Publicity #1: Jane Steps Out
Publication: Shoreham Herald
Publication Data: May 4 1951 issue – page 6 YOUTH NOTES section
Text: Content
HELP is required by the Young Wick Players, Fishersgate, who are presenting their first three-act play, Jane Steps Out, on June 1 and 2. They would like someone to lend them a convertible settee for the production and for the dress rehearsal on May 31.
Review #1: Jane Steps Out
Publication: Shoreham Herald
Publication Data: June 8 1951 issue – page 5
Reviewer: Z.W
Text Header: “Jane’s show, and she stepped out”
Text: Content
There can be no doubt that the Young Wick Players made a suitable choice for their leading lady in Jane Steps Out, by Kenneth Horne, presented last week at the Barn Theatre, Southwick. Maureen Fucher, who took the part of Jane, acted best, spoke best and did much of the work of holding together the play – the society’s first three-act effort. Confidence never deserted her.
Miss Fucher appeared to enjoy her lively role of the girl who steals her beautiful sister’s boyfriend. She proves that, although she has always been considered the ‘plain Jane’, she can reduce her sister Beatrice to going down on her knees to beg Jane to give up the boyfriend. Sylvia Sartin, as Beatrice, was good in her moments of greatest stress or anger. Michael Tracy, as Basil Gilbert, played his part well as the bewildered young man unable to keep up with the number of personalities Jane assumes for his benefit, but I think the role demanded more liveliness and vigour. The same applies to Pamela Riches, who, although seemed well suited in appearance in the part of Margaret Kent, just ‘spoke her lines’ with very little change of expression in her voice or face. Eileen Turley gave a skilful, amusing and convincing portrait of the grandma who enjoys the girls’ troubles from behind the scenes. Other parts were taken by Diane Hubbard, Ralph Dawes and John Wilson.
Most of the cast would have given more assured performances had they remembered their lines more accurately. The costumes, however, were excellent and the scenery, lent by Southwick Players, provided a very good background. The producer was Peter G Elder, assisted by Brian Cooper and Betty Carpenter was stage manager. Elizabeth Penney was responsible for the decor, Leslie Chatfield for effects and Adrian Cooper for lighting. Betty Parry was prompter [sic] and Sheila Cottier and Rodney Benn undertook properties.
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