From The Gazette, September 16 2005...

 
MUSICAL LINE-UP: The cast of The Sorcerer, presented by
Marton Operatic Society

 Marton Operatic Society is expecting another hot success story with its production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Sorcerer at the Lowther Pavilion, Lytham, after preparations went with a bang.

Two weeks ago during rehearsal one of the lights in St Paul’s newly refurbished church hall exploded and was set on fire.  The building was evacuated and the fire brigade attended to deal with the faulty light.  Rehearsals restarted after about half an hour.

As it happens the Sorcerer, played by Ken Dagger, had just finished practising his magic when the mini explosion took place!  The operetta, one of the prolific writing duo’s earliest works, has an abundance of fun and includes some lovely music.

It is set in the village of Ploverleigh where Grenadier Guard Alexis, played by John Darrell, and Aline, played by newcomer to the Society, Karen Robinson, are about to sign their marriage contract.

Alexis is so happy he wants to share his happiness with the whole village.  He persuades Aline that it would be a good idea to invite Mr J W Wells, a sorcerer, to the village, to administer secretly a love philtre to all the others, which will cause them to fall asleep.  On waking they will fall in love with the first person of the opposite sex that they see.

When they wake up this indeed happens, causing great confusion.  How is the problem sorted?  You’ll just have to go and see the show – from Tues September 27 to Saturday October 1, 7.30pm.

Other well known faces in the cast are Jacqui Veazey, Philip Walsh, Jacqui Cookson, David Chard and Delia Eden Winter.

 

From the Lytham St Annes Express 20 September 2005


Marton Operatic Society is to present its 75th Anniversary production at Lowther Pavilion from Tuesday September 27 until Saturday October 1 at 7.30pm.
  The Society was formed in 1930 by members of a church choir and friends, and every year since 1932 have presented a Gilbert and Sullivan opera.
  This year the society is performing The Sorcerer.
  In the first show there were 17 members of one family in the cast - now there are still four members of that same family cast (albeit first and second generation) two of whom, Jacqui Cookson and Philip Walsh, are taking principal roles.
  The Sorcerer, one of the early G and S operas, has an abundance of fun, magic and some lovely music. It is set in the village of Ploverleigh where Grenadier Guard Alexis, played by John Darrell, and Aline, played by society newcomer Karen Robinson, are about to sign their marriage contract. Alexis is so happy that he wants to share his happiness with the whole village.
   He persuades Aline that it would be a good idea to invite Mr J W Wells, a sorcerer, played by Ken Dagger, to the village to administer secretly a love potion to all the others which will cause them to fall asleep. On waking they will fall in love with the first person of the opposite sex that they see.
  When they wake this indeed happens, causing great confusion!
  Tickets may be purchased from Lowther Booking Office on (01253) 735211 or from ticket secretary Sheila Pound on (01253) 694856.