Staff Plays 1930s

1930

During the last week in March the staff gave its third annual entertainment and every seat was occupied on the Wednesday and Thursday evenings. The programme included three sketches which were all well-received, and give an idea of who was serving on the staff in 1930.

"Personally or by Letter"
Mr. R.T. Shiells.........Timothy
Mr. L.T. Hyde ..........Bill
Miss E. Hodgson.......Mrs. Grice
Mr. J.W. Burroughs...Mr. Grice
Miss G. Lockie..........Marjorie

"The Bathroom Door" (an excellent farce)
Mr. T. Manning........the Young Man
Miss I. Quayle.........the Young Lady
Mr. J.W. Burroughs..the Elderly Gentleman
Miss D.L. Prince.......the Elderly Lady
Miss E.V. Hinckley....the Prima Donna
Mr. J.A. Storer.........Boots

"Master Wayfarer"
Miss P.E.M. Wright............Phoebe
Mr. J.A. Storer.................Master Beamish
Mr. A.G. Jenkinson...........the Wayfarer
Mr. L.N. Collette...............Master Smeaton

In this latter piece, Mr. Jenkinson gave a good performance, singing songs "in a pleasing manner". Miss Phyllis Wright sang "The Flower" (Schubert arr. Clutsam) and "Hush-a-bye, Lullaby" and Mr. L.T. Hyde gave an interesting conjuring display. The music included "Melody", "Reapers' Song" and "Soldiers' March" by Schumann, arr. Fletcher, and the incidental music to "A Midsummer Night's Dream" (Mendelssohn).

Far away in Turkey, on March 28th 1930 the Nationalists there changed the Greek name of Constantinople to Istanbul, and on the last day in March John Logie Baird installed a Televison receiver in 10 Downing Street. The Prime Minister, Ramsey MacDonald, wrote to Baird the following week, saying, "When I look at the transmissions I feel that the most wonderful miracle is being done under my eye......."

1931

"Tons of Money"

The fourth production of a Staff Play, "Tons of Money", by Will Evans and Valentine, took place in May 1931, to the enjoyment of all concerned. Wordplay, duplicity and extreme 'Britishness' were the key elements of the 1920's style farce, and Mr. Jenkinson commented that although the staging of the play meant much work for the members of staff, they enjoyed it as much as anyone. 

1932

Awaiting Information

1933

Drama, Music and Mystery 28th and 29th March 1933

The Staff entertained an audience of students and adults in the school hall on these two evenings. The two principal items were:

"Rory Aforesaid", a slight but diverting Scottish comedy by John Brandane which had touches of authentic Highland pawkiness, contributed chiefly by Mr. T. Manning in the role of Rory, and excellent acting by Mr. J.A. Storer as the Sheriff. Mr. Shiells showed stern restraint in the part of MacCullum, and Messrs J.D. Hamilton and L.N. Collette and Miss D. Prince completed a successful cast.

"Bishop's Candlesticks" in which the headmaster, Mr. A.G. Jenkinson acted with poise and insight, alongside Misses E. Shortridge and D. Mullinder, and Messrs L.T. Hyde, H. Augur and R.T. Shiells.

'The Bishop's Candlesticks' is a moving story based on an incident in Victor Hugo's novel Les Miserables and revolves around 3 main characters. A Bishop is a noble and kind hearted soul who does not mind selling away his silver to pay for a poor lady's house rent. He seems to have given quite a large part of his savings in such charity. Now very poor, he has just a pair of silver candlesticks left. The Bishop's sister is a typical practical lady who is worried about the future. There is not much money left, and the house is running on her money. She learns that the Bishop has sold the silver salt and pepper shakers to pay the house rent of poor Mere Gringoire. This upsets her. They have had their supper and she decides to retire for the night. A desperate and hungry convict walks in through the open doors. Having escaped from jail, the convict threatens to kill the Bishop, but the Bishop is calm and controlled. He offers to give him some food to eat and listens to his story. We begin to understand the convict's hardships. He had to steal some bread to feed his ailing wife and was arrested and sent to jail, where he was cruelly treated. Meanwhile his wife died. Finally one day he escaped but was again unable to find any food. That's when he comes to the Bishop's house.

The Bishop gives him food to eat and a place to sleep. The convict is too tempted by the silver candle sticks and steals them. The sister is hurt and offended by the convict's behaviour, and later the convict is seen roaming around suspiciously and is caught by the sergeant and brought back to the Bishop's house.

The Bishop's sister is relieved to get back the silver candlesticks, but the Bishop tells the sergeant that they were a gift from him to the convict. He gives them to the convict and shows him a safe escape route.

1934 "A Hundred Years Old"

At the end of last term (March 21st and 22nd), the Staff presented their Annual Play, the choice falling this time on "A Hundred Years Old", a translation of the Quintero Brothers' comedy of Spanish family life.

As the plot was very slight, the success of the Play depended for the most part on the drawing of the various characters. The enthusiasm with which the production as a whole was received, gave definite proof of the success of the play in this direction.

The Headmaster, Mr. Jenkinson, in his role of the hundred years' old 'Papa Juan' enhanced his by no means small reputation as an actor portraying with great skill the mannerisms of a shrewd and witty old gentleman. He was ably supported throughout by an excellent cast.

The play was produced by the Headmaster in conjunction with Miss. Wilde, whilst Miss. Wright arranged and directed the incidental music played between the acts.

The cast was as follows :-
Currita - Miss. Wilde
Doria Marcoala - Miss. Harrison
Doria Filomens - Miss. Shortridge
Eulalia - Miss Kenward.
Carmen Campos - Miss. Prince
Rosa - Miss Mullinder
Papa Juan - Mr. Jenkinson
Trino - Mr. Hamilton
Don Evaristo - Mr. Collette
Antonon - Mr. Augur
Alonso - Mr. Hyde
Manuel - Mr. Shiells.
(H.B., Price).

1935 

Awaiting Information

1936 "The Fourth Wall

"Last term the Staff performed their annual play, and, as they had not done one in the previous year, it was doubly pleasant. It was A.A. Milne's "The Fourth Wall", a mystery murder play in three acts, so called because the audience see the action of the play through the fourth wall of the scene, Heron Place, in Sussex. Miss Kenward, who played her large part so well, and the versatile Mr. Hamilton were the chief players, taking the parts of two amateur sleuths who tracked down the murderer and his accomplice, played by Mr. Hyde and Mr. Manning, by means of the astute deduction. Congratulations to Mr. Storer, who, as P.C. Mallet evoked roars of laughter by references to his tomatoes. The people behind the scenes deserve many thanks for their work, especially Mr. Hyde, who produced the play and took the part of the villain. Altogether "The Fourth Wall" was a most excellent production and a fit successor to the long line of Staff Plays which are now history.
E. Stamp.

The Characters
 Jimmy Ludgrove:  Mr. J.D. Hamilton
 Susan Cunningham:  Miss D. Kenward
 Adams:   Miss D. Euler
 Edward Laverick:  Mr. T. Manning
 Edward Carter:  Mr. L.T. Hyde
 Major Fothergill:  Mr. H.G. Augur
 Mrs. Fulverton Fane:  Miss P.E.M. Wright
 Jane West:  Miss E. Shortridge
 Arthur Ludgrove:  Mr. A.G. Jenkinson
 P.C. Mallet:  Mr. J.A. Storer
 "Sergeant" Mallet:  Mr. L.N. Collette
 Producer:   Mr. L.T. Hyde
 Stage Manager:  Miss E. Nicholson
 Business Manager:  Mr. P. Crossland
 Electrician:  C. Clarkson

Music under the direction of Miss Wright

1937

Awaiting Information

1938 "The Chinese Puzzle"

The members of the Staff this year presented the play, "The Chinese Puzzle", which was a great success. Mr. J.D. Hamilton and Miss Kenward must be congratulated on their remarkable performances once again. Mr. Storer delighted everyone by his marvellous acting as the Chinese diplomat voicing wise saws against females. Indeed all the players were thoroughly fitted to their parts and the whole cast acted with real enthusiasm. We must congratulate Miss Nicholson on producing the play; and Mr. J.D. Hamilton, Johnson, Mr. Manning and Mr. Augur, by whom the scenes were designed and executed; finally we must mention Mr. Crossland who made a very efficient business manager. In conclusion we must congratulate the Staff on producing a really enjoyable and successful play.

L-R: Miss. Euler, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Storer

L-R: Mr. R.W. Hamilton, Mr. J.D. Hamilton, 3, Miss Euler, Mr. Storer, Mr. Nelson, Miss Townsend, Mr. Augur, Mr. Collette

Characters
Littleport, the butler:  H. Augur                    
Aimee de Villeseptier, Lady Haye' s Ward: E. Bromley
Lady de la Haye:  E.W. Townsend
Sir Roger de la Haye, her son:   J.D. Hamilton
Naomi Melsham:   D. Kenward
Armand de Rochecorbon, of the French Embassy at Peking:   L. Collette
The Marquis Chi Lung, a Chinese Diplomat:   J. Storer
Dr. Fu Yang, his Secretary:   J. Nelson
Victoria Cresswell:   E. Shortridge
Hon. William Hurst:   T. Manning
Paul Marketel, an international financier:   L.T. Hyde
Mrs. Melsham, Naomi's mother:   J. Harrison
Sir Aylmer Brent, of the Foreign Office:   R.W. Hamilton
Fee Sing, a Chinese servant:    D. Euler
 
Producer: E.Nicholson
Scenes designed and executed by J.D. Hamilton, Johnson, T. Manning, H. Augur.
Stage Managers: J.D. Hamilton, T. Manning.
Lights and Effects: Johnson,
Business Manager: P. Crossland

1939 

Awaiting Information