Book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows
Music and Lyrics by Frank Loesser
at the Epsom Playhouse
Autumn 2013
Director : Sarah Morrison
Musical Director: Brian D Steel
Choreographer: Aimee Clarke-Hooker
The Cast
Sarah Brown - Gemma Kate Gould
Sky Masterson - Darren Flick
Adelaide - Sally Jones
Nathan Detroit - Olly Reeves
Arvide Abernathy - Crispian Shepley
Nicely Nicely Johnson - James Turnbull
Benny Southstreet - Rick Qureshi
Rusty Charlie - Chris Powell
Big Jule (Weds, Fri, Sat Mat) - Freddie Wilson
Big Jule (Tues, Thurs, Sat Eve) - William Barratt
Big Jule's Bouncers - Anthony Black, Steve MacKenzie
Lt. Brannigan - Chris Haslett
Corporal - Gareth Thomas
Harry the Horse - Len Martin
Angie The Ox - Paul Featherstone
Calvin - Chris Rumbold
Agatha - Rebeca Cenamor
General Cartwright - Eileen Range
Mimi - Helen Parker
Joey Biltmore (voice-over) - Damien de Roche
Hot Box Girls
Aimée Clark-Hooker, Julie Fallon, Claire Newton, Helen Parker, Emma Rowland, Charlotte Verrill
Ensemble
Tracey Brammar, Sarah Coldwell, Adam Forbes, Penny Hanham, Jill Howlett, Nicola Howlett, Louise Laithwaite, Julie Parker, Diana Springate, Jon Sutherland, Harry Wilkinson, Karen Wilson, Sam Wilson
Biographies
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Sarah Morrison, Director Sarah studied Musical Theatre and Classical Acting at Mountview Theatre School graduating with a first class BA (Hons) in 2003. She has appeared in numerous amateur and professional productions on stage having spent her formative years performing in youth theatre groups including playing the part of Annie on 4 occasions – being small isn't always a hindrance! She also played the part of George in the world premiere of 'The Famous Five'. Since completing her education Sarah has worked on stage and behind the scenes of professional productions, touring companies, pantomimes as well as directing for local amateur societies. She has also started her own production company 'Prospero Productions' which has produced three successful shows to date and is planning its fourth for early next year. By day Sarah is a full time theatrical agent. Sarah is so pleased to be back for a fourth time directing for ELOC and hopes you enjoy the show. |
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Brian first became involved with musical theatre in 1975, playing percussion for St Mary's Hospital Medical School production of 'The Gondoliers'. Since then, he has been very busy as a pianist, percussionist, repetiteur, arranger and musical director. Brian has musically directed over 70 shows, working with some of London's most prestigious operatic societies, as well as a number of theatrical companies in Surrey, Sussex and Devon. Brian's first ever engagement as musical director was for 'The Gondoliers' with ELOC in 1989, (there's something special about that show!) He was a regular ELOC MD during the early '90s, before taking a break and returning in 2006 to MD 'Me and My Girl'. Brian is also passionate about "pure" music; his interests include keyboard improvisation, baroque and classical music, ragtime and jazz. He has also long been fascinated by the use of computers in music, and uses them both for musical experimentation, and to compose, arrange, orchestrate and print the material used in his musical revues and show adaptations. |
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Aimee Clark-Hooker, Choreographer Aimée is delighted to return to ELOC as choreographer of 'Guys & Dolls'. Aimée has been dancing since the age of 6 and completed her 3 year professional diploma in Dance and Performing Arts at Reynolds Performing Arts College. She now runs her own dance school 'Feetbeats' in Tadworth. She has also performed in professional and amateur shows, and choreographed shows for local amateur dramatic societies, including 'Copacabana' (BANAOS), 'All Shook Up' (Epsom Players) and 'Titanic the Musical' (ELOC) all at the Epsom Playhouse. Her favourite performances include 'Tap Odyssey' at the Bloomsbury Theatre, London, dancing the Rich Man's Frug in LOS's production of 'Sweet Charity', dancing in Epsom Players productions of 'We Will Rock You' and 'West Side Story' as well as performing as a show girl in 'Copacabana' with BANAOS. Aimée really hopes you will enjoy this production of 'Guys & Dolls' and wishes the cast that "Luck Will Be Their Lady Tonight"! |
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'Sarah Brown', played by Gemma Kate Gould This is Gemma's first show with ELOC and she is delighted to be playing one of her all time favourite roles of Sarah Brown. Gemma trained at GSA and attended Sylvia Young Theatre School from the age of 11 - 16 where she was deputy head girl and won the award for all round excellence. Gemma has performed in various places including recording at Abbey Road Studios and singing in Buckingham Palace as well as being vocal captain and vocalist on board Cunard's Queen Victoria. Gemma now works for a prestigious actors' agency. Gemma recently tied the knot and became Mrs Bowden!! So would like to dedicate this performance to her new hubby. |
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'Sky Masterson', played by Darren Flick Darren has enjoyed once again performing with ELOC and working with a talented production team. Darren plays an active role in local am-dram theatre and has been treading the boards for over 20 years. He is also actively involved with Epsom Players and has been their Treasurer for the last 12 years. Some of Darren's favourite roles include: Jesus in 'Godspell', Ugly in 'HONK!', Billy in '42nd Street', Scarecrow in 'Wizard Of Oz', and Nanki Poo in 'Hot Mikado'. Darren has also directed on numerous occasions including 'Café Cabaret' for Epsom Players, 'Popcorn', and 'Boom Bang-A-Bang' by Jonathan Harvey. After 'Guys & Dolls' Darren will be directing 'Footloose' for Epsom Players to be performed at the Epsom Playhouse in March 2014. During the day Darren performs in court as a lawyer and jointly runs his own law firm www.dartonlaw.co.uk. He wishes good luck to all the "Guys & Dolls" in tonight's performance! |
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'Adelaide', played by Sally Jones Sally is looking forward to her first show with ELOC and would like to thank everyone for making her feel so welcome. As well as performing and directing for other local amateur societies, Sally works in Theatre-in- Education at primary level. She is an actor and director for the 'Cat's Grin Theatre Co.' and also works locally with her own drama club and school productions. She has been in many shows here at the Playhouse (mainly with Epsom Players or LOS) and some of her favourite roles in musicals have been, Sally Bowles in 'Cabaret', Mabel in 'Mack & Mabel', Glinda in 'Wizard of Oz' and Beggar Woman in 'Sweeney Todd'. Last year she directed and designed Epsom Players' production of 'Into the Woods' which was a dream come true, and next spring she is very excited to be directing 'Jesus Christ Superstar' for ESOS at the Harlequin Theatre, Redhill. |
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'Nathan Detroit', played by Olly Reeves Olly is very excited to be involved in his first main stage show for ELOC. Having just played Moonface Martin in 'Anything Goes', Olly is starting to get used to life as a gangster, albeit a bad one! Olly hopes you enjoy the show and invites you to join him on a tour of the US led by his accent, which appears to refuse to be pinned down! Some of Olly's recent roles include The Dromio Twins in 'A Comedy of Errors' at Polesden Lacey, Ali Hakim in 'Oklahoma', and a selection of supporting roles in 'The Producers'. Olly is particularly excited for the start of panto, where he is excited about playing King Nobby in 'Sleeping Beauty' here at the Playhouse. Previous panto roles have included The Golden Harp in 'Jack and the Beanstalk' and the shoe in role for any self respecting fat man: The Genie in 'Aladdin'. |
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'Nicely-Nicely Johnson', played by James Turnbull t all started for James with DDOS Young Stagers back in the early 70s, and 40 years on, he still loves treading the boards. James has performed in over 60 musicals, and favourite roles include, Bill Snibson in 'Me and My Girl', Curly in 'Oklahoma', Nanki Poo in 'Hot Mikado' (all with ELOC), Alfred P Doolittle in 'My Fair Lady', Britney in 'We Will Rock You', Jud Fry in 'Oklahoma', and Judas in 'Jesus Christ Superstar'. More recently he has performed as Gaston in 'Beauty and the Beast' with LOS, and Fagin in 'Oliver' for BROS Theatre Company, a role in which he was nominated for Best Actor in the Richmond Swan Awards. James now sings with 'So Swing Productions' a professional singing company performing in London and the Home Counties, providing entertainment in the events industry. James enjoys spending time with his family and is hoping his son Alfie will be following in Daddy's footsteps very soon! |
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'Benny Southstreet', played by Rick Qureshi Rick is delighted to be performing in his sixth ELOC show as Benny Southstreet in 'Guys & Dolls'! He has never been much of a gambler but has had so much fun rehearsing this show he is considering a career change! Rick has been performing for over eight years and his previous roles include Young Ben in 'Follies', John Styx in 'Orpheus in the Underworld', Marius in 'Carmen' (all ELOC), Paul in BANAOS' 'Kiss Me Kate' and Marius in City London Freeman School's 'Les Miserables'. Rick and his wife Charlie are expecting their first child in November, so this may be the last show for a little while! He would like to thank all the cast for making this such an enjoyable show to be involved in! |
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'Rusty Charlie', played by Chris Powell This is Chris' first show performing with Epsom Light Opera Company and he has really enjoyed playing the part of Rusty. Although this is his first appearance with ELOC, Chris has also performed with East Surrey Operatic Society in 'Guys & Dolls' and 'Crazy For You'; The Opera Club of Redhill and Reigate in 'Oliver' and 'Christmas Carol' and Harlequin Youth Theatre in 'Pandora's Box'. Chris is excited to be performing with ELOC this week, but in the meantime he is looking forward to being involved in 'Jesus Christ Superstar' with East Surrey Operatic Society in March 2014. Chris would like to thank all the support he has received from ELOC, he now has a new group of friends who have introduced him to some new pubs in the area! |
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'Harry The Horse', played by Len Martin Having been a drummer and latterly a singer in bands dating back to the early 70s, Len is no stranger to the stage. However he was only introduced to the theatre a year ago, after being persuaded by a fellow drummer and ELOC member to attend a rehearsal of 'Half A Sixpence'. Len says "At first I felt totally out of my comfort zone and thought, this is not for me, but within a couple of weeks I was totally hooked. I joined the chorus of Half A Sixpence and was even given a couple of small cameo roles!". He then went on to play in the chorus of ELOC's 'The Mikado' in April 2013. The role of Harry the Horse suits Len perfectly - a little guy getting to act tough and talk like Robert De Niro. Len runs a small company in the engineering business and spends his leisure time being beaten by his wife...on the golf course! |
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'Arvide Abernathy', played by Crispian Shepley After working in theatre for over six years in the 1980's, Crispian trained at A.L.R.A. (Academy of Live and Recorded Arts) in London and qualified as a Speech and Drama Teacher (L.G.S.M. – Licentiate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama). He was in various productions with roles in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', 'Twelfth Night', 'Hamlet', 'The Browning Version', 'Lark Rise to Candleford', 'Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme', 'The Seagull', 'Vatican Rag' and others. Crispian was lucky enough to see the wonderful National Theatre 'Guys & Dolls' production in 1983 (twice, it was that good) and has loved the show ever since. After having to earn a living in the nineties and noughties, Crispian had evenings off again, and has been in a number of local productions in the last few years including ELOC's 'Titanic the Musical' in Epsom last year as Mr Etches. Crispian also sings with the Dorking Choral Society. |
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'Lt. Brannigan', played by Chris Haslett This is Chris's twelfth show with ELOC since joining in 2006 but his first straight acting part. When he heard Brannigan described as lousy, slimy, weasely and thoroughly unlikeable he sensed his opportunity. Chris has hugely enjoyed playing chorus and minor principal parts in ELOC's productions of 'Hot Mikado', 'The Yeoman of the Guard', 'The Godfather's Gondoliers' and 'The Pirates of Penzance'. Before joining ELOC Chris has played the roles of Luiz and Giuseppe in 'The Gondoliers', Frank in 'Showboat' and Karl in 'The White Horse Inn'. Outside of ELOC, Chris's time is largely taken up by being a hands-on grandfather to his six grandchildren of who he has high hopes as future performers. Chris's last performance with ELOC was as Pish Tush in 'The Mikado' and he feels that the contrast between that show and 'Guys & Dolls' demonstrates the versatility of the company. |
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'Big Jule', played by William Barratt and Freddie Wilson Despite being only 8, Freddie is already a veteran of the Epsom Playhouse stage with performances in 'Aladdin', 'Cinderella', 'Dick Whittington', 'Titanic the Musical' and 'Half A Sixpence' under his belt. He also appeared in 'Oliver!' at the Leatherhead Theatre in 2012. Freddie is a committed method actor and cites his experience of the shady world of dealing Club Penguin cards in the playground as a major influence for his character of serious underworld gambler Big Jule. He wants to thank the ELOC team for making the whole experience totally brilliant. |
Show Photos - click here
Photos by Rick Watkins