, Fiona Bathurst, Therese David, Shirley Dettmar, Terry-Ann Haywood, Sue Power, Nola Verrills, Jenny Wakeling.

The Pajama Game

The Synopsis

The Pajama Game, based on the novel 7 & a half cents, is a timeless story of fun, laughter, tears, romance and a slow-down strike. Myron Halser, boss of the Sleeptite Pajama Factory, employs a new Superintendent, Sid Sorokin, who almost at once “encounters” Babe Williams, head of the “Grievance Committee”.Prez, the President of the Union and self-appointed Lady-Killer, demands a 7 & a half cents rise from Mr Hasler on behalf of the workers. Hasler refuses the demand and a slow down strike begins, ending abruptly when Babe sabotages the machines causing Sid to fire her. While investigating to see if Mr Hassler can afford to pay the raise, Sid discovers the increase is already included in the present cost of the pajamas. When Sid threatens Hasler with disclosure to the Board of Directors an agreement is reached and celebrations take place at Hernando’s Hideaway.

The Production Team

Director – Fred Jones

Choreographer – Judy Croucher

Musical Director – Lawrence Bell

Rehearsal Pianist – Roslyn Bardwell

The Cast

Alan Shepherd (Hines), Brian Watkins (Prez), Peter Jex (Joe), John Brandt (Hasler), Michael Lubke (Sid Sorokin), Marjorie Simpson (Gladys), Wendy Debenham (Mabel), Graham Seaman (1^st Helper), Leigh Lawson (2^nd Helper), Greg Higgs (Charlie), Pat Boogaerdt (Babe Williams), Barbara Benson (Mae), Betty Tougher (Brenda), Janet Lazarus (Poopsie), Allan Ingles (Salesman), Fred Waski (Pop), Nola Verrills/Fred Jones (Steam Heat Boys), Jenny Birch, Suzanne Bunn, Judy Croucher, Jenny Devlin, Liz Devlin, Anne Johnson, Joy Johnson, Susan Laplain, Anne Malsbury, Marion Palazzi, Marji Simpson, Vicki Tomlinson, Catherine Trevenar, Jackie Tubman, Jenny Wakeling, Caryn Williams, Lorraine Williams, Peter West.