As Long As 
They're Happy

by Vernon Sylvaine

February 9, 10, 11 1961

Directed by

 Frances Moulton

I hope you will enjoy this very lively comedy and be gratified to know that the Young Wick is maintaining its standards with an influx of talented people." F.M.

Production Crew

Review of the time

W.G.G.

"This Vehicle is Loaded with Laughs"

The inconsequential story of a teenage daughter's passionate puppy love for a crying crooner, another daughter's runaway affair with a crack-pot playwright-cum-modernist and a flighty feather-brained wife all badgering a respectable, conservative stock-broker-type man was written as a vehicle on which a lot of laughs could be loaded.  It is to the everlasting credit of The Young Wick cast and their stage director, Mrs. Frances Moulton, that hardly a line was lost, and most of them were cued instantly and rammed home with force.  The laurel wreath for best actor or actress must go to Betty Elliott, and although this comparison might be considered invidious because of the excellence of the other players, this actress shone throughout and gave a nearly faultless performance.  She must be one of the best amateur actress in the district.  Brian Moulton, as John Bently, the stockbroker father who was beset by a flood of Bohemianism he could not comprehend, had a heavy part in  a frothy play.  But he struck just the right note between comedy and drama and proved a perfect foil for his aggressive, love-lorn family.  His was perhaps an unenviable rôle, but he was good and consistent.  

The play nearly, but not quite, reached the heights of pure comedy.  Nevertheless, it came so close to target that the tiny difference was hardly discernable.  Already blessed with a plethora of talent, which must be embarrassing to a producer when choosing a cast, The Young Wick Players introduced three new-comers.  First on stage was Beverley Sturmer as Linda the maid.  Nervous at the start, she spoke her lines with a Welsh accent and maintained it throughout. Bolstered by Brian Moulton and Betty Elliott, she gained stature as the piece proceeded, until after the first scene she was acting with great aplomb.  John Robinson, as the psychiatrist, Herman Schneider, arrived on the stage with the confidence of a veteran and maintained it throughout.  he played his part with skill.  Sheelagh O'Farrell was the delinquent teenage daughter, played a long and exacting part with sensitivity, and her voice carried well.  Priscilla Freeman as Corinne made such a fleeting appearance at the conclusion of the performance that it is quite impossible to say anything about her except that she looked stunning in the garb of a cow-girl, complete with stetson. 

Clodagh O'Farrell was the weak link in the chain of comedy.  She played her part too intensely and was over-dramatic in situations which could have been funny.  Conversely her husband, Peter Pember, played by Raymond Hopper, was the funniest character part I have seen for a long time.  The existentialist sculptor-painter-playwright, back from the Parisian Left Bank, was a model of acting.  Mary Gedge, as Pearl, a woman chosen in desperation by the harassed father, was adequate although her advances were restrained to such an extent that it was easy to see how Mr. Bently was able to withstand her amorous intentions.  The 'crying crooner', Bobby Denvers, played by Adrian Hedges, was a sharply focused characterisation of one of the nastiest facet of the modern age.  His crooning was also well done, although at times one was puzzled by the loss of key and unable to judge whether it was the fault of the pianist or the crooner.

It was a fine effort, well produced and well rehearsed.  When one remembers that comedy is one of the most difficult things to stage well with an amateur cast, the credit due to this company is enhanced three-fold.  

 Dial M for Murder

by Frederick Knott

April 13, 14, 15, 1961

Directed by  

Brian Moulton

One review of the time

reviewer unknown

"Young Wick Players in a Thriller"

Crime galore stalks the stage at the Barn Theatre, Southwick, this week-end, where the Young Wick Players are presenting Frederick Knott's thriller Dial M for Murder.  A small but able cast, directed by Brian Moulton, bring a measure of realism to their acting and the play has some exciting moments.  But on the opening night there were too many forgotten lines, and the pace slowed almost to a standstill on occasions.

There is an 'eternal triangle' theme, interwoven with the evil plan of a young husband to have his wife murdered so that he can get his hands on her money.  The scheme misfires, however, and the assailant he has hired ends up stiff on the floor - killed by his intended victim.  The play's concluding moments, in which the husband is finally cornered by the police, are vividly enacted.  Frances Moulton and Adrian Hedges as Sheila and Tony Wendice, the London couple keeping up a veneer of being happily married, act with marked ability and exploit their opportunities for drama to the full. Ralph Dawes as Max Halliday, the third point of the triangle, also acquits himself well, and John Robinson, making only his second appearance for the company, convinces as captain Legate, the hired murderer who gets a taste of his own medicine.  There is a strong incisive portrayal as the astute Inspector Hubbard.

The final performance takes place tonight.

Another review 

Thespis

"More laurels to their crown"

The production was notable for the fine performance of Barrie Bowen as the police inspector.  It was the most authentic representation of such a character that I have ever seen.  There was firmness and a complete command of the situation but allied with courtesy and with no trace of the completely uncharacteristic hectoring that many actors imagine to be the manner of professional police officer.  Adrian Hedges as Tony Wendice ran him a close second. He is an actor of ability and versatility,  and took this self-important young man with the decisive manner, in his stride.  Captain Legate was played by John Robinson and well played, too.  It is, perhaps, a permissible criticism that the weakness of the character was brought out a little too much , so that one doubted that he would have the 'guts' to carry through a cold blooded murder.  Max Halliday, the writer of crime scripts just returned from the USA who hits on the manner of the attempted murder, was played in good style by Ralph Dawes. The weakness of the production lay in Frances Moulton's portrayal of the wife, Sheila.  It was not that her performance was a bad one, but that it was of lesser quality than the men of the cast.  Inevitably this cause a certain watering down of the overall effect.  

Brian Moulton has done an excellent job of production and some not-too-easy stage movement was well handled.  Ross workman was stage manager, and John Chatfield had contrived sound effects that added considerably to the atmosphere of the play.

What do you think?  Ought we to change our name to the WICK THEATRE GROUP or something similar? 
Your suggestions and comments would be greatly appreciated."

 [webed's note Southwick Players are an amateur group also in Southwick and presenting productions in the Barn Theatre

Figure of  Fun

by Andre Roussin
adapted by Arthur Macrae

October  12, 13, 14  1961

  Directed by 

Raymond Hopper

The play itself is rather unusual, and I hope you will find the ideas that it contains thoroughly entertaining.  More than that I don't want to say for fear of spoiling the plot for you.  In the cast you will meet several of your old favourites, and one new comer, Valerie Collard, who had a great success in our Youth Festival winning play, A Resounding Tinkle, when I also had the pleasure of producing her.  

Finally, you who have followed our productions of the last few seasons will be sorry to hear that it will probably be Adrian Hedge's last appearance for us, as he will shortly be leaving our district.  Over the past six years he has played many and varied parts with great distinction and to the best of his considerable ability.  We wish him good fortune, and hope for his return to the friendly ties of the Young Wick Players in the near future.