by J. B. Priestley
Review #1:
Publication: Shoreham Herald
Publication Data: June 1 1956 issue – page 5
Text Header: ‘Pleasant’ evening from drama group entries
Text: Content
“I have enjoyed a pleasant and agreeable evening, and that, in my opinion, is much more important than any individual criticism,” said Mr W. H. Gordon of Bognor Regis Training College, when he gave his adjudication of the drama group entries on Saturday night.
Of the first play, The Charwoman’s Daughter, Philip Johnson, presented by Southwick Townswomen’s Guild Players, Mr Gordon thought the play itself was a handicap to the players, and that the social situation portrayed was over and done with. Mr Gordon said the play required much more skill to make anything of it, and that the scene should be opulent and in bad taste, “so obviously the producer was confronted with a formidable task when borrowing the stage props.”
Sensitive
Dorothy Stevens, he said, gave a sensitive performance. The cast consisted of, Charles Randall, Molly Randall, Irene Read, Sidney Mitchell, Dorothy Stevens and Joan Corney.
Kingston Women’s Institute’s entry by their drama section, The Silent Enemy, Howard Agg, had a good opening, said Mr Gordon and in spite of the faults of the play, which tailed off at the end, the players made a good shot at dealing with it. He commended the simple setting of the play and added. “There was very good playing indeed from the girl having the spell cast upon her. ” Those taking part were Ivy Obourne, Freda Hewlett, May Gedge and Mary Gedge. The producer was Peggy Corte.
The Southwick Players were commended on their simple but effective set, excellent make-up and natural dialogue in J. B. Priestley’s The Rose and Crown. The Players showed good acting and, when necessary, good listening, especially by Venetia Baker. Mr Gordon said the cast was a well-balanced team of actors – all were very good indeed. The play was produced by John Deall and the players were; Edmund Andrew, Venetia Baker, Jack Wingfield, Iris Page, Peggy Deall, George Baker and Edward Hood.
Of the prize-winning entry by The Young Wick Players, Great Catherine, George Bernard Shaw, Mr Gordon said considerable imagination had been brought to bear in the setting, and although the costumes might not have satisfied Drury-lane, they were most effective. The play was written as a lively frolic, and was played as such, he said. The speed and action of the plot were well maintained and were convincing.
Non-Competitive
This performance was produced by Elizabeth Penney and a cast comprising Ralph Dawes, Pat Holloway, Ross Workman, Patrick Johnson, Adrian Hedges, Francis Moulton, Betty Gedge, Betty Carpenter, Kenneth Wilson, Ian Elliott.
In the first and second parts of the evening’s entertainment, the plays were separated by two non-competitive items by Kingston Women’s Institute Choir, under their conductor Mrs F. Gaunlett; and by Southwick Townswomen’s Guild Choir, conducted by Mrs W. Adfield. Each choir sang two songs.
