Musical role for three generations (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Musical role for three generations

HMS Pinafore three generations - grandmother, mother and granddaughter.BEHIND every good woman is another or, in Nicola Burgess's case, two.

When she steps on board HMS Pinafore as leading lady in May for Salisbury Amateur Operatic Society's production at the City Hall, she will have mother Camilla Burgess and grandmother Helen Lumsden to back her up in the chorus.

Nicola (25) plays captain's daughter Josephine, in what will be her first starring role for the society, and it is the first time that all three generations have appeared together in a musical, although Camilla and Helen have had their share of the spotlight in the past.

Camilla (55) has featured in many of the company's productions since joining at the age of 16, and two years ago directed The Merry Widow.

She and Helen have even played sisters in Brigadoon.

Helen joined the society in 1963 for Oklahoma!, the first show it staged at the City Hall, when she played Laurey.

Since then, she has played many leading roles for the society, including Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, Magnolia in Showboat, Elsie in Yeoman of the Guard and the title role in La Belle Helene.

"I loved playing Eliza," she said.

"Not only do you have lovely songs to sing but the dialogue is wonderful - but really, I've enjoyed it all.

"There are times when you don't always get the parts you want but sometimes you do a lot more running on and off in the chorus, and it's such fun."

Now, at 77, she says HMS Pinafore might be her swan song.

"But I keep saying that. I don't think I'll go away completely," she said.

Helen began her acting career as a professional, meeting her late husband, actor and writer Geoffrey Lumsden, when she was in rep in Dundee.

The family moved to Wiltshire when Geoffrey's career brought him to Salisbury Playhouse and daughter Camilla also trained for the professional theatre.

Now the family has a new star taking centre-stage, but the family advice is to stick with amdram.

"Nicky has a lovely voice," said her proud grandmother.

"But going professional takes such dedication and hard work - you can have so much more fun with the amateurs."

HMS Pinafore will be staged at Salisbury City Hall from May 12 to May 15.