Captain Carvallo

by Denis Cannan

January 15, 16, 17 1959

Directed by  

Bess Blagden

Production Crew

Review of the time

Thalia

"They Enjoyed Themselves"

The scene is a farmhouse in disputed territory.  Here Smilja Darde awaits the return of her husband, a partisan, fro a secret mission.  Instead there arrives a stranger, Professor Winke, wearing her husband's clothes.  He explains that they had to exchange identities to outwit the enemy.  Hard on his heels come Captain Carvallo and Private Gross of the enemy forces, demanding billets, and soon afterwards Darde himself returns.  Captain Carvallo and Private Gross have a weakness for the ladies, and it is a case of 'all's fair in love and war', with a sweet, brief love affair between Smilja and Carvallo to an accompaniment and gunfire 'off'.

Jean Porter was a charming and sensitive Smilja and Patrick Johnson gave a good, strong performance as captain Carvallo, Brian Moulton played the Baron with effect: his first scene was the best.  Nicholas Sweet had the right manner for Professor Winke, but could have used more force and variety at times.  Ralph Dawes had at times exactly the right sanctimonious style for Caspar Dar; if he could have sustained it it would have been a very good performance.  Ross Workman was excellent as the typical private soldier and Clodagh O'Farrell though not quite pert enough, was nice little maid.  The play was well produced by Bess Blagden with good pace and the set was excellent.  

Review of the time

J.G.

"Difficult Play Well Done"

AS the young officer of the title rôle, Patrick Johnson, displayed excellent timing in his portrayal of the captain who finds life in the Army not without its attractions.  He maintained  a high standard of acting throughout the play.  The honour shared by Jean Porter who, as the farmer's wife, Smilja Darde, gave a performance of touching sincerity yet with a charm and refreshing gaiety in her repartee.  Ralph Dawes as the farmer, Gaspar Darde, added a restrained and diverting touch to his interpretation of the somewhat imaginative and sanctimonious husband.   Ross Workman as Private Gross batman to the captain added a great deal of fun whenever his duties brought him on the stage.

Acting honours should also go to Nicholas Sweet as Professor Winke. In  a difficult rôle, even for the actor of experience, his performance carried conviction, with the unexpected touches of humour adroitly handled - yet this was Mr. Sweet's first stage appearance.  Hi is to be congratulated on his success in a long and arduous part.  Clodagh O'Farrell as Anni and Brian Moulton a the Baron added respectively the necessary touches to pertness and conspiracy.

Lighting, costumes and properties were all admirable, and Bess Blagden, the producer, and her talented cast can congratulate themselves on a difficult task well executed.  

 Sailor, Beware

by Philip King and Falkland Cary

April 15, 16, 17, 18 1959

Directed by  

Frances Moulton

One review of the time

" Amateurs with the professional touch"

 Sailor, Beware, presented by The Young Wick Players at the Barn Theatre, Southwick, on Wednesday, was obviously moulded on the film interpretation of the same title, which starred Peggy Mount .  Betty Carpenter, playing Peggy Mount's part of Emma Hornett, decided that the professional interpretation was best and her masterly portrayal proved correct.  But the Young Wick's version was no pale, bloodless copy of the famous piece, which won success on stage and screen.  It was a thoroughly workmanlike, well produce comedy that raced along in good style from the beginning to the end.

Mrs. Frances Mouton, the producer, had the professional and personal assistance of Mr. Philip King, co-author of Sailor , Beware,  with Falkland Cary, and, in her own words, the aid was invaluable.  Mrs. Moulton, however, is well versed in amateur theatricals. She seeks to understand her cast, and reaching that understanding knows when to guide and when to allow a natural bent to flourish.  This she did to good effect in the case of Patricia Menheneott, who played the part of Shirley Hornett, left at the altar and saved from the effects of a 'bleeding, broken heart' by Albert Tufnell A.B., played by Barrie Bowen, rounding on the dominating Mrs. Hornett, nailing his colours of independence to the mast.

Special mention must be made of Betty Elliott's portrayal of half-mad Edie Hornett.  Her characterisation was convincing, and although her lines were delivered in tense scenes, in the midst of hilarity, she was always audible, accurately timed and acting all the time.  Henry Hornett, hen-pecked beyond measure, was a quiet, intense part and Ralph Dawes played it quietly and calmly. He was the perfect foil for loud mouthed Emma.  For a Sussex man to tackle a broad Glaswegian accent is a tough problem, but Raymond Hopper as Carnoustie Bligh, was a braw Scots laddie, down to his penny-saving meanness.  The flirtatious Daphne Pink, played by Clodagh O'Farrell, as pretty as the blooms she sells in her florist's shop, was an adequate interpretation, and the Rev. Oliver Purefoy, acted by Nicholas Sweet, was also a case of good casting.

The Wickers deserve to be praised for their courage in choosing a stage and screen hit, and putting it across deeply and cleverly etched with their own brand of talented histrionics.

One review of the time

"A young man's dread becomes a reality "

Frances Moulton, the producer, has done some excellent casting, notably assigning to Betty carpenter the taxing rôle of Emma.  She makes a grand job of it, maintaining throughout a simmering explosiveness which bursts into eruption with alarming frequency.  Downtrodden and sentimental Edie, herself jilted 20 years previously, is divertingly played by Betty Elliott.  Hers is a gem of comedy acting throughout.  As the sailor and his bride, Barrie Bowen and Patricia Menheneott are teamed with distinct success and both contribute appreciably to the fun - though there is a telling touch of pathos here and there.  Ralph Dawes, as Henry, the bride's long-suffering father seeking solace in the company of his backyard ferrets, s also well in character, and there are clever studies by Raymond Hopper and Clodagh O'Farrell.  Ably completing the cast are Nicholas Sweet as the Re. Oliver Purefoy, who pours oil on troubled waters, and Mary Gedge, as Mrs. Lack, the Hornett's neighbour with a nose for a free cup of tea.

The company greatly appreciated the attendance of Philip King at some of the rehearsals of his play, which is made all the more enjoyable by its setting. 

The Heiress

by Ruth and Augustus Goetz

October  8, 9, 10  1959

Directed by 

George Porter