Mrs Peacham
Stop laughing at the back there! No, no more sniggering please!
When I saw the prompt of ‘ A Memory’ for this weeks Gallery post, I headed for my cardboard box of old photos. I had no idea what I was going to use . I picked out 3 in all. Two were of me as a tiny tot which would have got me the ‘Ah’ vote. I decided to show you this one though. This is me in the role of Mrs Peacham in John Gay’s ‘The Beggars Opera’. The year is 1969 & I was at the height of my theatrical career (such as it was!) The school had an excellent reputation for productions. This was a particularly adventurous choice especially with singing, acting & wearing quite ridiculous but authentic costumes!
Written in 1728 it was a ballad opera which satirised the upper classes interest in Italian opera. It was to have a great influence on later British stage comedies & the modern musical. It is the story of a highwayman & his adventures within a society of prostitutes, thieves & beggars.
As was the form, there were three Acts & to ‘fill in the space while the scenery was changed’ I was appointed ‘Dance Mistress’ & enlisted the help of some younger pupils who were keen to become ‘dancers’. For me it was a dream come true! I had achieved my goal – I was a choreographer! We thought it all very grand indeed. It was the whole of my world for at least a 6 months. Seeing this photo brought all those memories flooding back, including the HUGE crush I had on the music teacher. He had such dark, dreamy eyes! Oooo!
Stop it at the back now!
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As I’m sure you’ve had a giggle here, do pop over to Sticky Fingers where you’ll find loads more wonderful entries!
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http://jingleyanqiu.wordpress.com/2010/08/19/haiku-struggle-plus-belated-birthdays-awards/
three awards for you.
if possible,
help visit 4 friends on top list, never mind if uninterested, I don’t intend to press … 😉
many thanks..
BEST!
This is a lovely memory!! And a fun photo.
Great pic, Julia. As always.
Why do you have trays stuck to your hips, covered in a shiny tablecloth?
V funny.
LCM x
Gosh what a WONDERFUL picture !!! u look so sauve :D…
What a fantastic post! I love that costume, brilliant!
Oh wow, that’s you. How fabulous!
You are amazing! Love the photo and the story that goes along with it!
Hehe!
You look fab! Spare a thought to my thespian debut…. I was a ‘Teddy Bear’ (….. not sure how I allowed myself to be cast against type!) All I remember, apart from the humiliation, was the itchy costume made out of an old blanket. Ah, memories….
What a costume! One for the next black tie event you get invited to, methinks…
I am not laughing what a grat photo
6 months wow that is a long run! You look very focused!
I am not laughing! I am amazed! What gorgeous photo that is and a wonderful memory. x
Brilliant, you look great!
Love it Julia! You look like such a professional! 🙂
Heh heh what a great pic. I never knew you were a thespian. 🙂
That costume looks complicated to wear… Did they staple it on?
You look fab!
Look at you a young thespian!! Great photo with such a fab memory tale behind it 🙂
I love black and white photos they are so much more interesting !
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So who was Mack the Knife?
Some spotty oik! Thanks for visiting!
Aww wow, cool picture and lovely story too! 🙂
Thank you! Great memory!
Love it 🙂 you look lovely!!!
Aw thank you!