Pickering College - Voyageur Yearbook (Newmarket, Ontario Canada)

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activities the glee club HURSDAY, BIARCH 13TH, was a cold, wet slippery day but not even this could prevent the plamied seige of Pickering College. For three months a hearty band of pirates and beautiful maidens carefully laid plans and trained for the all important roles they would take. All too soon the hour arrived and amid a frenzy of last minute preparations The Pirates of Penzance laid siege and captured Pick- ering College for three nights. t No quickly conceived idea, the production of Gilbert and Sullivan was the 26th for the school and not only lived up to past tradition but raised a high stan- dard for future productions. Under the direction of Digby Peers, and assisted by Bill Dowdell and Mrs. Blosdale, the cast were trained for their parts. Al Jewell, with the assistance of John Palmer and other students, prepared the scenery for the two acts. The first scene was set in a small cove on the coast of England looking out on the sea. The second act took place among the towering pillars, broken windows and crumbling walls of an old chapel in the moonlight. The Newmarket Era and Express had the following to say about the produc- tion: Congratulations have come from all direction to the Pickering College Glee Club for its presentations of the Pirates of Penzance at the college last week . . . lt has been judged as one of the best by many who have not missed a production in vears. No professional singers were included in the cast. All the principal roles and choruses were taken, with one exception, by students at the college and girls from the Newmarket area. The part of Frederic was taken by the resident music director at the college, Digby Peers. M ,,...f-w. nh

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To people in the audience it seemed impossible for so mature a portrayal ot Ruth, the tPiratical Maid-of-all-work' to be done by such a young person as Nancy Stocks. The demanding 1'ole of Mabel, Frederic's love was sung by Carol Graham. Despite her youth, Carol carried this part well and her voice showed great develop- ment since her last year's appearance. Brian Blackstock appeared as the model major-general, Major General Stanley. He repeated past triumphs by demonstrating once again his definite flare for comedy. The other principals, all of whom contributed their share to the operettas success were: The Pirate King, Peter Newbery, Samuel, his lieutenant, Scott McNeill, Sergeant of Police, Jack Eldridge, General Stanley's Daughters: Edith, Jean J Barnes, Kate, Nora Stevens, and Isabel, lat Brennand. In his two-fold part as director of the operetta and The Pirate Apprentice, Frederic, Digby Peers showed a sympathetic but lively understanding of Gilbert and Sullivan. These were the leaders, the officers ot the seige, but behind them worked a group of people who made up the chorus. Their singing, dancing, reactions and movements provided suitable back drop for the leads to work against. Without them the operetta, would have been Hat and uninteresting. This was the 1958 Gilbert and Sullivan Production as the audience saw it. To the cast and crew it was far more than just two hours' entertainment. To them at times, it was an ordeal, but an ordeal that involved infinite pleasure. To them it was afternoons and evenings of practices. To them it was a lesson in fellow- ship, discipline and eo-operation. To them go the sincerest thanks and appreciation of the members of this community. Twenty-se vert