The DMTC archive 1980

Durham Musical Theatre Company

The Pajama Game

198024th – 29th March 1980The Garland Theatre
Explore the programme

Back in the spotlight

About the show.

Romance is blossoming at the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Handsome new Superintendent Sid Sorokin falls hard for feisty Union rep “Babe” Williams, and, despite her dismissal of all things love-related, it seems she’s falling right back. That is, until Sleep-Tite employees are refused a seven-and-a-half cent raise, and the pair find themselves on either side of the union protest that results. Based on Richard Bissel’s novel, 7 ½ cents, Adler and Ross’ Pajama Game portrays the ups and downs of romance, with the added heat of politics making the temperature extra hot. Babe and Sid must figure out how to love when the principles they value most are tearing them apart. First staged in 1954, The Pajama Game won three Tony awards, including best musical, and won another Tony for Best Revival in 2006, a testament to the fact that love, music, and politics are as hot as they ever were. The Pajama Game features hit songs including “Hey There,” “Hernando’s Hideaway” and “Steam Heat” which have also become pop standards that climbed as high as number one in the US charts.

The Pajama Game poster
Original production artwork · 1980

Behind the scenes

The production team.

Director

Fred Wharton

Musical Director

George Hetherington

Choreographer

Janet Dixon

View the full production credits
Rehearsal Pianist
Mrs. E. Hamilton · Christine Shinn
Stage Manager
John Sutton
Lighting
Geoff Foxhall
Wardrobe
Janis Sarsfield
Properties
Greta Calver
Make-up
Margaret Chapman
House Manager
Harry Cottle
Choreographer’s Assistant
Katie Hodgens · Val Shield
Costumes
Members of the Cast · Homburg’s (Leeds)
Scenery Construction
The Society · John Sutton · Tom Turnbull
Prompter
Mrs. R. Clarke · Mrs. W. Harland
Foyer Display
Harry Cottle
Programme Cover
Valerie Smith
Publicity Manager
Mr. R. M. Smith

On stage

Cast & company.

Principals / cast

Myron D. Hasler
John Holt
Sid Sorokin
Tony Kitchen
Gladys Hotchkiss
Valenda Taylor
Vernon Hines
Maurice Carr
Prez
Stuart Watt
Catherine “Babe” Williams
Lesley Franks
Pop
Ted Wise
Poopsie
Val Shield
Mae
Val Smith
Brenda
Mary Hetherington
Charlie
Mike Dixon
The Pajama Salesman
Richard Smith

The company

  • Dorothy ApplebyLadies’ Chorus
  • Linda BalmerLadies’ Chorus
  • Susan BriggsLadies’ Chorus
  • Sheila CottleLadies’ Chorus
  • Joan DallardLadies’ Chorus
  • Janet DixonLadies’ Chorus
  • Pauline GilmanLadies’ Chorus
  • Mary GordonLadies’ Chorus
  • Christianne GouléLadies’ Chorus
  • Margaret GrahamLadies’ Chorus
  • Mary HamiltonLadies’ Chorus
  • Kaye HendersonLadies’ Chorus
  • Mollie HughesLadies’ Chorus
  • Pat JoblingLadies’ Chorus
  • Enid JohnsonLadies’ Chorus
  • Jean JonesLadies’ Chorus
  • Sarah LockeyLadies’ Chorus
  • Andrea LomasLadies’ Chorus
  • Rita LynnLadies’ Chorus
  • Edna PetersLadies’ Chorus
  • Margaret SuttonLadies’ Chorus
  • Dorothea WilsonLadies’ Chorus
  • Hansi WheatleyLadies’ Chorus
  • Joss BamfordMen’s Chorus
  • Jim ChapmanMen’s Chorus
  • Peter ClaphamMen’s Chorus
  • Alastair FranksMen’s Chorus
  • Bill HarlandMen’s Chorus
  • Peter JonesMen’s Chorus
  • Norman SarsfieldMen’s Chorus
  • Kevin ShieldMen’s Chorus
  • Bev ThompsonMen’s Chorus
  • Mike WhileyMen’s Chorus

Dancers

Original programme cover for The Pajama Game

Turn back the pages

The original programme.

Meet the people, revisit the production and explore the programme as it appeared at the time.

The original programme

The Pajama Game (1980)

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