School Plays 1930s

1930-31

1931-32

1932-33

"Quality Street" - a Hemsworth Secondary School Performance December 14th 15th and 17th

Because she's nearly 30 and still unwed, Phoebe Throssel is regarded as an over-the-hill spinster. Thus, when offered the opportunity for a reunion with Captain Brown whom she hasn't seen in years, Phoebe desperately wants to rekindle his affections. To this end, she poses as her own teenage niece -- and pulls off the ruse beautifully.

Cast:

Miss Fanny Willoughby    ..............Estelle Rhodes

Miss Willoughby    ........................Lorna Jagger

Miss Susan Throssel    .................Josephine Steele

Miss Henrietta Turnbull    ..............Connie Bull

Miss Phoebe Throssel    ...............Hilda Paley

Patty the maid    ..........................Marjorie Harrison

Recruiting Sergeant    ...................H. Williamson

Mr. Valentine Brown    ..................G. Grayson

Charlotte Parratt     ......................Enid Toone

Ensign Blades    ..........................Sidney Fox

Harriet    ......................................Betty Mulheir

Lieutenant Spicer    ......................L. Firman

An Old Soldier    ........................ .Alex Ramsden

A Gallant    .................................George Elvidge

Children in Miss Phoebe's School    .........Edna North, Connie White, Elsie Smith, M. Wooton and Ernest Pointon.

Other characters drawn from Valerie Bancroft, Barbara Day, Vera Carter, Olive Boulton, F.P. Jones, Edward Perry, G.W. Eastwood and J. McCroakam.

Producers    ...................Miss N. Clifford and Mr. J.A. Storer

Musical Director    ..........Miss P. Wright L.R.A.M.

Stage Manager    .......... Mr. J.A. Storer

Business Manager    ......Mr. R. Shiells

Incidental Music    ..........E. Harris, Eric Nuttall and Pattison (violinists

1933-34

School Play 13th & 14th December 1933

         This is the only written account of this School Play.

1934-35 

1934-35

Much Ado About Nothing

At the end of last term, the School presented "Much Ado About Nothing," which had been chosen for the Annual School Play. Although this is one of Shakespeare's Comedies, it was almost turned into a tragedy, when on the first night the costumes had failed to arrive; but, however, they reached Hemsworth for the succeeding nights. The performance was notable not only for its fine portrayal of the leading characters, but also for Its good all-round acting by the supporting cast. The scenery, which added a great deal to the effectiveness of the Play was made by Mr. Hamilton assisted by C. Clarkson. As stage manager, Mr. Hamilton was also In charge of the excellent lighting effects, and Miss Clifford once more took on the very arduous task of Producer. As in previous years, Mr. Shiells undertook the character of Business Manager and filled his part with admirable skill and ability. The School and visitors stiowed their appreciation of the Play by their very good attendance each night. We therefore wish to thank the cast for an excellent performance, and every one who helped make the Play a success.

L-R: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

L-R: 1, 2, 3, Ineson

1935

The Ivory Door

On December 18th and 19th A.A. Milne's play "The Ivory Door" was presented by the School to good audiences on both nights. This play had great attractions; partly in the excellence of the acting, partly in the beauty of the costumes, but chiefly in the atmosphere of mystery created by the Ivory Door itself. The success of the play was most certainly due to Miss Nicholson's able production, and the efficient stage-management of Mr. Hamilton. Mr. Shiells, as usual, took charge most successfully of the onerous duties pertaining to the box office.
E. Stamp, Guest.

The People of the Play

Names from Lorna Jagger. Thank you, Lorna.

Prologue

King Hilary – Lewis Firman
Prince Perivale – George Courtney
Servant  - Alan Pointon  

The Play
King Perivale - Vernon Thorpe.
Brand (his body servant) - George Wainwright
Anna (his old nurse) - Bessie Athron
Thora - Ruth Sterry
The Chancellor - George Elvidge
Jessica - Sylvia Clayton
Anton - Granville Clayton
Old Beppo - Billy Guest
Simeon - Fred Smith
Woman in the crowd - Edith Cooper
Count Rollo - Donald Park
The Mummer - Cecil Perry
Titus (Soldier of the guard) - Ernest Pointon
Carlo (Soldier of the guard) - Harry Walker
Soldier - Harold Chambers
Bruno (Captain of the Guard) - Arnold Skelding
Princess Lilia - Lorna Jagger

A Glimpse into the future.
The King - John Hibbert.
The Prince - Pickering R.  

1936-37

Crossings
One of the events of the School Year which is eagerly anticipated by everyone is the School Play. This year "Crossings" by Walter de la Mare was presented on the 17th and 18th of December. The Play covered the adventures of four children at a country house, Crossings, left to them by their kindly Aunt Susan on condition that they lived there for some time unsupervised. As the children had spent the previous years of their life in the town under the rule of their domineering Aunt Agatha and the complete indifference of their father, it seemed impossible that such a delightful dream should come true. But their dream was realised when their father asserted his authority at last, and decreed that they should go to Crossings in spite of the forboding and pessimism of Aunt Agatha.

All the characters were admirably suited for the parts they chosen to play, and we must congratulate Miss Nicholson on her able production and untiring efforts connected with it. Johnson and Rutter were responsible for the scenic effects, and in this they were highly successful. The 'noises off' were realistically produced by Mr. Hamilton, and Miss Townsend was responsible for the effective musical arrangements. Last, but by no means least, we must thank Mr. Shiells, who once more made a success of the financial side of the Play. 

1937-38

She Stoops to Conquer
The School this year presented Goldsmith's play 'She Stoops to Conquer'. It had been given by the School once before in 1928, when Mr. Storer produced it. The play was a fast moving eighteenth century comedy, and was well received by the School who always rejoice in the event of a School Play. It concerned the adventures of Mr. Marlow and Mr. Hastings, two young men about town who visited Mr.Hardcastle, a friend of Marlow's father who lived in the country, with a view to making the acquaintance of Miss Hardcastle. It was the wish of the parents to make a match between the young couple. Marlow and Hastings, however, were the victims of a practical joke played on them by mischievous Tony, Hardcastle's stepson. The fun which followed, as a result of Tony's misdeeds, and the way in which he finally settled everything happily, kept the audience highly amused and laughing for the greater part of the evening. All the characters wore extremely well suited to their parts end appeared to enjoy doing the Play.

We must thank Miss Clifford for producing the Play in the face of continuous difficulties. It must have been a great disappointment to her when, within a very short time before the first night, she fell ill and could not see the finished performance. Then, too, there were illnesses in the cast; she was fortunate in discovering a person in Olive Boulton to step in almost at the last minute and quickly and easily adapt herself to the part of Miss Hardcastle which, owing to her unfortunate illness, Elsie Stamp was unable to play. In spite of such difficulties, the play carried on, with valuable help from Mr. Storer, and was presented with success on December 15th., and 16th.

We are very grateful to Mr. Hamilton who spent a great deal of time on the scenery, stage effects and lighting. He was assisted by Johnson who was mainly responsible for the scenery. Further assistance was given by Younge and Savage. Mr. Shiells again acted as business manager in which part he always succeeds. Finally we have to thank Miss Townsend for the music which she composed and played for Tony's song, and all members of Staff who assisted in any way with the Play.
A. Rogerson (Prompter), Holgate

Cast
 Sir Charles Marlow .. .. .. .. R. Hawkins.
 Young Marlow .. .. .. .. H. Hudson.
 Hardcastle .. .. .. .. A. Wilson,
 Hastings .. .. .. .. .. D. Thorpe.
 Tony Lumpkin .. .. .. .. B. Perry.
 Landlord .. .. .. .. .. L. Courtney.
 Diggory (Servant to Hardcastle) .. .. W. Eastwood..
 Roger (Servant to Hardcastle) .. .. .. R. Pickering.
 Servants to Marlow  .. .. .. .. M. Chapman, G. Courtney, J. Brailsford.
 Mrs. Hardcastle .. .. .. .. Doreen Lawton.
 Miss Hardcastle .. .. .. .. Olive Boulton.
 Miss Neville .. .. .. .. Margaret Twaddle.
 The Maid .. .. .. .. .. Christine Pickets.
 Producer. .. .. .. .. ..  Miss Clifford.
 Stage Manager .. .. .. .. Mr. Hamilton.
 Business Manager .. .. .. .. Mr. Shiells.

Music by Miss Townsend.
Scenery by H. Johnson. 

1938-39