Some Enchanted Evenings (2013)

Some Enchanted Evenings Poster

Production Details

Synopsis

Some Enchanted Evenings is a show to celebrate the genius of Broadway’s legendary composer, Richard Rodgers. It will follow the format of our other GALA Theatre tributes to Cole Porter in 2002 and Noel & Ivor in 2008.

Richard Rodgers career fell into three distinct parts. In the first two of these he formed lengthy partnerships with two of Broadway’s leading lyricists: the first with Lorenz Hart and the second with Oscar Hammerstein II. These two writers worked in very different ways, which ultimately affected the style of music that Rodgers composed, but both partnerships resulted in a host of classic musicals. In the final phase of his career, he formed more temporary partnerships with various writers.

Cast

Some Enchanted Evenings Cast

Principals
The Company

Alison Banks, Madeleine Banks, John Barron, Emma Barthel, Denise Beckford, Steven Berry, Clare Botone, Abigail Bowman, Olly Burton, Liz Cairns, Elizabeth Clapham, Peter Clapham, Doreen Cothay, John Cuckson, Beth Currie, Janet Dixon, Christine Dobbie, Charlotte Ferguson, Catherine Finn, Rob Gair, Karen Gallagher, Anne Gatherar, Eileen Glenton, Annable Hackett, Katy Haggart, Becca Hassell, Levi Hauxwell, Nikki Hellmuth, Steve Hill, Steph Hitch, Michelle Hood, John Hurt, Sarah Jackson, Ellen Jepson, Andy King, Geoff Knott, Joan Lacey, June Lavin, Catherine Lawes, Guys Lawes, Paul Maddison, James Manning, Catherine Marsden, Heather McLoughlin, Delia McNally, Steve Norman, David O’Donnell, Rachel Orr, Sue Robinson, Audrey Robson, Helen Schürmann, Anthony Smith, Eunice Sneddon, Jenni Sneddon, Joan Spence, Valenda Taylor, Emma Thursby, Nicky Tones, Ed Turner, Rebecca Turner, Graeme Walton, Katy Walton, Sarah Watson, Ian Wells, Kathleen Wilson, Jade Worthy

Children

Connor Botone, Grace Callaghan, Rebecca Clark, Abigail Ellis, Nina Kemp, Lilly Law, Annabel Mallin, Gracie Peacock, Jacee Pink, Evan Sheperd, Matilda Simpson-Turnbull, Chileshe Stobbs, Joshua Thorns, Heidi Walton, Jack Watson, Emily Jo Willis

Backstage

  • Stage Manager – Craig Pugh
  • Deputy Stage Manager – Richard Lodge
  • Assistant Stage Managers – Jean Forster, Jonathon Gilderoy
  • Technical Manager – Brian Dunn
  • Gala Technical Support Team – Chris Aitkin, Michael Long, Graham Rushton
  • Properties Team – Denise Brooksbank, Melanie Spedding, Rachael Burnett, Judith Baglee, Peter Baglee, Maria Turner, Peter Turner
  • Properties – Northern Prop Hire, Society Prop Store
  • Extra Properties – David Foxall
  • Wardrobe – Jean Graham, Jane Flowers, Carolyn Knott, Joan Spence, Kathryn Fairbairn, Charlotte, Fairbairn
  • Costumes – Alan Graham Consett, Society Wardrobe
  • Lighting Design – Jim Sobocinski
  • Projections – Brian Dunn
  • Sound Design – Andy Playford
  • Follow Spot Operators – Alan Ball, Emma Parnaby
  • Make-Up – Brenda Mullen, Ann Thompson, Hannah Bickerdyke, Claire Lonsdale, Lesley Wright & Team
  • Prompt – Melanie Spedding
  • Rehearsal Pianists – Steven Hood, Martin Dack, Mark Deeks, George Heatherington, Mark Thompson
  • Chorus Notator – Ruth Ball
  • Front of House – David Foxall, Mike Dixon, Joy Ferguson, Bill Harland, Mollie Hughes, Lisanne Nausner, Mary Robinson

Orchestra

  • Piano – Steven Hood
  • Double Bass – Tony Abell
  • Drums – Malcolm Dicks

Show Gallery

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Programme

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Reviews

Alex Hall – The Northern Echo

Some Enchanted Evenings will certainly live up to its name for those lucky enough to see Durham Musical Theatre Company’s current production at the Gala Theatre. Written and directed by Fred Wharton, it is easy to see why he was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to drama in the North-East.

The show celebrates the career of the composer Richard Rodgers and his collaborations with several acclaimed lyricists, most notably, Oscar Hammerstein who, with Rodgers, transformed American musical theatre.

The narrator is initially Rodgers’ wife Dorothy (the deliciously brittle and elegant Valenda Taylor) and his various collaborators lend their voices , as well as Rodgers himself (a likeable Ed Turner ). The story is told through his songs, most of which are familiar, some less so, but all melodic and memorable. The first half features his work with Lorenz Hart, a deeply troubled but talented soul, played sympathetically by James Manning. Rodgers and Hart appeared to be a perfect combination although Hart’s struggles with his self-image, alcohol and sexuality made life difficult.

Together , however, they produced some witty and memorable songs including My Funny Valentine, delivered beautifully by six of the male vocalists . Rodgers’ musical collaboration with Hammerstein provides the second half of the show and that’s where the audience was itching to join in with much loved tunes from South Pacific, Carousel and Oklahoma.

With a company of over 80, it is credit to all concerned that their first night went so smoothly. The pace was perfect , the story unfolded with energy and a great respect for the music, which ,under the direction of Steven Hood, was the perfect backdrop for some incredible vocals. A hugely enjoyable show, it is beautifully performed by a talented and ambitious company.

Anon

What a wonderful show!   “Some Enchanted Evenings” was one of the best I have ever seen…………..ever.  We both thoroughly enjoyed it and it was so sad to see empty seats behind us.  I will be singing its praises.  I think part of the pleasure was it just being Richard Rodgers’ music which is so well known and a bit of his biographical background.  A great show! Please pass on my thanks to all concerned.

The programme is excellent. People who don’t buy one miss so much. It adds so much to the show to read the background information about the people portrayed and which shows the songs come from. With Fred the audience is educated as well as entertained.

Alex Hall, presenter of BBC Radio Tees/Newcastle “Songs From the Shows”

Fantastic production of “Some Enchanted Evenings” at Gala Theatre.

Congratulations to Durham Musical Theatre Company. Don’t think I’ve ever heard so many wonderful voices in one show. I can’t really single any one performer.. but I did shed a tear( in a good way) at Rachel Orr’s ‘ Love Look Away’.

Congratulations to all involved and especially Fred Wharton for the brilliant concept………

David Atkinson

Hello to everyone at DMTC, Just been with my wife, Christine, to see Some Enchanted Evenings. It was an absolutely amazing production, fantastic! Thank you so much to everyone involved in the production.

Michelle Coulson – NODA North

This theatrical piece was written by the director of the production, Fred Wharton, and although I have categorised it as a concert, it was much more than that. The audience was taken through the life story of Richard Rodgers by seven narrators, the narrators being key people, including Rogers himself (Ed Turner) and a constant throughout his story, and the main narrator, Dorothy Rodgers (Valenda Taylor), depicting the ups and downs in the career of this amazingly talented man.

The programme took us through his collaborations with Lorenz Hart (James Manning), Oscar Hammerstein (Paul Maddison), Stephen Sondheim (Anthony Smith), Sheldon Harnick (Nicky Tones) and Martin Charnin (Steve Hill) including the most famous of his songs and also some lesser known, but still worth hearing, compositions, There were even opportunities for some comedic moments provided in style by Olly Burton.

The large company performed some excellent pieces including “June is Busting Out All Over”, “A Grand Night for Singing”, “Falling in Love with Love”, “If I Loved You” and “Climb Every Mountain” each arrangement being well delivered.  The children in the company were very good, looking comfortable and confident throughout their performances, and were a credit to the production team as were the dancers, who also provided good support to this polished production.

There were many stand-out solo and group performances amidst the 46 numbers in the programme, but my personal favourites were “To Keep my Love Alive” delivered with hilarious perfection by Eileen Glenton, “Hello Young Lovers” (amongst others) by Delia McNally, the haunting harmonies in “My Funny Valentine” by John Barron, Steven Berry, Andy King, David O’Donnell, Anthony Smith & Ed Turner, and the spine-tingling and tear-inducing “Love Look Away” by Rachel Orr.

I left the theatre feeling I knew much more about Richard Rogers the man as well as his music. Thank you to all concerned for a super evening’s entertainment, and congratulations to Fred Wharton on being awarded the British Empire Medal for services to drama in the north east.