In November 1935 the Bristol Light Opera Club returned to the Colston Hall, Bristol, for Rudolf Friml’s The Vagabond King, playing each evening at 7.30. A history note signed “H. M.” says the Club, “only one year and eight months old”, had given £140 to local charities in eighteen months, living up to its slogan “Youth serves and will be served”. It also records the departure to Leeds of musical director G. S. M. Edward; his successor, H. L. Winston Hurst, contributes a note praising the score’s “robust chorus-singing”. The programme also ran a competition with prizes of up to three guineas for the best written criticism of the production, warning that “mere sugary praise will avail the competitor nothing”.
Cast
- François Villon — R. Howell
- Katherine de Vaucelles — Kathleen Gill
- Guy Tabarie — B. Bamber
- Huguette du Hamel — Kathleen Houlden
- Louis XIth — H. Pritchard
- Captain of Scottish Archers — F. Treasure
- Lady Mary — Hilary Bagshawe
- Rene de Montigny — A. K. Houlden
- Oliver de Dain — C. Wiltshire
- Tristan L’Hermite — B. W. Reynolds
- Noel le Jolys — J. H. Porter
- Tooson D’Or (Burgundian Herald) — F. Cottle
- The Dancer — Betty Newick
- Margot (Taverness) — Margaret Prince
- Thibaut D’Aussigny — A. L. Hobbs
- Casin Cholet — J. Bulloch
- Rogati — J. C. Sanders
- Isabeau — Peggy Bingham
- Jehannaton — Olga V. Sendall
- An Astrologer — F. Cottle
- Jehan le Loup — N. G. Bascombe
- The Queen — Olive Johnson