Tom Jones

Programme Note #2: Tom Jones

The Players: The Southwick Players was formed in 1935 and among the founder members were George and Stanley Baker and George’s wife to be, Venetia Brice-White, all of whom are still very active in local theatre. There was no theatre in Southwick in the pre-war days and the Players performed at various venues including Brighton. After the war Players members were prominent in the early work to set up a Community Centre at the Southwick Farm buildings. They had always been anxious to find a barn to adapt as a theatre and the Barn Hall, or Theatre as we now know it, benefited from their support and hard physical work. The Theatre was opened in 1951 and the Players have presented plays here ever since.

In the early days the Players already had a very strong membership and even before the completion of the Barn Hall reached the national finals of the British Drama League competition with Elizabeth & Darcy by Constance Cox. This celebrated playwright has kept in touch with the society over the years and has produced for them on several occasions. In 1956 the Players became closely associated with another successful playwright, the late Phillip King, when they presented his play On Monday Next. As a local resident he formed an affection for the society and later became its president.

The Players have presented many fine plays over a period of 47 years including Our Town, See How They Run, This Happy Breed and Separate Tables, to name a few. The Players’ president is Muriel Press.

Wick: In 1948 Elizabeth ‘Molly’ Penney formed a youth drama group which took the name Unity Players. Then, in 1951, on the opening of the Barn Theatre at Southwick, they presented a One Act Play and changed their name to The Young Wick Players. During the 1950’s the acting membership was all under thirty years of age but in 1962, as the membership had grown and covered a wider age range, it was decided to change the name to The Wick Theatre Company. Molly Penney continued to provide guidance and support for the Wick during its first 22 years. Since her death in 1970 the company has benefited from the continuing support of her husband George who has, in many ways, encouraged the development of theatre in Southwick.

The Wick’s president is Betty Dawes who with her husband Ralph, are the sole founder members still active in the company. The Wick celebrated its 100th production in 1979 with a ‘repeat’ of Phillip King’s Sailor Beware! featuring the same cast which had first performed the play in 1959. Some memorable plays from the past are Captain Carvallo, A Man for All Seasons, Gigi, The Crucible, Oh! What A Lovely War, When We Are Married, Salad Days and My Fair Lady

Programme Note #3: Tom Jones

David Stenning – Tom Jones – David joined the Players as a young lad in the mid-seventies and was first seen in the production of Little Red Riding Hood. He so impressed the Players’ President at the time, the late Phillip King, that he was given the leading rôle in Phillip’s production of his own comedy Here We Come Gathering. David has since gone on to appear in many more shows with the Players – most recently as Water Rat in Toad of Toad Hall. Incidentally, David was on the shortlist of two to play the title rôle in the TV series Just William a couple of years or so ago! He studies Drama in Brighton, is a keen amateur footballer and works for a local motor distributor.

Alan Upton – Squire Allworthy – Alan has been a member of Wick for over ten years. He is probably one of the best comedy actors to have appeared on the Barn stage, witness his Odd Couple and How the Other Half Loves. Alan is a perfectionist and gives infinite care to all parts great or small. Some of you may remember his Sir Charles Marlowe in She Stoops to Conquer.

Ralph Dawes – Thwackum – A founder member of Wick, Ralph is a very experienced actor and a master of many parts – ‘Enry Hornett in Sailor Beware!, Cromwell in A Man for All Seasons, William in You Never Can Tell and recently Edward Strachan in Pink String & Sealing Wax. Ralph is a director of a local roofing firm.

Derek Fines – Blifil – A most versatile performer since joining the Payers in 1979 and although most often seen in comedy Derek was voted Best Actor in the 1982 One Act Drama Festival for his portrayal of Geoffrey in The Lion in Winter

Ken Mandel – Squire Western – Most recently seen as Mr. Badger in Toad of Toad Hall, Ken is one of the Players newer members. He has, nevertheless, appeared on the Barn Stage on several occasions, notably in Ten Times Table and Time To Kill. Ken owns a DIY shop in Hove.

Lucy Mandel – Sophia Western – Ken’s wife becomes his daughter in Tom Jones! Lucy has been with the Players for a number of years and her credits include A Shot in the Dark, The Seashell, the title rôle in Cinderella and recently Children in Uniform.

Sally Bacon – Honour – Sally has been a member of Wick for 15 years and had her first part in Miller’s The Crucible. Since then she has played many excellent character parts, her latest being the ‘odd’ maid in Goodnight Mrs. Puffin. But Sally has a lovely voice and probably likes to be remembered as the Nurse in Oh What A Lovely War! and for her part in The Boy Friend.

Mo Joyce – Susan – Mo has been a member of Wick for two years and first appeared in The Mad Woman of Chaillot. Mo is a Management Training Consultant and recently joined the ranks of the local theatrical family Joyce when she married Peter, Wick’s Secretary.

Vikki Wood – Jenny Jones/Waters – Vikki joined the Players in 1975 and has taken leading rôles with the company – ranging from Principal Boy in Pantomime to more serious drama. She was recently voted Best Actress in the 1983 One Act Drama Festival for her performance in Muck from Three Angles.

Miranda Bowen – Mrs. Fitzpatrick – Like Alan Upton, Miranda is a master of comedy. She is an ex-Bluebell dancer who now dances and choreographs for Wick. Her best remembered comedy roles have been in Secretary Bird, How the Other Half Loves, and Plaza Suite. Nor can we forget her Maisy in The Boy Friend.

Neil Shephard – Capt. Fitzpatrick – Neil was a memorable Iago in Othello – a really towering performance. He has come a long way since his first appearance for Wick in Boeing Boeing in 1969. His range has expanded over the years in many Wick plays – recently, Absent Friends, Maxim in Rebecca, A Man About the House, [a play he appeared in for Brighton Little Theatre at very short notice, after Wicks’ production] and Bill Sykes in Oliver. Neil was awarded Best Actor in the 1983 One Act Drama Festival for his part in Research. Neil is a school teacher in Brighton.

Gerald Wicks – Lord Fellamar – Well known to Barn Theatre audiences, Gerry has appeared on many occasions to great acclaim. His credits include Move Over Mrs. Markham, Come Blow Your Horn, Quality Street, Don’t Just Lie There Say Something and The Lion in Winter.

Frank Seamus – Constable – A recent recruit to Wick, Frank has many years experience – especially with the London based Unity Theatre. He recently played Stephen Parker in Goodnight Mrs. Puffin. He is a keen harmonica player and performs with a Lancing based orchestra.

Sheila Wright – Woman with a basket – Sheila has been a member of the Southwick Operatic Society since its foundation in the early 1960’s and among many parts has played Iolanthe. Her most recent appearance for Wick was as one of the ‘old ladies’ in Arsenic and Old Lace. She is also a member of a Shoreham Church choir.

Hilary Wiltshire – Molly – Makes a welcome return to the Southwick Stage after three infant productions of her own. She has made many memorable appearances with Wick, including Lion in Winter, Othello, Oh, What a Lovely War, Lady Windermere’s Fan and Trelawny of the ‘Wells’. Tom Jones is no stranger to Hilary, as she also played Sophia in the Lewes Little Theatre production.