If I Can't Open...I'm Not Closing!

By Richard Thornton

A sometimes humorous account of his experiences in the musical theatre and family life growing up in South Africa.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press UK
• Release date: Jan 28, 2020
• ISBN: 9781982281137

Richard Thornton

He was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he was involved in the musical theatre from a young age and has produced many shows. He studied dance under the late Geoffrey Sutherland, and he has produced, directed and choreographed many shows for charity. He has traveled to Europe with his troupe and has visited many countries in his lifetime. He now resides in Colwyn Bay North Wales where he patronizes the local arts.

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Copyright © 2020 Richard Thornton.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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The author of this book does not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for physical, emotional, or medical problems without the advice of a physician, either directly or indirectly. The intent of the author is only to offer information of a general nature to help you in your quest for emotional and spiritual well-being. In the event you use any of the information in this book for yourself, which is your constitutional right, the author and the publisher assume no responsibility for your actions.

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ISBN: 978-1-9822-8112-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9822-8113-7 (e)

Balboa Press rev. date: 01/27/2020

Contents

Overture

Scene 1 Cleopatra on a Merry-go-round

Scene 2 Catwalk Caper

Scene 3 Spirits in a submarine Pub

Scene 4 The Mediterranean Meander

Scene 5 Lights, Camera, Action!

Scene 6 All that Jazz

Finale

Acknowledgements

Stephen Moss-Ennis for his patience and typing

skills while I dictated the book to him and also his

good ideas and formatting skills on this book.

This book is dedicated to all the wonderful people who

played key roles in the extravaganza that has been my life.

Martin Austin for his guidance and invaluable

advice and me getting it done.

Cover designed by Jacques Thornton.

Overture

A s I sit here surrounded by these beautiful Welsh mountains, this peaceful countryside, I can’t help but think about my life in the theatre.

I was born to an artistic family. I was named after my father, Richard, who was born in Liverpool. He joined the Royal Merchant Navy as a chippy, and travelled the world as a part of the job. He finally settled in South Africa at the end of World War II. He was a terrific singer with an operatic tenor voice. Once,