THE 1990's

In January 1990 the Society presented the children's show "Alice" based on the novel by Lewis Carroll, 'Alice Through the Looking Glass'.  There was the Mad Hatter, the March Hare and the Dormouse, played by Ripley Steele, Stephen Smith and Karen Wishart (Mrs. Bannon) complete with appropriate costumes, a striking Queen of Hearts - played by Betty Robertson - and Tweedledum and Tweedledee played by John Branch and Leon Fussell.  The part of Alice was played by a talented youngster, Carol Elliott.  Also in the Spring of 1990 the Society returned to Gilbert and Sullivan and gave our third  "The Yeoman of the Guard".  Stephen Smith stole the show with his portrayal of Wilfred Shadbolt, the Head Jailer and his comedy duet with Andrew McCrae as Jack Point was very funny.  The 'box' set was very effective and the moving final scene was 'beautifully staged  helped by thoughtful lighting and inspired orchestration under Ted Robertson'.

The 1991 "Hello Dolly" proved to be a box office winner.  Ian Watson was 'ideally cast' as Horace Vandergelder and Elizabeth Simpson made the part of Dolly her own displaying all the deviousness and guile demanded by the role.  David Simpson gave the performance of the show as the clerk Barnaby Tucker. The Whitehaven News said he 'does not merely speak his lines, he lives his part through his stage mannerisms in a way that separates the best from the rest'.  Also in 1991 the Society gave a production of the musical adaptation of Melvyn Bragg's novel "The Hired Man".  This is literally 'The Musical of Whitehaven' as it  is set in Whitehaven and West Cumberland at the turn of the century.  It was a very bold venture and we were delighted that members of Melvyn Bragg's family attended the production.  Ethel, the daughter of Harry and Emily Bragg, two characters portrayed on stage by John Johnstone and Ann Simpson was present on the Wednesday evening.  Ann Simpson  and Roger Wilson as Jackson were singled out for particular praise for their characterisation and singing.

1992 saw the Society give "Iolanthe" and returned to Rosehill Theatre to present a comedy based on the popular TV series, "The Liver Birds".  Sandra and Beryl were 'excellently portrayed' by Vanessa Cowley and Ann Simpson, whilst Ripley Steele as Mr. Duval, the over-the-top camp caretaker and Sue Rankine and Sandra's snobby mother added to the hilarity.

There was a celebration of 300 years of Christianity in Whitehaven in 1993 and the Society reprised the show from two years earlier, "The Hired Man" with a largely unchanged cast.  The story seemed highly appropriate for this celebration and again proved very popular.

In Spring 1993 "Oklahoma" was chosen.  Martyn Wilson and Ann Simpson were marvellous as Will Parker and Ado Annie with Stephen Smith as Curley and Karen Wilson, who had played Eliza Doolittle in 1987, made a great Laurey.  The show was a sell out every night.  After the success of "Oklahoma", in the Autumn of 1993, "High Society" was presented and Graeme Jolly 'stood out for his enthusiastic portrayal of Dexter'.

For "Carousel"  in 1994 Roger Wilson not only directed but appeared as Billy Bigelow with Karen Wilson as Julie Jordan and by the final curtain, with the full company singing 'You'll never walk alone'  there wasn't a dry eye in the house! In the Autumn of 1994 the Society also presented another play at Rosehill.  This was an Agatha Christie, "A Murder is Announced" with Pat Dalton 'wonderful as busybody' Miss Marple and Elizabeth Simpson as Letitia Blacklock.  Agatha Christie is always popular and the play was very well received

'Old Henry's fish and chips stole the show' when "Charlie Girl' opened in 1995. Handing chips out to the audience during a number was very highly recommended ploy!  Betty Robertson was an elegant Lady Hadwell. 

To adhere to the terms of the licence the 1996 "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" was presented in the Whitehaven School Hall and was a sell-out.  John Branch was 'fantastic' as Joseph and The Whitehaven News commented that Darren Day and Phillip Schofield had a rival! Stephen Smith as Pharoah 'took the stage, hips gyrating and lips curling' and a special mention was made of seven sheep and one goat played by very small children in 'woolly costumes enjoying themselves and playing dead excellently'

A successful concert of "Showstoppers" with 49 members of the Society was given at Rosehill in 1997 and we gave a second "King and I" at the Civic Hall in Spring 1998.  Martyn Wilson, as the King, shaved his head to help pay for the costumes! 'A rainbow set brings "The King and I" to life.  On stage the backcloths looked nothing but from the auditorium they were a blaze of colour" enthused The Whitehaven News.  Ann Simpson 'gave a commanding performance in the lead role worthy of the West End with her strong voice working will in the popular and catchy 'I whistle a happy tune' and 'Shall we dance?'

In the 1999 "Wizard of Oz" Ann Simpson's first shot at directing proved a tremendous success and a very enjoyable show.  Rikki Thorpe as a very funny Scarecrow, Clive Green as a convincing Tin Man and Ripley Steele as the Cowardly Lion added to the fun not forgetting a 'brilliant performance' by the talented Lorna Christie as Dorothy.  The Society returned to Rosehill for the comedy "No Sex Please, We're British" in the Autumn of 1999.  'I left Rosehill Theatre with my ears still ringing with the richly deserved applause for the wonderfully funny performance of this hilarious play' wrote the critic for the Whitehaven News after he saw "No Sex Please, We're British". Rikki Thorpe, who played the prim bank clerk, 'echoes the gait of a young John Cleese' while Ann Simpson and Howard Cooper 'excel' as the newly married couple inundated with pornographic books!