The Bristol Light Opera Club staged Kismet, “a musical Arabian night in two acts” set to themes of Borodin, at the Hippodrome, Bristol, from Monday 4th to Saturday 9th December 1961, with Bob Bradshaw as Hajj, Sheila Dowling as Marsinah and Cecil Hockin as the Wazir. Eileen Vaughan produced and also arranged the chorus choreography, Vernon Jones was musical director and conductor, and the dances were “arranged and taught by Miss Bettie Vowles, Westbury School of Dancing”, several of whose students appeared. As in 1960, Monday was “Civic Night”, and parties came from as far afield as West Bromwich, Kidderminster, Worcester and Dawlish. The Club’s thanks include Messrs. J. F. Taylor & Sons for the “loan of Snakes”.
Cast
- Iman — George King
- Muezzins — George Bayliss, Ron Slade, John Lloyd
- First Beggar — Patrick Mortimer
- Second Beggar — Derek Arkinstall
- Third Beggar — John Bennett
- Dervishes — Adrian Mead, Colin Taylor
- Omar — Jim Cavilla
- Hajj — Bob Bradshaw
- Marsinah — Sheila Dowling
- Hassen Ben — Monty Banks
- Jawan — Lance Clarke
- Bangleman — John Lloyd
- Chief Policeman — David Leat
- Second Policeman — Ken Jordan
- Third Policeman — Jim Ridler
- Wazir — Cecil Hockin
- Lalume — Jane Bragge
- Princesses of Ababu — Corrine Playford, Joan Watson, Jean Silcox
- Caliph — Roderick Young
- Slave Girls — Valerie Gibbs, Teresa Davey, Beryl Holmes, Jean Licence
- Princess Zubbediya — Mary Hallett
- Ayah to Zubbediya — Gladys Massey
- Princess Samaris — Diane Couper
- Ayah to Samaris — Kay Andrews
- Widow Yussef — Barbara Bradshaw
- Herald & Spy — Alan Tovey