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'Die Fledermaus'

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Armidale Town Hall - April 1971

Stage Direction by Bob Herbert 
Musical Direction by Wendy Huddleston 
Produced by Barry Richardson

By Johann Straus.

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SYNOPSIS

Act I - Von Eisenstein's apartment

Gabriel Von Eisenstein, a prosperous man, blessed with a charming wife, Rosalinda, is in trouble with the law and in spite of the efforts of his lawyer Blint, has to spend eight days in gaol.

Falke, his friend, persuades him to indulge in a gay carousal before he goes to prison. There is a ball to be given that evening by Prince Orlofsky. Rosalinda's maid Adele, has a sister who has been invited to the ball and at the opening of this act Olga appears and suggests that she, Adele, should by impersonation gain an invitation to the ball.

Eisenstein takes an affectionate farewell of Rosalinda and departs ostensibly to prison but makes a wide detour so that he can be at the ball that evening. On his departure, Rosalinda's lover, Alfred appears. During a declaration of his love, there is a knock at the door. It is Frank, the prison governor, come to escort Eisenstein to gaol. He quite naturally assumes that Alfred is Eisenstein. Rosalinda, careful of her reputation silences Alfred's protestations but consoles him with many parting kisses before his departure to gaol.

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Act II - Ballroom at Prince Orlofsky's

A ball is in progress. Everyone is there except poor Alfred. Eisenstein who is masquerading as a marquis, insults one lady by mistaking her for his wife's maid Adele, which of course she is. He pays amorous attentions to another lady not knowing she is his wife, who has been invited on Orlofsky's behalf by Falke. Falke has seen to it that Frank, the Governor of the gaol is also present masquerading as a French Chevalier.

Orlofsky is a charming host and under his influence his guests cast reserve aside.

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Act III - The Prison Director's Office

The arrival of Eisenstein at the gaol mystifies Frank. He has an Eistenstein in his cell already. He even tells him the circumstances of bringing him from his home to the prison.

Eisenstein now suspicious, disguises himself as the lawyer Blint and ultimately gets a confession from both Alfred and Rosalinda. He threatens them with dire consequences when Rosalinda reveals herself as the lady to whom he was making amorous overtunes at the ball.

The awkward situation is brought to an end by the explanation that it is all an elaborate trick planned Dr Falke. It is a revenge for a joke played on him some years ago by Eisenstein in consequence of which he has become known as Dr Fledermaus (Dr Bat).

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MUSICAL NUMBERS

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Act I

'Life is a song' - Adele, Alfred and chorus
'Never go to law' - Gabriel, Rosalinda, Blint
'What a night' - Falke, Gabriel
'How sad we are' - Gabriel, Rosalinda, Adele
'Here's to love' - Alfred, Rosalinda, Frank
'A married couple' - Rosalinda
Finale - Alfred, Rosalinda, Frank and chorus

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Act II

'What a feast' - Chorus
'Chacun a son Gout' - Orlofsky
'The Laughing Song' - Adele, Orlofsky, Falke, Gabriel and chorus
'Homeland' - Rosalinda
'The Tick-Tock Polka' - Gabriel, Rosalinda
'Champagne' - Principals and chorus
'Merci, Merci, Merci' - Ensemble
'Brother Mine' - Falke and ensemble
Finale - Entire company

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Act III

'After the Ball' - Frank
'How can you be so ungallant' - Adele
'The Legal Profession' - Gabriel, Rosalinda, Alfred
Finale - Entire company

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CAST (in order of appearance)

Adele: Audrey Heatwole, Mitzi: Julie Roper, Ida: Nola Cummins, Rosalinda Eisenstein: Barbara Diehl,Alfred: Bob Dunn, Gabriel Eisenstein: Don Squires, Dr Blint: Paul Lamb, Dr Falke: Ivan Morsley, Frank: Frank Brown, Prince Orlofsky: Gwynn James, Ivan: Barry Squire, Frosch: John Collerson, Warders: Peter O'Neill, John Moffit

Ladies of the Chorus: Sopranos: Julie Roper, Noelene Marjoram, May Croaker, Leone Campbell, Jinine Lovett, Altos: Marie Wearing, Helen Little, Val Rummery, Lois Foster

Gentleman of the Chorus: Tenors: John Hamel, Jim Hawkins, Basses: Michael Poggioli, Bill Allen

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ARMIDALE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Leader: Kirsty Veron, First Violins: Eunice Allingham, Colin Sholl, Richard Milner, Second Violins: Elfi Sturmer, Florence Brereton, Joan Milner, Viola: Francis Atkinson, Celli: Arpad Got, Elizabeth Lewis, Flute: Margaret Hawkins, Oboe: Evan Lewis, Clarinets: Warren King, Leo Atherton, French Horn: Jim Ridsdill-Smith, Percussion: Peter Nicholson, Piano: Betty McEachern

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PRODUCTION TEAM

Stage Director: Bob Herbert 
Musical Director: Wendy Huddleston 
Producer: Barry Richardson 
Stage Construction and Crew: Tony Marjoram, Rex Holmes, Mike Porter, Beale Williams
Set Design: Dot McDermott
Lighting: John Wiseman, John Tully
Prompt: Patricia Cox
Costumes: Frances O'Brien with Clarice Faint, Phyra Stanley
Properties: Els Coventry, Nerida Curtis
Make-up: Aline Christenson with Jean Burrows, Sue Bellingham, Margaret Tyrell, Robin Busby, Mary Quinn, Elizabeth McDonald, Margaret Bennett
Publicity: Claire Keoghan, Peg Leask, Helen Little
Business Manager: Jim Edwards
Rehearsal Pianists: Betty McEachern, Sue Metcalf
House Managers: Howard Wheaton, Lew Payne
Photography: Frank Anderson
Usherettes: Shirley Falconer, Diane Buxton, Sue Holland, Margaret Kingdom

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THANKS TO

Armidale Teachers' College for rehearsal faciltiy, Langton Press for poster printing

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