Little Mary Sunshine

York House, Twickenham

September 1970

Producer & Musical Director – Bernard Dunn

Little Mary Sunshine is an American musical in emulation of older operetta, with book, music, and lyrics by Rick Besoyan.

It premiered on November 18, 1959 at the Orpheum Theatre in New York.

Company’s first production at this venue. Programme note suggests planning for future to be a spring production at Richmond Theatre and an autumn one at this hall.

Next planned show was to be Desert Song at Richmond Theatre

Local paper reviews were titled; ‘Cast enjoyed the hamming, if not the audience’ and ‘Burlesque attempt a failure’.

1970 was referred to by retiring Chairman, Councillor Geoffrey Needs, as “the most difficult in the society’s history.” This followed poor ticket sales for Jorrocks and weak sales for the above production creating a shows deficit for the year of almost £1000. Donations and loans from members reduced the overall yearly accounts to a remarkable loss of only £61.

Can you help with more information? Please send any information you have over to archives@brostc.org.

CAST

Chief Brown Bear – Peter Tatlow
Corporal Billy Jester – Denis Davidson Zoe Miller
Captain Big Jim Warrington – David Armstrong Joy Cooper
Little Mary Sunshine – Vivienne Johnson Alan Chapman
Mme Ernestine von Liebedich – Pauline Kendrick
Nancy Twinkle – Rita Ashbourne Peter Brass
Fleet Foot – Edward Bellamy
Yellow Feather – George Johnston
General Oscar Fairfax, Retd – Ken Kendrick
Young Gentlemen of the US Forest Rangers – Dennis Ashbourne, Ken Jones, Martin Last, Alan Middleton, Fred Patterson
Young Ladies of Eastchester Finishing School – Joy Cooper, Pat Brian, Brenda Dimmett, Betty Jones, Christine Maisey, Christina Matthews, Zoe Miller, Madelaine Olden, Irene Ridley, Mary Rogers, Barbara Webster, Kitty Wright

CREW

Stage Manager – Anthony Rayner
Rehearsal Accompanist – Carolyn Parker
Electrician – Martin Middleton
Prompt – Molly Rainer
Properties – Elizabeth Weedon
Wardrobe – Daphne Needs
House Manager – Geoffrey Needs
Box Office – Martin & Ann Last
Publicity – Clive Jones
Refreshments – Joy Catford
Scenery – Capes
Furniture – Old Times Furnishing Company
Costumes – Chas H Fox
Perruquiers – Fred Mead