A Broadway musical comedy of the 1920s will hit the Bay Theatre Players stage later this year, being The Drowsy Chaperone, a fun-filled song and dance production, crammed with gags and clichés from the golden age of musicals.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Drowsy Chaperone, a play-within-a-play, introduces the audience to a successful and ruthless Broadway producer Feldzeig, who is agonizing over the fact that his Broadway starlet and top meal ticket, Janet Van De Graff, is leaving showbiz to get married. Feldzeig is most certainly a thinly disguised homage to the legendary Broadway producer, Florenz Ziegfeld Jr, creator of the famous Ziegfeld Follies.
Inspired by the Folies Bergère of Paris, the Ziegfeld Follies were conceived and mounted by Florenz Ziegfeld Jr., reportedly at the suggestion of his then-wife, the stage actress and singer Anna Held.
The Follies were a series of lavish revues, something between a Broadway shows and the more elaborate high class vaudeville and variety show.
The Ziegfeld Follies were also famous for their display of many beautiful chorus girls, commonly known as Ziegfeld Girls.
Stepping up for the role of larger than life Feldzeig in the Bay Theatre Players production of The Drowsy Chaperone, is Bill Douglas.
Bill was a member of the Queanbeyan Players before being introduced to the Bay Theatre Players in 2000. Since then, Bill has been involved in countless productions for the Bay Theatre Players, as well as being an active committee member.
Audiences will remember Bill's incomparable performance as Macbeth, in the Players 2019 production.
Bill's last musical role was as Big Julie in Guys and Dolls, and some of his other favourites have included Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Yeoman of the Guard and A Midsummer Night's Dream.
One of Bill's other big interests is hockey, representing the ACT in the Veterans Australian Championships.
Bill is looking forward to getting back to hockey, as well as getting back onto the Theatre stage for The Drowsy Chaperone.
Bill said, "It's a great chance to dress up again".
Director of The Drowsy Chaperone, Candy Burgess said this week that the production is making great strides, with set building near complete, set painting underway and the lighting design soon to be added.
With small group rehearsals now allowed under government advice, the players are enjoying the chance to see theatre friends and tread the boards again.
For more information about the Bay Theatre Players: Email: baytheatreplayers@gmail.com or phone: (02) 4472 7580.