High life
Star-struck
Taki
There are two things I've always liked about Oliver Gilmour: his wife and his sister-in-law. As of last week I've added another, a bit more abstract perhaps, but nevertheless as substantial. His conducting ability. Which depresses me no end because I have been trying to run off with his wife or her sister for nearly three years now but the fools have remained loyal to him. It was during the performance of South Pacific, which Oliver was conducting, that I fin
allY gave up.
Looking extremely confident
on the podium, with white tie, tails, and the obligatory baton, I heard sighs froni various females in the audience which helped me make up my mind to stop corn' peting with him where the fair sex is con cerned. Despite my depressing decision I magnanimously gave him dinner at An- nabel's afterwards, such was my joy after seeing South Pacific. In fact while watching. It I was absorbed by the amateur theatr- icals, the professional music, and of course the Rodgers and Hammerstein songs, (0 such an extent that I forgot my allserY over Mrs Gilmour and Miss Grenfell. Having washed those two girls out of 01Y hair — something easier said than done: especially when on the very next day pain in my stomach, which has been rnhYe constant companion ever since I met t conductor's wife, returned with . vengeance when I ran into her dressed In. a mini skirt — let me tell you sornethillg.. about amateur theatricals. They're. ova, viously more fun than their profession., 1 espeeifn counterparts, and less risky, when the receipts are something like 0;.. per evening. They are also more relaxed fairs and, most important of all, smet011", the chorus line is much much preottier than
the
that of a professional troupe. This was case with South Pacific. But most iinPv tant of all, by far, were the prograucra; sellers. Now try and think back, readers, and tell me when was the last time readers, you saw a beautiful programme seller ir professional theatre. In the amateur P.r.°Is duction of SP I counted at least five gel at that I would give an eight to, and three least a seven, and one ten. Needlesse to.eces the sainted editor had four or fiv 111„ of involved in the production, but sadly at;d them turned out to be rather illiteraorte no fans of 'High life' and its auth. But back to the production. Thmost k, that produced the play were bankers, executives, and people who are not generally involved with raising money for others, which South Pacific did for handicapped children and the mentally retarded. Philip Dunne was the prime mover and Oliver Gilmour knocked the semi-pro orchestra into what I thought was perfect shape in view of their talent. Simon Oakes directed an all amateur cast, but had You seen a 25-year-old banker named Martin Petherick playing Luther Billis you would have taken him for what the Americans call a ringer, i.e. a pro. The same with Valentine Guinness and Charles Johnston, the latter possessing a lovely voice with a Tito Gobbi-like sound. Now I don't want to go overboard and say this was one of the best amateur produc- tions ever, which is what producer Michael White said — and who am Ito argue with a man who has dropped millions and should know a good thing when he sees it? — but I Will say that I enjoyed it more than some very expensive plays I've seen lately. American musicals like South Pacific do not have too many interpretative problems, thus making it easier for an inexperienced cast. Amateur actors have little ego, and are capable of completely surrendering to the material. And amateurs playing sailors try- tng to be chorus girls have an advantage over pros. They are naturally clumsy where the pros have to pretend.
Anyway, the songs are so much fun, and the chorus — full of young, pretty girls I
knew — was so good to look at, that I can think of very few things I've enjoyed more lately. Most of the people on stage and behind it could be tax exiles or doing a John ire.rnlYn in New York. Instead they were raising money and having fun doing it. Although it sounds corny, I was very im- pressed. And the only royal I approve of was there the night I attended, the thinking titan's princess, Alexandra.
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