70 Girls 70 - performed November 2009
By David Thompson & Norman L. MartinWRITER Performed with the kind permission of Samuel French Director - Kate Sheffield Musical Director - Patience Ling Cast (in order of appearance) Lorraine Patience Ling Melba Amanda Rowe Fritzi Tovah Undrill Gert Christine Phasey Walter Glyn Hill Eunice Chris Sad Harry Nigel Rowe Ida Val Taylor Eddie Adam Diaz Sadie Rosamund Pettett Mrs. McIllehenny Viv Wheatley Mr. McIllehenny Ted Wheatley Woman in Bloomingdales Yvonne Cobbold Charlie / Callahan Adrian Bolton Moe / Kowalski Gordon Prior Jack / Minister Mike Johansen Phil / Watchman Ryan Hines Edna Whittaker / Grandmother Carole Wheatley Marvin Whittaker Alan Wheeler Old Lady Gloria Streames Lady 70 Liz Wilson
Production Team Jude Hussey, Patience Ling, Bruce Emeny, Andy Terry, Daniel Humphries, Derek Butcher, Alan Wheeler, Ryan Hines, Gloria Streames, Val Taylor, June Wheeler, Tom Cross, Doug Newton, Greg Garrad, Caroline Roberts, John Roberts, Lester Pearse, Patience Ling, Viv Wheatley, Yvonne Cobbold, Steve Sadler and other volunteers not mentioned. Awards & Nominations The Play A sparkling musical by John Kander & Fred Ebb based on the play ‘Breath of Spring’ - the first play ever performed by the Manifest Theatre Group! A group of larcenous old folks steal furs from various New York stores with the intent of using the proceeds from their resale to buy their retirement hotel and save it from the developers. Reviews Described as a sparkling musical comedy, the Manifest Theatre Group's latest production 70, Girls 70 has been dazzling audiences in England's smallest town. This light-hearted story of a group of elderly people who decide on a somewhat unorthodox method of raising money to finance the renovation of a dilapidated retirement hotel, was a little confusing at first, with the audience drawn slowly into the action. However, as the plot became clearer and the pace quickened, so did the fun and laughter. Based on the play, Breath of Spring, the first play performed by the Manifest 30 years ago, there were four of the original cast in this production, and such is the enduring popularity of the group that probably a large percentage of the audience during the five evenings were also there in 1979. Over the three decades, the Manifest has not been afraid to try all types of plays, and its continuing success can be put down to the way new actors are regularly attracted to, and absorbed into, the group. This production has a cast of 21, with something like 65 years difference between newcomer Ryan Hynes and the oldest performer. The play was directed and produced by Kate Sheffield and the undoubted star, as so often over the years, was Val Taylor. She was ably backed by Nigel Rowe, Chris Sadd, Christine Phasey and Glyn Hill, while Amanda Rowe and Tovah Undrill worked hard as the link between scenes and Rosamund Pettett gave a delightful performance as the scatty Sadie. Altogether it was another great night's entertainment. Lesley Pallett Photo Shoot (Back row) Nigel, Yvonne, Alan, Rosamund, Amanda, Mike, Ryan, Adam, Viv, Ted, Adrian Patience (Front row) Carole, Val, Christine, Chris, Glyn, Tovah, Gloria, Gordon, Liz (click on an image below to view a larger photo - arrow keys navigate through the set) Production Index