Record

Performance Title'Seascape' on Behalf of King George's Fund for Sailors, in aid of the Dependants of the Officers and Men of the British and Allied Navies and Merchant Navies
Performance Date12 September 1943
Performance DaySunday
Performance Time14:30
Main PerformersNancy Evans,
Edith Evans (Queen Elizabeth I),
Dennis Noble,
Heddle Nash,
Evelyn Laye,
Gracie Fields - vocals

Flight-Lt. Herbert Dawson - organ,

Edith Evans,
Robert Speaight,
Walter Hudd,
Lt. Commander Ralph Richardson - speakers
Secondary PerformersIvor Newton - piano
Orchestra or BandMassed Orchestras,
Royal Marines Bugles and Drums,
Royal Marines Orchestra
ChoirsChorus of Naval Ratings from HMS Collingwood and the Women's Royal Naval Service (Portsmouth Command)
ConductorsLieutenant T Francis,
Constant Lambert,
Bugle-Major E B Astle,
Captain F Vivian Dunn
Set ListFormal Entry of Bands and Orchestras 'Sambre Et Meuse', Ganne,
Introductory Recitation - 'They That Go Down to the Sea in the Ships (Psalm 107, Verses 23-30)' (Lt. Commander Ralph Richardson),
Prelude, 'Tempest', Sibelius,
'Sabbath Morn At Sea', Elgar (Nancy Evans, Orchestra),
A Message and a Prayer: A Queen and a Prime Minister both interpret naval history for a sea scout (Ralph Richardson, Robert Speaight, Edith Evans),
'The Earl of Oxford's March', Byrd,
'Drake's Drum', Stanford (Dennis Noble, Chorus, Orchestra),
A Founder of the Navy: Mr Samuel Pepys,
Extract, 'The Founder of the Navy', Arthur Bryant (Ralph Richardson),
Sea Songs: 'Admiral Benbow' (Somerset Folk Song), arr. C J Sharp (Dennis Noble, Chorus, Orchestra),
'Heart of Oak', Dibdin, (Dennis Noble, Chorus, Orchestra),
Greatest Hero of Them All: An Account of Nelson's Departure On His Last Voyage', Southey (Ralph Richardson),
Prayer Before Victory - 'Last Entries in Nelson's Diary', Nelson (Walter Hudd),
Waiting For News: All Europe waits whilst the future of England and the world is decided, Clemence Dane (Edith Evans),
'The Death of Nelson', Braham (Heddle Nash, Orchestra),
Funeral of a Hero: An historical account of the ceremonial interment of Horatio, Lord Nelson, in St. Paul's Cathedral, January 9th 1806, followed by the singing of the anthem that was used upon the occasion:
'Their Bodies are Buried in Peace (Funeral Ode for Queen Caroline)', Handel (Ralph Richardson, Chorus, Orchestra),
'The Last Post' and 'Reveille' (Royal Marine Buglers),
'These Splendid Ships', Masefield (Ralph Richardson)
Sea Shanties: 'Rio Grande', arr. Terry; 'Shenandoah', arr. Dunn; 'A-Rovin', arr. Sampson; 'What Shall We Do With A Drunken Sailor?', arr. Sampson (Dennis Noble, Vic-Wells Ballet Members, Gordon Hamilton, Anthony Burke, Leslie Edward, Ray Powell, Franklyn White, David Paltenghi, Chorus, Orchestra),
'Maiden Immortal', Swinburne (Ralph Richardson),
The King's Navee: In the long years of unchallenged supremacy after Trafalgar the Navy enjoyed the well earned affection of grateful nation. This is recorded in many popular songs of those days: 'Edwardian Medley' (Evelyn Laye, Naval Chorus, Orchestra),
World Crisis: The long years of Nelsons peace are over; and in the First World War our comand of the seas is challenged once again. But the Navy is prepared:
'The Cruise of The ''Nona'', Belloc (Ralph Richardson, Robert Speaight),
Three Movements - 'Merchant Seamen Suite', Constant Lambert (Orchestra),
Second World War: Once again the challenge; once again the reply from the seamen of Britain; once again the little ships defend our shores and rescue our men as they did 'in days of long ago':
'The Little Ships': A BBC postscript, Priestley (Ralph Richardson),
Selection, 'Sea Songs', Vaughan Williams (The Royal Marines Orchestra),
Rest After Battle: ENSA concert parties visit ships of the Royal Navy after enegagements with the enemy; they always receive a Naval welcome. On this particular occassion the party includes (Gracie Fields),
'England', Parry (Heddle Nash, Chorus, Orchestra),
'Rule Britannia', Arne, arr. Sargent (Nancy Evans, Gracie Fields, Heddle Nash, Dennis Noble, Chorus, Orchestra),
'God Save the King' (The National Anthem)
Performance NotesA concert anthology in praise of British seamen devised and produced by Basil Dean (Director of National Service Entertainment). The spoken passages selected by Arthur Bryant.

Dr George Talben-Ball was indisposed for the event and Flight-Lt. Herbert Dawson played the organ in his place.

London premiere of 'Merchant Seamen Suite' by Constant Lambert.
Related Archival MaterialProgramme (RAHE/1/1943/116)
Catalogue
Reference NumberTitleDate
RAHE/1/1943/116ENSA presents 'Seascape' on behalf of King George's Fund For Sailors12 September 1943
Work
Ref NoTitleNo of Performances
Aimafoigubifom'Seascape' on Behalf of King George's Fund for Sailors, in aid of the Dependants of the Officers and Men of the British and Allied Navies and Merchant Navies2
Performers
CodeName of Performer(s)
DS/UK/2718Evans; Nancy (1915-2000); OBE; English mezzo-soprano
DS/UK/2689Noble; Dennis (1898-1966); British baritone, teacher
DS/UK/1360Nash; William 'Heddle' (1894-1961); English tenor
DS/UK/6331Laye; Evelyn (1900-1996); CBE; British actress
DS/UK/1520Fields; Dame; Gracie (1898-1979); DBE; English actress, singer, comedienne
DS/UK/2452Dawson; Herbert (fl 1914-1930s); English organist
DS/UK/1208Newton; Ivor (1892-1981); CBE; English pianist
DS/UK/590The Royal Marines School of Music; Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, Plymouth; British military band
DS/UK/6419Lambert; Leonard Constant (1905-1951); British composer, conductor
DS/UK/6483Dunn; Sir; Francis Vivian (1908-1995); KCVO OBE FRSA; Music director, conductor
DS/UK/4167Evans; Dame; Edith Mary (1888-1976); British actress
DS/UK/6596Richardson; Ralph David (1902-1983); English actor
DS/UK/6670Hudd; Walter (1897-1963); British actor
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