“It’s a Wonderful Life” adapted for radio-on-stage from the 1946 Frank Capra film by Tony Palermo (October 2018).
It’s a Wonderful Life is the story of idealist George Bailey, whose dreams look set to be dashed by small-town scandal and big business. Alone on a bridge, he decides that everyone would be better off without him… or would they? It falls to hapless guardian angel, Clarence, to try to save him.
In a tribute to the golden era of wireless, the magical story of Frank Capra’s film is retold here as a vintage radio play, complete with sound effects created live on stage.
Cast
Radio Announcer . . . . . . Luke
George Bailey . . . . . . Ross
Mary Hatch Bailey . . . . . . Jess
Clarence (Angel, 2nd Class) . . . . . . Kevin
Superintendent of Angels . . . . . . Nicola
Uncle Billy . . . . . . Ron
Mr Potter (Financier) . . . . . . Luke
Ma Bailey (George’s mother) . . . . . . Jane
Violet Bick (good-time girl) . . . . . . Becky
Officer Bert (local policeman) . . . . . . Luke
Ellie (cab driver) . . . . . . Nicola
Nick (shareholder / bartender) . . . . . . Thomas
Pop Bailey (George’s father) . . . . . . Alan
Sam Wainwright (successful businessman) . . . . . . Thomas
Gower (pharmacist) . . . . . . Alan
Mrs Hatch (Mary’s mother) . . . . . . Jane
Harry Bailey (George’s younger brother) . . . . . . Thomas
Martini (Italian cafe owner) . . . . . . Ron
Charlie (shareholder) . . . . . . Thomas
Cousin Tilly (loan office clerk) . . . . . . Carol
Young George Bailey (10 years old) . . . . . . Thomas
Bridge Toll-taker . . . . . . Luke
Zuzu Bailey (George’s 5-year-old daughter) . . . . . . Jane
Janie Bailey (George’s 8-year-old daughter) . . . . . . Becky
Dr Campbell (board President) . . . . . . Nicola
Mr Welch (irate husband) . . . . . . Alan
Bank Teller . . . . . . Becky
Clara (loan office clerk) . . . . . . Jane
Carter (Bank Examiner) . . . . . . Nicola
Petey Bailey (George’s 9-year-old son) . . . . . . Carol
Mr Davis (shareholder) . . . . . . Kevin
Impatient Neighbour . . . . . . Becky
Randy (shareholder) . . . . . . Alan
Mrs Thompson (shareholder) . . . . . . Becky
Sheriff . . . . . . Ron
Eddy (shareholder) . . . . . . Carol Sound effect artists . . . . . . Jason, Gordon
Jimmy the bird . . . . . . Gordon Advertising voice-overs written by Luke, Dawn & Gary
performed by the cast
Songs Performed by
Vocalist . . . . . . Jo Simpson Dodds
Pianist . . . . . . Roger Lilley
Production Team
Director . . . . . . Peter
Stage Manager . . . . . . Denise
Set design & construction . . . . . . Ron & team
Publicity . . . . . . Peter, Jo
Costumes and make-up . . . . . . the Group
Production assistant & continuity . . . . . . Ann
Programme Design . . . . . . Gill
Front of House . . . . . . Helen & team
Compere . . . . . . Peter
Acknowledgements
BaCStage would like to thank the following, without whose help this production would not have been possible:
Our sponsors: Elglaze Ltd, Earith ~ Bluntisham Service Station ~ Bluntisham Butchers ~ Earith Timber Products Ltd ~ Cole & Day, Somersham
Warboys Van Hire (equipment transportation) ~ BAWDS Drama Group and Combined Actors of Cambridge (loan of props) ~ Aladdin’s Cave (costume hire) ~ Bluntisham Parish Council ~ Impressions Village Scene ~ The Herald, the newsletter of the Meridian Benefice
Our thanks also to the groups who were unable to use their usual accommodation at the Village Hall during production week:
Sue Stopps – Ballroom dancing ~ Badminton Club ~ Tracey Davidson (Cambsfit – HIIT, Pilates and Zumba) ~ Tuesday Badminton Club ~ Wednesday Badminton Club ~ Sunday Badminton Club
Absent Friend
In memory of Anthony Michael Chandler (1953 – 2018)
Tony Chandler was instrumental in establishing Bluntisham’s very own drama society, initially known as the Millennium Players before transforming itself into BaCStage, Bluntisham and Colne Stage Group.
Over the past twenty years BaCStage has given an extraordinary opportunity to many (including a generation of Bluntisham and Colne children in various pantomimes) to learn and progress their acting skills as well as learning and developing many of the technical aspects of performance.
We owe much to Tony’s generosity, enthusiasm and encouragement. Put simply, BaCStage would not have existed without Tony.
