Oklahoma!

"Oklahoma!.......where the waving wheat ....can sure smell sweet....when the wind comes right behind the rain....."

This will be the theme song of the Gisborne Operatic Society's October presentation of the Rodgers & Hammerstein smash hit musical now in rehearsal.

The show includes a high proportion of popular and tuneful songs, among the best known of which is "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning."

When the cast went out to "Woodlands", the home of Mr and Mrs L. R. Witters near Waihirere, for publicity pictures on a recent Sunday morning, it certainly was a beautiful morning. The picturesque barn and attractive surroundings made an ideal setting.

It was the wrong time of the year for "corn as high as an elephant's eye", but a few bales of hay and a dray wheel or two served as suitable props.

Producer Pat Woodford was in charge and skilfully arranged her players for the cameras.

"Oklahoma!" has an enormous cast, and here are most of them posed in front of the barn in their colourful costumes—cowboys, girls of the chorus, and some of the principals in a setting which almost could have been part of the Sooner State back in the 1860's.

Rex Hickman as Jud, the bad man of the show.

Ballet and chorus girls with Laurey (Pat Upton).

The principals, Curly (Bob Moles) and Laurey (Pat Upton)

Curly and Laurey in the wedding scene

Ali Hakim gets the "boot" from Aunt Ella. Toby Robieson has the gun. At right, Kevin Alliot and Barne Traeder

Some of the chorus for the song, "People Will Say We're In Love" From left, Pat Blane, George Markie, Roger Carter, Norma Wood, Stan Fawcett, Fay Hampton, Bob Markie, Pat Andricksen, Peter Keiha, Naomi Hudson, Hugh Bramwell, Marion Dahm. In front, Valma Banks.

Some of the principals. Back row, Kevin Elliott (Will Parker), Vivienne Grummitt (Gertie), Lois Ballantyne (Aunt Ella), Rex Hickman (Jud), Paul Pollard (Ali Hakim). In front, Janet Parker (Ado Annie), and Pat Upton (Laurey).

The "Picture Post Girls" point accusing fingers at Ella Randle in the Dream Ballet sequence. Girls, from left, are Beverly Beckett, Pat Gill, Lyn Marshall and Jonette Ballantyne.

Ado Annie (Janet Parker) and Will Parker (Kevin Elliott).

Cowpoke types noticed hanging round the barn. Left to right, Ray Watchman, Christopher Cattle, and Hugh Bramwell.

Stan Fawcett gets in some practice with the rope. This isn't as easy as it looks.

Some of the chorus with Laurey. From rear, in pairs, Elaine Murray, Norma Wood, Jill Sword, Pat Blane, Janice Treader, Marion Dahm.

Ella Randle, the ballet mistress for the show, has solo dance in the "Dream Ballet" number.

Laurey (Pat Upton) greets Curly from the stairs, with "Pigtails" Ann Forman and Regency Blair behind her.

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The Gisborne Photo News

No 63 : September 17, 1959

Oklahoma!