Presentation of Cups by Councillor Mike Spalding.
Publicity #1:
Publication: Shoreham Herald
Publication Data: April 10 1987 issue – page 15
Text Header: Southwick aims high at Festival
Text: Content
SOUTHWICK Players are going for a hat-trick of wins in their town’s one-act drama festival later this month.
They are one of six teams working to make the two-day Southwick Festival its traditional success, with the winner going forward to the divisional final of the All England Festival of Drama. Hoping for a third victory on the trot, the Players have chosen Perfection City, a modern morality play by David Shellan.
Strong competition will come from last year’s runners-up, Wick Theatre Company, who present The Lesson by Eugene Ionesco. Wick will perform on Friday, April 24, along with Spotlight Theatre of Worthing, who have chosen Alan Ayckbourn’s Drinking Companion. Also appearing on the Friday are the Wednesday Club, of Horsham, with their interpretation of Little Benjamin by Enid Coles.
The action will be resumed the following evening, when Southwick Players take up the challenge, along with Steyning’s Castle Players, who have chosen Rock Bottom, by Nina Warner Hooke. The Saturday night entertainment will be rounded off by B.A.D. Productions [Brighton Telephone Area Dramatic Society] who have chosen Albert, written by well-known comedy playwright Richard Harris.
The winner will be announced after Saturday’s performance by George Rawlins, with Adur District Council Chairman Mike Spalding making the presentations to the best team, runners-up, best actor and best actress.
Tickets for each evening of the festival are priced £1.50 and £1.25 and are available from the Barn Theatre on Brighton 597094.
Review #1:
Publication: Shoreham Herald
Publication Data: May 1 1987 issue – page 15
Text Header: Players act a hat trick
Text: Content
SOUTHWICK PLAYERS clinched a hat-trick at the weekend – they won the Southwick One-Act Drama Festival for the third year running.
But it was a closely fought battle at the barn Theatre, for the Southwick Players, who performed David Shellan’s modern morality play Perfection City, were only four points ahead of runners-up Wick theatre Company. Wick snapped up second place with their presentation of The Lesson by Eugene Ionesco. And right on their heels in third place was BAD Productions with Alert by Richard Harris.
The win meant Southwick Players qualified for the All England Drama Festival final staged at the Ashcroft Theatre, Croydon, on Wednesday. But due to the short notice, Southwick Players opted out of the final and instead Wick Theatre Company took part. Their result will be published in next week’s Adur Herald.
West Sussex county drama advisor George Rawlins, the adjudicator selected Mr Ray Hopper of the Wick Theatre Company as best actor. Best Actress was Erica Fewell of the Wednesday Club for her performance in Little Benjamin by Enid Coles.
After the festival Adur District Council chairman Mike Spalding presented the trophies to the winners.
WICK THEATRE BANNED FROM ALL ENGLAND THEATRE FESTIVAL
Corresppondence from the Council of ‘C’ Division dated December 16th 1987 stated
“The Rules make it clear that any team that is in breach of the Rules may be penalised and the Divisional Council has decided that Wick Theatre Company should be barred from entering the All England Theatre Festival for three years. This decision has been approved by the Committee of the Eastern Area of the Festival”
Announcing this decision to members in the January 1988 Newsletter, the editor stated:
“One Act Festival 26th and 27th February
First of all – due to the problems which arose last year – the Wick has been banned from entering the All England Festival for 3 years. However, the Southwick Festival has now reverted to being a local Festival so this ban will not actually affect us.”
