Ron Drew's Music Page - Activities
Singing - South Shields Amateur Operatic Society
Chapter 5.4 - Snippets of Chorus Lines
From Issue No. 4 (December 1996)
Often it is 'What the Audience Doesn't See!' that has greater drama than that on stage. Edith Kemp recalls an event that took place back stage during the production of "SOME ENCHANTED EVENING" a Musical production in 1987. Edith recalls...........
".....I had just had major surgery [and I was preparing to change costumes] in the second act. Everyone else was involved in a company number on stage and I was left to do the change by myself. Now this was only 5 weeks after my operation and I was changing into a crinoline, complete with hooped petticiats and pantaloons, to re-create Anna from the "King and I". As anyone who has ever worn a crinoline will know, hooped petticoars can be very difficult; they tend to have a will of their own! I struggled weakly to get my hoopright. As I was not very successful I hurried down to the wings to look for anyone who could help.
Who should I meet but Fred Wharton [the producer], who looked aghast at the state of my crinoline. He tried in vain to put it right and as my cue was fast approaching we started to panic. Suddenly Fred got down on the floor and disappeared under my crinoline amongst the pantaloons and petticoats. he emerged second later smiling, having straightened everything out - or so we thought! I stood in the wings and tried to look serene listening for Jim Grey to give me my cue.
I walked on, the spotlight hit me as I glided downstage to the opening bars of "Hello Young Lovers" when suddenly I heard - clang, clang, clang as my hoop hit the floor! Fortunately the orchestra played loud enough to drown out the sound so once again the audiences illusion remained intact.
Just a word of warning though - don't ever ask Fred Wharton to be your dresser! The sight of him disappearing under my crinoline will remain with me forever!"
Society Snippet. Lost and Found.- gloves and three sets of keys returned from Middlesborough, after being left in costumes after our "FOLLIES" show at the Empire.
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