THE 1980's
Tom Murphy once again played the Count in the 1980 production of "The Count of Luxembourg" and The Whitehaven News commented that the show was 'cheerful, talented, fast moving, colourful and well dressed'. Following the success of "The King and I" the Society presented "The Sound of Music" in the Autumn of 1980 and this proved a real audience hit with almost capacity houses the whole week of the run. All of the Von Trapp children went on to take principal roles in future productions.
During the run of "The Gondoliers" in 1981 the Society lost one of its most stalwart members - the widow of the Musical Director - Mrs Ethel Robertson. She had been associated with the Society for 59 years - a truly remarkable achievement. Her daughter Elizabeth, who was due to take the part of Casilda was struck with cancer during the rehearsal period but amazingly took part in the chorus during show week.
"Merrie England" in 1982 was chosen to mark what was then thought to be the Diamond Jubilee of the Society before further research proved there to have been shows produced before the First World War. Alison Phillips joined for this production and continued a family tradition as her father and mother had both been in the Society during the 1950's. The Whitehaven News described the production as 'an evening of sheer delight ". Elizabeth Simpson gave a 'charming interpretation' of Bessie Throckmorton and Audrey Johnson as the May Queen was 'a good actress with a lovely voice'. Valerie Hendren in the role of Queen Elizabeth was 'suitably regal' she 'looked and felt the part'.
There were two shows presented in 1983 - "The Pirates of Penzance" and "Salad Days". 'Cheery Pirates provided some excellent singing' said The Whitehaven News. Peter Hendren 'cuts a dashing figure' as Major General Stanley and Elizabeth Simpson thrilled the audience with 'Poor Wand'ring One' in the role of Mabel. Kate, the Major General's daughter, was 'charmingly portrayed by talented' Ann Simpson. "Salad Days" was presented in the Autumn of 1983 at Rosehill.. The show gave principal roles to younger members of the Society including Vanessa and Gillian Cowley, Graeme Norman, Ann Simpson and Stephen Smith - all of whom graced future productions with fine acting and singing. The show ran for five nights in September - three of those nights played to capacity audiences
Continuing the Gilbert and Sullivan theme the Society chose "Trial by Jury" and "H.M.S. Pinafore" in 1984. Val Hendren directed "Trial" and Elizabeth Simpson "Pinafore". Elizabeth has since directed both musicals and plays for the Society. 'A double bill of rollicking musical entertainment with a host of foot tapping tunes had Monday night's audience humming along with the performers" commented The Whitehaven News. Peter Hendren 'captured the character of the Judge to perfection' whilst Stephen Smith 'scored an instant success as the pompous First Lord and his rendering of 'When I was a lad' was extremely funny'. Again the younger members of the Society shone in the Autumn production of "The Boyfriend" also staged at the Rosehill Theatre. Again directed by Elizabeth Simpson this 'fast and furious' show involved a great deal of dancing. Indeed the Whitehaven News was considerably impressed by the talents of Debbie Johnston, the choreographer. The News stated that 'she deserves special congratulations particularly bearing in mind that some of the cast had never been in tap shoes before'
The 1985 "Gipsy Princess"- 'a Romany romp of pure delight' gave the audience the wonderful singing of Gillian Cowley and David Simpson whilst Ann Simpson's voice 'was as clear as a bell'. The production was complimented on the way the action flowed and the attention to detail given by the director, Val Hendren. The orchestra, under the direction of Ted Robertson, was 'in fine form'.
For 1986 the Society chose "The Mikado" for the Spring show and "Half a Sixpence" as an Autumn production. In "The Mikado" David Simpson 'made an engaging hero' and Gillian Cowley 'sang beautifully throughout' as Yum-Yum. For 'Half a Sixpence", because they took the male and female leading roles, David and Ann Simpson - brother and sister - were 'married' during the show. A point highlighted in the feature in The Whitehaven News.
'The costumes were dazzling and the Ascot scene judged to perfection' enthused The Whitehaven News concerning the Society's 1987 production of "My Fair Lady". Peter Hendren was 'a tour de force' as Professor Higgins and the lovely Karen Venters (Mrs Wilson) was a wonderful Eliza Doolittle.
In 1988 and 1989 the Society presented two shows by Offenbach, "Orpheus in the Underworld" and "La Vie Parisienne". Orpheus was described as 'laugh a minute stuff delivered in panto style' and also it was noted the it was 'a pleasure to see an amateur operatic society fulfilling its potential and staging an ambitious dynamic show that is such a success'. Of course the well known Can-Can number added to the public's appreciation of the operetta. "La Vie Parisienne" also gave 'excellent music and singing and authentically sumptuous costumes'. Anyone who saw the show would find it difficult to forget Peter Hendren's amazing Daliesque moustache and outrageous costume.