FM wrote “I have enjoyed directing this play for many reasons, but mostly because of the tremendous help and support I have had from the young members in the cast, some of whom have given a great deal of their time in designing and building scenery. I have found it very rewarding in this day, when we are constantly being bombarded by juvenile hooliganism, to be privileged in seeing the other side of today’s youth. I would like to take this opportunity of publicly thanking them.
I first read Where the Rainbow Ends, as a small child and like most children, forgot it. When I was asked to direct it for the Wick Theatre Company Christmas production, I read it again and thought what a charming story it was. It is such a delight to find a story where good triumphs over evil, children respect their elders and believe in ideals.
I hope you too will enjoy, in the next two hours, a light, happy, experience..”
Programme Note #2: Where The Rainbow Ends
It is not often that authors of plays find themselves under the heading ‘plays and players’ in our program but in this case Roger Quilter is of local interest. Roger Quilter was born at 4 Brunswick Square, Hove on November 1st 1877. Whilst he was to remain unmarried he held a remarkable love for children. Quilter’s most successful work is Where the Rainbow Ends and when it was first produced in 1911 it was remarked upon as “the best fairy music since Mendelssohn’s Midsummer Night’s Dream”. It says much for both Quilter’s words and music that the play ran unbroken, apart for the war years, until the early ’60s.
Our production has a cast full of youngsters many of whom answered our advertisement in the local press.
Sarah Titley presently at St. Mary’s Hall has appeared with Shoreham Light Opera in Wizard of Oz.
Simon Gray is at Portslade Community College and has appeared recently in their production of Noah, he is also a member of the Southwick Operatic.
Sharon Tree also schools at Portslade and played the part of Naomi in Noah.
Alicia Spoors is at Sion Convent in Worthing and has appeared in her school’s productions of Sound of Music, in which she played Gretel, and also King and I.
Karen Mitchell is at Neville Sec. and has been in Brighton Operatic’s pantos as has Wendy Smale with Brighton & Hove Operatic.
Antony Muzzall is now at art college in Worthing, since leaving Kings Manor. Antony has acting experience with the school’s productions.
Meriel Burge has appeared in Brighton Operatic’s King and I.
Publicity #1: Where The Rainbow Ends
Publication: Brighton & Hove Gazette
Publication Data: December 23 1978 issue
Text Header: “The young ones dance over the rainbow”
Text: Content
PRODUCER Frances Moulton has had her work cut out this Christmas – directing 30 children in the Wick Theatre Company’s production of Where the Rainbow Ends. It is an old-fashioned adventure story in which two children go in search of their lost parents and fight all sorts of nasty creatures on the way. The children play fairies, devils and various animals.
A professional choreographer, Jeanette Goode, is choreographing a pantomime in Wales this Christmas but she has been rehearsing the Wick’s ballet sequences for weeks. “It’s marvelous what she has done with the children” said Mrs Moulton. “Some of them have never danced before.”
The play’s different settings – a wood, the seashore and inside a turreted castle – were designed by an art student, 17-year-old Antony Muzzall. He is also playing one of the children.
The show runs from Friday, January 6 until Saturday 14.
Review #2: Where The Rainbow Ends
Publication: Shoreham Herald
Publication Data: January 20 1978 issue – page 2
Reviewer: Frank Horsley
Text Header: “Full houses for this fantasy”
Text: Content
WICK THEATRE COMPANY proved there is still a demand for good, wholesome family entertainment with a near sell-out version of Where the Rainbow Ends, which completed a seven day run at the Barn Theatre, Southwick last Saturday. Directed by Frances Moulton, the fantasy play by Hove-born writer Roger Quilter made a pleasant change from the usual Christmas pantomime romp. The emphasis was on light and movement rather than boisterous humour with Wick’s new-found host of child stars captivating their audience.
Magic carpet
Mostly plucked form auditions, they appeared in countless guises to add great charm to the story of two children’s search for their lost mother and father. The quest sees Rosamund and Crispian Carey take a magic carpet ride to the land ‘where the rainbow ends’ – where their parents are imprisoned by the Dragon King after being presumed lost at sea. Their nasty aunt and uncle give chase to try to drag them back under their strict control, but they cannot prevent the legendary St. George polishing of the Dragon King and happily re-uniting parents and off-spring. Wick’s production was a happy blend of youth and experience with the cast shrewdly deployed.
Dragon
Brian Moulton was just the strong character needed to fill the hideous costume of the Dragon King and John King cringed superbly as his chief minister, Dunks. Jane Vrettos came over equally strongly as the Sea Witch, while the upright figure of Barrie Bowen made him an admirable St. George. I felt some of the younger members could have spoken their ideals with more conviction. Sarah Titley and Simon Gray did not always ring true as Rosamund and Crispian and the same went for their fellow adventurer Antony Muzzall (Jim Boulders), but Meriel Burge showed great promise as Jim’s sister, Betty. Their pursuers – Aunt Mathilda and Uncle Joseph – were well played by Sheila Wright and Bill Mack who were perfect caricatures of wicked guardians.
Lion cub
Although not having to remember any lines, Wendy Smale showed potential as a mime artist in her lively portrayal of Cubs, the children’s pet lion cub. Good performances also came from Tim Cara and Sally Bacon as the lost parents, and Alicia Sporle as Will of the Wisp.
Setting the tone for the whole production was Andrew Theaker’s tasteful lighting and choreographer Jeanette Goode’s skilful marshalling of the youngsters who portrayed everything from fairy ballerinas to elves, rabbits and hyenas. The main accompaniment was by pianist Mary Radford.
Review #3: Where The Rainbow Ends
Publication: Unknown
Publication Data: Unknown
Reviewer: Unknown
Text Header: “Very good, by George”
Text: Content
WELL-DRILLED young performers helped make Where the Rainbow Ends two very entertaining hours in the Wick Theatre Company’s production. The beautiful set and costumed show, with a large cast, surmounted the space problem of the Barn Theatre.
Roger Quilter’s story of four children who risk danger to journey to the land where the rainbow ends is steeped in symbolism. The baddies are finally crushed – with St. George around to see that justice is done. The colourful production was a delight to the eye, from the jungle scenes to the make-up, and with lighting superbly lurid for the wicked character. Of the youngsters, Sarah Titley was splendid as the resolute Rosamund, with capital performances from Simon Gray as her brother Crispian, Meriel Burge as Betty and Antony Muzzall as Jim. Barrie Bowen’s stalwart St. George was every child’s idea of the dragon slayer, while Brian Moulton’s Dragon King, in fearful make-up, had the kids hissing.
Director Frances Moulton, assisted by Sheila Wright, wisely kept faithful to the author. They also inspired a level of team work which was a credit to the large company.
