 |
Aberdare Boys’ Grammar SchoolMusic & Drama |
 |
Aberdare Boys Comprehensive School
Production of ‘The King and I’, 1995
from Dr Geoff Abbott
The Cast, Orchestra, Production Team & Programme
In the autumn of 1995 the Boys’ Comprehensive School staged
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical The King and I. This show first opened on Broadway
in March 1951 with Yul Brunner and Gertrude Lawrence in principal roles. The
show reached London in October 1953, when it opened at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.
The Aberdare production was performed at the Coliseum, Trecynon, with a cast drawn from the Boys’ School with additional help from Aberdare Girls’ School, Blaengwawr Comprehensive School, St John Baptist High School and pupils from local primary schools. The orchestra pit hosted a 27-piece orchestra, one of the largest ensembles of musicians seen at the theatre for many a year.
The musical was performed over four nights from Wednesday October
18th to Saturday, October 21st, 1995. The names of those taking part in the production
are as follows:
| Cast Principals | ||
| The King | — | David Crowley |
| Anna Leonowens | — | Leanna Thomas |
| Lun Tha | — | Neil Davies |
| Tuptim | — | Gemma Willis |
| The Kralahome | — | Troy Melhuish |
| Lady Thiang | — | Lisa Wan |
| Prince Chululongkorn | — | Luke Rees |
| Louis Leonowens | — | Gareth Hughes |
| Captain Orton | — | Huw Lloyd |
| The Interpreter | — | Ross Jones* |
| Phra Alack | — | Marc Withers |
| Sir Edward Ramsey | — | Owen Parry |
| Ambassador | — | Gavin Lewis |
| Princess Ying Yaowlak | — | Laura Williams |
| The House of Uncle Thomas Ballet |
| Eliza - Paul Jones Uncle Thomas — Steven Williams Little Eva — Philip Warman Topsey — Adric Marsh Angel/George — Daniel Brookes King Simon — Craigan Smith Dogs — Matthew Parish, Owen Davies Dancers — Zeeshan Ashraf, Michael Burke, Jonathan Evans, Michael Jones, Stephen Parry, Matthew Williams Soldiers — James Daniels, Tyrone Griffiths, Jonathan Howells, Christopher Jones, Nadeem Rahman, Michael Williams. |
| The Royal Children |
| Michael Barrett, Richard Brown, Lucy Bush, Jamie Chalkley, Michael Chalkley, Owen Davies, Lloyd Edwards, Jonathan Evans, Ross Evans, Matthew Flynn, Ryan Geake, Kieron Gough, Cai Griffiths, Christopher Hopkins, Gareth Jenkins, Angharad Jones, Jenny Jones, Nicholas Lacey, Simon Lester, Christopher May, Dean Owen*, Matthew Parish, Stephen Parry, Ian Parsell, Jonathan Rees, Christopher Richards, Rachel Savan, Gareth Smith, Paul Smith, Sarah Smith, Andrew Williams, Christopher Williams, Huw Williams. |
| The Royal Wives |
| Joanne Arundale, Samantha Carter, Emma Davies, Rachel Evans, Samantha Juliff, Rhian Shellard, Amy Starling*, Jenna Williams. |
| The Royal Guards/Priests |
| Owen Davies, Jonathan Evans, Jared Green, Mark Harding, David Morgan, Matthew Parish, Stephen Parry. |
| *Understudies |
| The Orchestra |
| Conductor — Mrs Marion Mansell Piano — Miss Cerrie Love Orchestra lead — Mr Phil Roberts Percussion — Adrian Evans, Anthony Hicks, Gareth Thomas & Owen Rowlands Flute — Catherine Davies Clarinets — Mr Mike Thomas, David Harding, Tim Price & Matthew Penny Oboe — Brett Williams Bassoon — Catherine Lewis Violins/Violas — Gavin Crimmings, Phil Roberts, Rachel Petty, Cath & Sally Cello - Stephanie Osborne, Rhian Howells Double Bass — Mr Jeff Ryan, Caryl Thomas Trumpets — Mr David Elliot, David Williams*, David Hubber, Seth Adams Trombones — Geriant Thomas, Mr Philip Juliff |
| PRODUCTION TEAM & STAGE CREW | |
| Director — Mrs Pam Williams Producer — Miss Alison Howes Musical Director — Mrs Marion Mansell Musical accompanist — Miss Cerrie Love Set designer — Scenic Hire, Mr Roger Williams Artwork — Matthew Doherty, Mr Roger Williams Costumes — Lyndon’s Theatrical Costume Hire, Mrs Julie Perryman, Mrs Barbara Williams Make-up — Mrs Ann Savan, Matthew Doherty, Matthew Jeffries |
Stage Manager - Mark Warman Lighting — David Thomas Crew — Christopher Herneman, Paul Edwards, Robert Williams, Daniel Evans, Gavin Holcombe Props — James Bampfield Video — Adam Blandon Front of House — Andrew Irving, Matthew Forey, Jonathan Prince, Steven Coombs, Lee Davies Programme & Publicity — Mr Christopher Lovell, Miss Alison Howes, Steven Coombs & Andrew Irving |
| Grateful thanks to Cynon Valley Leader & Radio
Wales |
|
Show Programme
click the images below to see larger versions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
The Leader of October 26th, 1995 featured five photographs of the cast and commented briefly on the production:
“The curtain has come down on one of the most popular amateur shows to be staged in Cynon Valley.
The Aberdare Boys’ Comprehensive School production of The King and I was a huge hit — just as Rodgers and Hammerstein intended!
Performed at the Coliseum Theatre, it attracted impressive audiences throughout its four-day run. Full marks to all involved — a right royal production!”
The photo shows David Crowley and Leanna Thomas.