Welcome to the page about the Lancaster Red Rose Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society shows from 1936 to 1939. Below is information about the musicals the society staged in the 1930’s which include: No No Nanette (1936); Hit the Deck (1937); Sally (1938) and Irene (1939).
There are also pages for the Red Rose AODS shows from … 1930’s … 1940’s … 1950’s … 1960’s … 1970’s … 1980’s … 1990’s … 2000’s … 2010’s … 2020’s … back to Lancaster Red Rose AODS.
1939: Irene
1939 saw Lancaster Red Rose AODS do their 4th annual show ‘Irene’ which was staged from Monday the 6th of March 1939 to Saturday the 11th of March 1939 at The Grand Theatre, Lancaster.
The 1919 musical – music by Harry Tierney; lyrics by Joseph McCarthy; and book by James Montgomery and Joseph Stein – is inspired by the play ‘Irene O’Dare’ by James Montgomery. It is set in New York City’s Upper West Side and focuses on immigrant shop assistant Irene O’Dare, who is introduced to Long Island’s high society when she is hired by one of its leading grande dames to help redecorate her home.
Musical numbers include: Hobbies; Alice Blue Gown; Castle of Dreams; The Talk of the Town; To Be Worthy (of You); We’re Getting Away with It; Irene; To Love You; Sky Rocket; The Last Part of Every Party; There’s Something in the Air.
1939 Irene Production Team
Producer: Mr R. H. Mawson … Musical Director: Mrs M. Hill … Dancing Mistress: Miss M. Cowen … Stage Manager: Mr F. Beard … Property Master: Mr H. Huddleston … Scenery: Scenic Display Services, Bradford … Joint Wardrobe Mistress: Mrs W. Garnett and Mrs H. Walker … Gentlemen’s costumes by S. B. Watts, Manchester.
1939 Irene Cast
Principals
Mrs Marshall was played by Ruth Dobson; Eleanor Worth was played by Mollie Cowen; Donald Marshall was played by David Wilton; Clarkson was played by William E. G. Gilbert; Robert Harrison was played by Stanley H. Smith; Irene O’Dare was played by Mollie Dowthwaite; Lawrence Hadley was played by Bob Manning; Mrs O’Dare was played by Bertha Garnett; Helen Cheston was played by Doris Ellwood; Jane Golmour was played by Hilda Wood; J. P. Beaudon was played by T. Scott Dixon; Madame Lucy was played by Wallen Cowen; Mrs Cheston was played by Ruth Dobson; Marjorie was played by Dellar Wilson.
Speciality Dancers
Muriel Fisher, Reba Fox, Betty Holden.
The Dancing Girls
A. Ashton, M. Cottam, B. Holden, W. Jackson, R. Fox, N. Smith, M. Fisher, B. Winder.
Ladies Chorus
A. Bland, I. Jackson, E. Carter, E. Jamieson, A. Harris, N. Russell, R. Wilkinson, F. Hunter, J. Simpson, W. Janes, A. Stoddart.
Gent’s Chorus
L. Bushel, G. Bushel, J. Bleasdale, W. Carradice, F. Dickson, W. Howard, B. Heywood, V. Kemp, R. Knowles, J. Mawson, R. Manning, G. Neild, J. Wrathall.
1939 Red Rose AODS Officials for Irene
President: Mrs M. A. Mount … Chairman: Mr G. F. Hallam … Treasurer: Mr E. C. Dowthwaite … Business Manager: Mr H. Walker … Secretary: Mr G. Taylor … Assistant Secretary: Mr L. Horner … Auditor: Mr T. Swainson.
1939 Red Rose AODS Committee for Irene
Mr G. H. Hallam … Mrs W. Garnett … Mrs M. Hill … Mr E. C. Dowthwaite … Mr R. H. Mawson … Mr S. H. Smith … Mr G. Taylor … Mr J. C. Voyce … Mr H. Walker.
1939 Red Rose AODS Programme Advertisers for Irene (in order of appearance in the programme)
John B. Barber & Son (printers) … Wigleys (fashion) … Singleton (gent’s outfitters) … City of Lancaster Gas Dept … Trustee Savings Bank … H. Banks Lyon (footwear) … CIS (insurance) … Slinger & Taylor (pork delicacies) … Reddrops & Co Ltd fashion) … R. Gardner & Co (coal merchant) … Studholme’s (fashion) … Lamberts (fabric) … R. L. Dilworth Ltd (house specialsts, estate agents) … E. C. Thornton (electrical appliances) … Sam Cooke (hats) … W. Clifford Eastwood (chemist and wine merchants) … Joshua Bibby Carr (brooms and brushes) … Threlfall’s (confectioners) … Jack Swainson (saddler and footwear) … L. W. Bye (sight-testing) … Marge Farrer (fashion) … Florence Croft (hairdresser) … A. W. Briggs & Son (furnishers) … Miss Mollie Cowen (dance teacher) … Yates & Jackson’s (brewery) … Irelands (automobile engineers) … Cecil Thomas (photographer) … T. D. Smith’s Stores (groceries) … Alan Richmond’s (gents outfitters) … Hearnshaws (furniture) … Waring & Gillow Ltd (cabinet maker) … [Back Cover] Electricity Showrooms. The programme was printed by: Frank N. Shires Ltd, Lancaster.
1938: Sally
1938 saw Lancaster Red Rose AODS do their 3rd annual show ‘Sally’ which was staged from Monday the 7th of March 1938 to Saturday the 12th of March 1938 at The Grand Theatre, Lancaster.
The 1920 musical – music by Jerome Kern; lyrics by Clifford Grey (and additional lyrics by Buddy De Sylva, Anne Caldwell and P. G. Wodehouse); and book by Guy Bolton – is inspired by the 19th century show, ‘Sally in our Alley’. It tells the story of mistaken identity where Sally (a dishwasher at the Alley Inn in New York City) poses as a famous foreign ballerina and rises to fame through joining the Ziegfeld Follies. It’s a rags to riches story with a wedding as the finale.
Musical numbers include: The Night Time; On with the Dance; Joan of Arc (“You Can’t Keep a Good Girl Down”); Look for the Silver Lining; Sally; Wild Rose; (On the Banks of) The Schnitza Komisski; Whip-poor-will; The Lorelei; The Church Around the Corner; Land of Butterflies (ballet) (music By Victor Herbert); Dear Little Church ‘Round the Corner.
1938 Sally Production Team
Producer: Mr R. H. Mawson … Musical Director: Mrs M. Hill … Dancing Mistress: Miss M. Cowen … Stage Manager: Mr F. Beard … Property Master: Mr F. Bennett … Scenery: Hart & Co, Leeds … Joint Wardrobe Mistress: Mrs W. Garnett and Mrs H. Walker … Ladies’ Russian and all Gent’s costumes by Smith & Co, Manchester.
1938 Sally Cast
Principals
Jimmie Spelvin was played by Wally Cowen; Otis Hooper was played by Harry S. Barron; Rosalind Rafferty was played by Mollie Horner; Sally of the Alley was played by Mollie Dowthwaite; Mrs Ten Brock was played by Bertha Garnett; Pops Shendorff was played by Reg Knowles; Constantine (Grand Duke of Czechogovinia) was played by Jack Ayrton; Blair Farquar was played by Larry Crookall; Richard Farquar was played by Stanley H. Smith; Sasha was played by Frank Horner; Toto was played by Ruth Dobson; Fifi was played by Muriel Fisher; Vera was played by W. Jackson; Prince was played by By Himself.
Foundlings
A. Bland, M. Fisher, R. Fox, D. Hartley, W. Jackson, E. Whitbread, H. Wood.
Flunkeys
W. G. E Gilbert, and T. Goodley
Flower Ballet
Dragonfly: M. Horner; Fairy: B. Holden; Butterflies: M. Fisher and E. Whitbread; Wasps: D. Ellwood and A. Bland; Roses: A. Ashton, J. Barker, M. Cottam, R. Fox, W. Jackson, H. Wood; Violets: B. Winder, B.Walling, M. Cottam, E. Carter, D. Hartley, W. James, N. Smith J. Simpson
The Dancing Girls And Chorus Ladies
A. Ashton, M. Cottam, B. Holden, E. MacDonough, M. Bettany, A. Carter, D. Hartley, N. Russell, J. Barker, R. Dobson, W. Jackson, N. Smith, A. Bland, D. Ellwood, W. James, J. Simpson, J. Chudley, M. Fisher, I. Jackson, E. Whitbread, M. Cottam, R. Fox, J. Manning, H. Wood, B. Walling, B. Winder.
Gent’s Chorus
L. Horner, H. Horner, B. Heywood, H. Huddleston, W. Howard, J. Kemp, R. Manning, J. Mawson, G. Neild, J. Bleasdale, L. Bushel, G. Bushel, J. Butcher, W. Carradice, F. Dickson, W. G. E. Gilbert, T. Goodley.
1938 Red Rose AODS Officials for Sally
President: Mrs M. A. Mount … Chairman: Mr G. H. Hallam … Treasurer: Mr E. C. Dowthwaite … Business Manager: Mr H. Walker … Secretary: Mr G. Taylor … Assistant Secretary: Mr Mr L. Horner … Auditor: Mr T. Swainson.
1938 Red Rose AODS Committee for Sally
Mr G. H. Hallan … Miss M. Cowen … Mrs W. Garnett … Mrs M. Hill … Mr E. C. Dowthwaite … Mr R. Haywood … Mr R. H. Mawson … Mr S. H. Smith … Mr G. Taylor … Mr H. Walker.
1938 Red Rose AODS Programme Advertisers for Sally (in order of appearance in the programme)
A. W. Briggs & Son (furnishers) … Miss Mollie Cowen (dance teacher) … City of Lancaster Gas Dept … Waring & Gillow (furniture) … Trustee Savings Bank … H. Banks Lyon (footwear) … Electricity Showrooms … R. L. Dilworth Ltd (house specialsts, estate agents) … John B. Barber & Son (printers) … Wigleys (fashion) … R. Gardner & Co (coal merchant) … W. M. H. Clayton (hosier and outfitter to gentlemen) … L. W. Bye (sight-testing) … Kenneth Gardner (Radio, Radiograms and Records) … Alan Richmond’s (gents outfitters) … Jack Swainson (saddler and footwear) … Henry Little & Son (wedding and engagement rings) … Sam Cooke (hats and caps) … Marge Farrer (fashion) … Cecil Thomas (photographer) … Hearnshaws (furniture) … Frank N. Shires Ltd (printing) … James C. Proctor (concrete products) … Chirnsides Limited (drapers and home furnishers) … CIS (insurance) … Studholme’s (fashion) … E. & M. Child (gifts and art materials) … Wm. Atkinson & Son (sport outfitters) … Lansil Varieties (variety show) … W. Clifford Eastwood (chemist and wine merchants) … Yates & Jackson’s (brewery) … [Back Cover] Loxhams of Lancaster (MG car dealer). The programme was printed by: Frank N. Shires Ltd, Lancaster.
1937: Hit the Deck
1937 saw Lancaster Red Rose AODS do their 2nd show ‘Hit The Deck’ which was staged from Monday the 8th of March 1937 to Saturday the 13th of March 1937 at The Grand Theatre Lancaster.
The 1927 musical – with music by Vincent Youmans; lyrics by Clifford Grey and Leo Robin; and book by Herbert Fields – is based on the 1922 play ‘Shore Leave’ by Hubert Osborne. It tells the story of Loulou, the owner of a Newport coffee house who falls in love with Bilge, one of the many sailors who patronise her eatery whenever they’re in port.
Musical numbers include: Join the Navy; What’s a Kiss Among Friends?; Harbor of My Heart; Shore Leave; Lucky Bird; Looloo; Why, Oh Why?; Sometimes I’m Happy (Sometimes I’m Blue); Hallelujah!; Utopia.
1937 Hit The Deck Production Team
Producer: Mr R. H. Mawson … Musical Director: Mrs M. Hill … Dancing Mistress: Miss M. Cowen … Stage Manager: Mr F. Beard … Property Master: Mr F. Bennett … Scenery: Hart & Co, Leeds … Joint Wardrobe Mistress: Mrs W. Garnett and Mrs H. Walker … Gentlemen’s and Chinese Chorus Costumes: S. B. Watts & Co, Manchester.
1937 Hit The Deck Cast
Principals
Dinky was played by James T. Mawson Jnr; Donky was played by Jack Kemp; Battling Smith was played by Henry L. Coates; Magnolia was played by Bertha Garnett; Looloo Martin was played by Mollie Dowthwaite; Charlotte Payne was played by Mollie Cowen; Flag Lieutenent Alan Clark was played by Stanley Webb; Pamela Clark was played by Mabel Walker; Vera was played by Ruth Dobson; Bill Smith was played by Wally Cowen; Matt Barlow was played by Jack Braddock; Sunny Whalen was played by James T. Mawson Snr; Captain Roberts was played by Stanley H. Smith; Quartermaster was played by Harry Walker; Wing Fang was played by Stanley H. Smith; Choo Fang was played by Eric Dowthwaite; Rita was played by Winnie McNaught.
The Dancing Ladies And Chorus Ladies
N. Aldren, M. Aldren, A. Bland, F. Bushell, M. Cottam, M. Cottam, J. Croft, D. Ellwood, M. Fisher, R. Fox, M. Horner, D. Hartley, W. Jackson, J. Jackson, E. MacDonough, J. Manning, H. McGaffigan, E. Whitbread, B. Winder, H. Wood, S. Webb.
Gent’s Chorus
Messers: A. Billington, G. Brocklehurst, L. Bushel, G. Bushel, H. Cottam, E. Douthwaite, T. Dickson; T. Goodley, L. Horner, J. Horner, R. Heywood, W. Howard, B. Hughes, V. Kemp, J. Kemp, J. Mawson Jnr, T. Richardson, N. Simpson, M. Whalan, S.Webb
1937 Red Rose AODS Officials for Hit The Deck
President: Mrs M. A. Mount … Chairman: Mr H. Hallam … Treasurer: Mr W. K. Harrison … Business Manager: Mr H. Walker … Secretary: Mr G. Taylor.
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937 Red Rose AODS Committee for Hit The Deck
Mr G. H. Hallan … Mr J. Braddock … Mr H. L. Coates … Mrs W. Garnett … Mr W. K. Harrison … Mrs M. Hill … Mr R. H. Mawson … Mr S. Smith … Mr G. Taylor … Mr H. Walker.
1937 Red Rose AODS Programme Advertisers for Hit The Deck (in order of appearance in the programme)
Miss Mollie Cowen (dance teacher) … Florence Wright (chocolates and sweets) … John B. Barber & Son (printers) … Wigleys (fashion) … Home Service Bureau (gas showrom) … Barkers Army & Navy Stores Ltd … Trustee Savings Bank … W. M. H. Clayton (hosier and outfitter to gentlemen).
R. Gardner & Co (coal merchant) … Mailorders Ltd (electro plate) … Studholme’s (fashion) … Cecil Thomas (photographer) … Coronation Carnival Ball … Jack Swainson (saddler and footwear).
Lune Valley Knitting Co … The Heath Way (knitwear) … Evan Makinson (haulage contractor) … Sam Cooke (hats and caps) … Kewley’s (dry cleaners) … Thomas Ireland & Sons Ltd (luxury coaches).
Yates & Jackson’s (brewery) … Hearnshaws (furniture). Alan Richmond’s (gents outfitters) … R. L. Dilworth Ltd (house specialsts, estate agents) … W. Clifford Eastwood (chemist and wine merchants).
[Back Cover] The Yorkshire Peny Bank. The programme was printed by: Frank N. Shires Ltd, Lancaster.
1936: No No Nanette
1936 saw Lancaster Red Rose AODS do their 1st show ‘No No Nanette’ which was staged from Monday the 9th of March 1936 to Saturday the 14th of March 1936 at The Grand Theatre Lancaster.
The 1924 musical comedy has lyrics by Irving Caesar and Otto Harbach; music by Vincent Youmans; and a book by Otto Harbach and Frank Mandel. It is based on Frank Mandel’s 1919 Broadway play ‘My Lady Friends’. Famous songs in No No Nanette include: ‘Tea for Two’ and ‘I Want to Be Happy’.
The 1936 ‘No No Nanette’ Production Team
Producer: Mr R. H. Mawson … Musical Director: Mr E. Kellett … Accompanist: Miss V. George … Dance Mistress: Miss Mollie Cowen … Stage Manager: Mr F Beard … Property Master: Mr A. Titterington … Scenery: The Royalty Theatre, Morecambe … Wardrobe Mistress: Mrs W. Garnett … Assistant Wardrobe Mistress: Mrs H. Walker … Bathing Costumes: The Lune Valley Knitting Co, Lancaster … Chorus Last Act Dresses and Chorus Men’s Costumes by Messers F.A. Smith Ltd, Manchester.
The 1936 ‘No No Nanette’ Cast
Principals
Pauline was played by Doris Ellwood; Sue Smith was played by Winnie McNaught; Billy Early was played by Harry S. Barrow; Lucille was played by Mary Greenwood; Nanette was played by Mollie Cowen; Tom Trainer was played by Walter Cowen; Jimmy Smith was played by Henry L. Coates; Betty was played by Mabel Walker; Winnie was played by Kitty Aldren; Flora was played by Millie Douthwaite.
Dancers And Ladies Of The Chorus
Misses M. Fisher, M. Douthwaite, M. Nixon, M. Rushworth, H. Wood, B. Winder, E. Whitbread, D. Hartley. J. Croft, F. Croft, N. Aldren, A. Naylon, W. Jackson, E. Jolleys, A. Bland, F. Bushell, J. Manning, I. Jackson, and D. Wildsmith.
Male Chorus
Messers: H. Cottam, E. Douthwaite, L. Horner, J. Kemp, J. Mawson, J.T. Mawson, M. Whalan, J. Madden and H. Walker.
1936 Red Rose AODS Officials for No No Nanette
President: Mrs M. A. Mount … Chairman: Mr H. Walker … Treasurer: Mr W. K. Harrison … Business Manager: Mr H. Walker … Secretary: Mr G. Taylor.
1936 Red Rose AODS Committee for No No Nanette
Mr H. Walker … Mr J. Braddock … Mr W. K. Harrison … Mr E. Kellett … Mr S. H. Smith … Mr R. H. Mawson … Mr JAS. Johnson … Mrs W. Garnett.
1936 Red Rose AODS Programme Advertisers for No No Nanette (in order of appearance in the programme)
Noble’s (boot repairs) … Margee’s (fashion) … W. M. H. Clayton (hosier and outfitter to gentlemen) … Wm. Atkinson & Sons (sports outfitters) … W. Clifford Eastwood (chemist and wine merchants) … Thos. Ireland & Sons Ltd (luxury coaches) … Woodhouse (fish restaurant) … Depot for B.S.A Cycles … Jas. Mason (joiner and wheelwright) … W. B. Clarkson (painter and decorator) … Fred Cottam (plumber, gass fitter, glazier and sanitary engineer) … Drivers (hairdressers) … Walter D. Shaw (grocer and provision merchant) …
Gorrill’s of Penny Street (drapers) … Rushton’s (coal merchants) … J.R. Bleasdale (confectioner) … Lancaster and District Laundry … Florence Wright (chocolates and sweets) … R. L. Dilworth Ltd (house specialsts, estate agents) … The Farmer’s Butchers Shop … Evan Makinson (haulage contractor) … Wigleys (fashion) … Waring & Gillow Ltd (cabinet maker) … John B. Barber & Son (printers) … Studholme’s (fashion) … Threlfall’s (confectioners) … R. L. Dilworth Ltd (house specialsts, estate agents) … The Farmer’s Butchers Shop … W. B. Clarkson (painter and decorator) … Thos. Ireland & Sons Ltd (luxury coaches) … Evan Makinson (haulage contractor) … Wigleys (fashion) … Lancaster and District Laundry … Florence Wright (chocolates and sweets) … W. M. H. Clayton (hosier and outfitter to gentlemen) … W. Clifford Eastwood (chemist and wine merchants) … John B. Barber & Son (printers) … Noble’s (boot repairs) … Wm. Atkinson & Sons (sports outfitters) … Guardian Printing Works, Lancaster … [Back Cover] The Yorkshire Peny Bank. The programme was printed by: Guardian Printing Works of Lancaster.
Quick links to Lancaster Red Rose AODS shows of the … 1930’s … 1940’s … 1950’s … 1960’s … 1970’s … 1980’s … 1990’s … 2000’s … 2010’s … 2020’s.