The Barn Theatre, Southwick Community Centre
December 15, 16 & 17, 1955
The Christmas Story
Directed by
Rev Hugh Etherington
Cast
Ivor Reith – Angel
Betty Gedge – Mary
Ian Elliott – Joseph
Jean Porter – Hulda
Eileen Turley – 1st Neighbour
Diana Hubbard – 2nd Neighbour
Wendy Hart – 3rd Neighbour
Mary Gedge – Little Maid
Betty Carpenter – Madam
Marion Hughes – Kitchen Maid
Godfrey Evans – 1st Shepherd
Peter Carpenter – 2nd Shepherd
Derek Wass – 3rd Shepherd
Charles Randall – Hulda’s husband
Patrick Johnson – Melchior
Ralph Dawes – Caspar
David Edwards – Balshazar
Ross Workman – Servant
John Bulis – Villager
Pat Holloway – Attendant to the Wise Men
Judy Wilkey – Attendant to the Wise Men
Marion Twine – Attendant to the Wise Men
Production Crew
Stage Manager – Diane Topping
Lighting – Frank Hurrell
Effects – John Chatfield
Publicity #1: The Christmas Story
Publication: Shoreham Herald
Publication Data: December 9 1955 issue – page 6
Text: Header “Southwick play ‘perfect start’ to Christmas – Rector”
Text: Content
MINISTERS of several denominations, including the Rev. David Edwards [Congregational], the Rev. Ivor Reith [Methodist] and the Rev. Hugh Etherington [Rector of Southwick], as producer, are taking part in a play for three days next week at the Barn Theatre. The play, by Mrs Elizabeth Penney, will be presented by Young Wick Players in conjunction with Southwick Choral Society and local churches.
“It is called The Christmas Story,” Mrs Penney told a Herald reporter. “and its aim is to make people realise the real significance of Christmas. Most of the costumes were brought from the Holy Land by my husband’s uncle, and we are having stereoscopic sound to add to the impact of the angels and the Archangel Gabriel.”
To-day [Friday] the organ and other recordings are being made in the parish church. Writing of the play in his parish magazine, the Rector says, “We believe that this will prove the perfect beginning to the Christmas celebrations. There will be community carol singing in the interval.”
Toys, sweets and other gifts will be collected in the foyer for the Church of England Children’s Homes, to be distributed for Christmas.
Review #1: The Christmas Story
Publication: Shoreham Herald
Publication Data: December 23 1955 issue – page 9
Reviewer: H.T.C.
Text Header: “Her acting kept audience spellbound”
Text: Content
First-class acting by Betty Gedge was the outstanding feature of The Christmas Story, a Nativity play written by Mrs. Elizabeth Penney, of Southwick, and performed for the first time in the Barn Theatre last week. Betty’s portrayal of Mary, the Mother of Christ, kept the audience spellbound. Her deep serenity, perfect control and poise, and the obvious sincerity of her performance, set a high standard for amateurs. The play was presented by the Young Wick Players in conjunction with Southwick Choral Society and the local churches, and was produced by the Rector, the Rev. Hugh Etherington. Also taking part were two other local clergy, the Methodist Minister, the Rev. Ivor Reith [Angel] and the Congregational Minister, the Rev. David Edwards [Balshazar].
Apart from being a highly successful production, the performance was yet another encouraging example of Southwick’s enterprising community spirit.
As for the play itself, Mrs. Penney’s sympathetic treatment of the old and tried favourite of generations was received with acclaim. Although it seemed a little long-drawn in one or two scenes, this did not greatly detract from the general effect. She treated the subject robustly, yet with reverence, and on occasion showed herself capable of a neat turn of phrase. Mr. Etherington employed several unusual and effective stratagems to gain the full effect. By using a loudspeaker centrally placed in the hall and hung from the rafters, the heavenly voices were projected throughout the auditorium most realistically. Careful lighting, too, arranged by Frank Hurrell, was most telling in the first and last scenes when used to simulate the glow emanating from Mary and her Child.
The cast of 22 seemed to realise the depth of their parts and played accordingly, with an overall pleasing effect. There were flaws, but offset against the whole, they paled into insignificance.
Review #2: The Christmas Story
Publication: West Susex Gazette & South of England Advertiser
Publication Data: December 22 1955 : page 8
Reviewer: Unknown
Text Header: “Costumes from Jerusalem”
Text: Content
Three ministers of different denominations were involved in a specially written Nativity Play produced by the Young Wick Players in conjunction with the Southwick Choral Society and local churches In the Barn Theatre last Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
“The Christmas Story”, written by Mrs. Elizabeth Penney, was produced by the Rector, the Rev. Hugh Etherington, and among them taking part were the Rev. David Edwards, Congregational, and the Rev. Ivor Reith, Methodist ministers.
Music and singing were delightfully appropriate, and the whole production fully realised what It was aimed to do – to bring home in its simplicity the spirit of the first Christmas and Its message for all generations.
To add to the beauty of the play, many of the costumes were the genuine article, having been brought from Jerusalem.
During the interval there was community carol singing.
Review #3: The Christmas Story
Publication: Unknown
Publication Data: Unknown
Reviewer: Unknown
Text Header: “New Nativity play was in free verse”
Text: Content
The Christmas Story, a new Nativity play, was presented at the Barn Theatre, Southwick by the Young Wick Players. Augmenting the cast were members of three local churches and recorded music was sung by the Southwick Choral Society. The production, directed by the Rev. Hugh Etherington, was notable for its attention to detail: authentic costumes from the east, imaginative lighting [by Frank Hurrell], and sound effects [by John Chatfield] greatly enhanced the piece.
A first full-length play by Southwick authoress Elizabeth Penney, The Christmas Story, was in free verse. The first scene and last act particularly had beauty and sincerity in dialogue and acting. Outstanding Performances came from Betty Gedge, who gave a sensitive portrayal of the Virgin Mary. Mary Gedge, a natural and convincing little servant at the inn, and Patrick Johnson who, with his excellent diction and demeanour, created a notable Melchior [one of the Three Wise Men]. The other two Caspar and Balshazar, were admirably played by Ralph Dawes and David Edwards. Betty Carpenter gave a moving performance as the intolerant proprietress of the inn who later repents. Ivor Reith was well chosen for the Angel and Ian Elliott, although a little hesitant, gave a sympathetic study of Joseph. Charles Randall contributed a neat characterisation of the old man philosophising with the shepherds. Jean Porter provided a lighter note as Hulda and Diana Hubbard, as a neighbour, spoke her lines with clarity.
