"Oklahoma!"

For many weeks now the Nelson Operatic Society has been rehearsing its 1961 production, that well-known and beautiful Western musical play, "Oklahoma!". Another masterpiece of that famous musical team, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, "Oklahoma! has been played up and down New Zealand to record crowds and there seems little doubt that it will prove just as popular in Nelson as it has in other centres. The Nelson season opens in the Theatre Royal next Saturday evening.

Produced by Kit Murdoch, the play tells the tempestuous love story of Laurey (Margaret Kingsford) and Curley (Ross Angus) in the days just preceding the granting of statehood to Oklahoma. Always lurking in the background is the dirty (literally) and dirty-minded Judd (Laurie Staig) who has designs on Laurey. Humour is provided by Ado Annie (Meryl Taylor), a lass with a roving eye, Will Parker (John Peterson), her cowpoke boyfriend, and wandering Persian pedlar Ali Hakim (John Ferdinand), whose flirtings with Ado Annie nearly cost him his freedom at the point of the shotgun of Ado Annie's father, Andrew Carnes (Dan Martin). Giggling Gertie Cummings (Leslie Rubber) is also mixed up in these two love stories, while Aunt Eller (Nora McLeod) attempts to play Cupid and peacemaker at the same time. There is a full supporting cast.

The villainous Judd

In the smokehouse, Curley suggests with rope and song, that "Poor Judd is Daid"

Laurey and Curley in the famous Surrey

A scene from the "Dream Ballet" in which Laurey dreams of life with Judd and his "fancy women". Part of Judd in this scene is played by Ron Parkin and girls by Dorothy Parkin, Jocelyn Allen, Rewa Walsh, Noreen Le Cren and Yvonne Staig.

Ali finds his philanderings don't pay

Will Parker tells how "Everythin's Up-to-date in Kansas City".

Will gives Ado Annie an "Oklahoma Hallo".

Curley, with horse and saddle that he sold to get Laurey.

Fracas at the dance is brought to stop by Aunt Eller who reminds all the "Farmer and the Cowman should be Friends".

Gertie and Ado Annie have a set-to over a little matter of a kiss

Ali makes a present to Aunt Eller of a garter and when not permitted to demonstrate how it works, has a peek anyway.

Judd glowers in background after Curley gives away his all to win Laurey

Earlier Laurey had repelled Curley's advances per medium of broom

Ali, now married to Gertie, and Will, don't see eye to eye on Gertie's wellbeing.

Laurey and Curley on their wedding day

Judd and Curley fight Just before the happy couple leave on their honeymoon

The cast in the corral at the Hall's home
"Oklahoma!" is an outdoor musical so we shot these scenes in a rural setting. This could not have been accomplished, however, without the greatest co-operation from Mr and Mrs Paddy O'Connor, Appleby, and Mr and Mrs Len Hall, Mahana, who made their properties available to us and the cast. To them we extend our grateful thanks.

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The Nelson Photo News

No 11 : September 16, 1961

"Oklahoma!"