Under the expert guidance of Charlotte Beecroft, Winchelsea Singers are about to present their usual annual offering. This year they are performing “Die Fledermaus” [The Bat] by Johann Strauss. This is a comic operetta full of sparkling and moving songs, amongst which are The Laughing Song, Brother Mine and The Champagne Chorus to mention but a few. These and others are very ably performed by:
Lesley Moore as Rosalinde, vivacious and flirtatious and married to Gabriel.
Ailsa Vinson as her maid Adele but with aspirations.
Brenda Courtenay as Prince Orlofsky, playboy and party giver.
Andrew Hewitt as Gabriel who, though married to Rosalinde, still fancies his chances with the ladies.
Gary Marriot as Alfredo, an old flame of Rosalinde’s
David Hance as Frank, the prison governor
Richard Moore, devious practical joker
Peter Grenville, incompetent lawyer.
Ailsa Vinson is a new face to Winchelsea Singers and with her soaring soprano voice doing great justice to The Laughing Song, she is proving a great asset.
Lesley Moore, whom many of you know from Rye Singers, is once again showing her prowess as a fine singer and actor and showing off the fine voice that won her the Gold Cup at the Hastings Music Festival.
Brenda Courtenay, a recent arrival, as Orlofsky will be giving us the benefit of her glorious mezzo voice that has all the depth and richness of a fine port wine.
Andrew Hewitt has done several shows with W.S. and has made a very good job of the most challenging part of Gabriel, lots of lines and singing.
Gary Marriot is one of the most sought-after tenors in the area and it will be worth the ticket money just to hear his wonderful voice and his even more wonderful Italian accent.
David Hance is reprising the role of Frank and is having some difficulty with the drunken scene, but is enjoying the practice.
Richard Moore along with his wife Lesley and Ailsa and David have all been stalwarts of Battle Light Opera Group where they have all taken lead roles in many performances. Richard brings to the stage his wry comic touch and fine voice.
Peter Grenville carries off the character of the totally incompetent and bumbling lawyer, Blind, with a nice lightness of touch and humour.
Do come along for a great-value evening of fine singing and acting ably supported by the Winchelsea Singers chorus and all held together with the baton of the ever-patient musical director, Duncan Reid, and with piano accompaniment by the dexterous, enthusiastic and vivacious Ivora Alexander.
Performances are at 2pm Friday, October 28, and 7pm on Saturday, October 29
Tickets are available at £10 from Winchelsea Farm Kitchen, or from Charlotte Beecroft on 01797 223159. Enjoy.