Autumn show 2012 Patience, (Or Bunthorne s Bride) by W.S.Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan A Year ago all the girls from the local art college were engaged to the men from the TA. Now, however, the girls have all fallen in love with Bunthorne, a poet. Unfortunately, Bunthorne loves Patience, a local milk float driver, even though Patience has no feelings for him. In fact Patience cannot see why all the girls are so madly in love with Bunthorne anyway, until Lady Angela explains that to really love someone has to be an unselfish act. Patience suddenly finds herself face to face with Grosvenor, a street poet and old flame, and the only male that she has ever had any feelings for. She realises that to love him now would be selfish, so immediately agrees to marry Bunthorne, as that would be selfless. The soldiers think that things will now go back to normal, only to find that the girls have made Grosvenor the object of their affections. Who will end up with who? --------------------- A good question! And one that we intend to answer within the setting of the nineteen eighties, although there are no plans to change, either music, or dialogue from the original. (Not that we won t take the usual liberties from time to time, of course.) Musical direction is by David Manifold, who will be breathing life into the music by adding in his own personal slant to the proceedings, along with the usual first class orchestra. All rehearsal dates have been planned not to clash with the summer concert, and where possible, other local commitments, and we therefore invite all members, new and old, to join us at pre-auditions which will be held on 15th, 24th and 29th May at Charlton Kings Infants School starting at 7:30 pm., with auditions being held for the principals on the 3 rd June, and chorus on the 14 th June, (also at the school). Enclosed here are character traits for all parts. Whilst we feel these give a good overview of the styles that we are looking for, they should be treated as a guide only and not seen as excluding anyone from singing in for any part. The list of audition pieces will be available at the first rehearsal. For more information please check out the following:- www.slideshare.net/keithswinford/patience-cotswold-savoyards See you all there, Keith & Sally (Directors in waiting!)
Colonel Calverley 40-60 Typical army officer left over from the dying days of the British Empire. Stiff upper lip. Very pompous, loud, brash and forthright. Very much in charge, (or at least he thinks he is!). Based on General Sir Anthony Cecil Hogmanay Melchett of Blackadder 4 fame. Not averse to the occasional Baa-aahh. Bass or baritone with a couple of good solos, a trio and a quintet. Needs very good diction. Major Murgatroyd 25-45 An adjutant character. The brains of the three officers. Very much in charge of the ordinary ranks and given to loud unintelligible shouting, which fortunately everyone seems to understand, (except the audience). Sarcastic, but just on the right side of military law. Definitely superior, and given to looking down on Colonel Calverley behind his back. Based on Blackadder himself. Baritone with a trio and quintet. Lieut. The Duke of Dunstable 20-40 An odd rank that indicates his personality. A member of the aristocracy who sole aim in joining the army was to get closer to the common man to gain a broader range of experiences. Very camp, verging on positively gay. Comes out of the closet somewhat during the trio in Act 2 where he suddenly finds himself feeling very comfortable in heavy makeup and Boy George costume, (but pops back in again just in time for the Act 2 finale). A more exaggerated version of The Honourable George Colthurst St. Barleigh from Blackadder 4. Tenor with a trio and quintet, plus a further tenor solo if possible. Reginald Bunthorne 20-40 A hip art and/or music teacher from the local college, whose sole aim seems to be to bed all the ladeez. In order to do so he s putting on the Aesthetic act as they re all a bit gullible, and will fall for it. A likeable, cheeky character with more than the odd smile and raised eyebrow to the audience. The fourth wall will often be broken! Adam Ant during his Prince Charming phase. Perhaps a touch of Essex boy about him. Comedy Baritone with one solo and a couple of duets.
Archibald Grosvenor 20-40 Something of a mystery man who pops up out of nowhere and ruins Bunthorne's gameplan. A childhood flame of Patience, and very self assured and full of his own importance. The white suit! Definitely Kirk St Moritz from Dear John, (UK, not that American trash!), or if you re old enough, David Copperfield s Medallion man. Another Essex boy. Lyric Baritone with a couple of duets and some wickedly funny dialogue. Mr. Bunthorne s Solicitor Non singing, no dialogue, walk on part, doubled up with men s chorus = Pte Baldrick, complete with wig and boil!). Could be anyone, but some comedy moments should develop during the Act1 finale. Fill yer boots for forty five seconds. Will be picked from the gent's chorus and used for other business from time to time.
The Lady Angela 20-30 Dance teacher from the college dressed in long flowing skirt and gypsy top. Often makes over the top moves with her arms and legs, very much in the vein of Kate Bush s Wuthering Heights video, will also do exaggerated poses and moves during dialogue (i.e hammy overacting). Mezzo One duet and four umptets The Lady Saphir 20-30 Militant leader of a Student revolt. Some moves will be aggressive. Passionate hot blooded. Fiesty. Very dismissive of the soldiers but softens in speech when talking to poets as they are the utopia she is fighting for. Will also soften to lead officers when they are in poet mode. Mezzo with 3 umptets. The Lady Ella 20-40 An Estate Agent. Power dressed, big shoulders, pencil skirt, big hair, plenty of big chunky gold on view. Painted nails heavy make-up. Purposeful moves. A woman who knows what she wants and is out to get it without any messing. Full of self importance, and people should know it. Soprano with 2 umptets. The Lady Jane 30-60 Land lady of the pub. An older woman but still trying to find the right man. Some actions may seem inappropriate as she s acting too young for her age, i.e.bum wiggles, (during solo Act 2). She is selling the pub due to lack of funds so she must make the most of getting the Duke at the end, as he s loaded. Alto with one solo and one duet. Patience 20-30 An ordinary girl (soft northern accent, not crucial but definitely not west country), plain speaking, maybe a bit common. Thinks the students are silly. The milk lady from 'Open all Hours'. Only when Lady Jane has explained that love should be unselfish, (which is a concept that she readily gets), is she prepared to feign love for Bunthorne, but it is plain that Grosvenor is her true love. Soprano with two solos and three duets.
Chorus of rapturous ladies 18-85 A mix of types, ranging from young pretty little things to some of the less attractive punks, goths and emos. We ll be asking for help from the ladies themselves to dig out suitable clothing from their mothers' and grandmothers' wardrobes. Big and fanciful hairstyles some wigs. Loads of colour! Mainly a bunch of drunken students! Chorus of Dragoons 18-85 Basic, casual, 1980s uniforms with theatrical accoutrements. Very full of themselves. Half of them are in it for the beer, and the other half because they like dressing up as soldiers, but they re all a bunch of show-offs. Not averse to a bit of sloping off. Very little marching. What there is will be done in a swanky fashion. There will be NO stiff arm, guards type drill. It will be very cool. Think of it as faux military.
Audition pieces (All taken from the Chappell score and lib) Dialogue. Colonel Calverley. Page 12-13. From Duke: Here I am! to Colonel: He does seem popular. Page 40. From Angela: Oh, Saphir see see!... to Colonel: By sections of three Major Murgatroyd Page 12 & 13. From Duke: Here I am! to Colonel: He does seem popular. Page 40. From Angela: Oh, Saphir see see!... to Colonel: By sections of three Duke of Dunstable. Page 12 & 13. From Duke: Here I am! to Colonel: He does seem popular. Grosvenor Page 21 & 22. From Grosvenor: Patience! Can it be to Grosvenor: Yes, Patience, it is! Page 33. Recitation of poem: Teasing Tom Patience Page 21 & 22. From Grosvenor: Patience! Can it be to Grosvenor: Yes, Patience, it is! Page 18 & 19. From Bunthorne: Ah! Patience, come hither to Bunthorne: Certainly. Broken hearted. Bunthorne: Page 18 & 19. From Bunthorne: Ah! Patience, come hither to Bunthorne: Certainly. Broken hearted. Page 16: Recitation of poem: Hollow! Hollow! Hollow! Angela Page 40 From Angela: Oh, Saphir - see see!... to Colonel: By sections of three Saphir Page 40 From Angela: Oh, Saphir - see see!... to Colonel: By sections of three Ella
Jane Page 31. Speech: The fickle crew have deserted Reginald Or to put it another way Page from Page to Line from Line to Character 8 8 Angela: There is a strange magic Jane: Tis but a passing fancy Angela Saphir Ella 12 13 Duke: Here I am! Colonel: He does seem popular. 16 16 Bunthorne: Hollow! Hollow! Hollow! (Recitation) 18 19 Bunthorne: Ah! Patience, come hither 21 22 Grosvenor: Patience! Can it be that you 31 31 Jane: The fickle crew have deserted 33 33 Grosvenor: Teasing Tom (Recitation) 40 40 Angela: Oh, Saphir See See! Bunthorne: Farewell! Patience, Patience Grosvenor: Yes, Patience it is! Colonel: By sections of threes Jane Colonel Major Duke Bunthorne Bunthorne Patience Grosvenor Patience Jane Grosvenor Angela Saphir Colonel Major