Operatic society’s special tribute

27 years as a principal

There was praise in December, 1949, for Stirling and Bridge of Allan Operatic Society’s production of the Gilbert and Sullivan opera Iolanthe.

The successful production’s one-week run at the Albert Halls concluded with a presentation to Mr Joshua Petty who had completed a 27- year association with amateur opera as a principal.

He was presented with a silver medal, given by the National Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Association, to mark his quarter of a century of service to the movement.

Handing over the medal on behalf of the association was Mr AJ Miller. He congratulated Mr Petty who had played a principal role in the latest production.

Mr Petty was pleased to receive the medal which he understood was the first to come the way of the Stirling and Bridge of Allan society.

He added that it seemed no time at all since he stood in the wings before his first performance as principal, shaking at the knees and in great trepidation, wishing he had never taken the part and gone instead into the chorus where everybody seemed to be without a worry.

However, when he did go on stage, he enjoyed every minute of it and was a Gilbert and Sullivan enthusiast.

Cast members signalled their appreciation of his efforts with a rousing chorus of `For he’s a jolly good fellow’.

Audience members also showed their appreciation for conductor Mr Adam Lennox, leader of the orchestra Mr Roy Lennox, pianist Miss Nancy O’Brien, producer Mrs Margaret Eadie, treasure Mr A Cowling and secretary Miss Jean Bruce.

Leading the cast Principals in the production of Iolanthe were (standing, left to right): William Clark, Mrs WS Brown, William Ballantyne, Mrs DR Lennox, Alastair MacKenzie, Miss Jean G Bruce, John Waller and Joshua Petty. Front (left) Joan Clabby, Molly Ewing and Katherine Bruce. Fine performances The ladies chorus was (front row, left): May Younger, Dorothy Neale , Barbara Adie, Nan Macdonald and Kathleen McEwan. Second row (left): Mrs GS Forsyth, Irene Galloway, Jean McAree, Agnes McKinlay, Nancy Watt, Joy Gonella, May Anderson and Mrs MH Newman. Third row (left): Molly P Bruce, Mrs W Ferguson, Lea Carlin, RG Boucher, Annette Harris, Mrs RS Bryce, Chris Galloway, Jean Bruce, Jean M Stewart, Anne Henderson, Mrs H Fleming and Cath H Bain. Back row (left): Mrs J Scholefield, Elizabeth A McKinnon, Janette Wright, Lucy Brown, Marie Suttie, Margaret Wright and Isobel ML Kean.

In good voice The men’s chorus for the Iolanthe production were (front row, left): John Scott, David Malcolm, Robert Carlin, S Luti and George Lawrie. Second row (left): RD Cunningham, RK Common, DK Carlin, RL Fairweather, Peter Stallybrass, Andrew Stewart and John McKenzie. Back row (left): Robert Cormack, Ian Lindsay, Edward Leaver, James Brown, WB McEwan and JM Berry.