Hobson’s Choice

The Barn Theatre, Southwick Community Centre

December 12, 13, 14, 15 & 16 1978

by Harold Brighouse

Directed by
Audrey Laye

“Trap-door to cellar”
– Brighton & Hove Gazette –

Cast

Sally Bacon – Alice Hobson

Frances Moulton – Maggie Hobson

Sharon Tree – Vicky Hobson

Peter Joyce – Albert Prosser

Brian Moulton – Henry Horatio Hobson

Jean Porter – Mrs. Hepworth

Alan Upton – Timothy Wadlow [Tubby]

Bill Mack – William Mossop

Douglas Tucker – Jim Heeler

Joy Talmage – Ada Figgins

Denis Picott – Fred Beenstock

John King – Dr MacFarlane

Production Crew

Stage Manager – George Laye

Assistant – Margaret Davy

Assistant – Susan Whittaker

Assistant – Frances Thorne

Assistant – Amanda Dawes

Assistant – Jean Porter

Lighting – Andrew Theaker

Set Design – George Laye

Front of House – Antony Muzzall

Front of House – Betty Dawes

Box Office – Sandie Joyce

Programme Design – Antony Muzzall

Programme Note #1: Hobson’s Choice

AL wrote: ” I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to direct Hobson’s Choice – a long time favourite of mine. It is written by Harold Brighouse one of three Lancashire dramatists who formed the ‘Manchester School’ and were responsible for the realistic plays of life in Lancashire at the turn of the century and into the early part of the 20th century.

The play was first presented in America – were the British theatre goers of the early 1900s not prepared to accept the radical, contemporary theatre as presented by Brighouse and his colleagues? However, it did arrive in Britain in 1916 and had its first premiere at the Apollo Theatre, London and since then it has been seen the length and breadth of the country. It achieved success as a memorable film, starring the late Charles Laughton and Sir John Mills. It has been presented by practically every repertory theatre in the country, it has been adapted for radio and more recently it has achieved its highest accolade by being presented at the National Theatre.

As a ‘lassie from Lancashire’ nostalgia could be part of my feelings for this play, but as a director I have no doubt that it is one of the ‘good, old plays’ which has given enjoyment to all who have seen it and we hope that you, too, will derive the same pleasure from our efforts this evening.”

Programme Note #2: Hobson’s Choice

Brian and Frances Moulton have appeared on many occasions and both are back with no respite, from our last play Butterflies Are Free, Frances was on stage and Brian directed.

Bill Mack was in Audrey’s 1975 When We Are Married and produced the opening play of last season, Intent to Murder [web ed; Wick’s seasons start in September]

Sharon Tree is a member of Wick Youth and was the delightful Spirit of the Lake in last Christmas’ Where the Rainbow Ends, this is her first part in a major straight play.

Joy Talmage has been with Wick for 8 years, but activities in her home area of Lancing have restricted her appearances, her last was some five years ago!

Sally Bacon is also from Lancing and her stay with Wick goes back ten years to the Young Wick. Sally was in When We Are Married and Rainbow.

Dennis Picott has been with Wick for two years, after moving from South London, he has appeared as a brother in Barrets and as one of the Slackers in Rainbow.
Dennis shared this rôle with Peter Joyce. Peter’s last play was Butterflies some ten weeks ago.

John King, Jean Porter, Douglas Tucker and Alan Upton complete the cast with characters that give Hobson’s Choice perfect rounding.

All these members have held the stage at the Barn in leading rôles and it is this willingness to switch parts that makes every Wick production the joy it is.

The company take this opportunity to thank you, the patrons for your attendance throughout the year and wish you a very happy, merry Christmas.

Media & Reviews

Review #1: Hobson’s Choice
Publication: Brighton and Hove Gazette
Publication Data: December 22 1978 issue
Reviewer: Walter Hix
Text: Content

An interesting point about Harold Brighouse’s Hobson’s Choice, presented by the Wick Theatre Company, is the way it has survived the years. It stands favourable comparison with work of today’s allegedly more enlightened playwrights.

Although first presented in this country in 1916 it still has a freshness that is most enjoyable. What is more, it has all of the elements of a well constructed play. It has humour, pathos, characterisation and plot.

The Wick Theatre Company had the advantage of Lancashire-born Audrey Laye as director and thus we were spared the stand-up comic type of Lancashire accent. But it might have been helpful if a Scot could have been called in to assist John King in the rôle of Dr MacFarlane.

In the main, the casting was meticulous and excellent playing of lesser rôles contributed a lot to the overall success: Alan Upton as the foreman bootmaker, Douglas Tucker as Hobson’s friend, Joy Talmage as Ada Figgins, and above all, Jean Porter as the wealthy customer, were all completely credible. Young Vicky Hobson, played by Sharon Tree – promoted from the Wick’s youth group – the snobbish Alice played by Sally Bacon and the eldest Maggie by Frances Moulton were nicely differentiated in character and all played well. The rôle of Maggie, running boot shop and house, is far from easy. Frances Moulton succeeded.

Brian Moulton, as the defeated Hobson did not put a foot wrong. The character is sometimes seen as a caricature, but Mr. Moulton did not make the mistake of over-playing beyond the requirement of the part. Willie Mossop was played by Bill Mack who achieved the transition from mouse to lion in a completely believable way. It was an equally fine performance.

A special word for George Laye’s set. For the first time in an amateur production I saw a trap-door to the cellar that was a trap-door, an excellent piece of contrivance in the Barn Theatre which does not boast such amenities.

03336 663 366

Hobson’s Choice

Hobson’s Choice

Barn Theatre Southwick Street Southwick BN42 4TE