Bloomin’ Loverly!It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to this performance of My Fair Lady. Winner of six Tony Awards including best musical, My Fair Lady sparkles with wit, elegance and romance telling the story of an Edwardian cockney flower girl’s transformation into the pride of London Society. This production will transform you from the street where you live, to the flower markets of London, the racecourse of Ascot, to the glittering heights of the Embassy Ball where everything is absolutely bloomin’ loverly.

We give a warm welcome back to Director Julia Rufey and Musical Director Philip Joslin and we are thrilled to be working with Choreographer (and SAMTC member) Gayle Bryans for the first time. We would like to thank them for their dedication and hard work culminating in what we hope you will agree to be a enjoyable production.

Apart from the production team and cast there are a myriad of other people involved in a production of this size without whom the show could not go on. So my thanks to the entire production team, stage crew, wardrobe, publicity and marketing team for their hard work and commitment.

You will find details of our next amazing production, Saturday Night Fever, on the back cover of this programme. Rehearsals begin in the new year, with auditions taking place next month.

If you would like to take part please visit our website for more details - we will be delighted to hear from you.

Thank you for your continuing support. Sit back and enjoy this wonderful show.

Joyce Smith Chairman

FOR EVERYONE’S ENJOYMENTWe want you to enjoy the performance to the full so, as a courtesy to both audience and cast, please switch off all mobile phones and electronic devices. Video or audio recording of this performance is strictly prohibited.Please note: This performance includes the use of haze, smoke, lighting and sound effects. Thank you for your co-operation.

Including mobile phones

Julia Rufey – Director Training: Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Theatre credits include: Lucy, The Rivals; Sonya, Uncle Vanya; Anna, Ivanov; Mrs Conway, Time & the Conways; Maureen, Madam Blavatsky Lives; Grace Dalrymple Elliot, Terror; Sheila, A Chorus Line; Sally, Follies; The Bakers Wife, Into The Woods; Woman 1, Putting it Together; Reno Sweeney, Anything Goes; Lily Vanessi, Kiss Me Kate; extensive touring with the Comedy Sketch Group Mutton, various radio comedy shows. Television credits include: Softly Softly, The Kett Rebellion, General Hospital, The Bill, Family Affairs. Directing Credits include: Oklahoma!, The Mikado, Iolanthe, Broadway Pirates, South Pacific, Carousel, The King And I, The Sound of Music, Annie, Crazy for You, Anything Goes, Guys & Dolls, Sister Act, Jekyll & Hyde, Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd, Tell Me On A Sunday, Aspects of Love, Jesus Christ Superstar, Grease, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the world premier of Fast Food The Musical, the UK Premier of Cole Porter’s lost musical Jubilee in London.

Philip Joslin – Musical DirectorPhilip has conducted and MD’d a wide variety of repertoire, everything between classical works and modern musicals. He has appeared at the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival and was nominated for best MD. He is a guest conductor for the Grims Dyke Opera Company as well as St Albans based chamber choir, Mosaic. MD credits include Fiddler on the Roof – (JP Rep – Theatre Royal Windsor) Carousel, The Mikado*, Yeomen of the Guard*, HONK!, Iolanthe*, (ALGSS); Fiddler, Annie, Guys & Dolls, The Sound of Music, Sweeney Todd, (SAMTC); The Sound of Music, Acorn Antiques, Oh What a Lovely War, My Fair Lady (RMTC); Sweeney Todd (PIT Productions); Me and My Girl (Cassio); Pippin (Panda Players). Philip has also re-orchestrated for smaller forces 7 of the G&S operettas including those asterisked above. Directorial credits include, Sullivan and Gilbert, The Zoo and The Sorcerer.

For for more details and future shows, visit our website: samtc.org.uk

Eliza Doolittle – Nicola Martinus-SmithNicola is originally from Sussex and has always had a passion for the arts. She trained in Musical Theatre at CPA Studios in Essex, and worked in the industry for 5 years, performing in many professional Rock’n’Roll Pantomimes across the country and also working in musicals abroad. She is now a dance teacher and manager for Stagecoach in Watford and choreographs for local companies and schools.

This is Nicola’s first show with SAMTC and is thrilled to have been given the opportunity to play such a classic part. She would like to thank all the cast, crew and creatives for being so welcoming, and hopes you enjoy the show!

Mrs Higgins – Susan AkroydSusan has been ‘treading the boards’ for 34 years and joined SAMTC 18 years ago when she played the part of Florence in ‘Chess’. Most recently she played Baroness Bomburst in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Other roles include Mrs Sowerberry, Oliver; Hattie, Kiss Me Kate; Baroness Elsa Shraeder, The Sound of Music; Hebe, HMS Pinafore; Aldonza, Man of La Mancha; The Beggar Woman, Sweeney

Todd and Lady Thiang, The King and I; Other roles include Ann, Half a Sixpence; Tzeitel, Fiddler on the Roof; Tessa, The Gondoliers; Mad Margaret, Ruddigore; Miss Adelaide, Guys and Dolls and Maria, The Sound of Music.

Gayle Bryans – Choreographer Gayle is a performer, choreographer and occasional assistant director. My Fair Lady was the first full musical she choreographed, whilst at university, so she’s delighted to be trying her hand at it once again. Since then she has choreographed Grand Hotel, My Favorite Year, The Wild Party, Into The Woods, London Road and co-choreographed Victor/Victoria and Soho Cinders (all for SEDOS at the Bridewell Theatre). As well as working on book musicals, she has choreographed review-style shows, recreated original choreography for two Eurovision tribute shows and produced cabaret events. As a performer she has spent many happy years dancing in the ensemble and playing a few principal roles Gladys - The Pajama Game, Adelaide - Guys and Dolls, April - Company and Avril/Mallory - City of Angels.

Colonel Pickering – Tony BradburnAfter many years of pleasure appearing in amateur musical theatre in Hertfordshire, Cheshire and Staffordshire Tony joined SAMTC ten years ago and since then he has been very lucky to be cast to play a number of fabulous character roles including Arvide in Guys and Dolls, Mr Bumble in Oliver, Pop in West Side Story, Monsieur O’Hara in Sister Act and last year Grandpa Potts in Chitty, Chitty, Bang,

Bang. He is now looking forward to playing the iconic role of Colonel Pickering and delivering George Bernard Shaw’s classic dialogue. Tony is also a member of the Company of Ten based at the Abbey Theatre in St Albans.

Freddy Eynsford-Hill –

Oliver Sutton-IzzardAfter appearing in SAMTC’s former shows Hairspray, Sister Act and West Side Story, Oliver is thoroughly excited to be joining SAMTC in their latest production of My Fair Lady. Oliver lives in St. Albans and has been acting since the age of nine. Formerly a drama instructor, he can now often be found either

onstage or working at Waitrose & Partners. Some of his favourite roles have included Anthony in Sweeney Todd, Marius in Les Misérables and Garry Lejeune in Noises Off. He is also an avid reader, who enjoys drawing, D&D, traveling and playing guitar in his spare time.

Henry Higgins – Matthew GregoryMatthew trained at the Royal Academy of Music and has been involved in musical theatre and opera in the area for more than 30 years. He has been performing with St Albans Musical Theatre Company since 1992, performing roles such as Emile de Becque, South Pacific; the title role in Sweeney Todd; Petruchio, Kiss me Kate; Edna Turnblad, Hairspray; Escamillo, Carmen; Banquo, Macbeth; Bill Hickok,

Calamity Jane; and Jud Fry, Oklahoma. Other favourite roles include the Beast, Beauty and the Beast; Molokov, Chess; Issac, The Hired Man and Frederik Egerman, A Little Night Music.

Mrs Eynsford-Hill – Katherine BarryKatherine was born into a theatrical family 2 weeks after her mother had finished panto and was very nearly born up a beanstalk! She has spent her entire life involved in theatre in some capacity and has always had a love of musicals. After giving up performing to concentrate on bringing up her children, a chance ad in The Stage caught her eye and she became Principal of Stagecoach Watford in 1996 which

she still runs to this day. More recently, she has been directing/acting with the Company of Ten at the Abbey Theatre in St Albans. Katherine is delighted to be doing her first show with SAMTC – better late than never!

Alfred Doolittle – Ben FrickeBen has previously appeared for SAMTC at the Alban Arena as Sir Lancelot in Spamalot, Miss Understanding in Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert and most recently as Dad in Our House. Previous roles range from a prat falling soldier in The Snow Queen (Abbey Theatre, St Albans) to Valmont in Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Waterman’s, Brentford) as well as Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf, Into The Woods (Magdalen College

Gardens, Oxford & Wimbledon Theatre); Cliff, Cabaret (Old Fire Station, Oxford); Mr Dupper, Writing Orlando (Bridewell Theatre) and many others, including Sophocles’ Electra, T S Eliot’s The Cocktail Party, & Pinter’s The Dumb Waiter.

Mrs Pearce – Charlotte FerinCharlotte has been performing in local shows for the past 17 years, with her first production being SAMTC’s Mack and Mabel. Since then she has been lucky enough to appear in shows across the county. Some of her favourite roles have included Glinda in The Wizard of Oz, the Rose Seller in Oliver, the Duchess of Plaza Toro in The Gondoliers, the Fairy Queen in Iolanthe, and most recently a horse in The Wind in the

Willows! Outside of shows she also works as a composer and MD, and enjoys writing original music for theatre, recently taking on her first pantomime. She is delighted to be back working with such a talented cast and crew.

Music by Alan Menken

Lyrics by Glenn Slater

Book by Cheri Steinkellner & Bill Steinkellner

Additional Book Material by Douglas Carter Beane

Based on the Touchstone Pictures Motion Picture SISTER ACT written by Joseph Howard.

12th–16th November 2019Evenings at 7.30pm, Saturday matinée at 2.30pm at Watford Palace Theatre

BOOK 01923 225 671NOW www.sisteract.live

CASSIOPRODUCTIONS

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This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe). All authorised performance materials are also supplied by MTI Europe www.mtishows.co.uk

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ACT ONEOverture ........................................................................................................................................ Orchestra

SCENE 1 - OUTSIDE COVENT GARDEN Why Can’t The English? .....................................................................................................Higgins Wouldn’t It Be Loverly ....................................................................... Eliza and Ensemble

SCENE 2 - TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD With A Little Bit Of Luck .............................................................. Doolittle & Ensemble

SCENE 3 - HIGGINS STUDY I’m An Ordinary Man...........................................................................................................Higgins

SCENE 4 - TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD With A Little Bit Of Luck REPRISE ..................................... Doolittle & Ensemble

SCENE 5 - HIGGINS STUDY Just You Wait ..................................................................................................................................... Eliza The Servants’ Chorus ................................................................... Mrs Pearce & Servants The Rain In Spain ...................................................................Eliza, Higgins & Pickering I Could Have Danced All Night ...........................Eliza, Mrs Pearce & Servants.

SCENE 6 - ASCOT Ascot Gavotte ...............................................................................................................Full Company

SCENE 7 - WIMPOLE STREET On The Street Where You Live ..................................................................................... Freddy

SCENE 8 - HIGGINS STUDY

ACT TWOSCENE 1 - THE BALLROOM OF THE EMBASSY

SCENE 2 - HIGGINS STUDY You Did It .......................................... Higgins, Pickering, Mrs Pearce & Ensemble Just You Wait REPRISE ............................................................................................................. Eliza

SCENE 3 - OUTSIDE HIGGINS’ HOUSE On The Streets Where You Live REPRISE .......................................................... Freddy Show Me .................................................................................................................. Eliza and Freddy

SCENE 4 - FLOWER MARKET OF COVENT GARDEN Wouldn’t It Be Loverly REPRISE .................................................................. Eliza & Men Get Me To The Church on Time ........................................... Doolittle & Ensemble

SCENE 5 - UPSTAIRS HALL OF HIGGINS’ HOUSE Hymn To Him .............................................................................................................................Higgins

SCENE 6 - THE GARDEN OF MRS. HIGGINS’ HOUSE Without You ..............................................................................................................Eliza & Higgins

SCENE 7 - HIGGINS STUDY I’ve Grown Accustomed To Her Face ....................................................................Higgins

Cast Henry Higgins ........................................................................................................Matthew Gregory

Eliza Doolittle .......................................................................................Nicola Martinus-Smith

Colonel Pickering ....................................................................................................Tony Bradburn

Alfred Doolittle ...........................................................................................................................Ben Fricke

Freddy Eynsford-Hill ...........................................................................Oliver Sutton-Izzard

Mrs Pearce .........................................................................................................................Charlotte Ferin

Mrs Higgins...........................................................................................................................Susan Akroyd

Mrs Eynsford-Hill .................................................................................................Katherine Barry

Harry .....................................................................................................................................Howard Penning

Jamie .............................................................................................................................................James Russell

Zoltan Karpathy................................................................................................................Matt Clothier

Servants .........................................Andrea Adlam, Danielle Agar, Karen Thorp Robin Lane, Michael Readman

Quartet ......................................................................................David Clarke, Charlie Harden Robin Lane, Zodiac Willoughby-O’Neill

Male ensemble ...........................................................Graham Blundell, Tim Garrad Charlie Harden, Robin Lane, Michael Readman,

James Russell, Mike Smith, Brett Tyrrell, Zodiac Willoughby-O’Neill, Roy Woodward

Female ensemble .......................................................Andrea Adlam, Danielle Agar, Rebecca Ashton, Sharon Axcell, Talya Baker, Niki Dunn

Sarah Dunning, Rachel Manser, Sarah Russell Lynsey Thomaidis, Karen Thorp

All other parts are played by members of the ensemble

OrchestraReed 1 ...........................................................................................................................Laura Bookbinder

Reed 2 .........................................................................................................................................Rachel Craggs

Reed 3 ..........................................................................................................................................Nicky Jenkins

Trumpet 1 ..........................................................................................................................................Ian Lynch

Trumpet 2 .......................................................................................................................................Paul Taylor

Trombone ........................................................................................................................................Matt Quick

Percussion ..............................................................................................................................Steve Fawbert

Violins ...........................Paul Costin, Javier Montañana, Muriel Carpenter

Cello ...............................................................................................................................................Hannah Lewis

Bass .........................................................................................................................Janice Barry-Williams

Keys .................................................................................................................................................Karen Stocker

ProductionDirected and staged by ................................................................................................. Julia Rufey

Musical Director ................................................................................................................Philip Joslin

Choreographer ..................................................................................................................Gayle Bryans

Production Manager ......................................................................................................Mike Smith

Production Secretary ...................................................................................................Brett Tyrrell

Stage Manager ...........................................................................................................................Chris Rook

Deputy Stage Manager .....................................................................................Annette Adkins

Assistant Stage Manager ...................................................................................Anya Boucher

Assistant to the Director ...................................................................................Lisa Matthews

Stage Crew ...................Terry Catchpole, Melanie Thurlow, Colin Adlam

Ben Palmer, Jason Power, David Hawes, Jamie RossMark Wiggins, Henrietta Wingate-Martin, Andrea Campusano

Sound supplied by ......................................................................................................Seventh Wave

Lighting supplied by .......................................................................................The Alban Arena

Set supplied by ............................................................................................... Scenic Projects Ltd

Lighting Desk Operator ...................................................................Lewis Covey-Crump

Follow Spot Operators ...................................Victoria Beddoes, Brian Carroll Natasha Baker

Wardrobe ...................................................................Rosemary O’Toole, Trish O’Toole, Maggie Bradburn and team

Costumes supplied by ............................................................................................... Dress Circle

Wigs .............................................. Shepperton Wig Company and Trish O’Toole

Props .................................................................................................. Dave Halshaw, Jessie Smith

Programme ................Graham Blundell, Elise Betts and Aditi Sawjani

Front of House ..............................................Mary Myers assisted by Janet Biggs and members and friends of the company

Rehearsal Accompanist.......................................Emma Barry, Karen Stocker, Natasha Baker and David Meek

Photography ...........................................................................................................................Sonia Magan

JOIN US!If you’ve enjoyed watching this performance, think how much more fun it can be to take part. It takes all sorts of talents, whether on stage or behind the scenes, to produce such a show and there is an infectious spirit throughout the Company as rehearsals build towards this week.

Whether you’d like to join us on stage or behind the scenes we have full and junior performing memberships available as well as friends memberships available at a reduced cost giving you access to all SAMTC meetings and social events!

Anyone who thinks they have something to offer can be sure of a great welcome with SAMTC! Email: info@samtc.org.uk or check out the website www.samtc.org.uk

If you would like to place an advert in our programme for ‘Saturday Night Fever’ Please contact: info@samtc.org.uk – for further details about our competitive rates.

OUR NEXT SHOW:Saturday Night FeverFor details, see the back page, visit www.samtc.org.uk or join us on Facebook ‘St Albans Musical Theatre Company’. Launch Event – 19th November – 7.30pm

Venue: Garden Fields School, AL3 5RL

Further details: samtcproductions@gmail.com

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Joyce Smith – Chairman, AJ King – Treasurer, Aditi Sawjani – Secretary, Ben Fricke – Deputy Chair, Brett Tyrrell – Deputy Treasurer, Claire Stanley – Deputy Secretary, Henrietta Wingate-Martin – Membership, Natasha Baker – Newsletter Editor, Kate Chafer – Ticket Secretary, Hannah Farrer – Executive MemberSt Albans Musical Theatre Company is an Amateur Society Charity Reg. No. 295795 The Object of the Society is to educate the public in the operatic, dramatic and musical arts.Affiliated to the National Operatic and Dramatic Association.www.samtc.org.uk

ENTERTAINING ST ALBANS FOR MORE THAN 60 YEARSJoin in the fun – www.samtc.org.uk

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang ‘18

Spamalot ‘17

Our House ‘19

Sister Act ‘16

SOME OF OUR RECENT SHOWS

Hairspray ‘15

Fiddler on the Roof ‘16

Priscilla ‘18

Oliver ‘15

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