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THE CAST OF 'I PAGLIACCI'
For those playing parts which were double cast, I have written a letter A if they played their parts of the first night, or a B if they were in the other cast.

*
    The opera starts with "The Prologue" (Geoff Horwood, before he became Tonio).
The villagers await the arrival of the travelling theatre group.
 *
*
Wine, scones,  scarves and jewels are on sale.
I think that somebody is buying jewels but not paying for them.
 *
*
  Here is Canio, or Pagliaccio, B (Mick Pardoe), inviting everyone to come and see the play that night.
   He tips his hat, like any gentleman would.
 *
*
     The leading lady, Nedda B (Sue Lowry),   Is so well-known that she is given a complimentary manicure.
    The first villager (me), as he is big moment, inviting Canio, to come along to the tavern.
 *
*
    But then after Tonio chooses not to join them, villager #2, makes a joke, suggesting that Tonio wants to flirt with Nedda. Canio is not amused by it, and sings a song, giving warning to any man might try to lead her astray.
   He gets a little carried away!
 *
*

  Nedda, slightly perturbed by Canio's warning, is probably distracted here by the August sun and the twittering birds.
 Tonio does indeed tried to seduce Nedda A (Natasha Dobie). He is given a thick ear.

But Nedda is having a bit on the side, with Silvio B (Nicholas Bartlett).
The other Nedda is doing likewise with Silvio A (Stephen Carter).

The tables have turned!  Tonio now has the belt.
Ouch!
 *

    CanioB, (Matthew Connolly) is made aware of Nedda's deception. Peppe  (John Williams) tries to keep him under control.
    Tonio, tries to make a plan with Canio, to find out the identity of Nedda's other gentleman.

Canio B sings his emotional song, 'Vesti la giubba'
As does Canio A.


An impatient audience demands that the show begin!
 *
*
Colombine appears.
Harlequin serenades her.
 *
*
     The half-wit, Taddeo, brings home the chicken dinner.
    Harlequins sneaks in and shares a bottle of wine with Columbine.
 *
*
    Pagliaccio, Columbine's husband, comes back home earlier than expected! Smelling deception, Pagliaccio demands to know the name of his wife's lover.
  But as the story progresses, Canio ceases acting, at wants to know the name of the real lover.
 *
*
  Silvio reveals himself, and him and Nedda, suffer the ultimate penalty.
'La comdia e finitia'  exclaims The Proglue come Tonio come Taddeo.
 *

    Here are some of the chorus gentleman, Michael Bilenkyj, Mike Taylor & John O'Keefe with Peppe (John Williams).
      Here are some of the chorus ladies (Adrienne Walters, Elaine Watts, Lainda Savin and Sophie Davidson).

    Quite a few more here (Scilla Stewart, Elaine, Adrienne, Linda, an obscured Celeste Hanford, Katie Butcher, France Fiabane, Madeline Tickner, Carey Tate and Natasha Dobie).

* These photographs were taken by Graham Stone.

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