The ‘in the round’ revival of the show somehow brought out the vulnerability of Billy and Julie and the humour largely between Carrie and Mr Snow, though of course Mr Snow was as upright as he should be! The role of the Star Maker intrigued the audiences, and the contribution of the ‘Barkers’ and the Whalers, our two children’s teams added to the fascination of the production.
It is extraordinary that going back to something written 74 years ago, or 113 years in the case of the original play, that much of the story is still relevant today. Take the part of Billy for example, he’s likeable, none too reliable, rather easily led and hasn’t done much with his life. His character would be at home in Eastenders or Coronation Street. So would the character of Julie, the girl next door, the good looking nice to everyone sort of girl.
The story of Carousel is set in New England, a small coastal town where the main work is connected fishing and whaling. The time is around the late 1800’s to the turn of the century. The plot is essentially a love story that goes wrong.
Billy Bigelow works as a barker on the Carousel. His job is to drum up business and his main tactic for doing this is flirting with all the girls. When he takes a fancy to just one girl, his boss, the redoubtable Mrs Mullins, is angry with him. There is a row and he is fired on the spot. Amazingly the young lady at the centre of all this is a girl who is quite unlike all those Billy hass ever dated before. In fact Julie Jordan has never even had a boyfriend, but some how she and Billy are attracted to one another. I suppose they say opposites attract in matters of the heart.
Without giving away too much further detail, eventually Julie and Billy are married. Billy still can’t find work, largely because of his reputation. He becomes frustrated and rows badly with Julie, his lack of control results in him hitting her. The timing couldn’t be worse as she was just about to tell him he is to be a father.
With this news Billy determines he must provide for his new family. But how when he hasn’t even got a job? Falling back on the weaker side of his character he listens to an unscrupulous acquaintance named Jigger. He persuades Billy that there is an easy way to make money …. and lots of it! From here on in things do not go well for Billy.
CODS PHOTO GALLERY “SMUGMUG”
Photographs from ‘CAROUSEL’ and previous CODS productions
are all available on this gallery.
These range from the very early productions to the present day.
There are also some movie clips.
Just click the button and select the show. Enjoy!
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s CAROUSEL
Music by RICHARD RODGERS Book and Lyrics by OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II
Based on Ferenc Molnar’s Play “Liliom” As adapted by Benjamin F. Glazer
Original Dances by Agnes de Mille
CODS amateur production was by arrangement with R&H Theatricals Europe