In the week commencing 26th November 1951 the Bristol Light Opera Club staged Rudolf Friml’s The Vagabond King, the story of the poet-vagabond Francois Villon, at the Empire Theatre, Bristol, playing nightly at 7 p.m. with a Saturday matinee. The week was “in aid of” the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (Bristol Branch), and the Club announced that its donations to charity “during recent years have amounted to over £325.” Gordon Shotton took over the part of Villon “at short notice” after Jim Cavilla, who was originally cast, was hurt in an accident. The Empire Orchestra, led by Mr. D. Gough, was augmented by the Club’s voluntary players, and the programme cost sixpence.
Cast
- Rene de Montigny — Alfred Vincent
- Casin Cholet, a Thief — Jim Porter
- Rogati, a Thief — Ralph Parnell
- Margot, the Innkeeper — Esme Salter
- Isabeau — Virginia Viguera
- Jehan le Loup — Cyril Blake
- Huguette de Hamel — Barbara Fryer
- Jehanneton — Margaret Smith
- Guy Tabarie — Horace de Lacy Adams
- Tristan l’Hermite — Leslie Harris
- Louis XI — Sydney Hunt
- Francois Villon — Gordon Shotton
- Katherine de Vaucelles — Eveline Hosegood
- Thibaut d’Aussigny — Mark Murphy
- Captain of the Scotch Archers — Hugh Thomson
- An Astrologer — Jim Cavilla
- Lady Mary — Jean Davies
- Noel le Jolys — Lewis Clare
- Oliver le Dain — Cyril Wiltshire
- Toison d’Or, Burgundian Herald — Ivor Neale
- The Queen — Dorrie Clarke
- Principal Dancer — June Simmons
- The Bishop — Donald Carter