Publicity #1: Three One-Act Plays
Publication: Shoreham Herald
Publication Data: February 2 1951 issue – page 6 YOUTH NOTES Section
Text: Content
GRAND effort by members of the Young Wick Players has prepared a programme of three one-act plays to be presented in the Barn Theatre tomorrow evening. The players director, Mrs Elizabeth Penney, has been ill, and the young people – their average age is between 16 and 17 – have coped with the shows themselves.
Review #1: Three One-Act Plays
Publication: Shoreham Herald
Publication Data: February 9 1951 issue – page 16
Reviewer: S.P.
Text header: “Cosmopolitan drama at the Barn”
Text: Content
That enterprising, and clever young dramatic group, the Young Wick Players, proved beyond doubt that audacity pays, when they produced an evening programme of three one-act plays in the crowded Barn Theatre, Southwick, on Saturday.
For it was audacious to throw out such a challenge as they did, with the three plays selected – a picturesque trifle of Italian aristocratic life in the dangerous days of the Borgias, a glimpse of French life, by Sacha Guitry, and a swift transitions to the sun-baked land of North Mexico. And they succeeded.
The first play, beautifully costumed, and softly coloured by the excellent lighting system of the new stage, was a severe test, for the whole action took place at a table, which meant a certain amount of backs-to-the-audience on the part of some of the young players. Yet they overcame this, and Lucrezia Borgia’s Little Party ended, not as one might have expected from its Borgia connection as a tragedy, but with amusing complications consequent on the introduction of a love potion to the wine.
The players in this doublet and hose piece were Brian K. Cooper [Cesare Borgia], Sylvia Sartin [Lucrezia Borgia], Diane Hubbard [Isabella D’Este], Betty Carpenter [Fiammetta Strozi], Michael Tracey [Ricardo Ridolfi], Arthur Hall [Niccolò Macchiavelli], John Wilson [Leonardo Da Vinci], Ralph Dawes [Baldassare], and Eileen Turley [a serving wench]. It was produced by Mrs E Penney, who directed the whole show, assisted by Peter G. Elder.
In the entertaining Guitry Play Villa for Sale, Brian K. Cooper appeared as Gaston, Betty Carpenter as Jeanne, Maureen Futcher as Juliette, Pamela Riches as Mrs Al Smith and Betty Perry as a maid. Producer was Ralph Dawes.
Audience Voted
Betty F. Carpenter produced the Mexican piece, Sunday cost five pesos, in which Arthur Hall appeared as Fidel, Eileen Turley [Berta], Maureen Futcher [Salome], Diana Hubbard [Tonia], and Sylvia Sartin [Celestina]. The lighting was by Adrian Cooper, and Leslie Chatfield was responsible for music and effects.
At the end of the performance the audience was asked to vote for the play which should be performed at the British Drama League one-act play festival, and Villa for Sale was chosen.
The whole evening was an admirable effort, which merits one small criticism. Perhaps the young players were not quite accustomed to the acoustics of the new hall, but almost without exception they showed a tendency to keep their voices low, particularly at the end of sentences. Consequently parts of the dialogue tented [sic] to become inaudible.
Review #2: Three One-Act Plays
Publication: WEst Sussex Gazette & South of England Advertiser
Publication Data: February 12 1951 issue – page 8
Reviewer: Unknown
Text header: Southwick
Text: Content
The Young Wick Players, the dramatic group of the Unity Yuth Club delighted a crowded audience on Saturday with a bill of three widely-different one-act plays, the first of which was the comedy “Lucrezia Borgia’s Little Party”, The players were Brian K Cooper, Sylvia Sartin, Diana Hubbard, Betty Carpenter, Michael Tracey, Arthur Hall, John Wilson, Ralph Dawes, and Eileen Turley.
The second play was Sacha Guitry’s “Villa for Sale” in whic appeared Brian K. Cooper, Betty Carpenter, Maureen Futcher, Pamela Riches, and Betty Perry.
The final production, set in North Mexico, was “Sunday Costs Five Pesos” and was played by Arthur Hall, Eileen Turley, Maureen Futcher, Diana Hubbard, and Sylvia Sartin.
The show was ditrected by Mrs. E Penney assisted by Peter G, Elder, the lighting by Adrian Cooper, and music and effects by Leslie Chatfield.
