Lifelong love of G&S

Jim Ewing has sent in the picture on the right and says: “I enjoyed the Traces Through Time feature on Broughty Ferry Amateur Operatic Society’s performances of Gilbert and Sullivan operas.

“I remember them well, particularly the performance of The Gondoliers in 1953. I was in that performance in the Palace Theatre in a minor role. The picture shows cast members: Back row, from left, Douglas Webster and Leslie Coull. Front: Ewen Watt, Robert Peden and me (Drummer Boy).

“My memories of this production are very clear and the result of being involved is a lifelong fascination for all G&S productions. In 1954, I was delighted to take another minor role, this time in Grove Academy Amateur Operatic’s performance of HMS Pinafore in the Good Templar Hall.

“I recollect that all the rehearsals for the Broughty Operatic productions also took place in the Good Templar Hall. When the opportunity came to be in the cast for the Grove’s production of Patience in 1958, I immediately volunteered.

“My love of G&S operas is still strong and my memories of the three I have been in are a delight. I remember many of the songs and lines of dialogue and they have been known to appear spontaneously in my casual conversions.” pushes the spikes into the material. When the horse moves forward the teeth hold a big bundle and it is raised to the height to suit the stack being built. At this point the jib is allowed to swing by gravity to be over the stack.

“The stack builders pull a release device and the fork opens and they spread the hay to build the stack. The person holding the position rope pulls the jib back to clear the stack. The horse backs and the fork comes down to start the routine when required.”