In autumn 1969 the Bristol Light Opera Club gave “the Bristol amateur premiere” of Robert and Elizabeth, Ronald Millar and Ron Grainer’s musical of the Browning courtship, at the Bristol Hippodrome from 27th October to 1st November. Sylvia Jordan played Elizabeth opposite Roger Samways as Robert Browning, with Sally Noble as producer, Robert Latham as musical director and Joan Thatcher as choreographer. Flush was played by “Roberta of Romanston”, thanks to the Keynsham and Saltford Dog Training Club, and the Hippodrome Orchestra was augmented for the run. The programme pays tribute to the club’s honorary treasurer, John Archer, “quiet, efficient, unflappable and scrupulously fair”, who had died suddenly on 10th October, and notes that the Lord Mayor would attend the final performance.
Cast
- Edward Moulton-Barrett — Brian Harding
- Henrietta — Meirion Ashton
- Arabel — Cicely Meyer
- George — Michael Plumley
- Alfred — Michael Woods
- Henry — Ken Jordan
- Charles — Peter Alsop
- Septimus — Geoffrey Serle
- Octavius — George Bayliss
- Bella Hedley — Elizabeth Soloman
- Henry Bevan — Kenneth Matthews
- Captain Surtees Cook — Robert Bradshaw
- Wilson — Jean Licence
- Flush — Roberta of Romanston
- Doctor Chambers — Charles Andrews
- Elizabeth — Sylvia Jordan
- Mr. Macready — Donald Phillpotts
- Mr. Harrison (King Charles) — Frederick Finch
- Stage Manager (Mr. Langton) — Kenneth Matthews
- Mrs. Butler (Polyxena) — Barbara Bradshaw
- Evans — Roderick Young
- Robert Browning — Roger Samways
- Travers — Charles Andrews
- Lady Mary — Teresa Davey