Yeomen return to take centre stage

Apr 10 2008 By John Rowbotham

THIS photograph will bring back memories for those who attended Hamilton Academy in the late thirties.

It’s the cast of the school choir’s production of Yeomen of the Guard staged at the Town Hall in April, 1938.

Henry Hambley came across the photograph while going through his late father’s papers.

Edwin Hambley, who died recently, was a member of the cast.

Between 1932 and 1972 and with the exception of the war years 1940 to 1943, Hamilton Academy presented an opera annually and it was usually Gilbert and Sullivan.

The productions were started by the rector, David Anderson.

He joined Hamilton Academy in 1930 and produced the operas until his retired from the position.

He was succeeded as producer by Agnes Burns who was the Fairy Queen in the very first production of Iolanthe in 1932.

The musical director of the first operas was Mr G Forbes Forsyth who was succeeded by Mr John Howie.

The 1950s saw the appointment of Peter Mooney who would be the musical director until the last production in 1972.

Henry Hambley said: “There must be many whose love of music and singing was kindled by being part of the choir but it would be wrong to think this activity was confined to the choir.

“A great many staff and pupils helped in the construction of scenery, as stage crew and acting as front of house staff.”

Material relating to the operas is held by Hamilton Grammar.

However, other pieces of memorabilia is in the hands of individuals.

Mr Hambley believes it would be fitting if all the material relating to the musical productions could be brought together to archive.

“In this age of the Internet, it seems a pity that there is no website dedicated to telling the remarkable story of these productions, “ he added.