Following our enormously successful production of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro in April, we now welcome our new artistic team to the company, Music Director, Mark Jones and Stage Director Paul Hands.
Mark Jones
Mark trained at the Royal College of Music and was twice winner of the Adrian Boult conducting scholarship. He spent 21 years as Music Director of Gresham’s School and is currently Music Director of Fakenham Choral Society.
Paul Hands
Paul was Director of Drama at Gresham’s School for many years, where he worked in conjunction with Mark before retiring. He now directs on a freelance basis and is also director of Litcham Entertainment Group.
Our Next Production
Our first production under their leadership will be Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld, one of the lightest and brightest pieces in the repertoire and which of course contains the famous Gallop Infernal , otherwise known as the Can-Can.
This will take place at the Auden Theatre, Holt, on Thursday, Friday & Saturday 16/17/18th April, 2020.
Tickets can be booked online at https://audentheatre.co.uk/how-to-book/ or by telephoning the box office, 01263 713444.
Casting News
Auditions have now been held and the only two roles as yet uncast are Mercury and Bacchus. Mercury is described in the score as youthful and athletic, range b flat to f “. Bacchus is described as juvenile-lead type, dancer, non singing. We’d welcome anyone who would like to put themselves forward for these roles. Otherwise, the cast is as follows:
Eurydice – Sam Hawkins; Calliope – Gilly Morgan; Cupid – Katharine Jones; Venus – Susanne Smith; Diana – Molly Percival; Juno – Kay Holmes; Orpheus – John Clack; Pluto – Andy Masterson; Jupiter – Des Holmes; Mars – Stephen Mills; Styx – Peter Walters; Icarus – Guy Hewitt; other members of the cast – Janet Bryant-Heron, Christine Blakemore, Bernie Alexandroux. Stage Manager – Crispin Clark
Come and Join Us
Two rehearsals have taken place so far, and for this production, music and staging are being rehearsed in tandem. Things are already beginning to take shape under our new artistic team, and there is considerable enthusiasm among the cast for what promises to be a tremendously fun production.
We’d still very much like a few more people for our chorus in any voice range, so if you’d like to come along and have as much fun as we’re having, do get in touch – we’d love to see you. Newcomers encouraged.
Rehearsals take place at the Holt Youth Project, Old Station Way, Holt, NR25 6DH, on Monday evenings from 7.30pm.
If you’d like to contact us, or receive occasional news about the company, please let us know at desmondholmes@btinternet.com