Charity Night, Masonic Hall, Inchinnan.
Friday 23 March 2012
8pm til Midnight
ZigZag Pop 'N' Rock Choir
Hans Anderson was performed by EROS (East Renfrewshire Operatic Society) Monday 20 February - Saturday 25 February 1995. Below is an introduction to the show performed from the programme produced by EROS.
The opening scene of Act I is set in Odense, Hans' birghplace, while he is still a boy working as a showemaker. His own education has been neglected, but he has a fund of stories with which he entertains the local school children often making them late for school. Rector Meisling the schoolmaster is naturally very annoyed at this state of affairs and when he and his wiefe learn that Hans has ambitions as a writer, they openly scoff at him because of his lack of education - saying "how can he write when he cannot even spell."
Otto Pedersen a musician, with a show needing mending, persuades Hans to go with him to the Opera House where Jenny Lind is rehearsing. Otto introduces them and the singer tries to help Hans; however her manager Max Klaus dismisses his attempst to write. Jenny tells him he must complete his education, under her spell and helped by the governor of Odense, Col. Guldberg, Hans returns to the school. Once again he is harassed by Rector Meisling, but he works hard and after school tells his stories to the school children. The school master's wife Louise falls in love with the stories and listens spellbound to Hans, much to the annoyance of her husband. Otto arrives in time to avert more disaster and announces he is taking Hans to Copenhagen. Rector Meisling protests but after a spelling test at which Hans is successful he has to let him go. So Hans leaves Odense with Otto to set off for fame and fortune in Copenhagen.
Act 2. opens in the street of the Booksellers in Copenhagen where Hans is trying to interest the publishers in his work. Once again he is unsuccessful and as he and Otto become more and more hungry, Otto takes desperate measures and they land in jail. Here again Hans' stories and songs lift their spirits. They hear that Jenny Lind has returned from America and is asking for Hans; they are released and go to a reception in her honour at Max Klaus' home. Hans tells of his latest work, but again it is ridiculed, he is left alone and he consoles himself by singing his stories to the little serving girls. Jenny returns and hearing him realises these stories are where his genius lies, she encourages him and as Hans' mind starts to conjure up all his stories they appear in his imagination.
Jenny is right and finally Hans is successful, publishing the books of his stories. Eventually he is summoned to the castle of Kronberg to appear before the King of Denmark. He has realised that his love for Jenny is not returned and he would prefer to leave but Otto persuades him to go to the castle. Everyone is there and as he has promised Hans has a new story to entertain the King. The King is delighted, much to everyone's surprise, and congratulates and honours Hans. At last recognition and fame, if not happiness, have come to Hans Anderson.
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