Plain and Fancy
Plain and Fancy is a musical comedy with a book by Joseph Stein and Will Glickman, lyrics by Arnold Horwitt, and music by Albert Hague. One of the first depictions of an Amish community in American pop culture, it includes a traditional barn-raising and an old-fashioned country wedding.
The Broadway production, directed by Morton DaCosta and choreographed by Helen Tamiris, opened on January 27, 1955 at the Mark Hellinger Theater. A month later it transferred to the Winter Garden, where it remained for slightly more than eight months before returning to the Mark Hellinger to complete its run of 461 performances. The cast included Richard Derr as Dan, Shirl Conway as Ruth, Will Able as Jacob, Gloria Marlowe as Katie, Douglas Fletcher Rodgers as Ezra, Barbara Cook as Hilda, and David Daniels as Peter. Bea Arthur understudied Conway and Carol Lawrence was among the chorus members.
The West End production opened on January 25, 1956 at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, where it ran for 315 performances. The cast included Jack Drummond, Joan Hovis, Malcolm Keen, Grace O’Connor, Michael Craze, and Virginia Somers.
Freedom
This week marked my final visit to the jobcentre, although not one of life’s most pleasurable events it has been, amusing, frustrating and an eye opener. Often it has been amusing and frustrating at the same time; the waiting area has numerous prohibitive signs, no smoking, no eating, no drinking and no mobile phones. All that is missing is no ball games, no spitting and keep off the grass; although on reflection perhaps they should include “Beware Neanderthal Patrol”. I realise that security have an unenviable job apparently more often employed for their neck size rather than their tact and IQ but on several occasions they appear to provoke a negative reaction from clients by their confrontational manner, this also applies to some of the other staff. Although in fairness this is mainly a small number, the majority have been helpful and possess a great sense of humour – well you would have too. My main complaint has been that their opening gambit is often “if you don’t do this or that we will stop your job seekers allowance”. I was fortunate in that I didn’t receive any benefits so the threat didn’t mean much, there are many who need the money and are treated with apparent contempt, perhaps they should realise like all public service employees they are employed to provide a service which without the clients would see them on the other side of the interview table. The real eye opener has been that despite all my previous misconceptions and media stories not all clients are plebes, just average people placed in the unfortunate position of being unemployed and in need of assistance. Thankfully I can now look forward to peaceful retirement free from the tedium of job searching unless anything interesting comes along, any offers?
About
My wife, bless her tells me that I am rapidly becoming, or perhaps that should read have become a “Grumpy old fart”, so what better forum to spread my doom, gloom and paranoia than WordPress. I also have a love of old pictures, postcards and Edwardian Actresses, in particular Miss Gabrielle Ray which I hope to share at regular intervals. As my collection has grown I have set up another blog which contains only pictures of Miss Ray. Gabrielle Ray Thank you for viewing and comments are welcome.
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Grumpy old fart!!! 