On Sunday 07 April 1929 members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church Choir put on what was described as “a sparkling production” of The Bohemian Girl. This particular performance was attributed by the press to the choir, but I do suspect it might possibly have been the second show staged by the recently-founded parish Operatic Society which naturally drew membership from the choir.
As for the The Bohemian Girl, this was a romantic opera composed by Michael William Balfe, with libretto (script) by Alfred Bunn, first performed at London’s Drury Lane Theatre in November 1843. It was extremely popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, so much so that it was the subject of a 1922 silent movie starring Ivor Novello and Ellen Terry. In 1936 Laurel and Hardy turned it into a comedic film.
The plot revolves around gypsies, royalty, and star-crossed lovers. Arline, the six-year-old daughter of a Count, is saved from a wild stag by Thaddeus, an exiled Polish nobleman. She is then kidnapped by the same band of gypsies Thaddeus has joined for safety. Thaddeus and Arline fall in love, incurring the wrath of the jealous Gypsy Queen. Twelve years after the abduction, the gypsy band is back in the neighborhood of the count, and the Queen frames Arline for the theft of some jewellery. Arline is brought before the Count to face justice, but he recognises her as his daughter and restores her to her former home.
Thaddeus secretly visits Arline in the palace one last time before leaving her forever, but is discovered by the Count, who threatens to kill him. Arline declares her love for Thaddeus and pleads for his life. The Count, learning of the Pole’s noble status, relents. During the celebrations which follow, the Gypsy Queen makes a final attempt to take revenge and orders one of the gypsies to shoot Thaddeus. However, Devilshoof deflects his aim and the Queen is shot instead. The unharmed happy couple are now free to marry, and the opera ends with a celebratory chorus.
In this local St. Mary’s production, the stage work of the principals and the singing of Mr. F. Dillon as Count Arnheim, Mr. W. Hannan as Thaddeus, and Miss K. Rotchford as Arline, reached a creditable standard. Mr. F. Dillon as Count Arnheim was deemed “quite good.” Miss K. Rotchford (Arline) excelled in her singing. The acting of Mr. T. Egan (Florenstein) was particularly enjoyable.
This seems an appropriate point to write a little bit more about Thomas Egan (Jnr.), whose obituary 14 years later described him as “an enthusiastic member of St. Mary’s Church choir.” He was born in Batley on Christmas Day 1902, the son of Thomas and Annie Egan. The family owned a successful drapery business in Batley and Thomas Egan (Snr.), a local councillor, was appointed as a Batley magistrate in 1929. Thomas (Jnr.) served with the Royal Artillery in World War II, and was killed in action in Sicily on 08 November 1943. His mini biography can be read here.
Back to the 1929 production. The star of the show was undoubtedly Mr. Leo Rotchford, whose portrayal of Devilshoof earned special plaudits from the critics. They praised him for the reality he infused into his part, and enthused that his appropriate gestures and expressions helped to make his acting the more impressive.
Show-defining numbers such as “I dreamt I dwelt in marble halls,” “When other lips,” and “Through the world” were well received.
As for a list of those taking part and their roles, it read: Count Arnheim, Mr. F. Dillon; Thaddeus, Mr. W. Hannan; Florenstein, Mr. T. Egan; Devilshoof, Mr. L. Rotchford; Captain, Mr. T. Durkin; Arline, Miss K. Rotchford; Queen of the Gipsies, Miss N. Rotchford; Gipsy Sellers, Misses M. Deasy and M. Mara; The Chorus comprised of Misses R. McHale, J. Deasy, E. Gallagher, M. Doyle, R. Donegan, T. Murphy, M. Deasy, M. Mara, and Messrs. L. Daly, C. North, M. Grogan and J. McGrath as gipsies. Misses M. Mara, R. Deasy, T. Colleran, N. McHale, P. Doyle, D. Healey, H. Booth, R. Berry and H. Maye as ladies; and, Messrs. J. Lyons, J. Finn, J.Callaghan and F. Flexney as soldiers.
Father Kelleher, in the absence of Father McBride, expressed thanks to all concerned in the success of the opera, and said he was glad to see so many present from Birstall and Batley Carr. He hoped that after visiting Batley and seeing what they were doing here, it would be a spur to the visitors to even greater things in their parishes.
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