Jane
Steps
Out

Hogs' Blood
and
Helebore

S.P.

" Cosmopolitan drama at the Barn "

For it was audacious to throw out such a challenge as they did, with the three plays selected - a picturesque trifle of Italian aristocratic life in the dangerous days of the Borgias, a glimpse of French life, by Sacha Guitry, and a swift transitions to the sun-baked land of North Mexico.  And they succeeded.

The first play, beautifully costumed, and softly coloured by the excellent lighting system of the new stage, was a severe test, for the whole action took place at a table, which meant a certain amount of backs-to-the-audience on the part of some of the young players.  Yet they overcame this, and Lucrezia Borgia's Little Party ended, not as one might have expected from its Borgia connection as a tragedy, but with amusing complications consequent on the introduction of a love philtre ion to the wine.

The players in this doublet and hose piece were Brian K. Cooper [Cesare Borgia], Sylvia Sartin [Lucrezia Borgia], Diane Hubbard [Isabella D'Este], Betty Carpenter [Fiammetta Strozi], Michael Tracey [Ricardo Ridolfi], Arthur Hall [Niccolò Macchiavelli], John Wilson [Leonardo Da Vinci], Ralph Dawes [Baldassare], and Eileen Turley [a serving wench].  It was produced by Mrs E Penney, who directed the whole show, assisted by Peter G. Elder.

In the entertaining Guitry Play Villa for Sale, Brian K. Cooper appeared as Gaston, Betty Carpenter as Jeanne, Maureen Futcher as Juliette, Pamela Riches as Mrs Al Smith and Betty Perry as a maid.  Producer was Ralph Dawes.

Audience voted

Betty F. Carpenter produced the Mexican piece, Sunday cost five pesos, in which Arthur Hall appeared as Fidel, Eileen Turley [Berta], Maureen Futcher [Salome], Diana Hubbard [Tonia], and Sylvia Sartin [Celestina].  The lighting was by Adrian Cooper, and Leslie Chatfield was responsible for music and effects.

At the end of the performance the audience was asked to vote for the play which should be performed at the British Drama League one-act play festival, and Villa for Sale was chosen.

The whole evening was an admirable effort, which merits one small criticism.  Perhaps the young players were not quite accustomed to the acoustics of the new hall, but almost without exception they showed a tendency to keep their voices low, particularly at the end of sentences.  Consequently parts of the dialogue tented [sic] to become inaudible.

Review of the time

Z.W

" Jane's show, and she stepped out "

"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"

by Jonquil Anthony

November 23 1951

Directed by Elizabeth Penney