Jack and the Beanstalk, at the Bradford Alhambra Theatre. Cannon and Ball starred as Lords High and Low Chamberlain. With Charlie Drake and Jack Smethurst
Dates
Opening Monday 23rd December 1975.
Characters in Order of their appearance
Lord High Chamberlain (Sausage) – CANNON & BALL
Lord Low Chamberlain (Mash)
Jack Durden – PATSY MACLEAN
Princess Miranda – MARGARET LAKE
King Brandyball – JACK SMETHURST
Dame Durden – NAT JACKLEY
Simple Simon – CHARLIE DRAKE
Buttercup – REG HARDING and PETER DIAMOND
Demon King – VICTOR WOOLF
Fairy Queen – SUE BOND
Joan Blunderbore – ANN LANGFORD
Giant Blunderbore – STAN SIMMONS
Fairy of the Bean – SUSAN MOODIE
Villagers, Courtiers, Etc, – Beverley Andrews, Susan Baggott, Carol Catterall, Penny Hogan, Lisa Miller, Bridget Stoate, Jane Taylor, Christine Willis
The Sunbeams – Jacqueline Batty, Michelle Dennison, Linda Howarth, Gwendoline Harper, Sheila Harding, Tania Karpew, Karen Marshall, Julie O’Conner, Angela Ramsden, Darroll Smith, Julie Thackray, Mary Trudgiil, Julie Walker, Susan Yeatman
Scott’s Amazing Sea Lions
Directed by CHARLES VANCE
Choreography by PAMELA DEVIS
Musical Director KEVIN DOOHAM
The Sunbeam’s Routine staged by Audrey Hale, Mullen School of Dancing
Hi-Fli Ballet directed by Humphrey Stanbury
Synopsis of Scenes
ACT ONE
Scene 1 The Village Green
Scene 2 On The Way to Market
Scene 3 The Market Square
Scene 4 Outside The Village
Scene 5 Dame Durden’s Cottage
Scene 6 Battle of The Elements
Scene 7 The Beanstalk
ACT TWO
Scene 8 Cloudland
Scene 9 Outside The Giant’s Castle
Scene 10 The Giant’s Kitchen
Scene 11 The Royal Bakery
Scene 12 The Market Square
Scene 13 Songsheet
Scene 14 The Palace
MUSICAL NUMBERS
ACT ONE
1. “Put On Your Sunday Clothes” – Villagers
2. “I Was Born With A Smile On My Face” – Jack and the Villagers
3. “For All We Know” – Jack and Princess
4. Reprise: “I Was Born With A Smile On My Face” – Jack
5. “You Won’t Find Another Fool Like Me” – Dame, Villagers and The Sunbeams
6. “Hello My Darlings” – Simple Simon and Villagers
7. “That’s Kissing” – Simple Simon, Villagers and The Sunbeams
8. “You Can Do It” – Simple Simon, King Brandyball, Jack and Villagers
9. “Simple Simon Said” – King Brandyball, Sausage, Mash and Villagers
10. “The Leap Year Waltz” – Hi-Fli Ballet
11. “Cinderella Rockerfella” – Simple Simon and Joan
12. “The Ballet Of The Elements”
ACT TWO
14. “I Love You Love” – Jack and Joan
15. Reprise : “For All We Know” – Jack
16. Reprise – Joan
17. “I May Be Small, But I’m Big Enough For Me” – Simple Simon, King, Dame, Sausage, Mash and Chorus
18. “Opposite Your Smile” – Jack and Princess
19. “Sunshine Cake” – Sunbeams and Villagers
20. “It’s Lovely Up Here” – The Sunbeams
21. “On A Wonderful Day Like Today” – Jack, King, Princess, Dame, Sausage, Mash and Chorus
22. “Doo De Doo De Doo” – Simple Simon, Fairy of the Bean and Audience (Song Sheet)
23. “It’s A Great Life”- The Company
The Story of Bradford Alhambra
The proprietor of the Princess Theatre in 1912 was Francis Laidler. From this theatre he could look across to a vacant triangular site between Morley Street and Great Horton Road. On this site the ALHAMBRA was erected for Mr. Laidler in 1914. Chadwick and Watson, of Leeds, were the architects. The style was described at the time as “English renaissance of the Georgian period”. The theatre is peculiar to Bradford and it would be a pity if it were ever lost to an alternative with much less character. The auditorium will hold 1,600 spectators.
Message from Derek Block
Dear Patrons,
We hope that you enjoy this pantomime as much as we have enjoyed putting it together. We have tried to create a show for all of the family and, hopefully we have succeeded. We hope that we will have your continuing support in the coming productions. Enjoy yourself!
Yours sincerely,
DEREK BLOCK
The Story of Jack and the Beanstalk
There was a simple Country Lady – a Widow, called Dame Durden, who had a Son – ambitious and brave called Jack – they were poor, and lived in a simple Cottage, with really only one possession – A Cow. The King owned all the property and had great difficulty in collecting his rents – he decided to make an example of Dame Durden, and in the efforts to raise the money for her rent – strange and wonderful things happened to the Dame and her Son Jack – this is a story that never fails to entrance the beholder – and you are now invited to sit back to enjoy the adventures of “JACK AND THE BEANSTALK”
Programme
CHARLIE DRAKE
At the tender age of eight, a young lad nervously climbed on to the stage at the Old South London Palace, gave a heartrendering version of “Boiled Beef and Carrots”, and received 7/6 for his trouble.
The natural charm, pleading eyes and impish nature are still there, but Charlie Drake has changed his style somewhat since his first performance.
Once described as a “quaint, troubled, sympathetic little man strangely reminiscent of an ageing Botticelli cherub”, Charlie Drake has endeared himself to audiences all over the country.
London-born and sixty-one inches of unlimited energy, Charlie has battled his way through variety theatres and touring shows, through the ranks of working as a stooge for other comedians, into television, falling off roofs, through windows and into the baths of goo for something over three hundred television performances.
Finally his big break came with his famous catchphrase “Hello My Darlings”, the little man with the big heart established himself with lovers of comedy and entertainments throughout the sphere of laughter. But if much of Charlie’s act appears slapdash – it isn’t. All his moves, falls and seif-inflicted catastrophes are carefully planned, down to the last detail. And perhaps his greatest asset is that he is able, by subtle glances and mannerisms, to involve an audience, whether live at a theatre or a watching television audience of millions, in his sketches.
JACK SMETHURST
Manchester-born Jack Smethurst has been in Show Business for some twenty years. He trained in London, went into repertory and in 1956 went on a theatre tour of England, when he met actress Julie Nicholls, whom he married in 1957. They now have four children – three girls and a boy.
His first television appearance was in “Trial & Error” in 1956 and his first film was “Carry On Sergeant” in 1959. Other films include “A Kind Of Loving”, “Saturday Night And Sunday Morning”, “Run With The Wind” and “On The Fiddle”.
Last year he starred in the film of “For The Love Of Ada”, which was based on the Thames Television series, in which he played “Leslie” in all three series.
His television appearances are too numerous to list them all but more recently they include “The Railwayman’s New Clothes” ; “Say Goodnight To Grandma” ; “Wreckers At Dead Eye” ; “Under & Over” ; with special guest appearances in “Father, Dear Father”, “Jokers’ Wild” and “The Max Bygraves Show”, etc.
These have all led to the most successful – “Love Thy Neighbour” in which he stars as the lovable “Eddie Booth”, and has brought him his well-deserved recognition and stardom.
Earlier this year, he made the film version of “Love Thy Neighbour”, and a further television series of the same will be shown this Autumn.
Under “Interests”, Jack is proud to boast being Manchester United’s No. 1 Fan, and he regularly goes to their matches.
NAT JACKLEY
At the tender age of eight, a young lad nervously climbed on to the stage at the Old South London Palace, gave a heartrendering version of “Boiled Beef and Carrots”, and received 7/6 for his trouble.
Nat started his career in the 192O’s and is now recognised as being the finest “dame” in the country He has starred in Pantomime each year for Tom Arnold, Emile Littler and Sam Newsome with Pantomime to his credit at the London Casino and Princes Theatre, his leading ladies at the Casino beinq Julie Andrews and Jean Carson.
Nat has appeared in Summer Shows in Blackpool six seasons at the Opera House, Hippodrome and Queens Theatre and also in Glasgow and the Alhambra Theatre, Pavilion, and the Empire Theatre, his great friend was the late Tommy Morgan.
He has appeared at every major theatre in the country as well as two major Royal Command Performances. Had his own TV series and recently appeared in “It’s A Knockout”.
PATSY MACLEAN
Yorkshire-born, vivacious and petite, Patsy MacLean is not only a very good singer but is also an all-round entertainer.
In 1969, 1970 and 1971 Patsy was chosen by the BBC to represent them in three Song Festivals in Poland, Yugoslavia and Spain, the outcome of which was engagements on the Continent. One of these engagements being Patsy having her own radio show in Holland.
She began her show business career at the tender age of eleven years, appearing in a pantomime in Yorkshire Over the next few years she appeared in summer shows, pantomimes, variety and cabaret, learning her trade and becoming more and more accomplished in everything she did.
During the latter years, between summer seasons and cabaret dates, Patsy has been working for the Cunard Line, appearing on the cruise liners Queen Elizabeth II, the Cunard Ambassador and the Cunard Adventurer, giving passengers a very polished cabaret performance and this they obviously enjoyed, as standing ovations became almost nightly occurrences.
CANNON and BALL
Bobby Ball has one main ambition in his life, to be recognised as Tom Cannon’s friend and mate. Unfortunately during Tom’s rise to fame there seems little if any time or room for Bobby.
Tom having a great personal success with the ladies and making his mark on the recording scene does not appreciate his universal good looks and sex appeal being rendered to ridicule by what can only be described as a problem in the shape of Bobby Ball This ridiculous situation leads up to one of the most hilarious double acts in this country today.
Acclaimed by the clubs as the funniest men in the business, these two truly remarkable comics are taking the country by storm.
Tradition is fast disappearing in this age of comedy but by using every modern technique in the book, Tom and Bobby are carving a terrific career for themselves. They have learnt in great detail what their business is about and all the homework and research they have put into their act speaks for itself, for they render their audiences helpless with laughter.
The reward is a star quality act.
MARGARET LAKE
Born in London in 1951. At the age of five her family moved to Worthing where she has lived ever since. Her parents enrolled her at the local stage school when they had settled in Worthing, and her ambition to be an actress stemmed from this time.
She left school at the age of sixteen and, after taking a secretarial course, she joined the Argyle Theatre for Youth on a six-month contract. Various seasons at provincial reps, followed including Bexhill, Folkestone and Bognor which established her as a very versatile actress.
Television began when ATV offered her a four-month contract on the long-running serial “Crossroads”. Other television appearances include “And Mother Makes Three” and “The Good Old Days”. She appeared with great success at the University Theatre in Newcastle in “Joseph And The Technicolor Dreamcoat”.
VICTOR WOOLF
Extremely talented actor. He created the part of Derwent in the long-running serial “Robin Hood”.
More recently on television he has appeared in “The Feydeau Farce” series on BBC 2.
His many West End appearances include “Mame”, “The Fighting Cock” and “Pyjama Tops”.
He specialises in dialects. He is a native of Norfolk.
SUE BOND
Sue Bond recently played “Rita Southwood” in “Love Thy Neighbour” at the Windmill Theatre, Great Yarmouth.
She started her career with Benny Hill and has appeared in his series every year.
She has also appeared in many other television comedy series including “Doctor In Charge”, “Harry Worth”, “Love Thy Neighbour”, “On The Buses”, “And Mother Makes Three” and “Mike Yarwood Specials” She was “Maid of the Month” in “The Golden Shot” in 1973. Her films include : “Albert’s Follies”, “The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins” and “Creeping Flesh”.
STAN SIMMONS
Stan Simmons has in his time played the Giant more times than he can remember and is now known as the best in this speciality. In between pantomimes, he spends his time working in films as a stuntman and more recently has visited Australia and Canada with the British Jousting Association. His hobbies are driving and fishing. He appeared in Leeds 1972 in the same part as he is playing in Bradford.
ANNE LANGFORD
Played Prince Charming opposite Dana as Cinders : at Doncaster.
Last year leading lady at Newquay : with Hugh Lloyd.
This year cabaret at Blackpool.
Played Jack in “Jack And The Beanstalk” at the City of Varieties : twice.
Was at the Palladium with Tommy Steele in “Dick Whittington”.