MORE than 150 people were involved in the production of The Pirates of Penzance staged at Peers School, in Littlemore, Oxford, in 1973.

Our picture of one of the seven policemen being given a touch of make-up before the show (Memory Lane, February 16) prompted a response from Leslie Perrem, the musical director and associate producer of the show.

Mr Perrem, of Leys Road, Cumnor, writes: “I remember it as a happy production.

“It is always a pleasant surprise when, in the course of auditioning, an exceptional voice is heard.

“Jane Beal, who sang the role of Mabel, had such a voice.

“I wonder if she continued singing after leaving Peers.

“I am still in touch with some of the staff who were involved.

“Frank Harrison, our Pirate King, was recently spotted on BBC4 in one of the Wainright‘s Walks programmes.

“I hope you hear from other cast members.“ Mr Perrem has sent in a copy of the programme, the front of which is reproduced here.

Judging by the number of people listed on its pages, it must have been a mammoth task to put on such a production.

Apart from the main characters, the cast included an army of pirates, numerous daughters of the Major-General and their companions and maids as well as the policemen we featured previously.

Then, of course, there was the huge back-up crew of stage managers, lighting technicians, scene builders, wardrobe assistants, front-of-house staff and make-up artists.

Finally, there was the full Oxford Studio Orchestra, founded and conducted by Mr Perrem.

Peers School wasn’t the only one to produce the Gilbert and Sullivan light opera.

Tony Davies, of Wallingford, has sent in a picture of the cast who took part in another production of the popular show at Temple Cowley School in Oxford in 1957.

He writes: “What a great bunch of school friends they were. I hope a few people will remember those fun days.”

Any more memories of the two shows? Write and let us know.