The College Operatic Theatre Society
C.O.T.S
Last updated: 12/06/07
Probably the best operatic company in the world!
Background music from our production of the "Merry Widow"
(You may need WINAMP to listen to the sound clips)
Cyril Randle
The Founder/Producer of C.O.T.S
The man who made it all possible!
Click on the link below to hear Cyril in a duet with Miriam Evans, I particularly like this number.
The Male Chorus Line!
What a handsome bunch of lads, cast list will be provided in order of height, but for now, have a listen to the rousing chorus of:
"I've caught my Lilacs in the spring again"
by
Ivor Novello
and a very fine rendition of:
"There's No Business Like Show Business"
In 1979 the C.O.T.S produced the "Merry Widow" and below is some clips of the male chorus doing a humorous dance to Franz Lehah's catchy march. Watch the clip posted on YouTube by clicking "Chorus" below:
Click on picture above to see movie or see this clip on YouTube click link below -
An almost complete cast present for this photograph!
C.O.T.S 1978
Back Row : Cyril Randle, Trevor Beddows, Tony Jakeman, Clive Perry, Steven Field, Bob Anderson,
Ken Higgins, Barry Price, Philip Bradney, Graham Meethoo, Colin Webb, Joe Lane, Kevin Peters
Centre Row : Betty Bradney, Vera Whitbrook, Roma Holloway, Denise Mason, Pat Price, Mary Rosewarne,
Miriam Evans, Christine Anderson, Phyllis Greenwood, Susan Upton
Front Row : Susan Alldritt, Joanne Gay, Tina Jakeman (There was really no need to bow Tina!)
The Dancing Girls
Left to right : Susan Upton, Denise Mason, Tina Jakeman, Susan Alldritt, Miriam Evans, Joanne Gay
See the girls in action click on the above photo - please note this is a very poor quality video clip
Ken Higgins
Probably if I could single one member of the cast as having an extraordinary talent it would be Ken Higgins a baritone of unorthodox methods. A friend Kevin Jones and I affectionately dubbed him "Kenny Ping-pong" on account of the perfect round shape his mouth made when singing. When Ken didn't turn up on our practice nights we were always bitterly disappointed. He was probably with out a doubt the finest baritone England has ever produced, well our society at least, and I don't necessarily mean musically. His voice I could pick out from a crowd it was so distinctive, well I really liked it anyway. Judge for yourself on this rendition of:
and the ultimate tour de force:
I have fond memories of Ken from those days and legend had it that he once muddled the words to "Old Man River" and sang:
"I'm scared of living and
tired of dying"
As if he would!
Just a final word about Ken, I think when it came to dishing out the parts in the songs from the shows, he always got the short straw. The last clip with Ken in it, is from "There's No Business Like Show Business" He gets the line:
"The sawdust and the horses and the smell"
Joe Lane
What a great character Joe lane or "Old Joe" (to give him his correct title) was, sometimes he was substituted for Trevor Beddows our resident pianist, when he didn't turn up. The results were often unintentionally hilarious. Unfortunately I only have one example of Joe's playing, still it gives one a taste of what he was capable of:
Joe's stage presence was quite formidable, he always gave the impression that he'd just wandered on stage by mistake.
Gordon Cooper
Gordon Cooper* a local butcher, gifted with a fine tenor voice. He was extremely popular with the audience. How many pension books he had thrown at him during a performance, is anyone's guess. An example of how popular he was, is evident from the applause he receives before he even sings a note.
another clip from our production of the "Merry Widow"
*Gordon died in 2002
Miriam Evans
Miriam has a very sweet voice, and has to be very much admired for shining through on this rendition of :
Pat Price
An experienced soprano Pat Price, one of the handful of founder members, along with Cyril Randle.
In June 1979 we put on another production of "Songs From the Shows" and below is a copy of the program.
A great loss to the company you will notice, with a quick glance at the program by the absence of Ken Higgins, and also Gordon Cooper. Gordon however did appear in the production of the Merry Widow later in the year.
A photograph of the cast in 1979 kindly donated by Cyril Randle
If you remember the C.O.T.S and have any information or stories, old programs, or pictures relating to C.O.T.S (and its members) and would like to see it published on this page then contact me on the email below.