Keighley Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society’s production of “The Dancing Years” played at the Hippodrome Theatre in Keighley for six nights (and a Saturday matinee) from Monday 9th November 1953. The musical was devised, written and composed by Ivor Novello. The audience were probably familiar with the musical as the film version had only come out in the UK in 1950. The KAODS production was produced and directed by Gene Anderton, with musical director R. Lewis Scargill.
The story is set in early twentieth century Vienna and is told in four episodes between 1911 and 1938. Young composer Rudi Kleber (played by Frederic W. Pye) sells his first composition to travelling prima donna Maria Zeigler (Olive Kitchen), who then persuades him to write more songs for her. Rudi falls for Maria who is already committed to benefactor Prince Charles Metterling (Dennis P. Smith). As usual, misunderstandings abound, but for once, even over the 27 years, things are not resolved happily-ever-after, and the show ends with the shadow of the imminent World War II encroaching upon it.
The show also starred Alan Petty, Elsie Greenwell, Joan M. Corlas, Joyce Reed, Maureen F. Dacre, Sybil J. Calvert, Margaret Holmes, Joan Greenwood, Florence M. Bottomley, Dorothy Smith, Alice Chester, Frank Hopkinson, Richard Reed, Alice Hanson, Norman J. K. Langthorn, Betty M. Hird, Dennis Crocker, Reuben P. Drake, Norman Moulding and Glennis Copley. The dancing mistress was Irene Ogden.
The cast photographs shown here are from the programme for the production. The photographs were taken by N. K. Howarth of K. C. P. Studio on East Parade. The programme was part of an anonymous donation given in 2022.
