Trelawny of the ‘Wells’

Review #1: Trelawny of the ‘Wells’
Publication: Shoreham Herald
Publication Data: October 5 1973 issue – page 2
Reviewer: Harry Patterson
Text Header: “Producer is the star of Trelawny”
Text: Content

FRANCES MOULTON first saw Trelawny of the Wells as a child and her interest in drama stems from that time. The desire to direct Pinero’s comedietta has long been her ambition and, as in most longstanding ambitions, confidence tends to disappear when the moment of truth arrives.

Whatever thoughts went through Frances Moulton’s mind as to whether she had done justice to the delightful Trelawny must have been banished after the first night of the Wick Theatre Company’s production of it. Her direction could hardly be faulted. The Barn Theatre has a relatively small stage and anyone who can direct 12 people on that stage at one time without making it seem overcrowded deserves a bouquet. But it was not only that conjuring trick that points to the director being the star. The movement of the play throughout the four acts and four scene changes was fluid and never detracted from some amusing and poignant lines.

The play, set in Victorian times, follows the fortunes of Rose Trelawny, a star of the Bagnigge-Wells Theatre Company, her love of Arthur Gower, grandson of Vice-Chancellor Sir William Gower [Ralph Dawes], and her acting friends. It is a gentle and amusing play that boasts no villains, but a host of characters. There is a beginning, middle and end and no hidden message. There is no need to wrack your brains, just sit back and enjoy a charming story as it unfolds before you.

As with the direction of the play it is difficult to fault the players. There is such a varied type of character that everyone tends to pick a favourite and Tom Wrench [played by Barrie Bowen], the kind, budding playwright and actor who is so obviously in love with Rose, will fit the bill for many. Rose has a difficult part, having to be virtually three different people, but making sure the transition from one to the other is smooth and almost unnoticeable. Hilary Wiltshire manages well.

There are two more performances of Trelawny of the Wells, tonight [Friday] and tomorrow. It is well worth a visit.

Review #2: Trelawny of the ‘Wells’
Publication: Brighton & Hove Gazette
Publication Data: Unknown
Reviewer: Walter Hix
Text: Content

Trelawny of the Wells presented by the Wick Theatre Company at the Barn Theatre, Southwick, is a colourful, pleasing play. It has charm, is quietly amusing and there isn’t a “message” to be seen.

Rose Trelawny, beautifully played by Hilary Wiltshire, is a star performer in the theatrical company run by Mr and Mrs Telfer. The near-aristocratic Arthur Gower woos and wins her, but the stern disapproval of his family, the iron Vice-Chancellor Sir William Gower and his sister Miss Trafalgar Gower, causes the romance to take an unexpected turn, but of course all ends happily.

There are some excellent performances from Brian Moulton as James Telfer, actor of the old school applying the style and declamatoire to his every utterance, and from Betty Dawes as his devoted and practical wife. Neil Shephard and Alison Lee are Ferdinand Gadd and Avenia Bunn, Later Mrs Gadd. Tom Wrench, who ultimately writes his successful play, is Barrie Bowen. The comedian of the company, Augustus Colpoys, is Nikki Le Roy. Imogen Parrott, formerly of the Telfer company but now a leading player with the Royal Olympic Theatre, is Miranda Bowen.

Other ‘theatricals’ are Alan Upton, Helena Dryzyga, Roy Roberts, Bill Mack and Michael Donkin. Ralph Dawes gives a firm characterisation of Sir William Gower, with Mary Payne as his sister. Roger Job has the part of Arthur Gower, and he makes him a very likeable young man who rebels against the discipline imposed by his grandfather.