The Society President — Mr. J.C. Mabberley

Under the distinguished patronage of The Worshipful the Mayor of Rushmoor, Cllr. Brian Jupp

Life Members Mr. M. Binning, Mrs. B. Candy,

Dr. I. Jones, Mr. J. Mitten, Mrs. M. Molyneux

Patron — Full — Junior Members

Miss. W. Allen Mrs. P. Alner Mrs. L. Armes Mr. S. Armes Mrs. C. Atkinson Mr. P. Atlee Mrs. M. Benger Mr. E. Blake Mrs. J. Bonney Mrs. E. Brooks Mr. R. Brown Mr. B. Busby Mrs. D. Busby Miss S. Busby Mrs. J. Cate Mrs. C. Chamberlain Mr. R. Cockell Mr. A. Coombs Mrs. B. Davall Mrs. T. Davis Mrs. R. Dempsey Mrs. P. Devereux Mrs. R. Doherty Mr. T. Doherty Mrs. J. Drake Mrs. M. Dugan Mr. A. Eade Mr. J. Earles Mrs. C. Edgoose Mrs. S. Ferrier Mrs. E. Flitcroft Mr. S. Fox

Mrs. J. Franklin Mrs. L. Galley Mr. D. Green Miss S. Grosvenor Mrs. I. Hall Miss B. Hall Mr. F. Hambrook Mrs. P. Hammick Miss N. Hammond Mr. P. Harben Mrs. D. Higgins Mr. M. Jacklin Mr. F. Jewell Mr. R. Johnson Miss S. King Mrs. M. Little Mrs. E. Loader Mr. T. Mann Mrs. E. Mann Mrs. H. McLoughlin Mr. B. McMahon Miss L. Miles Mr. E. Mills Mrs. A. Mitten Mr. C. Molyneux Miss C. Morrish Mrs. I. Mowat Mr. P. Mumford Miss E. Nancolas Miss A. Orchard Miss L. Orchard Mrs. M. Payen

Mr. G. Peake Mrs. G. Peake Mrs. J. Pharo Mrs. M. Pole-Baker Mr. J. Prescott Mrs. F. Rich M. Roberts Mr. C. Sharp Mr. S. Sharp Mrs. D. Short Mr. K. Speck M. Spicer Mr. M. Squires Mrs. M. Squires Mr. R. Staplehurst Mr. D. Stead Mrs. M. Strike Mr. P. Tattershall Mrs. P. Tattershall Miss S. Thomas Miss J. Varley Mrs. J. Vincent, M.B.E. Mr. C. Voller Mrs. C. Walker Mr. D. Walters Miss. S. Watt Mr. M. Wellard Mr. M. Williams Mr. S. Williams Mr. D. Wood Mrs. B. Woolger

Mr. P. Adams, O.B.E. Mr. C. Balchin, J.P. Mr. R. Debenham Mr. M. Evans Mrs. M.D. Harvey

Mr. T. Higgins Mr. T. Hughes Mr. D. Jackson Mr. T. Kerr, C.B. Dr. A. Macadam

Mr. E. Short Mr. D. Strike Mr. G. Woolger Mr. R. Yeomans

Vice Presidents

THE CODY FARNBOROUGH AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY Formerly known as DERA Farnborough Amateur Operatic Society

(Founded in 1920)

Present

Affiliated to the National Operatic & Dramatic Society

Choreographer HUW PRALL

Musical Director DEREK CANFIELD

Directed by SUE SAMPSON

Stage Manager MIKE DAVALL

Lighting Designer MELVYN FRYER

Sound Manager SHAUN CONNOR

Front of House Manager PETER ADAMS

Make-up Managers

DIANE BEDFORD ALISON BEDFORD

Costume Manager

PHILIP ALNER

Box Office Managers PETER STILL

ELAINE ADAMS

Properties Manager ANNE GARROOD

Publicity Manager DEBORAH GRAVES

23rd - 28th September 2002

Princes Hall, Aldershot

An amateur production by arrangement with Samuel French Ltd.

PROCEEDS TO LOCAL CHARITIES Registered Charity No. 257135

Music & Lyrics by Carol Hall Book by Larry L. King & Peter Masterson

Welcome to our production of “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas”. For our company it is a long way, theatrically speaking, from the elegant 19th century salons of our last show Die Fledermaus to the very down-to-earth, robust atmosphere of the deep south of America in the 1970s, but it is a trip we thought well worth taking, and I trust that you will enjoy the very witty libretto and attractive country and western melodies as much as we have during our re-hearsals over the last few months. As a comedy it does not rely merely on the raunchiness conveyed by the title, but through some fine writing also reveals a telling satire on the hypocrisy to be found

in the media and politics. The original show only managed a short run in the West End, possibly because of its completely American idiom, but it enjoyed huge success on Broad-way and was made into a popular film.

The setting for our next production in March 2003 returns to Europe at the time of the Cold War and portrays the world of the grand masters in the powerful musical play “Chess” created by Tim Rice and the ABBA musicians. Following that, in September 2003 and March 2004 respectively we look forward to presenting the musicals Cabaret and Me and My Girl.

We are always on the lookout for new members to participate in our productions either as performers or as members of our backstage teams. If you are interested, please have a look at the joining details at the back of this programme.

Haydn Thomas

A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIRMAN - HAYDN THOMAS

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THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS tells the story of a famous Texan institution known as the Chicken Ranch--so named because, during the Depression, customers were allowed to pay with poultry! The show begins with a look back in time to those days, when Miss Wulla Jean was in charge. The action then moves to the 1970’s as, two new girls have just arrive at the Chicken Ranch looking for employment. One of the girls is ob-viously an experienced street hooker and the other, much younger girl, has come straight from her family farm to escape her father. Miss Mona, the proprietor of the Chicken Ranch and a former Chicken Ranch girl herself, immediately sizes up both girls. She allows both girls to stay, but gives the first girl a quick makeover, forcing her to re-move her tarty blonde wig and sunglasses and change her name to "Angel."

Meanwhile, Melvin P. Thorpe, a television commentator, is about to go on the air with "Nemesis", a watchdog program that is supposedly committed to exposing social and commercial abuse, but in reality is only a front for giving Melvin himself exposure so that he can bathe in the limelight. The previous week, Melvin had scored a big hit by proving that a certain peanut bar contained fewer peanuts than advertised. This week, he has his sights set on the Chicken Ranch. With all the glitz and cheesy showmanship of a bad Broadway musical, Melvin proclaims to his audience the surprising revelation that "Texas Has Whorehouse in It." He declares that this evil must be brought to an end and calls on the local sheriff to shut the Chicken Ranch down. Back at the Chicken Ranch, however, things continue as normal. Angel is settling into her new job and, during a break, takes a moment to call her mama who is looking after Angel's little boy. Miss Mona is preparing for a big rush of business. There is a big football match scheduled, and the prize for the winning team is an evening at the Chicken Ranch. She wants to cre-ate a special Homecoming Dance atmosphere for the occasion, so she is dressing all the girls in 1950s style ball gowns (equipped, of course, with Velcro for easy removal!)

The local sheriff, Ed Earl Dodd, an old friend of Miss Mona's, decides to pay her a visit. He informs her of the local crusader's efforts to shut down her establishment, but Miss Mona laughs it off. There have been moral crusaders before, but the Chicken Ranch has always survived. The Sheriff is uneasy, however, as these previous crusaders have never had the power of television to back them up. Ed Earl's apprehension proves well founded. He soon finds Melvin setting up his cameras on the main street of Gilbert in preparation for continuing his attack on the little brothel. The Sheriff hits Melvin with a bylaw, forcing him to pack up his cameras and move out. He gives the television cru-sader an earful as well, using language which is, to say the least, not very polite. He has unwittingly played into Melvin's hands, however; the sheriff's performance has been caught on Melvin's television cameras and is almost immediately relayed to Melvin's de-cidedly conservative Texas audience. In spite of this, Ed Earl is unrepentant and swears he would do the same thing if he ever came around again.

Although the citizens of Gilbert are beginning to grow a little nervous at all this publicity, life goes on. Preparation for the football match continues, and the players have nothing on their minds but Senator Wingwoah's promise to the victors of a night out at Miss Mona's establishment (even though the senator had spent the night before on KTEX-TV denouncing such establishments--one of those little political necessities.) But the boys' night of pleasure isn't destined to go quite as well as they had hoped. The Sheriff is hav-ing coffee with Miss Mona, when all hell breaks loose. Melvin and a whole cavalcade of

SYNOPSIS

men with cameras suddenly break in and begin snapping pictures, and chaos soon wins the day.

Although the Governor of Texas is a master of "The Side Step," he can't silence the moral ma-jority that Melvin P. Thorpe has galvanized into action, and is soon obliged to admit that Miss Mona’s place must be shut down. When the call comes from the Governor, it is Ed Earl who must deliver the news to Miss Mona. The girls begin packing their suitcases. Angel makes up her mind to move back home and get a normal job so that she can be with her young son. Miss Mona, however, is not so sure what her next move is. She has never forgotten a night she spent with Sheriff Ed on the evening of Kennedy's inauguration. She wouldn't call it love, but it was a special night for her, and she would like very much for things to be like they were that night. She asks Ed Earl if he remembers what he was doing the night of Kennedy's inau-guration, but he says he has forgotten.

Miss Mona takes a long, hard look at her life, and as all of her girls march off with their suit-cases, she sings "The Bus from Amarillo." Then, knowing that somewhere nearby the Gover-nor is presenting Melvin P. Thorpe a plaque in honour of his services to the state of Texas, Miss Mona gathers up her own belongings and steps out into the world, prepared to start a new life for herself.

SHOW HISTORY

THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS was originally produced at the Actors' Studio, New York, on October 20, 1977. It was subsequently produced at the Entermedia Theatre, New York, on April 17, 1978. This production was directed by Peter Masterson and Tommy Tune, with choreography by Tommy Tune. On June 19, 1978, the musical moved to the 46th Street Theatre on Broadway. There, it enjoyed a run of 1584 performances before closing on March 27, 1982. Carol Hall (best known for her music on SESAME STREET) wrote a fun-loving score reflecting her Texas roots. Her lyrics reflected the low-key lifestyle of the citizens of Gilbert, from extolling the virtues of the Chicken Ranch ("20 Fans"), to Miss Mona's assis-tance to a lost girl ("Girl, You're a Woman"), to a town waitress wishing she were less respect-able ("Doatsy Mae"). Two great upbeat numbers are "A Lil' Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place", in which Mona explains the rules of the Ranch to her newest Ladies, and "The Sidestep", the governor's dance for the media. Perhaps best of all are three songs of the Chicken Ranch residents as they see the writing on the wall: "No Lies", "Hard Candy Christmas", and Mona's reflection on how she ended up in her present situation, "The Bus From Amarillo."

In 1982, the film version of the show was released. The film featured Dolly Parton as Miss Mona, Burt Reynolds as Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd and Dom DeLuise as the television consumer reporter Melvin P. Thorpe. The film reunited Dolly Parton with her NINE TO FIVE director Colin Higgins. Parton also contributed to the score of the film, which was altered significantly from the stage version.

SYNOPSIS CONTINUED

Founded in 1844, the Chicken Ranch operated in peaceful co-existence with the law and the small town of La Grange throughout its history. In fact at the time of its closing, it was the old-est continually operating brothel in the nation. It got its name during the Depression when madam Miss Jessie began accepting poultry for payment. Edna Milton, renamed Mona Stangley in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas arrived at the Chicken Ranch from Oklahoma in 1952 at the age of twenty-three. She soon took over for Miss Jessie, proving herself just as capable and entrepreneurial. She established a good relationship with the new sheriff, T. J. Flournoy (Ed Earl in the musical), who put in a direct phone line to the Chicken Ranch, so he could replace the nightly visits of his predecessor with nightly calls. Edna also interacted with the community in the same ways as Jessie. Social contact between the girls and the residents of La Grange was forbidden while Edna gave enough money to local civic causes to became one of the towns largest philanthropists.

Her generosity was possible due to the success of the ranch, which was grossing more than $500,000 at its peak in the 1960's. Even at its sixteen-girl maximum, on weekends there was a line at the door, made of students and soldiers from the nearby military bases. After giving an estimated 75 percent to Edna, the girls still made $300 a week and had no expenses since Edna took care of everything from insurance to food (two meals a day) to weekly doctor visits. All new employees were fingerprinted and photographed by Sheriff Flournoy before they could start work, and a criminal record of any kind prevented their employment. Once at the ranch, the women had to subscribe to strict rules written by Miss Edna, many of which are repeated verbatim in the song “Lil Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place.”

The Chicken Ranch continued operating successfully until mid-1973, when consumer-affairs reporter Marvin Zindler (re-named “The Watchdog,” Melvin P. Thorpe in the show) from KTRK-TV in Houston ran a week-long exposé on the ranch. He claimed that his motive was inaction on the part of the Texas Department of Public Safety and local police to combat organized crime and corruption at the ranch. All of the attention drawn to the ranch forced then-Governor Dolph Briscoe to take action, even though his own agencies had conducted a two month surveillance of the house and failed to find any connection to organized crime. The pressure on the Gover-nor was such that he ordered the house closed. Just as in the musical, it was left to Sheriff Flournoy to inform Edna of the situation, and by Wednesday morning of the week following Zin-dler's exposé, August 1, 1973, the doors of the ranch shut for good.

Although the Chicken Ranch was officially closed, the story was not over. Customers showed up for more than two years looking for the place. Zindler also came back for a follow-up story and, in the midst of an argument with Sheriff Flournoy, was pushed down. This resulted in a $3 mil-lion lawsuit against the sheriff, later settled out of court. In 1977 part of the building was moved to Dallas and opened as a restaurant named the Chicken Ranch with Miss Edna as the hostess, the building and furniture in their original condition, and a menu of mainly chicken dishes. The restaurant closed in January 1978. Sheriff Flournoy resigned in 1980 and died in 1982. He was credited with solving every murder and bank robbery in Fayette County during his thirty-four-year term. Ironically, information gathered via The Chicken Ranch had helped solve many of those cases.

(Ref: Austin American-Statesman, August 2, 1973, January 22, June 25, 1978. Jan Hutson, The Chicken Ranch: The True Story of the Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (New York: Barnes, 1980).

Vertical Files, Barker Texas History Center, University of Texas. © The Texas State Historical As-sociation, 1997,1998,1999.)

THE TRUE STORY OF THE CHICKEN RANCH

BIOGRAPHIES - THE PRODUCTION TEAM

Sue Sampson (Director) Sue comes from a theatrical family, her mum and dad met in Dagenham Repertory Company and her granny was a talented actress. She has played many principal roles such as – Annie Oakley in “Annie get your gun” and Mary Magdalene in “Superstar”. She has choreographed many shows and has directed for a number of other Societies including, Woking and Andover. She has won NODA awards for “Carousel”, “Chess” and “Sweeney Todd”, and in 2001 she was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress award in the Woking Drama Festival for her performance as Sgnarelle’s wife in the Moliere’s farce “Sgnarelle”. Sue is Head of Drama at Gordon’s School and lists her hobbies as eating, sleeping and driving to rehearsals.

Derek Canfield (Musical Director) Derek started his involvement in operatic society activities as accompanist for the Chelmsford Operatic Society. After a few years he accepted the ap-pointment of Musical Director of Braintree & Bocking Society, then for the Chelmsford Festival Society. He then moved to Hampshire and soon became Musical Director of this Society. He has also been Musical Director of the Sa-voy Singers. Throughout all this period, he has been organist for churches in Essex and Hampshire. For this show he relinquishes the baton to lead the band at the piano, to join in the music in a much more practical way this time.

Huw Prall (Choreographer) Huw joined the society in 1974 for “Music Man” and has appeared in many productions since, including “Cabaret”, “Chicago”, and “Jesus Christ Super-star”. He has choreographed a number of our productions, particular favour-ites being “My Fair Lady” and “Carousel”. Huw works professionally in thea-tre, films and television. Recent credits include, “La Traviata” (Royal Opera House) “Pygmalion” (Theatre Royal Windsor/ Albery Theatre London). “Pride and Prejudice” (BBC) and “An Ideal Husband” (film). Earlier this year he cho-reographed “Kiss me Kate” for Farnham Operatic Society, a professional tour of “Closer than Ever”, and two films, “Other Sides of Truth” and “Ascension of the Dammed” (in which he also appears)!

Mike Davall (Stage Manager) “Best Little Whorehouse”, marks Mike’s return to the role of Stage Manager having had a break for the last two shows. After Mike’s ‘retirement’ as Stage Manager a couple of years ago circumstances have changed and he is back, although the catchphrase “I’ll be back!” certainly was not contemplated then. Mike and the crew are certainly looking forward to the challenges that that this show brings as challenges are what the stage crew thrive on, and none more so than our next show – “Chess”. So if you have enjoyed this show then come and see “Chess” to see what we mean.

CAST

Characters In Order of Appearance Narrator .........................................................................................................Martin Sampson Miss Wulla Jean ..................................................................................................... Claire Fryer Angel .............................................................................................................. Deborah Graves Shy .................................................................................................................... Jane Mumford Jewel .................................................................................................................... Sophie Fryer Miss Mona ............................................................................................................. Julie Dance Linda Lou ...............................................................................................................Mary Heath Ruby Rae .............................................................................................................Lisa Fletcher Beatrice .................................................................................................................. Ali Godfrey Eloise ..........................................................................................................................Jo White Durla ...................................................................................................................Vivian Barber Dawn ...................................................................................................................Sue Canfield Taddy Jo .............................................................................................................. Lynda Taylor Ginger ............................................................................................................Vanessa Higgins Melvin P Thorpe .....................................................................................................Ron Walker Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd ........................................................................................Steve Woolford CJ Scruggs ............................................................................................................. David Main Mayor Rufus Poindexter .................................................................................. Haydn Thomas Doatsey Mae ........................................................................................................Giga Phillips Edsel Mackey .................................................................................................Eric McLoughlin TV Man .................................................................................................................. David Main Imogene Charlene ...............................................................................................Sue Canfield Senator Wingwoah .......................................................................................... Haydn Thomas Governor ................................................................................................................ David Main

Dogettes and Cowboy Quartet

John Canfield, Tim Canfield,

Mike Lehman, Gary Oxenham

Angelettes

Sue Canfield, Lisa Fletcher, Ali Godfrey,

Mary Heath, Vanessa Higgins, Lynda Taylor

Aggies

Chris Armes, Mark Aston, John Canfield,

Tim Canfield, Julian Clinton, Gary Oxenham, Paul Tapley, Phil Street

Choir and Townspeople

Chris Armes, Mark Aston, Carrie Canfield, Julian Clinton, Ann-Marie Emmett, Claire Fryer, Eric Smith, Paul Tapley, June Thomas, Phil Street, Zoë Woodhams

Act 1 Prologue

Scene 1 The Chicken Ranch 1890’s

Twenty Fans ......................................Narrator, Cowboys and Choir Twenty Fans Reprise .........................................Narrator and Choir

Scene 2 The Chicken Ranch 1970’s

Lil’ Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place .................Mona and Cowboys Rules .......................................................................... Mona and Girls Lil’ Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place Reprise ........ Mona and Girls

Scene 3 The Chicken Ranch

Girl You’re a Woman ................................................ Mona and Girls

Scene 4 A Television Studio Texas Has A Whorehouse/Watchdog Theme ........ Melvin P. Thorp,

Dogettes and Choir

Scene 5 The Chicken Ranch

Scene 6 The Chicken Ranch Twenty Four Hours of Lovin .................................. Jewel and Choir

Scene 7 A Street in Gilbert

Watchdog Theme Reprise ....................................................Dogettes Texas Has A Whorehouse .............. Melvin P. Thorpe and Dogettes

Scene 8 The Texas Twinkle Cafe

Doatsey Mae ..................................................................Doatsey Mae

Scene 9 The American Football Field The Angelette March

Scene 10 The Locker Room

The Aggie Song .................................................................The Aggies

Scene 11 The Chicken Ranch The Prom

Scene 12 The Chicken Ranch

The Raid Conclusion .............................................................................Narrator

There will be an interval of 20 minutes between Acts One and Two

Act 2

Entr’acte

Scene 1 The Govenors Residence The Side-Step ..............................................Governor and Company

Scene 2 The Chicken Ranch

No Lies ...........................................................Mona, Jewel and Girls

Scene 3 The Sheriff’s Office Good Old Girl ........................................................... Sheriff and Men

Scene 4 The Chicken Ranch

Hard Candy Christmas .......................................................The Girls

Scene 5 The Chicken Ranch The Bus From Amarillo ........................................................... Mona Finale ...........................................................................Full Company

BIOGRAPHIES - THE PRINCIPALS

MONA STANGLEY - Julie Dance This is Julie’s third show with CFAOS. Starting with “Cabaret” in 1989,”Sweeney Todd” in 1999, and then “Whorehouse” in 2002. She has also played Fanny Brice in “Funny Girl” in 1995, and Charity in “Sweet Char-ity” in 1996 and Dolly in “Hello Dolly” in 1998. Julie was formerly Head of Music at Elmhurst Ballet school in Camberley, where she musically directed “Oklahoma” and “Half a Sixpence”, and “Westside Story”. She is now Head of Music at The Marist Convent Senior School in Sunninghill where she refers to this show as the “The Best Little Chicken Ranch in Texas!!!

MELVYN P. THORP - Ron Walker Ron has performed with the Society for many years and has taken a wide va-riety of leading roles in our productions. He took the title role of the Bat in “Die Fledermaus” last March, and prior to that played the part of Fagin in “Oliver” and Emile de Becque in “South Pacific”. The role of Melvin P Thorpe presents Ron with the opportunity to air yet another different accent, al-though he is a little apprehensive about how well his all-purpose American will pass off as a 'Texan drawl'. Away from the Society Ron's main pastime is to attempt to get around the golf course without losing too many golf balls!

ANGEL - Deborah Graves Deborah has been treading the boards since the age of nine (i.e. about twenty years...honest!). Her first love is dancing and she can usually be found high kicking in the dance team. For this show however, Deborah is also required to act and sing in the role of the street-smart Angel. She has wel-comed the opportunity to stretch herself in a different way and has enjoyed learning about characterisation and performance. Deborah also manages the publicity for the society and would like to thank you for buying a ticket for the show and can you please tell all your friends to come along too!

SHY - Jane Mumford Jane joined the society in 1983 as a member of the dance team. For a num-ber of years she enjoyed dancing in a variety of shows from the “The Yeomen of the Guard” to “Jesus Christ Superstar”. Her principal roles include Bianca in “Kiss me Kate”, Louise in “Carousel”, Sarah in “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” and Charlotte in “Oliver”. More recently she performed as a balle-rina in the Corp de Ballet in “Die Fledermaus”. Jane also enjoys being part of the publicity team and secretary of the Social Committee as well as being a full time Mum to Daniel and Ellen and husband Philip!!.

BIOGRAPHIES - THE PRINCIPALS

GOVERNOR - David Main David has been involved in Amateur Dramatics since 1970’s. During this time he has gained a best actor award at the 1984 Woking Drama Festival, and several firsts at local singing festivals and has written and directed a couple of shows for a local society. He joined this society in the 1980’s play-ing many minor and major roles. David’s other hobby is playing drums, which he played professionally in the 60’s, and since for In Harmony, a local chari-table music group. In the last six months David has been working semi-professionally as a comedy/vocalist entertainer and is (hint, hint!) available for bookings.

JEWEL - Sophie Fryer Sophie joined the Society in 1991 and has played a variety of cameo roles, her favourite being the Beggar Woman in “Sweeney Todd”. Sophie is looking forward to playing Jewel, as she feels that it is by far her most musically chal-lenging role to date. Sophie not only appears on stage, but also likes to be involved with both production, back stage work, and until recently she held the role of joint costume manger. Sophie is married to our lighting designer, Melvyn and her daughter Claire is also in the show.

NARRATOR - Martin Sampson Martin is pleased to return to the Aldershot stage, having previously ap-peared in many CFAOS Productions. These include the eponymous role of “Sweeney Todd” and Adam Pontipee in “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers”. In March he “swashed his buckle” as the Pirate King in BAOS Production of the “Pirates of Penzance”. When Martin isn’t treading the boards he is on the Bowls Green and has recently become Surrey Singles Champion. In his spare time he is an Accountant.

SHERIFF ED EARL DODD - Steve Woolford This is Steve's seventh show with the society. He has previously played the roles of Mr Bumble in “Oliver” and Judge Turpin in “Sweeney Todd” for us. He has performed with other societies over the past 16 years taking roles such as Daddy Warbucks in “Annie”, Parchester in “Me & My Girl” and Carr-Gomm in “The Elephant Man”. He would like to thank Ali, his other half, for her help in learning his lines. He would also like to thank the society for giving him his first romantic lead, even if it is with a prostitute.

BIOGRAPHIES - THE PRINCIPALS

DOATSEY MAE - Giga Phillips Giga started 2002 being with the daunting and stimulating job of Musical Di-rector for Scout Fellowship’s Pantomime “Aladdin”, arranging the music, re-writing the words. She assisted the Director in the setting of the opening scene of “Die Fledermaus” and had a prime seat for each performance, as it’s prompt. Then followed the ebullient role of Madame Arcati in Coward's “Blithe Spirit” (Guildford Festival of Arts). Giga has played many roles, from Fairy Godmother to the Fool in “King Lear”, but her favourites re-main: Ruth in “Pirates of Penzance” and Golde in “Fiddler on the Roof”. In her spare time! Giga works on her latest hobby - wood carving!

SENATOR WINGWOAH - Haydn Thomas With more than sixty shows and forty years as a society member behind him, Haydn is delighted to still be up there onstage performing with an enthusias-tic and effective cast. Not only that, but this show also gives him the opportu-nity to present the sauciest libretto he’s ever had to tackle and enables him to notch up his forty-ninth and fiftieth principal role – all in the one outing!

THE CAST

THE BAND Guitars ....................................................................... Myer Rosen, John Pridmore, Jonathan Williams Violin/Viola ..............................................................................................................Rosemary Roberts Piccolo ...............................................................................................................................Vivian Jones Clarinet/Tenor Sax ...........................................................................................................Elspeth Cook Trumpet .........................................................................................................................Annette Peters Trombone ....................................................................................................................... Eddie Harmer Piano (Leader) ...............................................................................................................Derek Canfield Drums .....................................................................................................................................Ray Dare

THE PRODUCTION TEAM Director: Sue Sampson

Assistant Director: Giga Phillips

Musical Director : Derek Canfield

Deputy Musical Director: John Pridmore

Rehearsal Pianist: Nancy Sparrow

Choreographer: Huw Prall

Assistant Choreographer: Christine White

Dance Captain: Gary Oxenham

Stage Manager: Mike Davall

Assistant Stage Managers: Andy Piercy Andy Harding

Stage Crew: Rob Christopher Fred Hammick Ted Hillis Joyce Atlee Peter Atlee Robert Phillips Steven Williams Sophie Fryer

Lighting Designer: Melvyn Fryer

Lighting Assistant: Alan Davis

Sound Manager: Shaun Connor

Box Office Managers: Peter Still Elaine Adams

Front of House Manager: Peter Adams

Make-up Managers: Alison Bedford

Diane Bedford Make-up Team: Karen Canfield Victoria Taylor Lisa Miles Jean Pharo

Costume Manager: Philip Alner

Assistant Costume Managers: Sophie Fryer Zoë Woodhams Anne-Marie Emmett

Properties Manager: Anne Garrood

Properties Assistant: Barbara Leedale

Stage Door Keeper: Peter Taylor

Wardrobe Mistress: Rosemary Doherty

Photographs: Steve Wake

Publicity Manager: Deborah Graves

Publicity Team: Chris Armes

Lucy Armes

Tanya Armes Tim Canfield Julian Clinton Deborah Graves Jane Mumford Christine White

Costume Supplier: Haslemere Wardrobe

Scenery Supplier: Scenic & Property Hire - Newport, Wales.

Associated Scenery/Properties Construction & Painting: Mike Davall Anne Garrood Fred Hammick Andy Harding Barbara Leedale Robert Phillips Andy Piercy

Prompt ????

The Society gratefully acknowledges the valuable support received from Patrons, Programme Sellers, Stewards and all those who have contributed to the production. Special thanks are due to the Princes Hall Manager and his staff for their help and co-operation, and to members of the local St. John Ambulance Brigade who are on duty in the hall throughout the week.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

CODY FARNBOROUGH AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY

A BRIEF HISTORY Cody Farnborough Amateur Operatic Society originally established in 1920 is a charitable organisation, which has raised almost £50,000 for local charities in its long history.

Formed in 1920 originally as the RAE Dramatic and Operatic Society, its first musical production was a Chinese operetta "The Golden Amulet" which was performed in the old RAE Concert Hall. Sadly proving uneconomical to maintain, this was demolished in 1929.

The Society was lucky enough to be granted the use of the Farnborough Town Hall until 1940, when the Town Hall was taken over completely as a Civil Defence Centre. During this period the association with the town of Farnborough grew to the extent that in 1935 the Society was reconstituted as the "Farnborough and Royal Aircraft Establish-ment Amateur Operatic Society".

With the loss of the Town Hall in 1940, the Society was again without a home but a sav-iour appeared in the unlikely person of Mr Garcia, the lessee of the Theatre Royal, Alder-shot. During the very first production ("The Mikado") the Air Raid Warning sounded and Pooh-Bah kneeling before the Mikado said "Your Majesty, I have to announce that the sirens have just gone off". The audience responded with one of the most prolonged rounds of applause the Society has ever received. Needless to say the show went on!

The large stage of the Theatre Royal enabled the Society to expand its repertoire of mu-sicals, with an average of 5,500 people seeing each production, and it was with some regret that the Society had to say goodbye to the Theatre Royal at the end of the war.

However, the new RAE Assembly Hall became available in 1944 and the Society returned to its original home again. This ushered in a long period of stability when the Society staged a wide range of shows, many of them quite ambitious for such a small stage.

1973 saw the transfer of productions to the Princes Hall when it opened in Aldershot, offering a much larger hall with its big stage and auditorium.

In more recent years, the Society has performed critically acclaimed shows such as Kurt Weill's "Street Scene", "Jesus Christ Superstar", "Crazy for You", and "Sweeney Todd", which won the Society its most recent NODA (National Operatic & Dramatic Association) Award for Excellence.

As the Society enjoys the patronage of QinetiQ (formerly DERA), its members decided earlier this year that it would be appropriate to change the Society’s name to ‘Cody Farnborough Amateur Operatic Society’ in order to reflect its continued links with its historical home.

Chairman Mr H Thomas Treasurer Mr E McLoughlin Business Manager Mr C Armes Secretaries Mrs A Mitten Mrs L Taylor Box Office Managers Mrs E Adams Mr P Still Librarian Mr P Taylor

Publicity Manager Miss D Graves Minutes Secretary Mrs V Higgins General Committee Mr P Adams OBE Mrs E Earles Mrs S Fryer Mr R Walker Mr D White

OFFICERS & COMMITTEE 2001 / 2002

Please do not bring cameras, tape recorders, mobile telephones or pagers into the auditorium. Please remember that noises such as coughing, whispering, rustling of programmes and digital watch bleeps can be disturbing to performers and spoils the performance for other members of the audi-ence.

All gangways, corridors and external passageways intended for exit must be kept entirely free from obstruction, whether permanent or temporary.

NO STANDING ALLOWED NO SMOKING IN THE AUDITORIUM

NO VISITORS BACKSTAGE. NO PHOTOGRAPHY OR RECORDING

STROBE LIGHTING EFFECTS AND GUNSHOTS WILL BE USED DURING THIS PERFORMANCE.

NOTICE TO PATRONS

Don’t miss the next production from the Cody Farnborough Amateur Operatic Society

24th - 29th March 2003

Cabaret 22nd-27th September 2003 Me & My Girl 22nd-27th March 2004

Full details about our Society and forthcoming productions can be found on our Web Site:

www.dfaos.co.uk

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To advertise in this space

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To advertise in this space

Please contact our Business Manager

Chris Armes

on

01252 371141

chris.armes@btinternet.com

To advertise in this space

Please contact our Business Manager

Chris Armes

on

01252 371141

chris.armes@btinternet.com

To advertise in this space

Please contact our Business Manager

Chris Armes

on

01252 371141

chris.armes@btinternet.com

1921 The Golden Amulet 1922 The Pirates of Penzance 1923 Patience 1924 The Mikado The Yeomen of the Guard 1925 Les Cloches de Corneville 1926 The Gondoliers 1927 The Pirates of Penzance 1929 The Rebel Maid 1930 The Geisha 1931 H.M.S. Pinafore The Yeomen of the Guard 1932 Iolanthe 1933 Patience 1935 The Mikado 1936 The Gondoliers 1937 Ruddigore 1938 Les Cloches de Corneville 1939 The Yeomen of the Guard 1940 The Pirates of Penzance 1941 The Mikado 1942 A Waltz Dream 1943 The Desert Song 1944 The Vagabond King The Gondoliers 1945 Good Night, Vienna Iolanthe 1946 The Rebel Maid 1947 The Yeomen of the Guard 1948 H.M.S. Pinafore 1949 The Mikado 1950 The Pirates of Penzance 1951 The Arcadians 1952 The Quaker Girl 1953 A Country Girl 1954 Rose Marie 1955 Waltz Time 1956 The Desert Song

1957 The Gondoliers 1958 The Vagabond King 1959 The Gypsy Baron 1960 Iolanthe 1961 White Horse Inn 1962 Brigadoon 1963 Night in Venice 1964 South Pacific 1965 Show Boat 1966 The Land of Smiles 1967 Oklahoma! 1968 Merrie England 1969 Orpheus in the Underworld 1970 Chu Chin Chow 1971 Camelot 1972 Die Fledermaus 1973 Fiddler on the Roof 1974 Kismet 1975 The Music Man 1976 The Merry Widow Robert and Elizabeth 1977 Le Belle Hélène The King and I 1978 Kiss Me Kate My Fair Lady 1979 Rose Marie Half a Sixpence 1980 Carousel Oliver! 1981 Carmen Brigadoon 1982 Die Fledermaus The Most Happy Fella 1983 Guys and Dolls Annie Get Your Gun 1984 Show Boat The Yeomen of the Guard

1985 Camelot Orpheus in the Underworld 1986 Oklahoma! The Desert Song 1987 White Horse Inn South Pacific 1988 Kismet The Pajama Game 1989 My Fair Lady Cabaret 1990 The Merry Widow Variety Showcase 1991 Gigi Street Scene (Premiere) 1992 Fiddler on the Roof The Gypsy Baron 1993 High Society * Sweet Charity 1994 The Mikado Hello Dolly 1995 * Jesus Christ Superstar Kiss Me Kate 1996 * The Pirates of Penzance * Carousel 1997 Orpheus in the Underworld Chicago 1998 Calamity Jane Carmen 1999 Crazy for You * Sweeney Todd 2000 Guys and Dolls South Pacific 2001 Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Oliver! 2002 Die Fledermaus

PAST PRODUCTIONS

(* NODA AWARD WINNING PRODUCTIONS)

If you have enjoyed this performance why not join our Society? Applications for full and associate membership are always welcomed. As well as performing on stage you may wish to consider scenery construction, stage crew, costume or make-up. Auditions for principal parts in our next show Chess, will be held on 13th October 2002 and you can apply by either contacting our secretary by telephone on 01252 654899, by e-mail on lynda.tayor@lycos.co.uk or by completing the slip below. I am interested in joining the Cody Farnborough Amateur Operatic Society. Please send me further details of the following: Associate Membership q Scenery Construction q

Performing q Stage Crew q Other (please specify) Name/s Address Phone

Please post to: The Secretary, Cody Farnborough A.O.S., 2 Talgarth Drive, Farnborough, Hants, GU14 6RL

DON’T MISS OUR NEXT PRODUCTION - 24th—29th March 2003