Southwick
West
Sussex
reg. charity no.
263310

Tickets
£8.50 
under 14's
£5

Box office
online

Box office
01273 597094

Wick thanks
St John's
for their
attendance at
our performances

last updated
07/09/08 21:55

In 1950 - July 28th's The Herald reported "Ambitious plans for the future - and a new name - have been discussed by the drama group of the Unity Youth Club, Fishersgate.  Members will, from now on, be known as the Young Wicks, which bears an ingenious resemblance to the "Young Vics".  

The early plans were for two productions in 1950 but it was not until the next year that their first full length work was presented.  But first a second Evening of One-Act Plays was presented by Unity Youth Club's Young Wick Players [ the name soon changed! ] on

February 3 1951

Directed by

Mrs. E Penney
assisted by  
Peter G Elder

Jane Steps Out

by Kenneth Horne

June 1 1951

Produced by
  
Peter G Elder

the programme is not available but the press articles of the time enable the following to be deduced

"There can be no doubt that the Young Wick Players made a suitable choice for their leading lady in Jane Steps Out, by Kenneth Horne, presented last week at the Barn Theatre, Southwick.  Maureen Fucher, who took the part of Jane, acted best, spoke best and did much of the work of holding together the play - the society's first three-act effort.  Confidence never deserted her.

Miss Fucher appeared to enjoy her lively role of the girl who steals her beautiful sister's boyfriend.  She proves that, although she has always been considered the 'plain Jane', she can reduce her sister Beatrice to going down on her knees to beg Jane to give up the boyfriend.  Sylvia Sartin, as Beatrice, was good in her moments of greatest stress or anger.  Michael Tracy, as Basil Gilbert, played his part well as the bewildered young man unable to keep up with the number of personalities Jane assumes for his benefit, but I think the role demanded more liveliness and vigour.  The same applies to Pamela Riches, who, although seemed well suited in appearance in the part of Margaret Kent, just 'spoke her lines' with very little change of expression in her voice or face.  Eileen Turley gave a skilful, amusing and convincing portrait of the grandma who enjoys the girls' troubles from behind the scenes.  Other parts were taken by Diane Hubbard, Ralph Dawes and John Wilson.

Most of the cast would have given more assured performances had they remembered their lines more accurately.  The costumes, however, were excellent and the scenery, lent by Southwick Players, provided a very good background.  The producer was Peter G Elder, assisted by Brian Cooper and Betty Carpenter was stage manager.  Elizabeth Penney was responsible for the decor, Leslie Chatfield for effects and Adrian Cooper for lighting.  Betty Parry was prompter [sic] and Sheila Cottier and Rodney Benn undertook properties"

Hogs' Blood and Helebore

by Jonquil Anthony

November 23 1951

Directed by
  
Elizabeth Penney

Next Season - 1952