Following our enormously successful production of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro in 2019, 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 Orpheus in the Underworld, one of the lightest and brightest pieces in the repertoire.
This comic operetta in three Acts is from the original by HECTOR CREMIEUX and LUDOVIC HALEVY, New book and lyrics by PHIL PARK, Music by JACQUES OFFENBACH, adapted and arranged by RONALD HANMER.
2020 will be our 30th anniversary year of performing opera in Holt.
This production is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe) on behalf of Josef Weinberger Ltd
Performances 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.
In an extremely exciting development, we have been offered the opportunity to present two al fresco performances at the National Trust property at Sheringham Park. These will take place at 7.30pm on Friday, 12th and Sunday, 14th June, 2020. Our Sheringham Park performances will be based on the Auden Theatre production, but suitably adapted to make the most of the outdoor location. This new venture will be a first, both for ourselves and for Sheringham Park, to which we’re all looking forward.
The Cast
Eurydice – Sam Hawkins; Calliope – Gilly Morgan; Cupid – Katharine Jones; Venus – Melissa Sampson; Diana – Molly Percival; Juno – Kay Holmes; Orpheus – John Clack; Pluto – Andy Masterson; Jupiter – Des Holmes; Mars – Stephen Mills; John Styx – Peter Walters; Icarus – Guy Hewitt (Auden Theatre), Rodger Wynn (Sheringham Park); Mercury – Ash Faire-Ring; other members of the cast – Janet Bryant-Heron, Christine Blakemore, Bernie Alexandrou, Tim Ambler. Stage Manager – Crispin Clark
Come and Join Us
Rehearsals are progressing well, with music and staging being rehearsed in tandem. Our new artistic team are bringing their own brand of verve to the show, and there is considerable enthusiasm among the cast for what promises to be a tremendous, fun production.
We’d still welcome more singers to 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 will be given every encouragement.
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