The Desert Song
Richmond Theatre
March 1971
Directed by – Peter A Spencer
Musical Director – Bernard Dunn
Choreographer – Jackie Ridgewell
The Desert Song is an operetta with music by Sigmund Romberg and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and Otto Harbach, respectively.
It opened at the Casino Theatre on Broadway on November 30, 1926 and ran for a very successful 465 performances.
Carolyn Parker had previously been the society’s accompanist but had played lead roles with other groups.
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CAST
Sid El Car – Frank Bland
Hadji – Edward Bellamy
Neri – Marjorie Doughty
Bennie – Denis Davidson
Paul – Peter Harrison
Margot – Carolyn Parker
Birabeau – Peter Tatlow
Pierre – Alan Chapman
Susan – Rita Ashbourne
Edith – Barbara Webster
Azuri – Ann Wengraf
Ali Ben Ali – David Armstrong
Clementina – Pauline Kendrick
Mindar – George Johnston
Hassi – Martin Last
La Vergne – George Scott
De Boussac – Fred Patterson
Ladies’ Chorus – Mollie Boliston, Gladys Bond, Pat Brian, Marlene Couper, Brenda Dimmett, Betty Jones, Margaret Lieberg, Zoe Miller, Irene Ridley, Mary Rogers, Joyce Tatlow, Chick Trench, Kitty Wright
Gentlemen’s Chorus – John Allardice, John Baker, Martin Constable, Eric Griffiths, Ken Jones, Kevin McGerty, Alan Middleton, Norman Quinn, David Roberts, George Scott, Roy Springett, Ted Stafford, Frank Wardrop
CREW
Stage Manager – Melvyn Morgan
Properties – Mollie Rayner & Elizabeth Weedon
House Manager – Geoffrey Needs
Rehearsal Accompanist – Elsie Spooner
Box Office – Barbara Webster
Prompt – Catherine Applegarth
Wardrobe Mistress – Daphne Needs
Scenery – Stage Productions Ltd
Furniture – Old Times Furnishing Company
Costumes – Chas H Fox Ltd & Mary Payne Wimbledon
Perruquiers – Mr & Mrs Meades
BAND
Orchestra – The Buckhurst Light Orchestra (directed by Kathleen Oyler)
