Graham’s having all fun of fair directing Carousel
Support local theatre and see show for an evening of uplifting entertainment
Director and Gilbert and Sullivan specialist Graham Weston is helming the All Souls Amateur Operatic Society production of Carousel which opens at the Halifax Playhouse later this month. Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical is about fairground barker Billy Bigelow and how he sets about trying to make amends with his daughter for past misdemeanors.
The score features June is Bustin’ Out All Over, If I Loved You, When I Marry Mr Snow and You’ll Never Walk Alone – now best known as the Liverpool Football Club anthem.
Here Graham talks about his love of musical theatre and the challenges of directing the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical.
Please tell me about yourself I was born, and still live in Barnsley. My hobbies are theatre and travel. I have been involved in theatre from an early age, both my parents being in amateur operatics.
I have enjoyed directing and performing for many Societies in Yorkshire, both Gilbert and Sullivan, and musical theatre companies.
How did you get involved with All Souls?
I was asked by its musical director Colin Akers who I was working with at the time with another society. We have known each other for quite some time through G & S circles.
Please tell me about your career in musical theatre
At the age of 10 my first role was as the Midshipmite in Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore with a youth group. The year after I was the Train Bearer in the G&S opera Iolanthe. I then joined the chorus, eventually progressing to patter parts.
By the time I reached my teens I had appeared in most of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas. I then joined the Take 2 Company and performed in many musicals - more recently appearing in professional pantomime.
I have toured with West Yorkshire Savoyards, taking on most of the patter roles in the work of G&S.
It was the a natural progression into directing, about 25 years ago being asked to direct for a G&S society, which then led to more directing.
What roles have you played and which have you most enjoyed ?
I specialise mainly in character and comedy roles - my favourites in musicals include Parchester, in Me and My Girl; Ali Hackim in Oklahoma and Francis Fryer in Calamity Jane.
I have also enjoyed roles in the Merry Widow and Die Fledermaus.
In G&S, my favourites include playing Ko Ko, in the Mikado, for which I won best actor at the G&S International Festival. I also enjoyed playing Jack Point in G&S’ Yeomen of the Guard. I would have to say that my favourite role is Robin Oakapple in G&S’ Ruddigore, which I have performed at Buxton Opera House, and the Royal Hall, Harrogate.
What are the joys of being involved in musical theatre?
The best thing is the people I meet and work with, like-minded people who are all passionate about what we do makes for great rehearsals and also having lots of fun.
When the show is on, the backstage camaraderie is what I really enjoy.
As a director, to sit back and watch the show is so rewarding, knowing all the hard work that has gone into it..
What are the challenges of Carousel?
Carousel has a good story line, each character needs to be welldefined and the story must be played for real. There is also strong chorus work and dancing. Staging it is the main challenge, as it covers several years.
We open with a fairground, where we see the carousel; later we are on the ocean front. In Act 2 the central character goes to heaven and eventually comes back to earth to see his daughter. On top of all this there is a ballet to stage and choreograph, which is an important part of the piece.
How would you rate it in a league of musical theatre greats and why?
Carousel is a powerful and uplifting show, with some beautiful music, which captures and enhances the mood of the piece, it was voted best Musical of the 20th Century by Time magazine, which said it was as close to perfection as musical theatre gets.
How Billy instils a sense of hope and dignity in both the child, and her mother is a dramatic testimony to the power of love. It is easy to understand why, of all their shows, Carousel was Rodgers and Hammerstein’s personal favourite.
The show was written in 1945, and is still a great classic of musical theatre today’. Why should people come and see the show?
People should support their local community theatre, and in these difficult times, we all need to escape for an evening of uplifting entertainment.
Carousel is on at the Halifax Playhouse from Tuesday March 28 to Friday March 31 daily at 7.15pm and Saturday April 1 at 2.15pm.
For tickets, please call Susan on 07837 353294, or call the theatre box office on 01422 365998.