DIAMOND anniversaries are cause for celebration and Cassio Operatic Society will mark 60 years of producing quality musical entertainment this week with the eternally popular The Music Man at Watford Palace Theatre.
The plot concerns con man Harold Hill, who poses as a boys’ band organiser and leader and sells instruments and uniforms to naive townsfolk before skipping town with the cash. When he arrives in River City, Iowa, prim Marian, the librarian, sees through him, but when Harold helps her younger brother Winthrop, she falls in love with him who, in turn, falls for her and risks being caught to win her.
The society first staged the show in 1972, which was only its second performance as a group and again in 1990. Julie Lilley takes on the starring role of Marian in the show.
The cast of 25 has strong family connections including a saxophone playing son whose father is in the cast, a father and clarinet playing daughter and a granddaughter, grandmother combination. Chairman Brian Handley is looking forward to this lucky third production of the show. He says: “Our 60th anniversary is a wonderful occasion for the group. We have put on 95 productions and The Music Man will be our 96th.
“This show, which judging by rehearsals will be one of our very best, will be our 54th at Watford Palace.
“Cassio has built a strong following over the years due to the West End quality of our productions.”
Sidi Scott is the current president of Cassio and first joined the society in the 1960s as a performer, then a choreographer and finally as director.
Sidi adds: “I have been associated with the society for more than 40 of its 60 years. I joined following a career with the Festival Ballet then in the West End and on TV.
“Over the years the society has learnt to adapt to the changing tastes or both the performers and our audiences. One of my first shows was The Vagabond King a very old-fashioned almost forgotten musical.
“Nowadays, the society will often perform much more modern material. I have just learnt that next year will be Our House, a terrific love story set to the music of the ‘80s band Madness. I suspect the founding fathers of Cassio would be surprised, but I hope pleased by our ability to change with the times.”
The Music Man runs at Watford Palace Theatre from Monday, November 9 to Saturday, November 14. Tickets: 01923 225671, www.watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk
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