"Naughty Marietta"

Each year the Nelson Operatic Society seems to surpass itself in the quality of it? productions, but this year it really hit the tops. For "Naughty Marietta", 'that Victor Herbert masterpiece with all its beautiful songs, the society excelled itself in the lavishness of its costuming and its sets. Nor did the quality of the production fall below this very high level. A great big hand to producer Len Harbord, of Hutt Valley, whose experience transformed a group of amateurs into a well-balanced cast and a musical play into a swift-moving and smooth production.

The very colourful scene in the New Orleans Club during the second act

A bevy of Casket Girls

Marietta (Barbara Lane) and Captain Dick (Arch Barclay) find true love.

Much of the humour came from the Lieutenant Governor (Dan Duncan)

Bruce Martin, as Silas, helps with the light relief, as he takes a peek into Lizette's casket to assess her worth.

Flower-girls Betty Don, Jennifer Sheehan, and Denise Lister, with Etienne (John Bradshaw), alias Bras Pique.

The story of Marietta has its setting in Louisiana, at that stage a French colony. To it comes Captain Dick with orders to capture Bras Pique, a pirate, and Marietta, a young Italian countess who ran away from her French convent and who arrived with casket girls sent to Louisiana for prospective husbands.

Marietta hides when she hears she is to be kept away from the New Orleans Club.

Lieutenant Governor Crandet and Etienne talk a little piracy

The ballet during the ball at the New Orleans Club

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The Nelson Photo News

No 59 : September 18, 1965

"Naughty Marietta"