Member Spotlight: Anthony C. Lister - President
Tony takes us on a trip through Doncaster Stage Production’s history through, both his and his family’s, involvement with the society.
Anthony Lister, President of Doncaster Stage Productions
“I look back and remember the great friends I’ve made and the amazing productions I’ve been involved in and I’ve enjoyed every thing I’ve done and yes, I’d do it all again given half a chance.”
The Doncaster Amateur Operatic Society, now known as the Doncaster Stage Productions, has always held a special place for me and my family. I followed in the footsteps of my mother and father who joined the Society in 1931 and 1934 respectively. My father, Kenneth Lister, a master builder in the town became one of the dancers in the 1934 production, ‘Virginia’ where he met my mother, Vera. She was also a dancer who eventually became the Society’s ballet mistress. The professional producer was employed to cast the shows and set the choreography and then he disappeared until about six weeks before the show when he would return to put the finale touches to the scenes. During that time mum would rehearse the set routines to perfection. Dad progressed to playing in the chorus and eventually taking principal roles. Only once did mum play a principal role, that of Kissie in ‘The Belle of New York’ at the Grand Theatre in 1937 but she was happiest working alongside the ballet troupe.
My first part with the Society was as a 13 -year- old boy, when I was offered the role of Little Jake in ‘Annie Get Your Gun’ in 1954. I was also allowed to operate the running tabs during the shows at the Grand Theatre. What a fabulous place to start one’s amateur career. At the age of 14 years, I was asked to play the role of the Boy King in the finale scenes of Ivor Novello’s ‘King’s Rhapsody’ and as they say “the rest is history”. I was hooked.
I also joined the dancers and tapped my way across many stage boards.
To gain more acting experience I joined a local drama group, the Cameo Players and was really grateful for the guidance and support I received. Encouraged by my mother and father I auditioned for character parts in many musicals and quickly gained stage experience. At that time a member was loyal to one society unlike today where local talent spreads itself around and people travel from one society to another to work on selected productions, un-heard of in my early days. Everything is different now and we must also move with the times and recognise the abundance of local talent in our area.
Virginia, 1934.
Anthony’s mother, Vera Lister, can be seen 3rd from the right on the front row. His father, Ken Lister, can be seen first on the left on the back row.
Virginia, 1934.
Anthony’s mother, Vera Lister, can be seen 6th from the left.
The Belle of New York, 1937.
Anthony’s mother, Vera, as Kissie in The Belle of New York.
Showboat, 1960.
Golden Jubilee Production.
Anthony played the role of Pete in Showboat, DAOS’s last performance at the iconic Grand Theatre, Doncaster.
I have been fortunate to have been cast in many character roles throughout this time, some small and some large and the list is endless. When not cast in a part I would always be in the chorus. The minimum age for adult membership of the Society was 16 years and after my first two junior appearances in 1954 /1955 at The Grand Theatre I concentrated on my education but retained my membership.
I then became a full adult acting member in 1959 in ‘Carousel’ and took part in the chorus at The Grand Theatre. What a wonderful venue that was. The last society performance here was in 1960 when I played the role of Pete in ‘Showboat’. This was the society’s GOLDEN JUBILEE year.
To date I have 53 years continuous acting service with the society, 3 years working backstage and 12 years proudly supporting the society ‘Front of House’. My last performance was in ‘The Sound of Music’ in 2014 when, owing to a lack of men, I was asked to play Baron Elberfeld, but I had really retired from performing in 2009. Of course, I agreed. The society had presented ‘The Sound of Music’ twice before and I was fortunate to have played the role of Max Detweiler in 1979 and again in 1984. This was such an enjoyable part that I can still recite the lines after all these years.
The Sound of Music, 1984.
Anthony has had the pleasure of playing Max Detweiler twice, once 1979 and again in 1984.
I consider myself lucky to have played some wonderful roles and have a number of favourites including, the comic character, Njegus in ‘The Merry Widow’ which I was fortunate to play twice, in 1970 and 1981. The show was repeated in 1998 when I was cast as Baron Zeta. This was without doubt my very favourite role. I’m not sure about the wig though!!!
I auditioned and was given the opportunity to play the part of Enoch Snow in ‘Carousel’ in 1982 and then Mr. Bascombe in 2008. In 1973 I played Fyedka in ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ and in 1990 I played Lazar Wolf. Both great parts in an emotional storyline. In 1977 I played Doc Pierce in ‘Calamity Jane’ and Henry Miller in 1999. The society has only presented ‘Annie Get Your Gun’ twice, once in 1954 when I was a junior member and again in 1996 when I played Chief Sitting Bull at the Civic Theatre. In 1992 and 2003 the society gave ‘Pickwick’ and I was lucky to play Tracy Tupman and Mr Wardle two lovely character roles. In 2001 I played Fizziwig in ‘Scrooge’ opposite my wife Frances who played Mrs Fizziwig. One of the biggest challenges for me was when I was asked to audition for Mr Bumble in the AMATEUR PREMIER of Oliver! A great acting role and a very high tenor range for me to sing.
The Merry Widow, 1998.
Anthony has been involved in three productions of The Merry Widow and considers his involvement as Baron Zeta his favourite role.
The majority of the productions were staged the first week in March with the exception of 1973 when the playing dates were changed to the beginning of May. This was due to the miner’s strike in the month of March which affected the power supply to the theatre.
In these early days principal programme photographs were generally but not always taken in costume on location. I remember standing ankle deep in snow at Bawtry Wood for the ‘Summer Song’ photo shoot. It was January, very cold and snowing. The ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ photographs were taken at Hickleton Village in 1990 and again it was January, cold and with frost on the ground. On other occasions we used the Mansion House, Wynthorpe Hall, the Doncaster Museum, Cusworth Hall, The Officer’s Mess at Finningley, The Dell at Hexthorpe Park, The Griff Inn, Drakeholes, Thoresby Hall Estates, The Chinquita Kennels & Cattery, Carlton Towers and Brockholes at Almholme to name but a few. These were usually taken early on a Sunday morning and could last well into the afternoon.
Oliver!, 1978.
One of the biggest challenges for Anthony was when he was asked to audition for Mr Bumble in the AMATEUR PREMIER of Oliver!
Show week was a wonderful experience with great camaraderie amongst the members. The Gaumont Theatre was an amazing venue with dressing rooms on three levels. The female dressing rooms were up a flight of concrete stairs and the male dressing rooms were in the basement under the stage area. Also, downstairs was the make-up room. Some cast members were able to do their own make up especially the ladies but most of the men and those who required a specialist character make up would all queue to have it applied by the retired ladies of the company.
I was in Dressing room 5 where it was not uncommon to find the odd barrel of beer for our enjoyment after the show. At one count there were 12 barrels consumed during the week but none, I might add, during the performances and it was not unusual to find us leaving the theatre in the early hours of the morning.
Calamity Jane, 1999.
Tony has appeared in Calamity Jane twice; once in 1977 when he played Doc Pierce and again, in 1999, where he played Henry Miller.
The society supplied refreshments for the cast during the interval with a selection of sandwiches and drinks. Between the matinee and the Saturday evening performance the entire cast would have afternoon tea at Cooplands or the Gaumont restaurant.
The Saturday matinee was always full and much of the audience came by the coach full from various retired homes.
It was a tradition, although very unprofessional, to play little jokes on each other during the matinee performance, like adding a stage weight to a prop bag so the performer had trouble lifting it or writing something silly on a stage prop letter. Everything was subtle and the audience were oblivious.
The Merry Widow, 1970.
Anthony as Njegus, a role he has been fortunate enough to play twice.
My stage appearances now are usually with my ukulele, an instrument I have played since I was 6 years old.
My parents were dedicated to the Society and their interest and hobby in amateur theatre. Dad became the Chairman in 1971 and held that office until 1976 after which he became the President, a position he held until his death in 1988.
My service to the Society has now reached its 69th year and I’m happy to have served on the Executive, Social and Patrons Committee’s, and held the posts of Registrar, Hon. Membership Secretary, Vice Chairman and Chairman. During the Society’s centenary celebrations in 2010 I was honoured to accept an Honorary Life Membership which I have now held for 11 years.
Over the years this hobby has enabled me to make life- long friendships with people sharing the same interests. It was at a society social event in 1973 that I met my wife Frances, a new member of the society at that time. Frances is also heavily involved in the society as Registrar, Hon. Secretary, Hon Tickets Secretary, Social Chair and Social Treasurer. As you can see the society is very much part of our lives.
Finally, from 2011 I follow my father in the role of President, one which I am pleased and delighted to accept. Whilst things are constantly changing, I’m sure the society will continue to grow and succeed. It has a strong foundation with dedicated members who all want the very best for the future.
From the 1970’s onwards the society staged many cabarets and revues at the Civic Theatre and The Gaumont Theatre as well as presenting the main production and I was happy to be involved. It was a pleasure to be asked to represent the society in Cabaret at the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) North East Conference, in Bridlington in 1968 and 1980. We had so much fun rehearsing the sketches, songs, jokes and routines. William J Owen, our producer for many years, had a great gift for writing alternative lyrics and parodies to well- known song tunes.
I look back and remember the great friends I’ve made and the amazing productions I’ve been involved in and I’ve enjoyed every thing I’ve done and yes, I’d do it all again given half a chance.
TONY LISTER – AMATEUR HISTORY
1954: Junior Membership, Annie Get Your Gun - Little Jake – Grand Theatre
1955: Junior Membership, King’s Rhapsody - The Boy King – Grand Theatre
1956 – 1958: Junior membership helping back stage
1959: Adult Membership, Carousel – Chorus - Grand Theatre
1960: Showboat - Pete - Grand Theatre
1961: King and I – Interpreter – Gaumont Theatre
1962: South Pacific – Commander William Harbison – Gaumont Theatre
1963: Flower Drum Song – Chorus – Gaumont Theatre
1964: Guys and Dolls – Lt Brannigan – Gaumont Theatre
1965: White Horse Inn – Karl – Gaumont Theatre
1966: Oklahoma! – Fred – Gaumont Theatre
1967: Brigadoon – Frank (Bartender) & dancer – Gaumont Theatre
1968: Oliver! Amateur Premiere – Chorus – Gaumont Theatre
1969: My Fair Lady – Jamie – Gaumont Theatre
1970: Merry Widow – Njegus – Gaumont Theatre
1971: The New Moon – Brunet – Gaumont Theatre
1972: The Dancing Years – Schani – Gaumont Theatre
1973: Fiddler on the Roof - Fyedka – Gaumont Theatre
1974: The Land of Smiles – Chi-Fu – Gaumont Theatre
1975: The King and I – Phra Alack – Gaumont Theatre
1976: South Pacific – Chorus – Gaumont Theatre
1977: Calamity Jane – Doc Pierce – Gaumont Theatre
1978: Oliver! – Mr. Bumble – Gaumont Theatre
1979: The Great Waltz – Hirsch – Gaumont Theatre
1979: The Sound of Music – Max Detweiler – Gaumont Theatre
1980: Kiss Me Kate – Hyram (Hortensio) – Gaumont Theatre
1981: The Merry Widow – Njegus – Gaumont Theatre
1982: Carousel – Enoch Snow – Gaumont Theatre
1983: Summer Song – Joe – Gaumont Theatre
1984: King’s Rhapsody – Vanescu – Gaumont Theatre
1984: The Sound of Music – Max Detweilwer – Gaumont Theatre
1985: The King and I – Phra Alack – Gaumont Theatre
1986: Robert and Elizabeth – Cpt Surtees Cook – Gaumont Theatre
1987: Kismet – Wazir of Police – Odeon Theatre
1988: Camelot – Sir Dinadan – Odeon Theatre
1989: Hans Andersen – Her Max Klaus – Odeon Theatre
1990: Fiddler on the Roof – Lazar Wolf – Odeon Theatre
1991: The Land of Smiles – Officer Wong Tao – Civic Theatre
1992: Pickwick – Tracy Tupman – Civic Theatre
1993: Gipsy Baron – Pali – Civic Theatre
1994: Die Fledermaus – Frank – Civic Theatre
1995: Hello Dolly – Rudolph – Civic Theatre
1996: Annie Get Your Gun – Chief Sitting Bull – Civic Theatre
1997: Pirates of Penzance –
1998: The Merry Widow – Baron Zeta - Civic Theatre
1998: The Gondoliers – Antonio – Civic Theatre
1999: Calamity Jane: Henry Miller – Civic Theatre
2000: Chess: Mayor of Merano – Civic Theatre
2001: Scrooge: Fezziwig – Civic Theatre
2002: A Night at the Music Hall – George Formby Tribute
2003: Pickwick – Mr Wardle – Civic Theatre
2004: Jesus Christ Superstar –
2005: Me and My Girl – Richard de Hareford – Civic Theatre
2006: No production
2007: Oklahoma! – Skidmore – Civic Theatre
2008: Carousel – Mr. Bascombe – Civic Theatre
2009: The King and I –
2010: Beauty and the Beast –
2011: Hot Mikado –
2012: West End Tonight
2013: No Production
2014: The Sound of Music – Baron Elberfeld – CAST Theatre