School Plays 1950-54
Dec 1950 Let's Make an Opera
We started this year in fine style with the production of the extremely successful "Let's Make an Opera" by Benjamin Britten. With a full Hall every night and tremendous enthusiasm from the cast, this unusual venture deserved the acclamation it received.
The non-singing but dramatic members of the school felt that the choice of this opera-play laid too much stress on the more musical members of the school who have their concert later in the year, but I think that these, and all other opposers of this choice of play, were converted after seeing one of the performances.
Mr. Walker put in a great deal of hard work on the production and he must also have spent some anxious moments speculating whether or not it would be a success; but his enterprise was rewarded, during rehearsals, by the loyal co-operation of actors and stagehands, and, at each of the three performances, by the enthusiastic approval of a full house.
The introduction of a musical element into the play this year brought Miss. Carter to the forefront, and we must congratulate her not only on the good work she put in with the performance but also on the courageous way in which she tackled the difficult problem of encouraging a reluctant audience to sing. In justice to these audiences, however, we must remember with gratitude that they accepted their share of the responsibility and thus prevented the songs from being failures.
Thelma Robinson, U6A.
Hemsworth Grammar School presents:
"Let's make an Opera"
Words by Eric Crozier. Music by Benjamin Britten
The names of the performers are used for the characters of the play.
Characters:
Of the Play.......................Of the Opera
Mabel Horbury..................Miss. Baggott, the housekeeper
John Combs.....................Black Bob, the sweepmaster and Tom the Coachman
Gordon Burnett................Clem, Black Bob's assistant and Alfred, the gardener
Angela Lockwood..............Rowan, the nursery-maid
Ella Godwin......................Juliet Brook
Maurice Poole...................Gay Brook.
Shirley Smith....................Sophie Brook
Alec Wall..........................John Crome
Wendy Toone....................Tina Crome
Peter Glasby.....................Sam, the new sweepboy
Brian Poole.......................Hugh Crome.
Miss. J. Carter...................The conductor of the opera
Mr. K. Revill......................Ken - pianist
Miss. C.M. McBride.............pianist
Percussion.........................Edith Lill, Miss. B. Corfe
Understudies: Joyce Farnsworth, Jean Foreman, M.B. Johns, T. Wheatcroft, H. Peel.
Geoff Govier sends us this newspaper review from December 16th. 1950
"Let's make an Opera". Pleasing H. G. S. Performance.
One of the brightest productions given by the scholars of Hemsworth Grammar School in the school hall on Wednesday and Thursday, attracted large attendances. The final performance will be given tomorrow (Saturday).
The play "Let's make an Opera", could hardly have been bettered. An unusual feature of the second act is that the cast are speaking to the audience most of the time and there is quite a lot of conversation from the orchestra and electricians, which gives the impression that it is a rehearsal into which the audience have gate-crashed.
The warmth of the play and its homeliness give great credit to the producer, Mr. A. E. Walker. The lighting and scenery were admirably executed.
Outstanding performances were given by Mabel Horbury, J. Combes and G.R. Burnett, the bullying housekeeper, the two sweepmasters and later on Tom the coachman and Alfred the gardener, were very well played. The young sweep was portrayed by Peter Glasby, who gave a creditable performance. Angela Lockwood, who played Rowan the nursery maid, sang very sweetly. Lesser parts were played by Ella Godwin (Juliet Brook), Maurice Poole (Gay Brook), Shirley Smith (Sophie Brook), Alec Wall (John Crome), Wendy Toone (Tina Crome), Brian Poole (Hugh Crome), whose clowning in the first two acts had the audience in fits of laughing.
Even the audience had their part to play, by singing four choruses together with the cast on the stage. Understudies were Joyce Farnsworth, Jean Foreman, M.B. Johns, T. Wheatcroft and H. Peel. The orchestra was conducted by Miss. J.E. Carter, with Mr. K. Revill and Miss. C. McBride at the piano, and Miss Edith Lill & Miss B. Corfe on the percussion. The play was produced by Mr. A. E. Walker and the musical director was Miss J. E. Carter. Decorations were designed by Mr. J. Combes and other helpers were :
Stage Managers - Messrs. C.H. Owen and D. Taylor.
Costumes - Misses B.J. Woodward, M. Metcalfe, S. Close and K. Wimpenny.
Make-up - Mr. W. J. Leonard, Miss. K. Wimpenny, Thelma Robinson.
Properties - Miss K. Ward.
Business Manager - Mr. E. G. Lock.
Lighting - R. Gorton, P. Gunthorpe and G. Manning.
Stage Staff - D. Drabble, R. Wilkinson, P. Fisher, D. Birley, R. Hassall, D. Pope, D. Jackson, J. Bredon.
Assistance was also given by Messrs. G. Young, T. Manning, R. Foy, W. Farrar, E. Atack, Miss. N.F. Harris and Miss. M.P. Austin.
1952 Tobias and the Angel
The above image comes from Geoff Govier. Thank you, Geoff.
Once more the school had a resounding success when they gave a performance of "Tobias and the Angel''. Congratulations should go to Mr. Revill, for making a difficult production so thoroughly enjoyable. We can safely tell him that it has been one of the most outstanding productions that the school has ever seen and I am sure that we will gain much by having him for future productions.
The character portrayals were very realistic and it is almost impossible for me to give special attention to any one character so I will just mention a few of the principal ones. Wall, P., gave a magnificient performance as Tobias and created much amusement during his adventures in search of the family fortune. Ainge gave a very convincing portrayal of Tobit, Tobias's blind old father, and aroused our deepest sympathies. Robinson gave a very frightening and, at the same time, spectacular Asmoday, the evil element of the play. A good performance was given by M. Horbury as the Angel and, although an unearthly creature, her attempts to imitate a member of the opposite sex were well rewarded.
In conclusion, I should like to say, to all members of the cast, thank you for such a very good performance.
M. Dodsworth U6A Price
1952 (December) Housemaster (Ian Hay)
Image from Howard Peel. Thank you, Howard.
Back Row L-R: Don Maltby, Peter Glasby, Peter Robinson, Jim Ainge, Jean Foreman, Peter Wall, Jean Tyrrell, Chris Gascoigne, Ann Wood, John Jones, Joan Dyson
Front Row L-R: John Robinson, Howard Peel, Noreen Thomas, Brian Poole, Don Law, Joan Taylor
Additional names have come from Terry McCroakam and Peter Wall. Thank you.
The School Dramatic Society maintained a brilliant reputation when, at the end of the Christmas term, it delighted 3 packed houses with its production of "Housemaster" by Ian Hay.
Here is a brief summary of the plot. "Three young ladies come from Paris to stay with their godfather, who is a Housemaster of a Boys Public School; they are accompanied by their aunt. The three girls incite the boys to mutiny against the tyrannical Headmaster - to whom they refer as a septic smear on the face of civilisation.
Unfortunately, the Housemaster is held responsible for this demonstration of insubordination towards the Headmaster and faced with no other alternative than to resign. However, everything comes right in the end, for the Headmaster leaves to take up a different post and the Housemaster is invited to become Headmaster. Needless to say, he accepts."
The cast was as follows : -
The Housemaster Charles Donkin - Peter Wall.
The 3 young ladies:
Rosemary Faringdon - Jean A. Tyrrell.
Chris Faringdon - Ann Wood
"Button" Faringdon - Noreen Thomas.
Their brother "Bimbo" Faringdon - Brian Poole.
Their aunt Barbara Fane - Jean Foreman.
The Headmaster Rev. Edmund Ovington - Peter Robinson.
Schoolmasters:-
Frank Hastings - James A. Ainge.
Victor Beamish - John E. Jones.
Philip de Pourville - Christopher Gascoigne.
Schoolboys:-
"Flossie" Nightingale - Donald Law.
Travers - Donald Maltby.
"Pop" - John L. Robinson.
"Old Crump" - Howard A. Peel.
Sir Berkeley Nightingale - Peter Glasby.
Matron - Joan Taylor.
Maid Ellen - Joan Dyson.
We should like to congratulate Mr. Walker on his excellent production of the play. Thanks are also due to the stage staff and everyone else behind the scenes who helped to make this play a success.
The School Play this year was performed on three successive nights (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) instead of the usual Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. For the last few years, attendances at Saturday night performances have gradually been diminishing. It was, therefore, decided to change the night of the last performance from Saturday to Friday; this experiment will be continued for the Staff Play. If the attendances are greater this scheme will be used for successive School and Staff Plays.
Other new features this year were the introduction of a Proscenium, inset with two loud speakers; new curtains; an "apron front" and new prices of admission.
I am delighted that Howard has dug out this photo. I haven't seen it for 50 years. It's interesting to compare the make-up departments idea of what I might look like as an "old man" with the real thing! I remember not having a suit which was suitable for the part, so Mr. Leonard lent me an old one of his.
Peter Wall
With their presentation of Ian Hay's delightful comedy, "Housemaster" on Wednesday, pupils of Hemsworth Grammar School enhanced their reputation. The well produced and acted show was performed to a packed school hall. Filling the title role, Peter Wall (Charles Donkin), gave a first rate portrayal of a harassed housemaster who found his job even more difficult with the arrival of four female friends. A mischievous schoolboy, Brian Poole ("Bimbo" Faringdon) and his twin sister, "Button", excellently portrayed by Noreen Thomas, whose arrival at the school with her aunt and two sisters caused an uproar, provided most of the comedy. Jean A. Tyrrell (Rosemary), who fell in love with the music master, Christopher Gascoigne (Philip de Pourville), and Ann Wood (Chris), who with her sisters was the mainstay of a rebellion against the tyrannical headmaster, the Rev. Edmund Ovington (Peter Robinson), gave impressive performances. Other parts were played by John Jones (Victor Beamish), James A. Ainge (Frank Hastings, a sarcastic master), Jean Dyson (Ellen), Jean Foreman (Barbara Fane), Joan Taylor (Matron), Donald Law ("Flossie" Nightingale), Donald Maltby (Travers), John Robinson ("Pop"), and Howard A. Peel ("Old Crums"). The lighting and stage décor were good, and the sound effects most impressive.
Article from Geoff Govier. Thank you, Geoff.
1953 (December) The Importance of Being Earnest
The Importance of Being Earnest Cast
Photo from Joyce Fox. Thank you, Joyce.
Back Row L-R: Poole, Wall, Peel, Glasby, Greasley, Johns
Front Row L-R: Jean Tyrrell, Jean Foreman, Ann Wood, Madeleine Knapton
The high dramatic reputation of the school was maintained by the cast of this year's school play, "The Importance of Being Earnest", by Oscar Wilde.
Algernon Moncrieff and John Worthing, J.P. both adopt the name of "Ernest". Complications arise, however, when their respective girl-friends, Cecily Cardew and Gwendoline Fairfax, find out their true names. Fortunately, eveything turns out right in the end.
The cast was as follows:
Lane (Mr. Moncrieff's manservant) - Brian Poole
Algernon Moncrieff - Peter Glasby
John Worthing, J.P - Alec Wall
Lady Bracknell - Jean Foreman
Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax - Jean Tyrrell
Cecily Cardew - Anne Wood
Miss. Prism - Madeleine Knapton
Rev. Canon Chasuble, D.D. - Howard Peel
Merriman - William Greasley
Footman - Barry Johns
Miss. D. E. Elliott and Miss. P. Kilner are to he congratulated on their fine production. Thanks are due to the stage staff (see photo below) and everyone else behind the scenes who helped to make this play a success.
The wit and philosophy of Oscar Wilde were given an excellent airing by the pupils of Hemsworth Grammar School, when they began a three night's run of "The Importance of Being Earnest", at the school hall on Wednesday.
Production by Misses D. E. Elliott and P. Kilner was good, but they overlooked certain small points, a modern box of matches being allowed to be observed. Four of the cast were outstanding. Peter Glasby as Algernon Moncrieff showed an exceptional understanding of the man he was supposed to be. Algy's friend, John Worthing, J. P., of the Manor House, Woolton, Herts., played by Alec Wall, was a man who conjures up a non-existent brother in order to lead a "Jekyll & Hyde" life. Jean Tyrrell gave a magnificent portrayal of the Hon. Gwendoline Fairfax, the daughter of Lady Bracknell (Jean Foreman), a domineering and inquisitive aunt of Algy's, but on occasions might have varied the pitch of her voice when speaking her asides. The other outstanding figure was Ann Ward as Cecily Cardew (John Worthing's Ward). She played delightfully the part of the 18 years old girl, a day-dreamer who falls in love with Algy. Giving first class support to the main players were: Madeleine Knapton (Miss Prism), Brian Poole (Lane, Algy's manservant), Howard Peel (Rev. Canon Chasuble.D.D.), William Greasley (Merrieman, Mr. Worthing's butler), and Barry Johns (Footman).
The make-up, in charge of Mr. W. Leonard, M. Walker and M. Connolly, left nothing to be desired, while the lighting facilities seem to get better with every production.
Article from Geoff Govier. Thank you, Geoff
The Stage Hands
The Importance of Being Earnest.
Photo from Joyce Fox. Thank you, Joyce.
Back Row L-R: 1, John Farnsworth, 3, 4, 5, Mr. Atack, Terry McCroakam, 8, 9
Middle Row L-R: Joyce Fox, Miss. Ward, Margaret Connolly, 4, Joan May
Front Row L-R: 1, 2, Frank Warren
1954 Thunder Rock
The school play, this year, was "Thunder Rock" by Robert Ardrey. The play was a new venture, in that talents were directed towards serious, almost adult, drama rather than comedy.
The play was appreciated, if not fully understood, by the audiences on each night. The actors and those who worked behind the scenes thoroughly enjoyed it too, even if tempers got a little frayed sometimes!
Briefly, the play was about a man, Charleston, who had completely lost his faith in humanity. He tried to escape from the world by taking a job in a lighthouse, where he met his friend, Streeter (for the last time). His cynical attitude was shared by Streeter, who was, nevertheless, going to fight for the Chinese in the war. (Those who were perhaps a little worried about the amount which these two drank will be relieved to know that it was non-alcoholic).
Charleston conjured up, in his mind, a world of six shipwrecked people from 1849. These people managed to make him regain his faith in humanity. They faded from his mind; then he returned to the world. The play was designed to make people think, and it did just that. Each time I, as prompter, heard it, some new shade of meaning emerged. The set, lighting and sound effects were especially important in this play, helping to create an atmosphere which gave the play an unforgettable quality; for example, at the first entry of the first ghost called Captain Joshua.
It was pleasing to note the number of people in the cast, who were new to school plays. Everyone gave a fine performance, but Alec Wall, who, although he had a colossal part, took the weight of the play on his shoulders with the ease of an experienced actor, deserves special mention. The cast was:-
Streeter -- Tony Pickering IV.S.
Nonny -- John Stevens IV.A.
Inspector Flanning -- Peter Robinson L.VI.A.
Charleston -- Alec Wall L.VI.S.
Captain Joshua -- Colin Garbett V.S.
Briggs -- Barrie Johns V.S.
Dr. Stefan Kurtz -- Howard Peel L.VI.S.
Melanie -- Anne Wood L.VI.R.
Anne -- Susan Lindley V.A.
Miss Kirby -- Jean Foreman L.VLA.
Chang -- Colin Nye IV.A.
Cassidy -- Jeffery Hudson V.S.
We would all like to congratulate Mr. Johnston on his excellent production, and to thank all the members of staff, and stage-hands without whom the play could not have been such a success.
Jean Snookes, V.S.
1954 HGS Pantomime - Little Red Riding Hood
J. Ainge and Betty Allen, are to he held responsible for the production of the daring Left-wing pantomime, "Little Red Riding Hood", which was performed at the end of the Christmas Term. Naturally, a rough basis was used, but, on the whole, the comedy was unpremeditated.
This pantomime had everything, and it remains a mystery why it has not yet been televised. Had it been "on ice", it would have been the success of the year.
The girl prefects, supplied the glamorous chorus and they hardly put a shapely trunk wrong. Song was given by those two virtuosos Mary (Doris Day) Stansfield and Peter (Cry-boy) Wall. The lovers of the classical music were supplied with (to disillusion any admirers) a record of "Your Tiny Hand is Frozen" mouthed by Mr. Angus Johnston, whilst "Daredevil" Dud Taylor was excellent with his trick-cycling act.
The "who-dunnit" and "just played a hunch" element was in the form of those two sleuths, Jean Tyrrell and Betty Allen. "Boris Karloff" Birkinshaw supplied the horror with his effortless portrayal of the wolf. The "little does he know that I know that he knows that . . . . etc." Baron was Ardron and his partner in crime, Warren. Mr. Walker monopolised the "Boos" and "Hisses" to great effect.
Poole, B. L6A. Talbot.