Three One Act Plays (1958)

The initial venture of the WDS testified to considerable determination...

The initial venture of the Wythall Dramatic Society testified to considerable determination and drive in that three one act plays had been chosen, cast, rehearsed and publicity presented within seven weeks of the society's formation.

This triple bill gave a very fair measure of enjoyment and revealed some talent which promises well for the future.

The first play on the programme was charade a typical piece of beneath the stairs novelettish nonsense by Philip Johnson. An all woman cast played capably enough, but there were some sticky moments.

Promising performances included Marjory Scorer's "Cook" with a predilection for Jennings tea and reading the teacups and Mary Russell as the lugubrious "Mrs Lockett."

Joe Corries Colour bar proved conclusively the general advantage of drama over comedy in the one act play field and was by far and away the most entertaining feature of the bill.

This study of one aspect of the colour problem was tidily produced by Jim Munden, who also played "Albert" and convincingly acted by David Evans (obviously no newcomer to things theatrical) Peggy Osborne, Celia Grant (A nicely controlled Joyce) Penny Ewens and Barbara Hartley.

Atmosphere was well established and maintained to make the play come over just on the right note.

The third play was "The Skippers Entanglement" a slight comedy by F. Morton Howard in which Producer Ted Pedvin stepped in at short notice to play the harassed "Captain Barlow" and David Ewens again proved his potential worth to the society.

Roy Felton Lillian Smith (a good comedy performance as the housekeeper) Peggy Tomlin and Maureen Gorton, played as the assorted thorns in the Skippers Flesh.

Experience will overcome the obvious shortcomings which included tendency to overact, fidgeting, uncertainty, resulting in slowness of cues and the amateurs bugbear of hiding behind furniture.

On the credit side were reasonably good enunciation, adequate dressing of both character and straight parts and overall keenness.

E.J.M, Local Newspaper