OPS Productions 1964 - Jan of Windmill Land!

[Diana Rudd (Boehme)]

Soetkoek was in 1968. I was in Std 4.

[bobbysmith]

no mike,it was my other sister kathleen,aka ,kk, or as my sis was  known in om ,kay smith

[Michael Alexander]

Ooops, sorry about that, much thanks anyhow....

[Ricky Barron (RIP)]

Wow, talk about memories! I have been meaning to ask you to see what you could find regarding this operetta, and here it is. my murky memory tells me it was 1965, but it might have been 1964. I do have a problem though, and seeing that you seem to be able to solve all problems, hopefully you can help! As you might have noticed, the lead roles were played by 2 different people. Steven Tooke and myself played Jan, the title role, and alternated for, I believe, four shows. My problem is this - The day the photos were taken, Steven was playing Jan, and the following day, when I was Jan, they filmed the show! We never got to see the filmed version, hence my thinking it was '65, as I was off to high school in '66. It would be absolutely incredible if the film was lying around full of dust and cobwebs, and you and your army of intrepid sleuths could find it. My daughter refuses to believe that I starred in a full length operetta/movie as I have no proof!
Please help!!
Regards,
Ricky Barron.

[Michael Alexander]

Wow ! Who made the film? School or COmpany? Private person? How many other performances were filmed?

[Ricky Barron (RIP)]

Good morning Mike,
Unfortunately I can't answer any of those questions, I was only 12 at the time! I'm not quite sure what you mean by "how many other performances were filmed", but as far as this production was concerned, only the one. Pepe refers to "the shoot being sent around the world", but unless my agent was on the take, no contracts for bigger and better roles were forthcoming!
Regards, Ricky.

[Michael Alexander]

I will have a wee word with ol' Dieter Meyer, The School Principal.... see if he knows anything....

[Paul (Pepe) Freemantle]

@ Mike, I just had a good old long chat with Ricky Baron. We discussed the Jan of Windmill Land Topic as we both took part in it. It was in agreement that it took place in 1965. Ricky missed watching the film as he had left to boarding school in 1966 and I was the year after. We watched the play in the auditorium and were told that they were sending the film to schools around the world. If that ever materialsied I will never know. It will be great if you can locate the film and put it on CD.

Regards,

Pepe.

[Ann Gander (nee Greenway)]

Wow!  I agree with Ricky - what a trip down memory lane.  I must study these photos.  Would you believe I still have a copy of the script.  It was definitely 1965 and I played the role of Alice.  I had no idea it was filmed and all these piccies taken!

[Richard Opperman]

Hi Mike,

It could have been the Mr. Vermuelen who used to take all the school photographs in the 60s or someone he knew?

I wonder if anyone on the site knows of his where abouts or maybe his family members because he must be in his late 70s now.

He must have many good memory shots!

Keep well.
Richard