The Musical Play
"PRINCESS CHARMING"

SSAOS 1936 production

The Story of the Play
(as told in the Souvenir programme)

Princess Elaine of Novia, - 'Princess Charming' , - comes from one of those convenient Comic Opera countries somewhere near where the Danube flows. When we see her first she is practically a prisoner in the Sylvanian Embassy at Novia because a revolution is on foot, and the revolutionists under one - Lieut. Ivanoff - are particularly desirous of getting hold of her.

The arrival of a very English yet irresponsible insurance agent, - Albert Chuff  - of the Colossal Assurance Company, brings many changes to bear on the situation. Chuff, it appears, is responsible for the safe delivery of the Princess to King Christian of Sylvania, whose betrothal she is, and he (Chuff) hits upon the idea of of marrying the Princess pro tem, to Captain Torelli of the King's Navy. Thus she becomes a Sylvanium, whom the rebels cannot touch, and the whole party departs for Sylvania in a Battle Cruiser. In the meantime, however, the rebel, Ivanoff, is conveniently vamped by Wanda Navarro, who assumes the role of a Countess, although really a famous dancer. In Court matters she appears to be just as irresponsibly mixed up as our friend the Insurance Agent, who turns out to be a former aquaintance.

King Christian having set eyes on his fair bride-elect and hearing of her marriage pro tem, immediately arranges for her divorce from Captain Torelli. By this time, however, the Princess and Torelli are very much in love with each other, and are by no means agreeable to the divorce. For the sake of strategy they are compelled to sign the papers. Later they manage to escape to a neighbouring castle. The King, inclined to be furious, is afterwards appeased, being particularly sentimental himself, upon meeting the fascinating and seductive Wanda - she appeals to his wayward heart, and not only does he forgive the runaway lovers, but marries the 'wily' "Countess". 

    Dramatis Personæ

Baron Sigman...........

Wm Kershaw 

 Captain Torellia....... Stan A Jardine
Commdr. De Celto.... Alex. Smith   Wanda Navarro........  Nancy Page
Marie........................ Jessie Dial   Ivanoff....................... Harold L Clunie
First Lieut. ............... Leslie Stobbs   Lord Chamberlain...... J R Wrigglesworth
Andre......................... Robert Ellwood   King Christian II........ Alf Jones 
Albert Chuff..............

James Patton

 Peter.......................... Archie Scott
Princess Elaine......... Sara Preece Attorney-General....... David Ritchie

 Solo Dancers
Vera Thwaites Nancy Clough Evelyn Mordain

               Dancing Chorus
Effie Clough, Jean Davison, Mildred Ellis, Gwen Nicol,  Rita Nicholson, Florence Richardson, Connie Spence, Marion Shields, Sadie Shields, Maisie Thomas, Estelle Whitfield, Edna Atkins, Marjorie Cameron, Evie Greenwood, Lily Sigsworth, Nora Smith.


Ladies of the Chorus

Nora Barnes, Dorothy Coats, Violet Coverdale, M Douglas, Grace Darling, Maisie Kershaw, Evelyn Lawson, Betty Legg, Nellie Lishman, Rowena McDearmid, Doris Sutton, Mary Thomas, Bessie Yule, Josephine Barlow, Hilda West, Mattie Williams, Irene Anderson.

Gentlemen of the Chorus

Stan Ball, Maurice Pyle, Wm. Morrison, W R Bowers, William Barrow, Harry Clark,W Alan Coats, Robt. Ellwood, Jas. Foster, E Forsyth Hedley, William Hall, Tom Smith, J Curry Smith, Robert Wilkinson, Adam West, Leslie Stobbs, J Robert Pilbin, Harry Dial, John Woodhouse, Tom Swindel, Chris Inskip 

Non-Acting Members
Hilda Pilbin, Marion Low, Dorothy Runcieman, T Wilson, M Lawson, Mary Carmichael, Margaret Robson, Dora Ritchie, Marjorie Wilkinson,  Geo.Sylph, Wm. Owen, Jnr., Fred W Talbot, Wm. Raine, Jos Brabley.

Producer and Coach:

Musical Director :

Hon Accompanist :

Barrie Cameron

Percy Thwaites 

Miss Maisie Russell

 

 


Capt. Torelli -
Stan A Jardine

Princess Elaine -
Sara Preece


Baron Sigman -
Wm. Kerahaw

 

Wanda Navarro -
Nancy Page

 

Albert Chuff 
Jas. Patton

 


Solo Dancer -
Evelyn Mordain

      

 

 

Solo Dancer -
Vera Thwaites
 


Solo Dancer -
Nancy Clough


Marie -
Jessie Dial


King Christian II -
Alf Jones


   Ivanoff -
   Harold L Clunie

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