Fiddler on the Roof
BasOp
The Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
24th - 27th May 2017
BasOp
The Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
24th - 27th May 2017
Basildon Operatic Society very kindly invited Southend Theatre Scene to come along to one of their rehearsals of Fiddler on the Roof ahead of their performance at Southend’s Palace Theatre in May to meet a few members that make up the Society.
Fred Woodrow is the current Chairman of the Society which has been around since 1930, starting from a church hall in Langdon Hills. He informs me, “The group just kept growing and growing in popularity and eventually became Basildon Operatic Society.” Having performed at Basildon’s Towngate Theatre for many years, the Society recently decided to relocate their performance venue to Southend’s Palace Theatre and Fred says of the team at the theatre, “We can’t praise them enough. They always make us feel so welcome.”
Robert Walmsly, 78, is one of the Society’s longest standing members, having been in the Society since he was 16 years old. Always having done drama at school, he decided to progress to an adult group and joined BASOP. The retired television retailer, loves being part of the Society’s chorus, telling me, “It’s such a good company. When I was at school, I always enjoyed being in school shows, so joining a company like this was obviously the next step for me.”
Fred Woodrow is the current Chairman of the Society which has been around since 1930, starting from a church hall in Langdon Hills. He informs me, “The group just kept growing and growing in popularity and eventually became Basildon Operatic Society.” Having performed at Basildon’s Towngate Theatre for many years, the Society recently decided to relocate their performance venue to Southend’s Palace Theatre and Fred says of the team at the theatre, “We can’t praise them enough. They always make us feel so welcome.”
Robert Walmsly, 78, is one of the Society’s longest standing members, having been in the Society since he was 16 years old. Always having done drama at school, he decided to progress to an adult group and joined BASOP. The retired television retailer, loves being part of the Society’s chorus, telling me, “It’s such a good company. When I was at school, I always enjoyed being in school shows, so joining a company like this was obviously the next step for me.”
Vikki Purton, 32, is the director and choreographer of the show and she tells me that her very first stab at directing was with the Society’s last production, Guys and Dolls. She enjoyed the experience so much, she was delighted when they asked her back to direct and choreograph Fiddler on the Roof. “It’s such a great group and I had such a good time directing Guys and Dolls, I was really pleased.”
Directing the show is not Vikki’s only challenge; she also has husband, Mathew, playing the part of Perchik in the 53 strong cast. They also have their 19 month old son, Joseph, to look after and Vikki tells me, “We wouldn’t be able to do any of this is if weren’t for my lovely mum, Christine, who looks after the baby while we’re rehearsing. It really is quite a big ol’ family affair!” she laughs.
Vikki has a strong dancing background, having trained at the London School of Musical Theatre just south of the River Thames and was a professional dancer for many years until sustained an injury. It was then, she returned back to Essex, meeting Mathew and then falling pregnant during the Society’s production of Sweet Charity.
Husband, Mathew Purton, 35, who played Sky in their last production of Guys and Dolls admits with a smile, that being directed by his wife “hasn’t been that bad, really.”
Directing the show is not Vikki’s only challenge; she also has husband, Mathew, playing the part of Perchik in the 53 strong cast. They also have their 19 month old son, Joseph, to look after and Vikki tells me, “We wouldn’t be able to do any of this is if weren’t for my lovely mum, Christine, who looks after the baby while we’re rehearsing. It really is quite a big ol’ family affair!” she laughs.
Vikki has a strong dancing background, having trained at the London School of Musical Theatre just south of the River Thames and was a professional dancer for many years until sustained an injury. It was then, she returned back to Essex, meeting Mathew and then falling pregnant during the Society’s production of Sweet Charity.
Husband, Mathew Purton, 35, who played Sky in their last production of Guys and Dolls admits with a smile, that being directed by his wife “hasn’t been that bad, really.”
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The main role of Tevye is being played by Stuart Crawley, 49. No stranger to the stage, Stuart trained at the prestigious Italia Conti and after graduating and had many professional jobs over the last 18-20 years, only joining the am dram scene last year. “This role has been a challenge,” he confides, “there’s lots to think about. Tevye can get quite angry but he is also a loving man.”
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Denise Luxford, 56, is finally getting a chance to play a more major role, having only played chorus parts until she nabbed the part of Golda in this latest production. With art imitating life, just like Golda, she also has 5 children. However, with four of her own children being boys, she says wouldn’t like the challenge of finding matches for them, the way that Golda has to for her girls in the show! She says that they will all be coming to see her in the show and confesses that she will be feeling a little nervous before curtain up.
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One of the Society’s youngest members is Lucy Green, who at just 13 years old is playing the part of Tevye’s daughter, Chava. Lucy joined the Society when she was just 9 years old, playing the part of Tessie in Annie and then the year after she played Brigitta in The Sound of Music. A year 9 student at Brentwood Ursuline School, Lucy also finds time to do ballet, LAMDA exams, play the violin and piano and is about to take her Grade 7 in singing, as well as being a member of BOSSY who are putting on Hairspray soon. When I ask Lucy what she wants to do when she leaves school, she surprises me by saying, “Something to do with maths or accounting really.” I ask her if this particular role is challenging for her and she calmly replies, “I’m coping okay with it. It’s really helpful having such a lovely cast to work with.”
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All photo credits: Nick Austin Photography
Tickets available online at www.southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135