1969 - 1970
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
The plot of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum concerns the efforts of a wily slave, Pseudolus, to win his freedom by procuring the beautiful but vapid courtesan Philia (a virgin) for his master, Hero (also a virgin). Only these two walking anachronisms could sing "Lovely" and actually mean it. Pseudolus' plans are hindered somewhat by Hero's father, Senex, who is himself smitten by Philia, but Senex has to admit that with love, at his age, sometimes it's just "Impossible". This sentiment is echoed by his wife Domina in the haunting lovesong "That Dirty Old Man".
As if that weren't enough, Philia is betrothed to Miles Gloriosus, a macho warrior, whose ode to love is "Bring Me My Bride". By the way, Philia was purchased sight unseen from the local dealer in courtesans, Marcus Lycus, who guarantees that she is untouched by human hands (and that includes the eunuchs). Infinitely more accessible are his other courtesans Panacea, Vibrata, Gymnasia, Tintinabula and the Geminae. These lovely ladies are real crowd pleasers and nobody is more pleased than Pseudolus, who dreams of buying one when he is finally "Free". Poor faithful Hero only wants Philia and so the plot continues.
To put Philia out of the running, Pseudolus concocts a plot that she is suffering from the plague, and blackmails Hysterium into aiding and abetting. Macho Miles arrives to claim his bride. Panic, chases and life-threatening situations ensue. The entire fiasco is finally saved by Erronius, a doddering old man who has just walked around the seven hills of Rome seven times, and the evening ends with "something for everyone - a comedy tonight".
Dramatic Director: Bob Gardiner
Musical Director: Rod Holmes
Choregrapher: Denise Smith
Cast
Adrian Sly
Marcus Lycus
Ann Challen
Domina
Barry Stewart
Pseudolus
Bob Machacek
Soldier
Carol Hill
Tintinabula
Cathy Patton
Philia
Ed Yeatman
Soldier
Eleanor Kulin
Gymnasia
Ian Fellows
Erronius
Jack Wallace
The Protean
Janice Fraser
Panacea
Len Morin
Miles Gloriosus
Lorri Winges
A Gemini
Mary Ellen McAdam
Vibrata
Norman Osborne
Senex
Richard Elichuk
Hysterium
Suzanne Fuchs
A Gemini
Tom Kemeny
Soldier
Vern Fraser
The Protean
York Davis
Hero
Production
Bernie Smith
Workshop Chairman, Programme
Beryl Elliot
Hair Stylist
Bill Steen
Stage Manager
David Goddard
Audio and Sound Effects
Ed Yeatman
Cover Design
Faye Lavell
Ticket Manager
Gordon Kennedy
Lighting Designer
Jacques Labelle
Assistant Stage Manager
Jean Haynes
Production Assistant
John Powell
Social Chairman
Ken Woolley
Audio and Sound Effects
Liliane Winter
Canteen
Lorna Rice
Accompanist
Marcel Carriere
Production Co-ordinator
Marian Jackson Wylie
Costume Designer
Marion Lemmon
Properties
Mark Brooks
Ticket Assistant
Marylin Day
Assistant to the Director, Prompter
Nancy Turner
Programme
Peter Cooper
Set Designer
Ray Amey
House Manager
Rick Matheson
Publicity
Sis Bower
Wardrobe Mistress