LOUISE GOLD . . . By Appointment

Louise Gold starred in the title role, as herself, at The Jermyn Street Theatre, Between 16 to 21 December 2002, in a ‘Short Version’ as Lauderdale House on 20 November 2005, and again in the ‘Short Version’ at Norden Farm Centre For The Arts on 29 March 2008.

This is a show in which a very versatile performer combines musicals and puppetry, the star herself has described it as follows::

“But the puppets are an added bonus in a cabaret that brings them together with the musicals side of my career. So it’s mainly me singing songs - from Cole Porter to Gilbert and Sullivan, with an added touch of spice.” Louise Gold to In the Ch@t Room, WHAT’S ON, 11 - 18 December 2002

Some three years later, she described the show’s content as:

“It’s a mix of stuff. Songs I suppose that I always wanted to sing” Louise Gold to Alex Kasriel, ENFIELD INDEPENDENT

Cast

The Jermyn Street Theatre (16 to 21 December 2002)

Performer - Louise Gold

Pianist - Jason Carr

Cabaret in Lauderdale House (20 November 2005) - Short Version

Master Of Ceremonies - Valerie Cutko

MC’s Pianist - Stephen Hose

First Half’s Performer - Robert Archibald

First Half’s Pianist - Verity Quade

Second Half’s Performer - Louise Gold

Second Half’s Pianist - Jason Carr

James Church Presents Cabaret Night, Norden Farm Centre For The Arts (29 March 2008) - Short Version

Host – James Church

First Half (supporting)’s Performers – Ryan Stevens, and, Andrea Tushingham

First Half’s Pianist – James Church

Second Half’s Performer - Louise Gold

Second Half’s Pianist - Jason Carr

Second half, Helping Out – Nigel Plaskitt

Production Team

The Jermyn Street Theatre (16 to 21 December 2002)

Director - Nigel Plaskitt

Puppet-builder (A Baby and Binkie)- Paul Jomain

“The Queen” by Peter Fluck and Roger Law

Lighting - Phil S Hunter

Publicity and Marketing - Kevin Wilson and Mark White

Publicity Photos - Robert Workman

Thanks To - Richard Bennet

Cabaret in Lauderdale House (20 November 2005) - Short Version

Director - Nigel Plaskitt

Puppet-builder (Binkie)- Paul Jomain

“The Queen” by Peter Fluck and Roger Law

Producers - Katherine Ives, and, Tim McArthur of Trilby Productions

James Church Presents Cabaret Night, Norden Farm Centre For The Arts (29 March 2008) - Short Version

Producer – James Church

Director - Nigel Plaskitt

Puppet-builder (Binkie)- Paul Jomain

“The Queen” by Peter Fluck and Roger Law

Click here for a Review/Account of The Jermyn Street Theatre performance of 16 to 21 December 2002.

Click here for a Review/Account of the ‘short version’ of the show at Lauderdale House on 20 November 2005.

Click here for a Review/Account of the ‘short version’ of the show at Norden Farm (Maidenhead) on 29 March 2008.

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Parts of this show were tried out earlier in 2002, see, “Louise Gold Sings Some Nice Songs” , including two performances as Lauderdale House.

The following musical numbers appeared The Muppet Show as follows:

It’s A Small World, music and lyrics by Richard M Sherman and Robert B Sherman, in Season III, Episode 65, guest star Spike Milligan. Number sung by Spike Milligan and The Muppets

The Girlfriend Of The Whirling Dervish, music by Harry Warren, lyrics by Al Dubin and Johnny Mercer, in Season V, Episode 114, guest star Marty Feldman. Number is the UK skit (and so not included in all editions of the show). Number was sung by Arab Guy and some belly dancers, with comments from Stadler and Waldorf.

Hawaiian War Chant, music by Johnny Noble and Prince Leleioshaku, lyrics by Ralph Reed, in Season III, Episode 68, guest star Sylvester Stallone. Number was sung by: Pigs, Birds, Penguins, Animal & a coconut throwing chimp, with comments from Stadler and Waldorf.

Tico Tico, music by Zequinha Abreu, lyrics by Ervin Drake, in Season III, Episode 54, guest star Jean Stapleton. Number was sung by Annie Sue Pig (in other words Miss Louise Gold herself) and The Pigs, with comments by Stadler and Waldorf.

In the show, during the performances in December 2002 at The Jermyn Street Theatre, Ms Gold actually mentions that when they were putting the show together they realised she had been in the business for nearly 30 years. In fact, the day after the December 2002 run at Jermyn Street, it was actually 29 years to the day that Ms Gold made her professional debut in Dick Whittington.

Louise Gold has performed Children Will Listen in a similar manner to the way she does it in this show in a Sondheim gala called Happily Ever After.

Nigel Plaskitt is a well known puppeteer, who has worked with Louise Gold many times in that capacity. They headed the puppeteering team on Spitting Image; and have also puppeteered together for Henson’s: for television on: Tale Of The Bunny Picnic, The Secret Life Of Toys, and, Mopatop’s Shop. And for films: The Muppet Christmas Carol (which had a score by Paul Williams), Muppet Treasure Island, and, Alice In Wonderland.

Nigel Plaskitt and Louise Gold also puppeteered on The Spooks Of Bottle Bay, and Mopatop’s Shop, for which Paul Jomain built some of the puppets.

Nigel Plaskitt also puppeteered on Labyrinth, the accompanying promotional video footage for the album Spit In Your Ear, and The Animal Show.

Nigel Plaskitt also directed the pilot episode of Space Sprogs, on which Louise Gold puppeteered.

Jason Carr has accompanied Louise Gold in such shows as: Broadway To Brighton, Noel/Cole: Let’s Do It, Oh Kay, A Lost Musicals Occasion, and, Final Chic Cabaret 2003 , he also worked on Chicago & Company, A Time To Start Living , 110 In The Shade, and, One Touch Of Venus (2000 Production). He also arranged and accompanied much of the album Noel/Cole: Let’s Do It (Recording). Louise Gold starred in the inaugural production of Jason Carr’s musical The Water Babies.

Louise Gold, accompanied by Jason Carr sings The Sun Whose Rays on the album Defiant Dames

Having sung It’s A Small World on The Muppet Show and in her cabaret act, Louise Gold has gone on to appear in the Richard M Sherman and Robert B Sherman musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

A performance of the show originally scheduled for 26 September 2003, was cancelled, when Louise Gold got the job of taking over from Cheryl Campbell in Noises Off.

Tim McArthur and Katherine Ives at Trilby Productions had previously organised the Dress Circle Grand Reopening.

Tim McArthur interviewed Louise Gold on the radio on Tim McArthur Interview.

Louise Gold and Jason Carr guested together on Dead By 12, which is produced by Tim McArthur and Katherine Ives at Trilby Productions.

Actress-puppeteer Louise Gold also put her puppetry skills to good use, as a surprise special guest, in a FUNdraising gala featuring The Company Of Mary Poppins.

The supporting act for the performance on 29 March 2008 included Ryan Stevens, whose stage credits also include a bit of puppeteering, for Sesame Street Live.

The show was also reviewed The Sondheim Society’s Newsletter (But The Webmaster feels it would be inappropriate to quote an excerpt from that review here).

The review in The Stage (extract below) was as a whole so brilliant that a mere excerpt, such as the one included below, can’t do it justice, it is far better to go and read it on the show’s official site.

Critics Comments

“The way she wraps her tongue round the increasingly complex rhymes in Cole Porter’s Can Can, from caravan to Afghanistan to Anglican, suggests true dedication” ..... “There is a likeable self-mocking ring to Kander anmd Ebb’s I Told You So” ... “This is an eclectic little production, as smart as the shirt shops nearby” Bruce Dessau, THE EVENING STANDARD, Wednesday 18 December 2002

“She reveals hitherto untapped resources of warmth and subtlety, light and shade. When pitched accurately and matched to the right material there is even a lilting and lyrical loveliness to her vocal tones that surprises. .... She also connects beautifully with Rainbow Connection and Sondheim’s Children Will Listen. ... Kander and Ebb’s Class has never sounded like this, been funnier or more impertinent. Next time Gold is in town, be sure to make an appointment.” Mark Shenton, THE STAGE, 16 January 2003

Links about Louise Gold ... By Appointment

Official Show Site for LOUISE GOLD...BY APPOINTMENT: http://www.louisegold.com/ - This is the official show site for Louise Gold’s cabaret act. It also includes the newspaper reviews from The Evening Standard and The Stage.

Mistress Of Puppets, Enfield Independent’s interview with Louise Gold: http://www.enfieldindependent.co.uk/display.var.653310.0.mistress_of_puppets.php

Lauderdale House, Official Site: http://www.lauderdalehouse.co.uk/default.asp

Theatre Radio’s interview with Louise Gold http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/news/display?contentId=88986

Whats On Stage: http://www.whatsonstage.com/dl/page.php?page=details&id=T1444122453

London Theatre What’s On: http://www.londontheatre.co.uk/londontheatre/whatson/og-o.htm

IndieLondon website: http://www.indielondon.co.uk/theatre/t_louisegold_appointment_prev.htm

Theatrenow.Com ‘s listing (includes a photo of the star, with a funny expression on her face): http://www.theatrenow.com/asp/site/show.asp?id=1501

London Theatre Guide: http://www.londontheatre.co.uk/cgi-bin/databasescripts/searchsingleshow.cgi?file=database.exm&4_option=3&4=LOUISE&0_option=3&0=jermyn

Paul Jormain: Model’s Puppets And Props (includes a photograph of Binkie): http://www.pauljomain.biz/

Defiant Dames CD: http://www.defiantdames.info/

Cahoots Theatre Company (were going to produce some incarnations of this show): http://www.cahootstheatre.co.uk/

Norden Farm Centre For The Art’s: http://www.nordenfarm.org/ in particular: http://www.nordenfarm.org/?nfs=zb32DNwQfd&tmpl=event&e_id=4206&es_dspl=0&es_title=March&es_str=2008-03-01

Arts Archive’s entry for the show: http://www.arts-archive.co.uk/index.php?pg=12&action=work&genre=3&gname=Cabaret&wid=S1187484964

Return To Site Guide | Return To Cabaret Appearances | Review of LOUISE GOLD . . . By Appointment | Review Of Cabaret In Lauderdale House (November 2005) | Review Of James Church Presents Cabaret Night | “Louise Gold Sings Some Nice Songs” | Forthcoming Performances of LOUISE GOLD ... By Appointment |