SHOWSTOPPERS 6
MARCH/APRIL 2022 – PRIORY CENTRE
In a celebratory year, we return to the stage with our 6th rendition of Showstoppers. Not only are we celebrating the 60th anniversary of our first ever performance in 1962, and the belated 60th anniversary of our founding (1961), but it is also the 25th anniversary of our first ever Showstoppers production (1997).
We hope you will join us in celebrating not only our anniversaries but also the magical history of musicals with songs from the classics such as Me and My Girl, to modern fan-favourites such as Hamilton.
You are guaranteed to be singing along!
Please note that theatrical effects such as haze and moving and flashing lights will be in use during this production. The video, photographic or audio recording of this performance is strictly prohibited. Please ensure mobiles are turned off or on silent during the production.
Chairman’s Address
May I firstly say what an immense pleasure it is to finally, after almost two and a half years, welcome you to a VAMPS production.
After what has undoubtedly been the most unprecedentedly worrying periods in most people’s lifetime and, with the spectre of COVID-19 still hanging over us, life finally appears to be returning to what may well become the new normal. The virus has taken its’ toll on the rehearsal process, particularly over the last few weeks, as it steadily worked its’ way through the cast and at the time of writing this message we are hopeful that by the opening night we will have a full cast on stage to present the show for you.
The society would, under normal circumstances have celebrated its’ diamond anniversary last year, instead we are celebrating sixty years since we staged our first show in St Neots. The society began back in 1961 when Arthur Wade, Ernest Gross, Bill Berridge and Stan Smith came up with the idea of forming an operatic society in St Neots and after a few initial meetings went door to door around the town looking for volunteers to be part of the new venture. Very soon the St Neots and District Operatic Society was formed with Arthur Wade as Chairman and Ernest Gross the Musical Director, and in early 1962 our first production took to the stage, the production was of the Gilbert & Sullivan operetta Yeoman of the Guard. The first decade or so the society performed G&S shows until in the mid-1970s the society moved away from operettas into musicals such as Fiddler On The Roof.
It is also fitting that this year marks 25 years since our first production of Showstoppers based on the BBC TV series starring Gary Wilmott of the same name. A show which I had the honour of devising and directing. The series of four other Showstoppers have proved very popular and well received and I say with some certainty that Showstoppers 6 will also not disappoint.
VAMPS have a long-standing record of producing critically acclaimed shows and give vast amounts of enjoyment to its’ audiences and we have enjoyed some awards along the way. The hard part for VAMPS and a message that is difficult to convey to our audiences is the expense required to produce these shows and that. contrary to the popular belief that we make a lot of money on our shows, the reality is quite the reverse. I continually ask audience members who attend VAMPS shows how much they think a VAMPS show costs to stage, the highest guess I received was £5,000, the next highest being £3,000. The actual standard cost of the last few shows is now in excess of £11,000. I therefore hope you will appreciate our production just that little bit more knowing how much financial investment we have to make to present this show today.
VAMPS is a community group and always on the lookout for new members, you may not be someone wanting to get up under the spotlight but there are lots of other areas that you can get involved in such as backstage, scenery making, costumes and marketing to name just a few. If you are possibly interested in
joining us please contact us.
So, please sit back, relax and enjoy the show.
Ian Worsfold
VAMPS is supported by St Neots Town Council
Director’s Welcome
Hi folks
And welcome to what is the 6th edition of Showstoppers to be performed by the wonderfully talented members of VAMPS of St Neots. This is the 25th anniversary of the first Showstoppers (1997), which incidentally, I performed in myself. There have been many changes over the years, with new and more reliable technology, lighting and sound systems for example, but the most striking difference, in my opinion, is the excellent level of talent that is our members.
Putting on a revue show with so many numbers in it, is a daunting task at the best of times, but to do it in only twelve weeks is truly a remarkable achievement, and my sincere thanks and gratitude go to the VAMPS committee, my production team, and the entire cast for their professionalism, focus, and – just as important – their patience and faith in me, as I endeavoured to juggle many balls on a runaway train, whilst trying to keep it on track.
It has been my pleasure to direct these wonderful people, who work, look after their families, and still find the time to come to rehearsals for a few precious hours, a couple of nights a week. The reason they do this is to perform their hearts out to you, the audience, because they love to bring joy to other people.
I have absolutely loved putting this show together and hope you enjoy tonight’s performance as much as I have its instigation and construction.
Please show your appreciation by singing and clapping along, where appropriate, and remember – your applause is the cast’s wages!
Remembering Dame Peggy
It was with immense sadness that last September that the society learned that our much loved and respected President Dame Peggy Maggs has passed away at the age of 95!
Dame Peggy joined the society in 1973 for our production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s Ruddigore and had remained a central member of the society ever since.
Peggy’s genuine warmth, humour and pure talent shone through to anyone who met her and after 49 years with the society you won’t be able to find anyone who had an altercation with her in this time and who would speak with anything other love, and admiration for her.
Perhaps one of Dame Peggy’s finest roles with VAMPS was the part of Jeanette, the rehearsal pianist, in our 2006 production of The Full Monty. Her splendid performance and exquisite rendition of her solo ‘Jeanette’s Showbiz Number’ was talked about almost as much as six blokes getting naked in the final scene!
Dame Peggy was not exclusive to VAMPS having performed with the Brampton Theatre Group and since the 1970s with the Music Hall Society. It was in the Music Hall shows that Dame Peggy forged a formidable partnership and long-term friendship with a former Chairman of VAMPS, Jean Burge. Duets such as ‘Only A Glass Of Champagne’ and ‘Stately As Two Galleons’ amongst others delighted audiences for many years.
Of all the many highlights of Dame Peggy’s performances on stage, the one that she will be remembered for most and that she made her own was ‘Nobody Loves A Fairy When She’s Forty’. A song that became Dame Peggy’s signature act, one she was still performing in her 90s and still receiving the adulation of adoring audiences at the end of the song when she took a bow and waved her broken fairy wand!
Dame Peggy was not an official title that was bestowed upon her by the powers that be but was how she became affectionately known after being so highly regarded by so many as local theatrical royalty.
It’s now several years since Dame Peggy performed with VAMPS and over the years many new members join the society and recently these new members will not have experienced performing with her, however, they would still know her and the ridiculously high esteem in which Dame Peggy was held by the society.
We have the photos and videos to remind ourselves of the unique talent Dame Peggy was, the celestial stage has a new superstar!
For more photos please click here.
Cast
Please meet our cast for the performance tonight. Click on their photo to learn more about each cast member.
Red Troupe
Orange Troupe
Yellow Troupe
Green Troupe
Blue Troupe
Purple Troupe
25 YEARS OF SHOWSTOPPERS
In June 1997 the VAMPS committee, inspired by Gary Wilmot & BBC’s Showstoppers TV show, asked Ian Worsfold to put together a musical revue full of show stoppers – songs from musicals that are so powerful and revered they “stop” the show. Being a musical theatre fan, Ian already had a number of songs floating around his head but the list grew and grew until the number of songs reluctantly omitted outgrew the list of songs included. Alongside Alana Thackray (Musical Director), Jan Webber (Choreographer), and a committed and enthusiastic cast, Ian staged the first Showstoppers in November 1997 with resounding success – so successful in fact that Showstoppers II was quickly green lit by the committee, and since then another three Showstoppers has been performed.
“As a musical theatre fan, I was delighted to have been asked to put together Showstoppers, and I am proud of how successful the series has been” – Ian Worsfold
“Thinking back, I cannot really believe it has been 25 years since the first Showstoppers with VAMPS as the time has flown by so quickly. There have been so many memorable performances over the series and sadly many of the cast are no longer with us. Remembering rehearsals with people like the late Bill Berridge, Phil Cox and Peggy Maggs where much of the time was spent doubled up with laughter because of their comedic timing or facial expressions or the attempt at the choreography that was never going to be remembered as it had been intended.” – Alana Thackray (Read more of Alana’s memories and thoughts here.)
“Showstoppers was Ian’s baby and he easily convinced me to help with choreography and Alana to tirelessly sort the music. He sorted the lines and placing and I helped with the moves. Showstoppers evolved and as the years went by it became quite family friendly. I was able to be in a show with my girls as were many others and their children and that’s special.” – Jan Webber
Creative Team
Choreographers
The Band
Keyboard
Elizabeth Millwood
Keyboard
Dave Montgomery-Law
Guitar
Percussion
Production Team
Matt Oram
Sound, Set Design, Visuals, Lighting Design
Tim Powers
Lighting, Lighting Design
Dan Cooper
Stage Manager, Lighting Design
Behind the Scenes
Backstage Crew
Friends of VAMPS
Front of House Managers
Paul Parsons & Lisa Worsfold
Front of House
Members and friends of VAMPS
Publicity
Christine SuggarsIan Worsfold, Tim Powers,
Artwork/Programmes
TimPowersDesign
Photography
Christine Suggars, Dan Cooper, Tim Powers,
Box Office
Ian Worsfold, Priory Centre
THANK YOUS
Lisa Prestige and the staff of the Priory Centre for their support
Priory Centre and Peppercorns for providing rehearsal spaces
House of Parties for their support and supplying the balloons
Members past and present, families and friends of VAMPS, St Neots Players, and Riverside Theatre Company for their support
Our corporate sponsors for their support
Set List
Due to cast illness, Huw Nadin will be performing You’ll Be Back (Hamilton) and Tom Kirkbride will be performing in You Can’t Stop The Beat (Hairspray). We wish you all the best, and a speedy recovery George & Christine!
Act One
Wipe Out – Return to the Forbidden Planet
The Band
Wilkommen – Cabaret
Leah Sheldrick
Consider Yourself – Oliver!
Samantha McKay & company
Wouldn’t It Be Loverly – My Fair Lady
Emma Driscoll & company
Oklahoma! – Oklahoma!
Tom Kirkbride & company
Everything’s Coming Up Roses – Gypsy
Peta Riley
The Lambeth Walk – Me and My Girl
Jan Webber & company
Any Dream Will Do – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Abbie Miles & company
The Music of the Night – The Phantom of the Opera
Huw Nadin
Master of the House – Les Misérables
Tom Monkhouse, Ruth Montgomery-Law & company
With One Look – Sunset Boulevard
Melanie Wilcox
Radio Ga Ga – We Will Rock You
Amy Bates & company
Bright New Day – Blood Brothers
Emma Driscoll & company
Lady Marmalade – Moulin Rouge
Amy Bates, Emily Plattern, Belinda Winfield & Stacey Callier
9 to 5 – 9 to 5
Abbie Miles, Emma Driscoll, Jessica Steele & company
Act Two
This Is Me – The Greatest Showman
Emma Driscoll & company
The Letter – Made in Dagenham
Huw Nadin
Six – Six
Laura Jones, Lisa Fensome, Stacey Callier, Charlotte McKay, Leah Sheldrick & Jessica Steele
You Will Be Found – Dear Evan Hanson
Sam Montgomery-Law & company
You’ll Be Back – Hamilton
Huw Nadin
Eastwick Knows – The Witches of Eastwick
Amy Bates, Melanie Wilcox, Jan Webber, Ruth Montgomery-Law & company
Raise Your Voice – Sister Act
Peta Riley, Belinda Winfield, Emma Driscoll, Ruth Montgomery-Law & company
Defying Gravity – Wicked
Laura Jones
Ireland – Legally Blonde
Charlotte McKay
Roxie – Chicago
Emily Plattern & company
Our House – Our House
Stacey Callier & company
With You – Ghost
Amy Bates
You Can’t Stop the Beat – Hairspray
Leah Sheldrick, Huw Nadin, Charlotte McKay, Tom Monkhouse, Tom Kirkbride, Jan Webber & company
VAMPS at 60
In 1961 a group of thespians; Arthur Wade, Ernest Gross, Bill Berridge and Stan Smith, from St Neots and the surrounding areas formed the St Neots and District Operatic Society (SNADOS, fondly known as OPSOC). A year later they performed their first show – Gilbert & Sullivan’s Yeoman of the Guard. This year, we are celebrating both the 60th anniversary of our founding, and celebrating the 60th anniversary of our first performance.
From 1962 to 1976 SNADOS performed numerous Gilbert & Sullivan operettas, with the odd operetta thrown in from other writers, such as La Belle Hélène by Henri Meilhac, Ludovic Halévy & Jacques Offenbach. In 1973 SNADOS took on their first musical, Fiddler on the Roof but it wasn’t until 1980’s South Pacific that the musicals started flowing and became the norm. In 1993 SNADOS changed their name to the Variety and Musical Performing Society (VAMPS) which continues to reflect the musicals and variety concerts that we perform.
If you have any memories, stories or photos from the last 60 years of VAMPS/SNADOS please get in touch, we would love to hear from you! Please email secretary@thevamps.org with your memories or memorabilia.
VAMPS of St Neots is affiliated to the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA). NODA, founded in 1899, is the leading representative body for amateur theatre in the UK. The Association has a membership of 2500 amateur theatre groups and over 2000 individual members, staging musicals, operas, plays, concerts and pantomimes in a wide variety of venues ranging from the country’s leading professional theatres to village halls. Covering a broad spectrum of age ranges, NODA member societies meet the needs of all levels of both performers, whether dramatic, dance or musical, and those involved backstage, front of house or in society administration.
NODA aims to:
• Give a shared voice to the amateur theatre sector
• Help amateur societies and individuals achieve the highest standards of best practice & performance
• Provide leadership and advice to enable amateur theatre to tackle the challenges and opportunities of the 21st Century.
To achieve these aims NODA is divided into eleven regions, each headed by a regional councillor. They sit on the national council (ruling body of the Association), and are supported by a network of regional representatives and officials. These 190 volunteers are the vital link to the grass roots of the Association, the amateur theatre groups themselves and their members. The Association is administered from its headquarters in Peterborough by a knowledgeable and friendly staff who can deal with any enquiry about amateur theatre, providing support and assistance to those volunteers. Membership of NODA provides theatre groups and individuals with a wide range of benefits including access to NODA’s advice service at national and regional level, representation to government, access to funding agencies, direct access to rights holders and the media as well access to regional and national conferences, workshops and seminars to help share information on best practice.
Through its trading arm, NODA Limited, members have access to a varied range of products and services including insurance for both societies and individuals, long service awards that recognise the dedication made by individuals to amateur theatre, discounts on plays, vocal scores, libretti and technical books and a range of NODA branded merchandise. As a rights holder NODA Limited has 150 pantomimes by leading authors as well as a growing catalogue of plays and musicals.
To find out more about NODA, visit their website or contact them via the details below.
15 The Metro Centre, Peterborough PE2 7UH
OUR NEXT PRODUCTION…
Our next production is Our House, the musical written by Tim Firth, with music and lyrics from Madness.
NOVEMBER 2022, THE PRIORY CENTRE
AUDITION DATES AVAILABLE SOON
Auditions have yet to be announced, visit our website or social media pages for the announcement.