Rock-A-Bye Sailor

Rock-A-Bye – But Not to Sleep

There was nothing sleepy about Ted Pedvin’s production of “Rock-a-Bye Sailor,” presented by Wythall Dramatic Society at Woodrush School, Wythall last Thursday, Friday and Saturday. It was rollicking family entertainment from start to finish.

Three of the cast were making return appearances in roles they had played in “Sailor Beware,” to the obvious delight of the audience. Brenda Castle once again flattered her way through the part of Edie. She got the laughter tinged with sympathy which the part evokes, particularly in the scene with the redoubtable Emma Hornet.

Emma was played again by Estelle Shutkever, who was in fine form, feuding with son-in-law Albert or quelling the supposedly henpecked Henry with an awesome glance.

Gerry Solomon repeated his success as the eloquent Able Seaman, whilst Jack Parramore, who had switched from his previous part of Carnoustie, played Henry with a wry humour that was just right.

Sybill Parr as Mrs. Lack couldn’t have been funnier, and the whole production had a happy atmosphere which communicated itself to the audience.

V.L., Local Newspaper

Back with four parts

In their current production of "Rock-A-Bye Sailor" at the Woodrush school, Wythall Dramatic Society have four members of the cast re-creating the parts they played in the forerunner "Sailor Beware."

The result is a fine production by Ted Pedvin.

The sense of reality is particularly noticeable in the scene in which Able Seaman Albert Tufnell and his mother-in-law have a show down over the question of the baby's cot. Hornett is a sheer delight.

Estelle Shutkever continuing in the character of Mrs. Gerry Soloman as Albert, Valerie Archer as Shirley and Brenda Castle as Aunt Edie are the other sides of this thoroughly entertaining domestic affair in which Jack Parramore does a neat switch of character as Mr. Hornett.

M.A.P, Local Newspaper

Recipe for Sucess

Take a comedy called "Rock-a-Bye Sailor!" add some very highly talented acting, and you've got an extremely entertaining evening out- as provided by the Wythall Amateur Dramatic Society last week.

The plot was a well worn one: daughter arrives home with husband, whom Mother can't stand, and by the third act inter family relationships have reached boiling point.

Just about all the cast threaten to pack their bags and leave, then just at the 11th hour things are smoothed over and everyone lives happily ever after. Predictably enough, yes, but superbly done by the Wythall players with all the smooth skill of a professional comapny. Not a line was dropped, there were no traces whatsoever of nerves and repartee was fast and slick.

In fact it was a job to find a fault in the whole performance, Estelle Shutkever was perfectly cast as "Emma Hornett" the over powering "Mum" who has decidely fixed idea's about the future of her daughters baby. Giving a most convincing performance her clashes with Albert Tufnell A.B, her daughters husband, present the highlights of the play and mark many of it's most hilarious moments.

Taking Albert's role, Gerry Solomon- and what a splendid job he made of it too. Extremely funny, he shared top honours with Estelle Shutkever and Brenda Castle. Brenda played Edie Hornett the poor, inoffensive relative who kept landing her self in the most ridiculous situations, such as giving pills for pregnant ferrets instead of asprins to her next door neighbour.

The next door neighbour was Mrs Florrie Lack or in real life, Sybil Parr. She was another to provide some splendidly funny moments in her role as the busy body from across the yard. Congratulations to her for the way she played her part so effectively.

Jack Parramore, as the hen pecked husband of the rampaging Emma Hornett, gave good support to the performance, as did daughter Shirley Tifnell, played by Valerie Archer.

Valerie Evans, John Mooney and Frank Winter were all more than adequate in the remaning roles. A special word of praise as well for producer Ted Pedvin. For, judging from the enthusiastic applause at the end, his hard work was certainly worth while.