Sharps Bedrooms is proud to support this production of Carousel and wish WAOS a happy  

and successful show. 

www.sharps.co.uk

Woking Amateur Operatic Society is a local musical theatre company based in Woking, Surrey. We have produced over 80 shows since its formation over 40

years ago. We stage two shows a year, here at the Rhoda McGaw Theatre, as well as fundraising concerts and other social events. We are a registered charity, number 284122. We welcome all newcomers to the society, both on and off-stage. If you are interested in volunteering to help in any aspect of our theatre productions, please do contact us via our website:

Chairman – Gillian Freeman Treasurer – Keith White

Membership – Sue Gaastra Member – Graham Kirby-Smith

Business Manager – Martine Young Secretary & Social – Victoria Percival

Publicity & PR – Brian Higgs Box Office & Website – Lisa Young

It is with great sadness that WAOS has learnt of Joan Ireland passing away on Wednesday 11th October 2017. Joan was one of our earliest members, when WAOS reformed in the 1970s and had a small part in our first full production in 1974.

Joan was a stalwart of the chorus, often doubling to take on small roles. She took the director’s hot seat for our 1987 production of No No Nannette and made her last on-stage appearance with WAOS in the 2006 production of The Slipper And The Rose. We remember her with affection.

The National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) was founded in 1899 and has a membership of around 2,500 amateur theatre groups and 3,000 individual enthusiasts throughout the UK who are engaged in staging musicals, opera, plays, concerts and pantomime in a wide variety of performing venues, ranging from the country’s leading professional theatres to tiny village halls. NODA's mission is to support the education and information needs of individuals and organisations with high quality services and products that contribute to the success of amateur theatre, as well as encouraging appreciation of the sector by participants and audiences alike. They aim to give a shared voice to the amateur theatre sector; to help amateur societies and individuals achieve the highest standards of best practice and performance; to provide leadership and advice to enable amateur theatre to tackle the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. If you would like to find out more about NODA and its range of services, please visit

Welcome to our production of Carousel, one of the great classics by Rodgers and Hammerstein. I am sure you will be enchanted by the familiar melodies and beautiful dancing tonight. Lorraine Landon, who directs for us for the first time, has been an invaluable member of the WAOS family for several years now, taking on choreography, set painting and prop making - often all at the same time! As well as welcoming her to this role, we are delighted to have procured the services of the lovely Laura Brown as our musical director once more, and to have our own Hannah Dare in charge of the choreography. WAOS last performed Carousel in 2007 when, dressed as a clown, I was required to open the show by spinning a plate on a stick. On the first night I dropped it and watched as it rolled off the front of the stage into the audience. Nobody returned it. I am sure tonight's performance will run much more smoothly! We are very fortunate to have so many young people joining us for this show – some who are returning following great work in Oliver! in 2014, and some who are entirely new to our company. We are always delighted to welcome new members, so do get in touch if you would like to join us for our next show, Dolly Parton's 9 to 5, which will be on stage in May 2018.

Lorraine joined WAOS in 2009 when she painted the set for the NODA award winner, Into The Woods, before turning to her first love, choreography, when she choreographed Songs that Won the War, followed by Blitz!, Anything Goes, Oliver! The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, South Pacific, Pride & Prejudice – The Musical and, well, eight further productions.

Lorraine first appeared on stage at the National Eisteddfod of South Africa, obtaining a Special Place in the under five’s section for her rendition of How much is that Doggy in the Window. After that staggering performance there was no looking back, and after her family moved to Zambia she took part in many dancing displays until she landed the part of Anybodys in West Side Story, and that was the beginning of her passion for musical theatre. After playing Cha Cha in Grease she went on to direct and choreograph shows such as Godspell, Joseph, West Side Story, and countless Old Tyme Music Halls. After a transfer to Cyprus, she took on pantomime and all in all directed five of the best loved pantomimes for the Anglo Cypriot Theatre. Set painting was something Lorraine fell into, never really knowing that she could, and went on to paint the set for every WAOS production since 2009 and hand-made many large props for Oliver! and The Magic Flute. Lorraine would like to thank everyone involved in this production and in particular, Martine Young for her invaluable assistance and guidance, Musical Director Laura Brown, for her tireless work and support, Mike Bartlett for the carousel and horses, Production Secretary Sue Gaastra, and Choreographer Hannah Dare for her wonderfully imaginative routines. Finally, Lorraine would like to thank her husband and son, who never fail to support her.

Laura was educated at Wells Cathedral School, Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge and the University of Illinois USA. She has been a freelance musician all her life, teaching piano, voice, accompanying, playing organ and conducting choirs including Octavian Singers in Woking. Over the years she has directed Fiddler On The Roof, La Traviata, Tosca, Dido & Aeneas, Chicago, West Side Story, Joseph, and a revue on the life of Harry Warren. A couple of years ago she joined forces with Martine and WAOS to put on The Magic Flute at The Rhoda McGaw, which was great fun, and that led to being the Musical Director for Kiss Me, Kate with WAOS earlier this year. Laura has enjoyed working with some of the same performers as well as the young people in this show.

Hannah has been a member of WAOS since 2013 and, after many years of waving and dancing around on stage, she choreographed her first WAOS show, Kiss Me, Kate, earlier this year. Carousel has proven to be a completely different kettle of fish and she has enjoyed the different challenges it presents, plus working with another wonderful cast. Special mention

must go to Noah and Julia who worked extra hard on their ballet and all the young members of the company. She hopes you enjoy the show.

Richard Rodgers once wrote that of all the musicals he wrote, Carousel was his personal favourite. It was Rodgers and Hammerstein’s second collaboration, and was adapted from Ferenc Molnar’s 1909 play Lilliom. They transferred the Budapest setting of Lilliom to the New England coastline, where Carousel takes place. The story tells of charming, roguish carnival barker, Billy Bigelow, and mill worker Julie Jordan, both loners, who meet and fall in love. Their marriage ends up costing both their jobs, and things go downhill from there. Billy’s desperation makes him violent against those he loves most, and drives him to commit crimes in order to provide for his family. When Billy falls in with con-man Jigger Craigin, he ends up getting caught in the midst of an armed robbery and takes his own life. Billy is allowed to return to earth for one day fifteen years later, and he encounters the daughter he never knew. Louise is a lonely, friendless teenager, her father’s reputation having haunted her throughout her young life. How Billy instils in both the child and her mother a sense of hope and dignity is a dramatic testimony to love’s transcendence. Voted the best musical of the 20th century by Time Magazine, Rodgers’ and Hammersteins’ Carousel is the classic American musical, spanning heaven and earth in its exploration of human frailty, resilience, and the power of forgiveness.

Carrie Pipperidge Victoria Percival Julie Jordan Elizabeth Snowden-Reeve Mrs Mullin Samantha Moylan-Heydt Billy Bigelow Robert Richmond Policeman Alex Haben Mr Bascombe Clive Moon Nettie Fowler June Saich Enoch Snow Matthew Gardner Jigger Craigin Mark Mowbray Arminy Nicki Farrar Captain Keith White Heavenly Friend Mike Bartlett Starkeeper / Dr Seldon Brian Higgs Louise Julia Da Costa Hannah Snow Rhiannon Kitchener Carnival Boy Noah Brierley Enoch Snow Junior James Macdonald Principal Roger Thomas

Susana Colunga, Hannah Dare, Nicki Farrar, Hannah Kitchener, Sylvie Petersen, Sarah Platt and Dianne Skeel

Mike Bartlett, Alex Haben, James Macdonald, Roger Thomas and Keith White

Ellie Brown, Hannah Dare, Caitlin Ennis, Zoe Ennis and Sylvie Petersen

Imogen Cooke and Angel Watkins

Sharon Forsyth

Mary Angus, Robert Angus, Abigail Elcombe, Scarlett Elcombe, Jenny Kitchener, Maggie Kitchener, Elsie Murza-Murzicz and Felix Murza-Murzicz

Director Lorraine Landon Musical Director Laura Brown Choreographer Hannah Dare Assistant Director Martine Young WAOS Production Secretary Sue Gaastra Stage Manager Lisa Young Deputy Stage Manager Cathy Chappell Assistant Stage Manager Chris Ireland Crew Sharon Forsyth, Tracey Gillard, Chris Ireland,

Chris Power, Lisa Young and Martine Young Sound [Show Works] Oscar Thompson & Katherine Winfield Lighting Mark Cox Set Design Mike Bartlett Set Build Mike Bartlett, Mike Griffiths, Roger Thomas, Keith White & cast members Set Painting Lorraine Landon, Sylvie Petersen & Dianne Skeel & cast members Properties Tracey Gillard Wardrobe [from WAOS] Cathy Chappell & Martine Young Make-Up Lynda Lawrence & Julie Lawson Make-Up Assistants Shepperton Studio Students: Elizabeth Brown, Lucy Buckley, Lorna Crowther, Lara Jones, Holly Laws, Juliette Lumley, Laura Maragliano & Samantha Padbury Chaperone Manager Gillian Freeman Chaperones Kirsty Angus, Lee Cooke, Rachel Cooke, Anji Ennis, Jenny Hasted, Sonia Huntley- Robertson, Melanie Morrisey & Karen Woodland Front of House Manager Beth Flitton Front of House Natasha Bennett, Natasha Butler, Caroline

Croucher, Peter Howitt, Julie Kimnell, Elizabeth Loveder, John Moody, Geoff Morris, Franek Mrozek, Anja Mrozek, Michelle Pierdziwol, Ricky Powell, Peter Saich, Vale Tanner & Alan Wyle

Box Office Keith White & Lisa Young Publicity Brian Higgs Front of House Display Martine Young Art, Photos, Programme & Website Lisa Young Rehearsal Pianists Laura Brown & Jonathan Rhodes-Smith

Keyboard Jonathan Rhodes-Smith Keyboard Adam Blosse Trumpet Paul Harris Trombone James Patrick

Clarinet Michael Grant Clarinet Francesca Gale Percussion Ted Hayes

Scene 1 An amusement park on the New England coast in May

Prologue .......................................................................................... (The Carousel Waltz)

Scene 2 A tree-lined path along the shore,

a few minutes later

Mister Snow ................................................................................................Carrie and Julie If I Loved You .................................................................................................. Billy and Julie

Scene 3 Nettie Fowler's kitchen on the ocean-front in June

June is Bustin' Out All Over ......................... Nettie, Carrie and the Chorus Reprise Mister Snow ................................................. Carrie, Enoch and the Girls When the Children are Asleep ................................................ Enoch and Carrie Blow High, Blow Low .................................................... Jigger, Billy and the Men Soliloquy ...................................................................................................................................... Billy Finale Act 1 ............................................................................ Nettie and the Company

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........... ... ......................................... .......ct 1..................... ........................................................................................ ...

Scene 3kitttccchen on ttthhheee

Out All Ovvvererer............. .......................................Netter Snow...........................................................................................Ca

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ong the shoorree,, nutes later

.............................................CaCarrrrieie aandnd JJululieie.....................................................BiBilllly y and JuJuliliee

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Scene 1 On an island across the Bay, that night

A Real Nice Clambake ...................Nettie, Julie, Carrie, Enoch & Chorus Geraniums in the Winder ........................................................................................ Enoch Stonecutters Cut It On Stone ...................................... Jigger and the Chorus What's The Use Of Wond'rin? ................................................ Julie and the Girls

Scene 2 Mainland waterfront, an hour later

You'll Never Walk Alone ................................................................Julie and Nettie The Highest Judge Of All ............................................................................................ Billy

Scene 3 Up There

Scene 4 Down here on a beach, fifteen years later

Ballet ......................................................................................................................................................... ...... Louise, Carnival Boy, Ruffians, Enoch, Snow Children & Dancers

Scene 5 Outside Julie's cottage

Reprise: If I Loved You ................................................................................................... Billy

Scene 6 Outside a schoolhouse, the same day

Finale Ultimo .................................................................................................. The Company

SScceennee 1On an island acrroossss tthe Bay, that night

A Real Nice Clambake ....................NeNettttieie, JuJ lie, Carrie, Enoch & ChorusGeraniums in the Winderr ..................................... .......................................................... EnochStonecutters Cut It On Stotonene............................ ...............Jigger and the ChorusWhat's The Use Of Wonnd'd'rrin?n?...................................................Julie and the Girls

Scene 22MMaainnllanndd wwateerrffroontt, ann hhoouurr laatteerr

Yoouu'll NNeve er WWalk AlA one ............................ .......................................Juullie and NeN ttieieThhe e Hiighghest Juudge Of AAll ................................. ......... ........................................... ............BiB lllyy

SSceenne 3UUpp TThhere

Sceene 4Dowwnn heeree onn a beeacch,, fifteen yyeaarrss llaater

Ballet......................... ................................................................................................................... .................................... Louisese, CaCarnival Boyy, , RuRuffffiaiansns, EnEnococh,h, SnSnow CChilddren n && Dancers

Scene 5OOuutside Julie's cottagee

Reprisise:e: IfIf II LLoved You ......................................................................................................BiB lly

Scene 6

Beth has worked as a Teacher of the Arts for the past twelve years. In this time she has built up a portfolio of student credits in the West End and has taught Musical Theatre at a vocational level to both children and adults. After completing a Drama Degree, she received vocal tuition from the Royal College of Music in London. Beth was introduced to WAOS last year when she worked alongside Laura as Musical Director for Kiss Me, Kate. This is the first time that Beth has been on stage with WAOS and she would like to thank everyone that has been involved with Carousel.

Robert is excited to be returning to WAOS, having made his debut as Tamino in Mozart's The Magic Flute last year. He began his musical theatre career with the role of Ko-Ko's Axe Carrier in The Mikado with Sale G&S Society at the age of six. He has since been a Tenor choral scholar, a church organist, directed The Mikado, Iolanthe, and Jonathan Larson's Tick Tick Boom! for Durham University Light Opera Group and performed in a varied repertoire with them (while ostensibly studying for degrees in

Archaeology), including a production of Sondheim's Assassins at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. More recently he has been performing with the Grosvenor Light Opera Company in London and at the International G&S Festivals in Buxton and Harrogate with roles including John Wellington Wells in The Sorcerer, the Duke in Patience, Box in Cox and Box, Robin Oakapple in Ruddigore and Frederick in The Pirates of Penzance. In Woking he was last seen at the Rhoda McGaw as Nanki-Poo in The Mikado earlier this year. He lives in Richmond, which is very confusing for the postman.

This is Victoria's fifth show with WAOS, returning to the stage as Carrie Pipperidge after her breakthrough principal role as Elizabeth Bennett in last year’s world premiere of Pride & Prejudice – The Musical. Victoria studied Performing arts at Reading and has enjoyed all the parts she has played in WAOS. Previous roles include Sandy Olssen (Grease), Kitty (The Drowsy Chaperone), Young Lucie (Sweeney Todd) and Papagena (The Magic Flute).

Victoria would like to thank her fellow cast and crew for all their hard work to make this show fantastic, with a special mention to Beth Snowden-Reeve for being so supportive through rehearsals and a true friend and to her Mr Snow, Matt Gardner for always being so charming and for pushing her out of her comfort zone.

Victoria is looking forward to playing another feisty, independent woman and hopes you enjoy the comedy Carrie brings to the show. Her performance this week is dedicated to her mum Valerie who was never able to see her on stage. May she enjoy watching Vicky’s performance from above. Finally to her best friend Lisa. “Break a leg.. tabs running!”

Matt made his regional debut with WAOS a year ago as Mr Wickham in Pride & Prejudice – The Musical and then returned to join our spring production as Bill Calhoun/Lucentio in Kiss Me, Kate in May.

Matt has always had a passion for the stage. From an early age, he was involved in school productions and concerts, with his first principal role as Joseph in Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the age of 13. Having studied Dance at Northumbria University, Matt briefly

worked as a professional dancer and toured with Northern Youth Dance Company.

In recent years, while working as an accountant, Matt has appeared in numerous productions in various roles, most memorably Ren in Footloose (Guiseley Amateurs – February 2016), Leo Bloom in The Producers (Keighley Amateurs - October 2015) and Bobby Child in Crazy For You (Guiseley Amateurs - February 2015). Matt is delighted to be working with WAOS again and looks forward to future outings with the society!

June’s first production with WAOS was in 1989 in Yeomen of The Guard and she has been lucky to play some great character roles with this Society including Julie in an earlier production of Carousel in 1994, Golde in Fiddler On The Roof, Mrs Blitzstein in Blitz! and Bloody Mary in South Pacific. She is delighted to be portraying Nettie Fowler and

enjoying singing ‘June Is Bustin’ Out All Over’ – a source of amusement to her fellow cast members, as well as the emotive ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’.

Mark has been performing in theatre since the age of eleven and has appeared on stage in such shows as We Will Rock You, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, plus many others. He has also enjoyed working back stage, building sets, rigging and working as stage crew. Mark hopes he has developed a broad sense of how theatre, its performance and the importance of those around him really make an enjoyable, excellent evening for the most important part of any show; the audience. This is the second time Mark has performed in Carousel, originally playing Mr Snow in Mayhem Musical Theatre’s production in 2003. Mark says: “Carousel has something for everybody; love, drama, comedy and thought provoking music, please enjoy!”

Sam has been with WAOS a while now and shows no sign of going anywhere. She brings masses of passion to everything she does. Some might say she’s a drama queen… By day a Corporate Social Responsibility Manager she manages to find a strangely large number of occasions on which she can dress up. By night Sam is a committed couch potato and thespian. Most recently she was just ‘Too Darn Hot’ as she strutted her stuff as Paulie in

WAOS’s Kiss Me, Kate. Sam is delighted to have the opportunity to play Mrs Mullin, owner of the carousel, and hopes that you enjoy her performance and the show.

Mike has been performing in lead and support roles with WAOS and other local societies since 2001. Favourite roles include Nathan in Guys and Dolls and Tommy in Brigadoon. Mike also takes great pleasure in designing and building the sets with the enduring support of other WAOS members. The carousel for this show was a particular delight!

Julia is excited to be making her debut with the society in this show. After dancing to the VHS recording of Cats religiously at aged five, and doing ballet from the ages of three to eleven, she is grateful for the opportunity to revive her love of dancing whilst getting to perform as such an interesting character. Julia would like to thank her family for putting up with

her constant pirouetting and line-reciting around the house. Although she is hoping to study art at university, when she gets there, she will be joining a drama club straight away!

Singing and dancing have been part of Nicki’s life since she was three years old when she started ballroom dancing and taking part in junior talent shows. A fan of musical theatre for many years, Nicki reignited her passion for being on stage by joining WAOS in 2014 for their production of Oliver! She played the role of Trix in The Drowsy Chaperone and more recently opened the show as Hattie in Kiss Me, Kate.

Alex has been a member of WAOS for close to seven years now. He has been in many WAOS shows and has enjoyed rehearsals for Carousel very much. Alex is enjoying being part of all the chorus singing and dancing and looking forward to playing the Policeman. This will be his second time playing a Policeman in a WAOS show. The other show was The Pirates of Penzance.

Brian has been involved in the world of amateur theatre for some seventeen years and wishes he had started earlier. However since then he has played a variety of roles with Surrey theatre groups. He loves musicals and you would have seen him in WAOS’s premiere of Pride & Prejudice – The Musical, as well as playing one of the gangsters in Kiss Me, Kate. In Carousel he is looking forward to playing The Starkeeper and his representative on Earth, Dr Seldon.

Clive has been with WAOS for ten years now, mainly taking chorus or minor character roles, usually non-singing!

He has often been in uniform or at least in a role of stature and authority, the pinnacle being Eli Witney in Anything Goes, so Mr Bascombe fits the bill again.

This is James' fourth WAOS show. He is seventeen and has been doing drama for many years and is currently a member of Stagecoach. James is studying Drama A-level and a Performing Arts BTEC and is hoping to continue his studies at university. He is an assistant musical theatre teacher and is on the way to completing his gold Duke of Edinburgh award. James is passionate about acting and loves the WAOS team!

This is Rhiannon’s second show with WAOS, having performed in Oliver! in 2014. Rhiannon has been dancing and performing from a very young age; her disciplines include Irish dance (with the Kelalou Academy), tap, jazz and musical theatre (with BKD Performers). Rhiannon’s stage credits include Theatretrain at London’s O2 Arena and she has competed at European level with her Irish dancing. Rhiannon attends a local secondary school, where

she particularly enjoys studying art. She is looking forward to appearing on stage at The Rhoda McGaw again, alongside lots of her family and friends.

You are warmly invited to attend our introduction evening for our next show 9 to 5. Here you will meet our directors Beth Flitton and Amanda Carey-McDermott. You will find out their vision and character breakdown of the next show as well as audition pieces and key dates. It is a relaxed informal evening open to all, no matter what your stage experience is. We look forwarding to seeing you!

When: Monday 20th November 2017 at 7:45pm

Where: Old Woking Community Centre Sundridge Road Woking, Surrey GU22 9AT

1974 The Boy Friend 1975 Bless The Bride 1976 White Horse Inn / The Gondoliers 1977 Orpheus In The Underworld / Oklahoma! 1978 The Merry Widow / The Geisha 1979 The Gypsy Baron / Ruddigore 1980 Lilac Time / The Desert Song 1981 Free As Air / Bitter Sweet 1982 Merrie England / Carousel 1983 Summer Song / My Fair Lady 1984 The Gipsy Princess / Brigadoon 1985 The Pajama Game / Show Boat 1986 Princess Ida / The Rebel Maid 1987 Viva Mexico / No, No, Nanette 1988 Die Fledermaus / Calamity Jane 1989 Kismet / The Yeomen Of The Guard 1990 Fiddler On The Roof / Half A Sixpence 1991 Oklahoma! / The Merry Widow 1992 Hello Dolly! / The Pirates Of Penzance 1993 Blitz! * / Camelot 1994 Carousel / Lilac Time 1995 Charlie Girl / The Mikado * 1996 Orpheus In The Underworld / The Music Man 1997 Kiss Me, Kate / Gigi * 1998 Brigadoon / Peg O’ My Heart 1999 Anything Goes / Annie Get Your Gun 2000 In The Spotlight / South Pacific † 2001 Robert And Elizabeth / My Fair Lady 2002 Guys And Dolls / Fiddler On The Roof † 2003 A Music Hall Extravaganza / How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying 2004 Oklahoma! / Jack The Ripper *† 2005 Calamity Jane †‡ / Little Shop Of Horrors 2006 Bye Bye Birdie / The Slipper and The Rose 2007 The Boy Friend / Carousel 2008 Moll Flanders † / Salad Days 2009 Into The Woods * / Songs That Won The War/Blitz! 2010 The Hired Man * / South Pacific 2011 The Pajama Game / The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas 2012 Bugsy Malone / The Pirates of Penzance 2013 Children of Eden † / Anything Goes 2014 Oklahoma! / Oliver! 2015 Wuthering Heights / Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street *† 2016 The Magic Flute / The Drowsy Chaperone / Pride & Prejudice The Musical 2017 Kiss Me, Kate

* NODA Award Winning Production† NODA Award Other Than Production

‡ NODA Programme Competition National Winner

In recognition of her long association with Woking Amateur Operatic Society and her work performed on the Society’s behalf, we are pleased to acknowledge our life member:

Mrs Peggy Prosser

The support of the following patrons of the Society is gratefully acknowledged:

Mrs Theresa Amor

John & Veronica Brown

Mrs Jenny Grayson

Mrs Pam Knight

Mrs Lynda Lawrence

Mr & Mrs R C Norris

Being a patron means that financial support can be given by those who wish to be involved with the society, but who might be unable to spare the time to help in a more active manner. For an annual subscription of £20, patrons receive:

advance booking facilitiesrecognition in each show programmea complimentary copy of the Society newsletter Top Notesa complimentary programme when buying tickets for a show

If you would like to become a patron, please send your name, postal address, e-mail address and telephone number, along with your remittance, to:

Sue Gaastra, 18 Hill Close, Horsell, Woking, Surrey, GU21 4TE or by e-mail to membership@waos.info

During the interval, you will have a chance to enter our free draw to win 2 free tickets to our next show 9 to 5!

The winner of the Carousel ticket draw is:

Judy Oglethorpe