Review #1:
Publication: Shoreham Herald
Publication Data: April 18 1969 issue – page 10
Text Header: EIGHT GROUPS COMPETE IN FESTIVAL
Text: Content
FOR the second year in succession, the Phoenix Players were judged best of eight local companies presenting one-act plays in the sixteenth annual drama festival at Southwick Community Centre on Friday and Saturday. The festival, organised by Southwick and Fishersgate Community Association, was run as a first stage of the British Drama League festival.
In his adjudication Mr Lionel D. Green said that their presentation of an extract from Act 1 of Tennessee William’s play, The Rose Tattoo, showed artistic unity which was quite incredible in such a short space of time allowed. He would have liked to see them do the whole play.
Joan Dickinson’s portrayal of Assunta he described as a beautiful performance, commanding the whole stage. Mr Green said he considered her the best actress in the festival. Best Actor award went to Graham Hodge for his part as Andrew Crocker-Harris in the Junior West Sussex Players’ presentation of The Browning Version by Terence Rattigan. Mr Green said that it was a fine performance by a young man, beautifully restrained and well acted.
Convincing
Stuart Campbell was convincing as Taplow, and Penny Rooth gave a good character performance as Mille wife of Crocker-Harris. She was, said Mr Green, a perfect foil for Hunter, nicely portrayed by Philip Ticehurst and [sic] her husband. Others taking part were good: they were John Rankin, Tony Scolaand Helen Glover. Production was by Tony MacMillan, assisted by John Campbell-Smith, Jane Best, Bill Best and Bill Borgia.
The Festival opened with Southwick Players presenting All the Tea in China by Wilfred Harvey. Mr Green described this as a charming little charade, nicely and simply set. Doreen Atkinson as the old Lady Tea had good dignity; Joe Billing as the Herald was quite pompous; Jane Benfield, Sue Barker and Pauline George, as the three daughters of Lady Tea, were excellent, with good precision timing.
The adjudicator considered that Edmund Andrew, as the old gentleman, gave the play a bigger dimension and made the ending very good. Producer was Sylvia Smithers.
Eskay Theatre Group presented The Thistle in Donkey Field by Richard Tydeman, which Mr Green described as a light hearted satire on modern government, with all the characters playing extremely well together. It was imaginatively dressed and was well set. Taking part were Gina Sparks, Susan Yeates, Edith Barnes, Ron Wood, Ruth Stockwell, Jean Edwards, Lesley Starkey, Molly Hutson and Vic Edwards. Direction was by Ian Middleton.
‘Private Lives ‘
Wick Theatre Company presented an extremely clever extract from Act 1 of Noël Coward’s Private Lives. The three actors gave a high standard of performance, said Mr Green [Mr Lionel D. Green adjudicator]. Patrick Johnson as Victor was established in this character, Jean Porter was excellent as Amanda, acting well with David Creedon as Elyo Chase. Patrick Johnson was the producer.
Aquarius Theatre Group presented The Apollo de Bellac by Jean Giradoux, and Horsham Dramatic Society members appeared in Thirty Minutes in a Street by Beatrice Mayor. The festival concluded with Barnes Green Players presenting A Nun’s Tale by Kenneth Bird.
Councillor L. G. Allebone, chairman of Southwick Council made the presentation to the winners.
