Tenor raises £1000 (Darlington & Stockton Times)

A grand performance! Gainford Drama Club raised more than £1.000 on Saturday when it presented a special charity performance of the comedy Lend Me a Tenor at the Academy Theatre In the village.

Written by Ken Ludwig and directed by club member John Robinson. the play follows the fortunes of Max (Paul lllingworth); an aspiring opera singer. in his bid to win the heart of his boss”s aloof daughter. Maggie (Claire Stow). She. however. is obsessed with the prospect of meeting the famous Italian tenor. Tito Merelli

Max”s hopes become increasingly thwarted on arrival of the temperamental maestro. played with gusto by Ian Hunter. and his argumentative wife (Joan White). An apparent tragedy leads to hilarious confusion and mistaken identity as Max is persuaded to masquerade as the opera star in a gala performance of Otello.

There is ample scope for the main characters to exhibit their vocal skills and the clever use of scenery adds to the enjoyment of the audience. There are fine performances from the supporting cast including Michael Sillars as Max”s boss. Viv Cordial as the ambitious co-starring soprano. Veronica Lowery as the opera guild chairman and Allan Jones. whose

comical interruptions as the hotel bellhop are a constant delight.

All money raised from the charity night is to be donated to the Friends of Richardson Hospital and the Princess Royal Trust in Barnard Castle.