1937

1951

1953

1954

[The British Drama League Festival of Community Theatre is an annual event that started back in the early 1930's. Local organising bodies support by staging first round festivals. 

1955

1956

1957

1958

1959

1960

1961

1962

1963

Oct 4: The Wick Theatre Company - The River Line 
Oct 17: Lewes Theatre Club - The Commander 
Oct 18: Battle Players - Quiet Week-End 
Nov 1: The West Sussex Players -  One Way Pendulum  
Nov 9: Friends Centre Drama Group -  John Gabriel Borkman  
Nov 14: Storrington Dramatic Society -  Something to Hide  
Nov 18: The Ditchling Players -  She Stoops to Conquer  
Nov 20: Forest Row Dramatic Society -  The Wrong Side of the Park  
Nov 21: The Sackville Players -  Semi-Detached  
Nov 22: The Barcombe Players -  Bonaventure  
Nov 23: Midhurst Players -  Noah  
Nov 28: East Dean Players -  Mornings at Seven  
Nov 29: Herstmonceux Drama Group -  Venus Observed  
Nov 30: Hurstpierpoint Players -  The Love of Four Colonels  

Group B: Miss Freda Dowie Adjudicator

1964

1965

"In Final" 

The Wick Theatre Company's junior section has been chosen to take part in the final of the West Sussex Youth Drama Festival at Billingshurst to-morrow [Saturday].   Two adjudicators have toured the county to watch the productions entered by 18 teams, all composed of actors under the age of 21.  The Wick Theatre Company presented Joseph Wants Five Sous, an adaptation by Helena James of a story by Maupassant, at Boundstone School, Lancing on March 5. Now they are among the six finalists, the others coming from Crawley [three teams], Horsham and Birdham.

George Porter, who is co-producer with Maureen Payne, told FanFare this week that, if the Company's juniors are successful at Billingshurst, they will represent West Sussex against the East Sussex, Brighton, Eastbourne, Hastings and Worthing Youth drama winners at Glyndebourne on April 10, competing for the Dorothy Stringer Cup.  The Wick Theatre Company won this cup three years ago with a production of J M Synge's Riders to the Sea.  Before last year, when they did not enter because they had too few actors, the Company won through to the West Sussex final four years in succession.  Mr. Porter who lives at 1 Kingston way, Shoreham, said that the company had  great success in the past with previous teams.  But they had grown over the age limit and the junior strength was being built up again.
 

"The programme for the Sussex Full-Length Drama Festival, rather surprisingly, has only one classic entry.  This is The Merchant of Venice" by Forest Row Dramatic Society, with perhaps, as runner-up, Chekhov's The Three Sisters presented by Sackville Players of East Grinstead.  One modern playwright is twice represented.  Enid Bagnold has The Chalk Garden by The Barnstormers at Eastergate, and Lottie Dundass by Storrington Dramatic Society.  In fact the total entries contain some of my favourite plays.

The Wick Theatre Company are giving Robert Bolt's A Man For All Seasons at the Barn Theatre, Southwick, on October 14. 15. and 16 at 7.45 pm.  I rather like Lottie Dundass although I fear that it may prove a little dated.  Kind Lady, which the Phoenix Players of Worthing are entering, is excellent theatre, as also Thornton Wildr's The Skin of our Teerth the choice of Hastings Theatre Guild.  And then there is Two Dozen Red Roses at Ditchling. Constance Cox's Lord Arthur Saville's Crime  at Little Common, Pygmalion at Bognor, Nude With A Violin at East Dean, Waltz of the Toreadors at Herstmonceux and Terence Rattigan's Adventure Story by Lewes Little Theatre.

There are also a few pretty bad plays that will tax the ability of the groups to make them seem passable, but there are always these unaccountable choices.

Also, locally, the Southwick Players have entered A Letter form the General which will be at the Barn Theatre from November 2 to 6 at 7.30pm.  

Tickets for these plays are obtainable from the secretaries of the groups concerned, or I can pass on any letters if you do not know the addresses.

The final day is at the Esplanade Theatre, Bognor Regis, on Saturday, December 11 at 2.30pm and 7.30 pm when the two adjudicators, Jane Benson for Group 'A' and John Nicolson for Group 'B' will give their summing up of the festival.  Bookings for this will not be accepted before November 16 and should be made with the County Drama Adviser, Barrons Down, Brighton Road, Lewes."

"Last week I considered plays seen last year.  This week, we turn to the more fascinating  subject of players.  Readers of devotion and stamina will recall that over the past six years [yes, it IS that long] I have awarded imaginary Thespis 'Oscars' and the task is becoming annually more difficult. 

...But to come to a final choice; two double 'Oscars' for quite superb teams; Jean Porter and Ian Elliott in the Wick Theatre Company production The Queen and the Welshman.  Here was indeed superb playing of Queen Katherine and Sir Owen Tudor.  
Completely different but equally skilful were Sheila Doughty and Ronald Taylor as Simon and Laura Foster for Rottingdean Drama Society.

But ultimately it comes to a choice of three:  Derek Mason as Jon Pinedus in the New Venture's The Pinedus Affair, an exacting rôle demanding a considerable 'gamut of emotions';  Peter Milner as Walter Langer in Brighton Little Theatre's Five Finger Exercise and finally the truly magnificent performance of Pat Johnson as Sir Thomas More in the Wick Theatre Company's A Man For All Seasons. 

1966

Dec 10 - Final at Bognor Regis Esplanade Theatre

"A young actress who distinguished herself by giving excellent performances in two widely differing rôles was Susanna Porter of the Wick Theatre Company with a haunting Electra, and a bubbling sparkling Gigi.  And in the same play Venetia Baker, as a guest player from the Southwick Players, gave an exquisitely polished Alicia de St. Elpham."   

"Of the many plays that I have seen through 1966 those which say [sic] most in my memory because of their quality are [and here Thespis lists seven plays including.... Gigi and A Touch of the Poet]

1967

The press at the time spoke of "As a first step in their attempt to hold the Sussex Youth Drama Festival Trophy, Wick Theatre Company's under-21 section will present an excerpt from Exit the King by Eugene Ionesco."  The cast was; Tony Sellwood, Peter Joyce, Rosemary Pigott, Jane Chinchen, Coral Guildford and Vincent Joyce.  

In competition were Boundstone Youth Wing, Littlehampton Amateur Dramatic Society and Quayside Youth Club Drama Group.

There were also entries from: Eskay Theatre Group, Aquarius Theatre Group, The Southwick Players, St. Peter's Players, The Woodingdean Players

The Wick Theatre presented A Happy New Year devised, revised; written and rewritten by Tony Sellwood.  Additional material 'the better stuff' by Harold Pinter and Peter Mayers.  A cast that included; Peter Power, Janice Hopper, Ralph Dawes, Tony Sellwood, Ian Leavey, Ray Hopper, Ross Workman, Elizabeth Penney.  The Barnes-Moss Ballet School presented The Enchanted Flowers.  The Southwick Players, Rehearsal and the Southwick Players Let's Look Back.

The President A.G.W. Penney Esq. J.P., B.Sc. spoke after the interval, during which refreshments were served and the Southwick Light Ensemble played Faust Ballet Music by Gounod.

C.S.P. wrote in the local Press: " Mr. Penney said the hall improvements had been finished just in time for the autumn season.  When the rest of the building works at the centre were completed, there would be a 'worthy' opening ceremony.  He praised the architects and builders, both represented in the audience, for having completed the hall works ready for the concert, and thanked all who contributed to the show."

Wick Theatre won Group A but from notes of the time 'atrocious weather' prevented the final taking place.

1968

1969

The Shoreham Little Theatre - The Man Who Wouldn't Go To Heaven by F Sladen-Smith
The Shoreham Little Theatre - Antigone - by Jean Anouih

Two other productions were performed:

Horsham Area Team with: Duologue - St Joan; Mimes - Dinner Date and Night Out; Speech - Cymbeline; Poem - Hunters Trials; Scene - The Satisfied Mind (developed from improvisation)
The Shoreham Little Theatre - Antigone - by Jean Anouih

"Stage set for a Southwick theatre workshop" 

The long cherished dream of the Wick Theatre Company to have a theatre workshop in Southwick may at last be coming true.  Southwick Council's allotments and parks committee are considering their application to convert Eastbrook Barn into a workshop and centre for the company.  But first the committee have to see if a 1964 plan to convert the barn into a youth and sports centre is likely to be put into effect.
Agreement was reached at the time with West Sussex County Council for the scheme.  But although the Minister of Housing considered it to be desirable, he said there was not sufficient reason to grant loan consent.  Yesterday the chairman of the committee, Councillor Irene Sweet, said that West Sussex would be asked whether they were now prepared to approve the sports centre scheme.

Sympathy

This had to be done before the theatre workshop idea could be considered.  She had sympathy with the company as suitable buildings in the town were in short supply.  Mr Barry Bowen, chairman of the Wick Theatre Company, told the Herald that for about six months the council had been helping them to find premises.  One building being considered had been 21 Southwick Street, the house in the town centre over which there had been a big argument earlier this year.  The council eventually decided that this should be restored and used for office accommodation.  Mr Bowen said that the problem of providing a workshop was becoming urgent.  Premises where their scenery is stored are due to be demolished shortly under a road widening scheme.  At present the company use the Barn Theatre in Southwick Community Centre for their productions.  But this is so heavily used that it cannot be employed for many rehearsals. 
The Company, 21 years old this year, want to develop the youth side of their activities to support the company.  At present people aged between 21 and 25 often lose interest in the theatre after leaving schools and youth clubs.  A theatre workshop would help to keep their interest alive and would also help in other ways, such as improving their ability at public speaking.  It would have a stage and a series of rooms were carpenters, painters and dressmakers could work.  Mr Bowen said the company had some money to invest and were prepared to work hard to convert a suitable building.

Bridgehead

"We want to provide a bridgehead from the schools into the company," he said.  "We have had the dram of this workshop for many years but Southwick has few places suitable.  We don't want to move from Southwick as we have been here 21 years and like its community spirit.  Our concern is to provide an atmosphere in which people who are interested in drama as an aspect of further education can practice it."

1970

April 17  Adur Area Youth Committee's Youth Drama Festival at Boundstone Comprehensive School, Boundstone Lane, Lancing saw The Wick Theatre Company present Harold Pinter's The Room.  The cast was Julie Morgan, Jack Wilson, David Peaty, Angela Mehr, Steven Moulton and Anthony Deasey. 

There were also entries from:
The Shoreham Little Theatre - The Anatomist - Act 2 by James Bridie
The Shoreham Little Theatre -  Sunday Costs Five Pesos by Josephina Niggli (which incidentally Wick performed in 1951) 

But how the companies fared is not known. 

1971

A letter dated March 24th 1971 from West Sussex County Council's Area Youth Officer J. M. Walton to Ralph Dawes thanked him for "the tremendous amount of hard work which you put into your groups entry for the Festival and Chichester Festival Theatre.  As this as the first occasion that such a Festival took place, may mistakes were made, and we shall take care to avoid them for future occasions, but I am sure you will be interested to know that the Committee thought it was a worthwhile occasion and that it was an extremely good experience for the young people who took part."   

Walter Hix wrote of an entertaining way to spend an evening, and included in his piece; 'The whole of the second part of the programme was taken up by a quite inspired production by young Richard Porter of Trevor from John Bowen's Little Boxes. Bowen has set producer and actors a hard task in this short play in which a sincere and moving lesbian theme is tricked out with riotous comedy.  Jane Kempton and Sarah Lawrence who share a flat in Kensington, were very well played by Susan Brown and Ann Baker.  To hide the truth from their respective parents Jane has invented a lover, also called Trevor and Sarah has invented a lover, also called Trevor.  Because Jane's parents are coming on a visit an out-of-work actor is pressed into service as Trevor but the Lawrences arrive as well!  David Goodger played the unfortunate Trevor, pressed into service for both families, with great skill and with just the right fairy touch.  Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence were Jean Porter and Alan Upton and Mr. and Mrs. Kempton were Audrey Laye and Jack Bingham.  Mr. Hudson, the landlord, who appears briefly, was played by John Sheridan.  It is interesting that I found the outline set, designed and constructed by Richard Porter, to be more convincing than the realistic set that I had previously seen used for this play.  Also I applaud his courageous and right decision to dispense with curtain calls which would have been a crashing anti-climax.'

1972

Wick Theatre present Olwen Wymark's Stay Where You Are; a four-hander directed by George Porter,  with Audrey Laye, Pat Moss, Douglas Tucker and Neil Shephard.  Setting and stage direction by George Laye, assisted by Betty Dawes, 

There were also entries form:
Aquarius Theatre Group - The Rising Generation by Anne Jellicoe,
Aquarius Theatre Group - Playgoers by Arthur Pinero,
The Attic Theatre Group - The Long Christmas Dinner by Thornton Wilder,
Southwick Players - The Rats by Agatha Christie

1973

Wick Theatre present Harold Pinter's The Collection; a four-hander directed by George Porter, with Jack Bingham, Vincent Joyce, Raymond Hopper and Allyson Lee.  Stage Manager & Set design; Tony Morison. [sic]

There were also entries form:
Aquarius Theatre Group - A Night Out by Henry Pinter
West Chiltington Amateur Drama Society - Four Queens Wait for Henry by L Du Garde Peach,
The Rother Players - A Taste of Gay a brief adaptation by Joanne Evers of John Gay's Beggars Opera
The Eskay Theatre - Life of Hercules: Page One by Thomas Cruden
The Rother Players - Bishop's Move by Joanne Evers

Harry Patterson later wrote under a heading "Bravissimo Pianissimo" [an extract] "It is always said that the best time to write is while the subject is fresh in the mind, so this is being written immediately after curtain down at the end of the first night of Pianissimo ...The audience are making their way home now, but there is a solid guarantee they will still be talking about what must be the best show of variety yet seen in the area.  From the moment Stephen Hayler soulfully sang Pianissimo until the same singer ended the show with The Party's Over - with the cast dancing in couples across the stage - the audience laughed and listened, applauded and wondered at the quality they were witnessing. ...Jack Bingham, Roy Davidson, Michael Donkin, David Creedon and Bill Motson were a riot...Dinkie Stapleton danced with her daughter, Sarah Flowers, Ann Baker and Helen Drzyzga and came out of it well...It was all good clean entertainment."

1974

There were also entries from:
St. Philip's Players - John Ford's Cuban Missile Crisis based on an improvisation by the Bradford Art College
The Kitcheners - A Phoenix Too Frequent by Christopher Fry
Forest Row Dramatic Society - The Return by Charles Vites
Betchworth Operatic and Dramatic Society - The Lady's Not for Burning by Christopher Fry
Phoenix Theatre Group - Two Gentlemen of Soho by A.P.Herbert
The Haslemere Thespians - The Women of Troy by Euripides
Kennington Women's Institute - Covenant with Death by Margaret Wood
St. Paul's Drama Group - The Dice by Forbes Bramble

It was produced by Richard Porter and the cast consisted of Anna Welsh, Roger Stott, Raymond Hopper and David Creedon.  Thirteen companies competed for the award, including the all England finalists of the National Festival of Community Theatre, the Maidenhead Players.  Apparently they were not too chuffed to be beaten by Wick!  And Ray Hopper remembers that the adjudicator, Alan Kitching, when giving Wick first place had commented on the high standards for this year's entries to the festival.  The Kenton Award is Wick's fifth award at the festival in the last three years.

1975

The press said of the success; "Winner of the major award was the Wick Theatre Company with Monica Joyce's production of Antigone.  Owing to the sudden indisposition of the originally selected player, Monica, in addition to directing, found herself a t short notice with the rôle of Antigone which she played so well that she became a joint winner of the best actress award.  Even allowing for the high quality of her acting, I was even more impressed with the inspired direction which she brought to the play, the constant changes in tempo which kept the story alive, and kept the incisive and divergent character of the various elements of the story, even to the small parts of the guards.  Taking part in this really very fine production Jack Bingham, who won best actor award for his playing of Creon, Betty Dawes as the nurse, Suzanne Brocken as Antigone's sister Ismene, Peter Joyce as her fiance Haemon, Pat Johnson as a messenger, Alan Upton and Barrie Bowen as the guards, Matthew Bingham as Creon's page, and Laura Martin, Sheila Deasey, Jane Durance, Jonathan Skelton, and Andrew Theaker as the chorus.

Wick's Antigone was in completion with:

Bletchingley Amateur Dramatic Society - When We are Married [Act ll] by J.B. Priestley
Sandgate Townswomen's Guild - Not in the Guide Book by Joy Anderson
Ashurst Wood Village Players - How the Other Half Loves [Act l] by Alan Ayckbourn
Croydon Stagers Operatic and Dramatic Society - Dramatic Section - Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf? [Act ll] by Edward Albee
Haslemere Thespians - A Provincial Lady by Ivan Turgeniev
Hurst Green's Women's Institute - Roly-Poly by Barry L. Hillman
Mepham & Nurstead W.I. Drama Group - Between the Soup and the Savoury by Gertrude Jennings
The Rother Players - What shall we do about Helen? by Joanna Evers

Unhappily a number of societies have folded, but some new ones have emerged and, most encouraging, are continuing to emerge.  Most exciting of all, the formation of the Brighton and Hove Arts Council will eventually provide the answer to the problem that has bedevilled the art all this time, the appalling lack of premises and facilities, although the fact that the Jewish youth organisation outbid Hove Council for the Ralli Hall must, inevitably, set hopes for an arts centre back for some time to come.

I mentioned a host of memories, and to speak of them all would take an entire issue of the Gazette but I should like to refer to some emphasising that it is only a tiny fraction of the fine work that sticks in the mind.  There is one production that can never be forgotten, and that is the Brighton Little Theatre presentation of the Diary of Anne Frank, directed by Edwin Earl with an equally unforgettable performance by Eileen Timms.  Of individual performances there are very many.  I remember Edward Hood Senior for two vastly differing rôles.  In Flowering Cherry he gave a performance that then, and now in retrospect, I rate higher than that of Sir Ralph Richardson; a splendid pantomime dame with a wonderful song about mices that come in different sizes ... Still in Southwick, Brian Moulton has played many differing rôles with consistent success but his greatest achievement was last week in Othello.

Henry Ford of Brighton Little Theatre I remember for his Maitland in the Chalk Garden, as a very funny one of My Three Angels and for  fantastic cameo in the Wooden Dish.  Irene Denney of Brighton Arts Theatre has played many leading rôles with distinction but I most clearly remember her for a 15-minute rôle as Katherine in Heirs to England when she practically had me in tears rehearsing in sweater and slacks with the restrained poignancy of her acting.  I wonder whether Renee Read remembers her performance in Shadows of Mart, or her husband Frank recalls his own fine playing in Mungo's Mansion?  Yes, they were a long time ago.

I must leave it at that; once started on this memory game it is hard to stop but I must mention some of the valuable people in amateur drama who have died.  Dear old Arnold Smith, for example and lovable Mig Radford, Myra Stewart in whose company I made my first stage appearance at the age of 18, really wholeheartedly dedicated people like Sidney Kingsley, Leah Laughton, Harold Petty and Graham Philips who, if no one is indispensable came very close to it.

There have been successes and failures.  Most notable successes were in partnership with Fabian de P Worsfield, who left Brighton some time ago.  There was the Regency Festival production of The Relapse in which David Collings  was an outstanding Lord Foppington and Jean Porter an outstanding Miss Hyden; and in the following year Joan Brampton's Heirs to England with fine performances by Peggy McKerchar, Fabian Norsfield and Clodagh O'Farrell [all of them now away from Brighton].  There other major success was Brighton Youth Theatre, which not only produced outstanding productions, notably Under Milk Wood, but helped several into the profession, and a number more to get good drama degrees.

And the failures ... I was chairman of a committee set up to save the Paris in New Road.  This was a conscious sponsoring of a lost cause but was just another attempt to point out the lack of facilities in the area.  I was prime mover in the attempt to get the Royal Spa as an arts centre.  This certainly was a viable proposition but was scuttled by Brighton Council which is still fiddling about with it and will soon be able to say that it is past repair and must be demolished.  I was on the ground floor of the establishment of Brighton and Hove Arts Council - but the members hoofed me out at the first annual meeting.

So the song is ended.  My heartfelt and grateful thanks to the many, many, people who have given me so much pleasure for such a long time.  there is a hole in my lifestyle that cannot easily be filled."

The Ursurians - Man Alive by John Dighton
The Prospect Drama Group - Rape of the Belt by Benn Levy
The Ferring Dramatic Society - I'll Leave It To You by Noel Coward
The Aquarius Theatre Group - The Crucible by Arthur Miller
The Myra Stewart Players - Daughter of the Left Hand by Norman Holland
The Brighton Arts Theatre Group - The Chalk Garden by Enid Bagnold

1976

The Wick Theatre Company have once again swept the board in Brighton and District Drama Association's Play Festival.  Last year they took the three top awards, and this year they keep two of them - the best play, which was won by J. B. Priestley's When We Are Married, and best actor, Douglas Tucker.  The third main award, best actress, went to Daisy Prince for her part in the Myra Stewart Players' production of Daughter of the Left Hand by Norman Holland.  Daisy has been a member of the Players since 1951 and is one of four producers with the group.

The best actor award was another triumph for Douglas Tucker, a Southwick bank manager, who also won the cup last year.  This is the third year running that the Wick have produced the best actor of the festival.  Douglas is a veteran member of the Wick Group, which was founded in 1948 and stages all its plays at the Barn Theatre in Southwick.  Audrey Laye directed When We Are Married, and she received the cup from Constance Cox, president of the drama association.  It is play Audrey has always loved, and her enthusiasm for it obviously rubbed off on her talented and experienced cast..  "We enjoyed the play from the moment we started rehearsing," said Audrey, who admitted that it was quite a challenge being producer following the company's success at the last festival.

The Wick also won its own Southwick festival in May, the first heat of the British Drama League, and went on to come fifth in the next heat.  It is quite a reputation to keep up.  There were seven entries for the festival, more than usual, and groups put on their plays during November and December with adjudicator Basil Soper attending one performance of each.  The top four companies were very close, with only six points separating them.  Runners-up were Brighton Arts Theatre with The Chalk Garden by Enid Bagnold, third the Prospect Drama Group with The Rape of the Belt by Benn Levy, and fourth the Myra Stewart Players, who put on  Daughter of the Left Hand.

Trophies for the best supporting actor and actress were won by Malcolm Donaldson of the Prospect Group, and Joyce Wright, who appeared in the Aquarius Theatre Group's production of The Crucible by Arthur Miller.  The Prospect also collected a third award, a new cup given in memory of Harold Petty who was chairman of the drama association, for special technical work.  The Prospect won it for the fine set members produced for The Rape of the Belt.

Association secretary Janet Hopping summed up the drama festival as one of the best ever, not only for the number of entries but because of the variety of plays put on, giving Basil Soper quite a tough job.  Now that the association is no longer confined to just Brighton and Hove - it draws members from Worthing to Seaford and north to Haywards Heath - Janet is hoping the festival will become even bigger and better in future years."

1977

'The Prospect players part of Brighton Central Free Church, pipped the Wick Theatre Group to the winning post by just two marks to take first prize in the full-length play festival organised by Brighton and District Drama Association.  The Prospect's most challenging production, Edward Albee's A Delicate Balance, won them the Kenneth Kent trophy, which was presented by association president Constance Cox when the results were announced at Hove Town Hall on Saturday.  The group were such unsuspecting winners that only four members attended the presentation, and producer Martin Preston was not among them.  Instead Brenda Heasman, a member of the cast of six and one of Prospect's most experienced actresses, took the cup.

The group have come third in the previous two years they have entered but during this festival which ran from October to December and attracted a record number of entries, they cam top with 86 marks.  Close behind with 84 were Wick, who have held the trophy for the past two years and were runners-up the year before that.  Their production at Southwick's Barn Theatre was The Marquise by Noel Coward.  In third place with 80 marks came the Myra Stewart Players who put on Somerset Maughan's 1929 play The Sacred Flame. 

The Sydney Kingsley cups for best male and female performances went to Thomas James who played James Winter in The White Sheep of the Family presented by the Church of the Good Shephard Drama Group, and to Ceinwen Clarke for her portrayal of Anna in Brighton Arts Theatre's production of The Day After the Fair.  Awards for best supporting players went to Stewart Clapperton for his rôle in Dinner with the family presented by the Aquarius Theatre Group, and to Daisy Prince of the Myra Stewart Players.  The Harold Petty Cup for special work 'behind the scenes' went to Philip Cronan who wrote Round to Square One as Ferring Amateur Dramatic Society's entry.

The results were kept a closely guarded secret by association chairman Ron Wood and the adjudicator, West Sussex drama adviser George Rawlings.  Mr. Rawlings said the festival had been very interesting.  A lot of 'oldies' had been put on, but there had been some very good evenings of theatre and he congratulated the groups on keeping the theatre alive.  His only criticism was the lack of good direction - amateur directors had an almost impossible task, he said - and the poor premises for presenting the plays.

'The future is rosy, for the amateur theatre movement is growing rapidly, particularly, down here, and all we need is theatres to air your work in', he said"

Wick [runners-up] presented Sean O'Casey's Bedtime Story Directed by Richard Porter.  David Creedon [John Joe Mulligan] took best actor award.  The rest of the cast was Margaret Ockenden [Angela Nightingale, Roger Job [Daniel Halibut], Angela Laye [Miss Mossie].

There were also entries form:

The Ashington Players - Squat Betty by Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall
The Barnstormers Youth Theatre Group - Skullduggery by Nick Faulkner
The Aquarius Theatre Group - The Man of Destiny by Bernard Shaw
The Southwick Players -  The Apollo de Bellac by Jean Giraudoux

A local news piece David Creedon is Best Actor  [probably by Walter Hix in the Brighton & Hove Gazette - webed] reported the Festival outcome.  "Wick Theatre Company's David Creedon won the best actor award, but just failed to inspire his company to victory on their home ground in the annual Southwick Community Association drama festival at the Barn Theatre on Friday and Saturday.  David gained his prize for his portrayal of Irishman John Joe Mulligan in Sean O'Casey's comedy Bedtime Story.

Wick, however, were runners-up in the festival to the Rother Players who won with an outstandingly polished performance of Electra by Sophocles.  Patricia Edwards, in the title rôle, was named best actress by the adjudicator Elizabeth Wilson.  Rother now go forward to the regional finals of the National Festival of Community Theatre at Croydon next month."

Shiplake Players - Still Life by Noel Coward
Chinnor Players - The Gentle Rain by Antony Booth
Maidenhead Drama Guild and Theatre Club - Came the Knight by Robert Tannitch
Henley Youth Drama Players - The Hole by N.F.Simpson
Twyford & Ruscombe Theatre Group - Sequence of Events by G. MacEwan Green
Chiltern Edge Youth Group - Harlequinade by M.L.Sigley
Ridegway Theatre - A Day in The Death of Joe Egg by P. Nichols
Henley Players - Hello Out There by William Saroyan
Tea Time Drama Group (Youth) - Chain Me to the Railing Mrs. Pankhurst by Kevin Charlton
Chiltern Edge Players (Women) - Mr. Hunter by Stuart Ready

Southwick Operatic Society
Southwick Players
The Wick Theatre Company
Timbrey Fayre
The Community Association Lighting Group

Wick's Intent to Murder - by Leslie Sands was in competition with
Prospect Players - Happy End by Dorothy Lane
Myra Stewart Players - Stolen Waters by Lionel Brown
Ursurians - Lord Arthur Savile's Crime by Constance Cox
Nucleus Theatre Group - Wait Until Dark by Frederick Knott
Brighton Arts Theatre - [not detailed on early publicity flyer held in the archive - webed]

1978

How we can make young dreams come true

"One of the more unfortunate features of the Brighton amateur drama movement is the lack of encouragement to the young people top participate in drama."  The opening to an article [probably by Walter Hix in the Brighton & Hove Gazette] in the Amateur Stage slot, sometime early in the year.

"Time was when there were several avenues available, achieving work of high quality.  True, the Barnstormers at Patcham are carrying on their group activity - but in the main it is only the musical side that is being catered for.  The Young Optimists, for example, have a membership of some 24 youngsters, mostly in the eight to 15 age group, who have presented a variety of shows including The Wizard of Oz and who are now preparing a minstrel show for presentation probably in June.  Sussex Musical Theatre Group has recently formed a junior section, with 29 members in th eight to 16 are bracket, directed by Joseph Malet, who will be presenting a variety show at Dorset Hall in September.

Young Wick
Cross over into Southwick, and a very different picture emerges.  There two youth drama groups are flourishing.  The 13 to 18 age group has revived the company's original title of the Young Wick Theatre Company.  This group of 15 has its own committee under the chairmanship of Simon Gray, with Sheila Wright in an advisory capacity.  This age range is currently immersed in O levels and would otherwise have entered The Sword and the Stone for the Youth Drama Festival.  This is a play on the Excalibur theme written by a member, Tone Muzzell, a student at Worthing Art College, who designed the stage sets for the parent company's production last Christmas of Where the rainbow Ends.  The Junior Wick, with about 20 members, is under the direction of Frances Moulton and covers the age range nine to 13.  Both groups intend to enter festivals and present their own productions and are solely concerned with drama.  The object is to encourage the art, and ultimately for the members to graduate to the Wick Theatre Company."

Wick presented Jack Boswell's Death and Nellie Miller Directed by Brian Moulton.  Audrey Laye took the title rôle of Nellie Miller.  Man was played by Peter Joyce and George by Brian Mouton. 

There were also entries form:

The Barnstormers Youth Theatre Group - Mutatis Mutandis by David Campton
The Aquarius Theatre Group - Harlequinade by Terrence Rattigan
The Southwick Players -  After Magritte by Tom Stoppard
The Aquarius Theatre Group - Mother's Day by J. B. Priestley

A piece in the local press Too easy for the festival winner? had this to say:

"The Southwick Community Association Drama Festival, held at the Barn Theatre, Southwick, last week, was won by the Rother Players.  I cannot agree with this verdict for a particular reason.  With one probable exception, theirs was the easiest play to perform.  Accepting the confines of a standard marking sheet I feel that an adjudicator must take into consideration the relative difficulty of the plays entered.  If the point is reached when the way to win a festival is to select a simple, small-cast play then surely the festival becomes meaningless.

The festival opened with a production by the Barnstormers Youth Theatre Group of a slightly sick comedy by David Campton called Mutatis Mutandis.  This concerned a young couple whose baby is born with teeth, green hair, three eyes and a tail.  My praise to a youth group for attempting it, but it really was too difficult for their lack of experience.  Timing and the pointing of lines is of great importance and to get this right calls for a lot of experience.  The next item was a repeat by the Aquarius Theatre Group of Harlequinade, which they recently included in their own evening of light entertainment.  The play had been tightened up since its earlier showing but still did not produce all the laughs that are there for the taking.  Peter Harris, who directed, took over the rôle of Jack Wakefield and made a more creditable character than the original actor, who was not available for this performance.  Friday's programme concluded with a rather odd play by Tom Stoppard called After Magritte, with a zany humour reminiscent of N. F. Simpson.  It was presented by the Southwick Players and was notable for the extremely funny Inspector Foot created by Christopher Kenneford.  He received the best actor of the festival award.  Adjudicator Peter Carr gave this play the runner-up trophy.

First on Saturday was the winning entry, The Pen of My Aunt by Gordon Daviot.  This is yet another of the many French resistance movement plays and tells the story of the escape of a French soldier under the yes of a German corporal.

Resistance
It was competently done but imposed no great demands on the cast of four.  Madame, whose work for the resistance was facilitated by being in good standing with the enemy, was played by Patricia Edwards, who received the best actress award.  Another actress who qualified for the award was Audrey Laye in the Wick Theatre Company entry, Death and Nellie Miller.  She played Nellie, visited by the Angel of Death who has called to claim her.  Although this play was placed third by the adjudicator, he criticised it strongly and I confess that I found some of his advers comments difficult to understand.  death, played by Peter Joyce, was a serious and unsmiling young man in sharp contrast to the ordinary housewife on whom he called.  I find it difficult to see how this production would have been improved had Death not maintained his gravity.

Virile
It is a tenable concept to represent death as a pleasant young fellow who had called in for a chat, but in my view producer, Brian Moulton's interpretation was preferable.  There is a point in the play when the despairing Nellie Miller stabs death in the back.  It was suggested the she should have stabbed him in the stomach.  But it is surely improbable that a young and virile man would allow this ageing lady to approach him from the front with a knife.

Concluding the festival was a second entry by the Aquarius Theatre Group, J. B. Priestley's Mother's Day, which I reviewed recently.  It was reasonably well received by the adjudicator.  A heartening feature of the festival was the good audience attendance on both evenings."

1979

Wick Theatre presented Johnny P.M. by Taylor Lovering directed by Brian Moulton.  The cast:  Ralph Dawes, Frances Moulton, Douglas Tucker, Margaret Ockenden, Dennis Picott, Wendy Picott.
The Young Wick Theatre Group presented Arthur Pinero's Playgoers directed by Betty Dawes.  The cast: Antony Muzzall, Claire Tucker, Amanda Dawes, Katie Steele, Alan Gray, Emily Reed, Karen Mulholland, Jonathon Dawes.  [The Young Wick was formed as a direct result of Wick's production of Where the Rainbow Ends and is very active and self financing.  This is the first time Claire, Karen or Katie have appeared on the Southwick stage.]  The play was third.

There were also entries form:

The Aquarius Theatre Group - A Separate Peace by Tom Stoppard
The Rother Players - A Sunny Morning by S & J Qintero [trans. John Garrett Underhill]
The Rother Players - Arms and The Man [act 1] by Bernard Shaw

Premises

The lease could run out on our premises in five years' time and we need to be putting money in the bank to replace them if we have to.  If the company is going to continue as it has done for the past 31 years we have got to save some money, otherwise we could be back on the streets again.  We have got to revitalise the company - that's why we rare having a meeting on Monday night.  We must have a firm commitment from every member that they are wholeheartedly behind the company.'

The company's latest production, Arsenic and Old Lace, opened at the Barn Theatre, Southwick on Tuesday and finishes tomorrow night. 

1980

Young Wick Theatre Company also performed the non-competitive Cat by John Reason. Directed by Alan Gray and Katie Steele. The cast:  Claire Tucker, Alison Ward, Alan Gray, Amanda Fenton, Karen Mulholland, Clive Ford, Nicholas Thorne, Jonathon Dawes, Sarah Ockenden.

Amanda Dawes - Florence Boothroyd
Clive Ford - Geoffrey Fisher
Emily Reed - Alice Fisher
Alan Gray - Billy Fisher
Nicholas Thorne - Arthur Crabtree
Caroline Ockenden - Barbara
Sarah Ockenden - Rita
Karen Mulholland - Liz

Frank Horsley reviewed the play:  "Maturity beyond their years" 

'A good deal of courage went into Young Wick Theatre Company's first full length production at the Barn Theatre last week, not to mention a generous sprinkling of talent.  They could have hardly chosen a more testing venture than the comedy Billy Liar, a play incorporating a whole range of emotions and situations normally reserved for adults.  Apart from their own intuition and imagination, their only guidance was the adult direction of Jennifer Sheriden who was honest enough to admit being initially hesitant about accepting the job.  She need not have worried.  The eight-strong cast of 14 to 16 year olds assumed the cares, looks, feelings and language of grown-ups with remarkable success.

The play revolves round Billy Fisher, a compulsive liar and dreamer, driving his parents to distraction and his grand-mother to an untimely death with his refusal to conform to their close-knit northern way of life, juggling his girlfriends around like a performing seal.  Alan Gray, waif-like and wide-eyed gave depth and credibility to Billy's character with his natural stage flair and presence.   Amanda Dawes was uncannily true to life a Billy's grand-mother, care worn and rambling in her dotage, while Clive Ford and Emily Reed looked every bit the part as his harassed parents.

The girls in Billy's life drew finely observed performances from twins Caroline and Sarah Ockenden, and Karen Mulholland.  Also showing maturity beyond his years was Nicholas Thorne as Arthur Crabtree.

It was just a pity that having achieved the goal of looking and acting much older than they were, the cast could not have learned their lines a little more fluently.'  

1981

There were also entries from:

Steyning Downland W.I. Drama Group - R.I.P by Kathlyn Selby
The Barnstormers Youth Theatre Group - Conversations with a Golliwog by Alexander Guyan
The Rother Players - None So Blind [the story of Oedipus the King] adapted by Joanna Evers
The Regency Players - An Author in Search of Eight Characters by Jessica Fraser
NB The Southwick Players - The Lover by Harold Pinter was 'withdrawn by the producer' [Christopher Kenneford]

Walter Hix wrote in the BRIGHTON AND HOVE GAZETTE   "The adjudicator at Southwick Drama Festival was absolutely right to give top award to the Wick Theatre Company for its desperately funny production of Streuth.  From the opening mishap it went through the gamut of missed cues and deliberately bad acting.  The whole cast played well, especially Barrie Bowen and Brian Moulton.  Frances Moulton directed with inventiveness and imagination." 

The article, which gave full coverage of the competition finished with a foot-note 'Streuth will not be in the next round of the national one-act drama festival on April 28 because it clashes with the opening night of Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be.'

1982

There were also entries from:

Shoreham Little Theatre - In Need of Care by David E Rowley
Steyning Downland W.I. Drama Group - Not in the Guide Book by Joy Anderson
The Southwick Players - an excerpt from - The Lion in Winter by James Goldman
Storm Theatre Company - See You To-morrow by Frank Vickery
The Little People - Cell by Susan Eves

Graham Oulds wrote: "When Silence is golden .." 'Success came for the second successive year to Wick Theatre Company in winning the Southwick Drama Festival at the Barn Theatre last Friday and Saturday.  They presented Silence a rather obscure one-act play written by Harold Pinter.  It consisted solely of three inter-cut monologues in which the meaning is left to each member of the audience.

Douglas Brown, adjudicating, found it difficult to fault the three actors, Patrick Johnson, Margaret Ockenden and Tim Cara, who sat fairly motionless for the most part of the play.  They put feeling and colour into verbal thoughts and painted a picture of what seemed their insular lives.  Mr Brown praised director George Porter for his understanding of a very difficult and ambitious play.'

May 7 Young Wick presented an evening of One Act Plays.  All tickets were £1. 'Curtain up at 7.30 (please note)'
A Night School by Harold Pinter.  Directed by Margaret Ockenden.
Cast: Sarah Ockenden, Clive Ford, Karen Mulholland, Caroline Ockenden, Alan Gray, Nicholas Thorne, Michael Walker-D'Cruze, Amanda Dawes
The Rats by Agatha Christie. Directed by Clive Ford.
Cast: Sarah Ockenden, Caroline Ockenden, Michael Walker-D'Cruze, Andrew Theodoridi
After Magritte by Tom Stoppard.  Directed by Alan Gray.
Cast: Alan Gray, Karen Mulholland, Emily Reed, Clive Ford, Nicholas Thorne

Stage Manager: Amanda Dawes.  Front of House: Betty Dawes.  Lighting: Jonathan Dawes

1983

There were just three entries since the date, unfortunately, clashed with a festival in Arun.

Wick Theatre Company - Research by Michael Coyle.  Directed by Frances Moulton.  The cast: Neil Shephard, Sally Bacon, Joan Bearman, Antony Muzzall, Daphne Thornton, Rosemary Biggs, Ralph Dawes, Sheila Wright.
Southwick Players - Muck from Three Angles by David Halliwell

Walter Hix wrote: "The Southwick Drama Festival was won this year by the Gemini Players with an excerpt from the Stephen Sondheim musical version of Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street.  It was well staged and well characterised, particularly by Alan Gray in the title rôle.  But I found the company at large to be short on diction so that a lot of the lyrics were lost.

Greatly to my surprise, adjudicator Colin Dolley awarded the second cup to the Southwick Players who presented Muck from Three Angles by David Halliwell.  I found the play to be rather distasteful rubbish not very well performed and would certainly have preferred the Wick Theatre Company entry of Research by Michael Coyle.  This play, staged in a mental hospital, was much more demanding with a particularly good performance from Neil Shephard as a voluntary patient who may or may not have been mad, the play leaving us to guess.  Best actor and actress awards went to Neil Shephard and Vicki Woods both of whom have leading rôles in the forthcoming Southwick Players - Wick Theatre Company joint production of Tom Jones.

With only three entries, two of them from locally based societies, there must be a question mark over the future of the festival.  Organiser John King will welcome suggestions for revitalising the festival next year.  If anyone has any ideas they can write to him at the Southwick Community Association."

1984

1985

Along side Wick's entry; Southwick Players entered two one-act plays and others were entered by The Castle Players from Steyning; B.A.D. Productions from Brighton; the Link-Miles Drama Group from Lancing and Ferring Amateur Dramatic Society.

September - December  Brighton & Hove Arts Council's Full-Length Drama Competition

December 10 Awards ceremony at which Abigail's Party took best play and Lorraine Hanner Best Actress for her performance as Beverley. 

1986

Wick presented J. M. Barrie's The Old Lady Shows Her Medals.  Directed by Sheila Wright with a cast of Daphne Thornton, Betty Dawes, Rosemary Biggs, Joan Bearman, Ron Cheesman and Ray Hopper.  

There were also entries from:

Link-Miles Drama Group - Green for Danger by Phillip Johnson
Southwick Players -  If Any Question Why by Suzanne Roberts and Barry Heselden (from an improvisation)
Brighton Telephone Area Dramatic Society - A Separate Peace by Tom Stoppard
Wednesday Club - Funeral Dance by David Campton
The Castle Players Amateur Dramatic Society - The Trial by Anthony Booth

1987

April 3 - 4 Wick invited Brighton Little Theatre Co. to bring their production of Hobson's Choice to the Barn.  The cast was:

Anne Collins - Alice Hobson:  Judi Campbell - Maggie Hobson:  Lorraine Hanner - Vicky Hobson:  Peter Joyce - Albert Prosser:
Peter J Smith - Henry Horatio Hobson:  Pauline Rogers - Mrs. Hepworth:  Jeffrey Cox - Tubby Wadlow: 
Martin Bartlett - William Mossop:  Ray Hoosan - Jim Heeler:  Kerry Nolan - Ada Figgins:  John Gunn - Fred Beenstock: 
Tony Thompson - Dr. MacFarlane.

Jocelyn Hollebone's review in the Shoreham Herald, headlined "Joint show was a treat" ran; 'Southwick audiences were treated to a bright and witty tale of women's liberation at the Barn Theatre last week, when two Sussex drama groups joined forces to present the popular comedy Hobson's Choice.  By pooling their resources, Wick Theatre Company and Brighton Little Theatre Company overcame their own individual problems to produce an entertaining, colourful performance which did them both proud.  Beset by casting problems, Wick pooled their resources with Brighton, who have launched an urgent appeal for £150,000 to rebuild their theatre in Clarence Gardens.

Brighton will receive cash benefits from the show, which relied on the cast's considerable flair for acting and Harold Brighouse's colourful, humourous script.  Inspired, vivid character-portrayal came from leading lady Judi Campbell, who excelled as the strong willed feminist Maggie Hobson.  Providing a perfect foil for her talents was Peter J. Smith, who mastered her stage father's rhetorical skills, giving an energetic, polished performance as the alcoholic Hobson.

One of the most demanding rôles was that of the seemingly backward Will Mossop but talented actor Martin Bartlett gave a sensitive, plausible display, winning audience sympathy.  Strong back-up came from Lorraine Hanner - no stranger to the Barn - and Anne Collins, who played the two younger Hobson sisters.  The cast's general talent for character portrayal was admirably illustrated by Tony Thompson, as the Scottish doctor, Kerry Nolan as Will's spurned suitor, Jeffrey Cox as cobbler Tubby Wadlow and Roy Hooson as Jim Hesler.  Also worthy of mention were John Gunn and Peter Joyce as the younger Hobson's girls' suitors and Pauline Rogers as aristocratic Mrs. Hepworth.  Further congratulations go to director Olive Smith, for a performance that would be difficult to fault, even if the two theatre companies had been performing in normal circumstances.'

1988

Wick presented George Porter's adaptation from a story by Henry Williamson; The Zeale Brothers.  Directed by George Porter with a cast of Vic Gough, Ron Cheesman, Charles Porter, Ray Hopper and Margaret Faggetter.

There were also entries from:

Castle Players - Roly Poly by Barry L. Hilman
B.A.D. Productions -  A selection from Mixed Doubles [an entertainment on marriage]
Wednesday Club - Ann and Debbie by Lionel Goldstein
Singer Link-Miles Drama Group - Untimely Ripp'd by Maurice McLoughlin

September - December  Brighton & Hove Arts Council's Full-Length Drama Competition.  

December Awards ceremony at which Trudy Nash to Best Actress for her performance as Beryl in Liver Birds. Also mentioned favourably was Gary Brighton's excellent direction.  Vic Gough's performance as the Vicar also impressed the adjudicator. 

Betty Dawes writing in the Wick Newsletter [No 20 January 1989] "When you think the Liver Birds was the first play the adjudicator saw - he must have been impressed to carry the memory through to the end."

1989

Wick production was Directed by Paddy Hartley, Stage Management by Ronald Cheesman and props by Betty Marton.  The cast members were Joan Braddock [winner of the Best Performance by an Actress], Brian Moulton and Karen Butcher.

There were also entries from:

Bognor Regis Drama Club - Sitting in with Nellie by Arthur Aldrich
Adur Theatre Company - The Heat and the Flies by Joan Dickerson and Ken Hobbs
The Southwick Players - The Love Course by A.R. Gurney Jr.
The Wednesday Club - Face the Music by Barry L.Hillman
Saint's Theatre Group - Between Mouthfuls by Alan Ayckbourn

Spring-time The Shoreham Herald ran a piece by Frank Horsley "Forty years of shows!"

"The good times rolled at Southwick Community Centre on Monday as the Wick Theatre Company members pictured left by Herald picture editor Mick Canning, carried on the company's 40th anniversary celebrations.  A wine and cheese party gave members old and new a chance to turn back the clock with the help of a comprehensive scrapbook of the company's past glories kept by Ralph Dawes.
Founders
Ralph and his wife Betty, both still active members, were among the founders of Wick - and the company is planning a further trip down memory lane in July.  A masked ball will be the highlight of the anniversary year and it is hoped as many former and founder-members as possible will be present.  Said Mr. Dawes, 'We're still in contact with old members as far a field as Canada and Bangkok.'"

July 8 Wick celebrated the close of their 40th season with a Bal Masque. 
6.30pm - Reception
7.00 - 8.30pm - Buffet
8.30 - 10.00pm - Dancing to the Hi-Society 
10.00pm - Ralph and Betty toast the Wick and cut the celebration cake
10.30 - 10.45pm Cabaret
10.45 - 11.45pm Dancing
11.50pm - Carriages

September - December  Brighton & Hove Arts Council's Full-Length Drama Competition - sponsored by American Express. [ web ed - a major employer in Brighton]   Wick's production of Stepping Out was entered. The competition  was adjudicated by J. Barry Roach, M.A. of whom the programme said "It is largely due to his interest and support that the Drama Competition was revived in 1984 and has now become a major event in the Arts Council's year.

1990

Wick presented A Slight Ache by Harold Pinter.  Directed by George Porter, Stage Manager Dave Collis, Continuity Margaret Ockenden.  The cast members were Jean Porter, Patrick Johnson, Ralph Dawes.  Patrick Johnson took Best Actor for his portrayal of Edward.

There were also entries from:

The Saints Theatre Group - The Waiting Room by John Bowen
The Castle Players - Clara's on the Curtains by Arthur Lovegrove
The Southwick Players - Act 111 of The Crucible by Arthur Miller
The Wednesday Club - The Climber by Enid Coles
The Arundel Players - Orange Soufflé by Saul Bellow
Southwick Payers - Shakers by John Godber & Jane Thornton
The Sackville Players - What Brutes Men Are by Constance Cox
Boardwalkers - Passion, Poison and Petrification by G B Shaw

The Youth Festival attracted two entries

Worthing Youth Theatre - End of the World Sale Must Close Tuesday devised and scripted by Nicholas Young [Winning Group]
Hurstpierpoint Junior Theatre Workshop - Conversation with a Golliwog by Alexander Guyan.

Southwick Community Association secretary Mike McNish said the three day event was a great success.  Association chairman George Porter agreed but said next year's festival would be held towards the end of the week to ensure fuller houses.  He said, "It was probably a mistake holding it at the beginning of the week because we generally get more people coming along at the end."

July 21 - An Evening of One Act Plays. 

James P. Boath directed The Zoo Story by Edward Albee with a cast of Paul Brand and Bob Ryder
George Illman directed Sweet Caroline Sweet by Tony Edwards with a cast of Ralph Dawes, Rosemary Biggs, Claire Wiggins, Joan Braddock
Mark Flower directed A Resounding Tinkle by N.F.Simpson with a cast of Charles Porter, Jane Porter, Lynsey Collis

1991

Wick presented Zoo Story by Edward Albee.  Directed by Jamie Boath, Stage Manager Jill Redman.  The cast members were Bob Ryder, Philip Balding.

There were also entries from:

Pisces Workshop - After Midnight, Before Dawn by David Campton
Patcham High School Youth Group - Strikers by Joan Ware
Cyphers - I Haven't a Clue - a rehearsed improvisation
The Wednesday Club - Still Life - an episode from A Seat in the Park by Cherry Vooght
Hurstperpoint Junior Theatre - Coma - a rehearsed and scripted improvisation
Southwick Players - Ruffian on the Stair - Joe Orton

The programme commented upon the 1990 decision to "augment the Festival by the inclusion of a Youth Drama Festival.  This new departure won the warm approval of our audiences, who feel, as we do, that it is to the youth that we must look for the future of our drama achievement.  Hopefully they will, in their turn, pass on the torch in years to come, and so ensure the continuation of the Southwick Festival to the credit of us all."

1992

Little did we know last time that we were watching the start of quite a success story for Wick.  Zoo Story, directed by Jamie Boath was performed for the first time and, after stealing the show that evening, went on to win the Southwick One-Act Festival the following year.  Bob Ryder also took the Best Actor Award.

We think evenings like this, as well as giving good entertainment, provide an excellent opportunity for members to gain valuable acting and directing skills away from our four main annual productions.  We hope to hold them more frequently in the future.  If you are as member who would like to direct a one act play please have a word with a committee member.  And next time readings or auditions are held, please come along."

The evening presented three plays.

Dreamjobs by Graham Jones. 
Production: Lynsey Collis [Director] Karen Comber [Continuity] Dave Collis [Sound]
Cast: Jenny Brown, Lynsey Collis, Louise Towner, Hannah Collis, Janet Comber

The Fifteen Minute Hamlet by Tom Stoppard
Production: Charles Porter [Director] Frances Thorne [Stage Manager] Jamie Boath [Sound] Jane Porter [Continuity]
Cast - playing the various characters: Judith Berrill, Andy Chalk, Vic Gough, Jo Hopper, Ray Hopper, Bob Ryder

What's for Pudding? by David Tristram
Production George Illman [Director] Margaret Davy, Sue Whittaker [Properties] Joan Braddock [Continuity]
Cast: Keith Denyer, Margaret Faggetter, Philip Burton, Dorothy Edney, Kevin Isaac

December At the Awards evening [reported the January 1993 Wick Newsletter No. 14] Daisy Pulls It Off took a Merit Award.  The winner was Breakthrough Group.

1993

"Welcome to Wick's summer's show-case for new directors", announced the programme, "Each of the one-act productions tonight is being directed by a member whose work is being shown for the first time in the Barn Theatre.  In past years, new directors have moved on from this event to direct a full-length production - most recently Jamie Boath, who went on to direct a very successful production [The Royal Pardon]. From last year's one-act crop, Charles Porter will be working as assistant director on the next full-length production - Travesties - and George Illman will be directing the first production of 1994.  So one or more of tonight's directors could be running the shows of the future!

The scenery and lighting this evening have deliberately been kept simple, but in all other respects these will be fully staged productions.  Please look on these works positively.  The new directors have worked hard to present these pieces and will greatly appreciate your support during the performances and your constructive comments afterwards.  The Bar will be open during the two intervals, and after the show."

Mr. Foot by Michael Frayn.  Director; Mark Flower.  Cast; Barry Heselden, Natalie Colgate.
The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams.  Director; Andy Chalk.  Cast; Bob Ryder, Judith Berrill, Jo Chalk, Adrian Kenward.
The Problem by A.R.Gurney Jr.  Director: Janet Comber.  Cast; Kevin Isaac, Jane Porter

Stage Managed by Dave Comber with Frances Thorne attending to Lighting

October 8 The Brighton & Hove Council Full-Length Drama Competition entry from Wick - Travesties by Tom Stoppard was adjudicated this evening.  At the end of the competition Jan Wagstaff judged Wick's production and it won Best Overall Production. Joan Braddock was given the Adjudicator's Award for her performance as Nadya. [A review of the play]

The other entries were:

Dangerous Obsession - Armchair Theatre Company
Daisy Pulls it Off  - Hurstpierpoint Players
The Tempest - Rottingdean Drama Society
Dancing Master - Breakthrough Theatre Company
Shakespeare Country - The New Venture Theatre Company
Night Must Fall - The Sackville Players
The Odd Couple - The Southwick Players
 

1994

The Overall Best Production cup passed from Wick to The Rottingdean Players for their production of The Accrington Pals.  New Venture were runners up with Best of Friends and the Southwick Players picked up Best Set for Lord Arthur Saville's Crime.

Nick Young started by giving an amusing and informative talk, including many anecdotes about the theatre - both amateur and professional.  He made a strong point about the value of not using a prompt and encouraged each group to pursue this policy with their next show.  If Bob doesn't take the plunge for Romeo, Samir has every intention of doing so for Outside Edge!

Each show was then commented upon, with Nick praising Margaret on her direction and picking out Samir Rahim, Matthew Bartlett, Claire Wiggins, Jane Porter and Derek Fraser as strong performers.  He mentioned that the overall style of the show was good but slightly interrupted by the dance by Hera and Zeus which was used to cover a scene change.

Once again we came away with two awards and with Margaret Ockenden directing Les Liaisons Dangereuses for us next year, we have some strong material to work with to seek further success - and with any luck, get our Best Production cup back where it belongs - on a Wick mantlepiece.

1995

1996

1997

The Editor [Charles Porter] wrote a piece entitled 'Bad Dream' which ran as follows:

"Alarm bells began to sound amongst the cast and crew of A Midsummer Night's Dream when it emerged at the start of Mr. Leonard White's 'adjudication' that, even after two attempts and with the help of a programme, he could not place Shakespeare's work to within the nearest 100 years.  After a few minutes more, it became woefully clear that he was well out of his depth.  His summary of the production subsequently at the Awards Evening [a 'panto', no less!] embarrassingly revealed how much had gone over his head.  Still, as someone in the play might have put it, it's better to be brief than tedious.

On a brighter note, many congratulations to Cara Jennings, who was given a 'merit' certificate for her splendid playing of Hernia.  A well-deserved award - as indeed would recognition to any member of the cast or production team have been.  As it turned out, Wick did pick up one of the five 'main' prizes - to Bob Ryder for 'best setting', which seems to be a new concept.  [He's still trying to work out what it means!]

In fact, the results of the competition as a whole were a real puzzle to people who had seen the leading productions of the year.  For the record, New Venture picked up 'best overall' and 'best director'; Big Fat theatre the 'runner-up'; and Breakthrough the 'special' for staging a new play written by a company member.  But one or two good productions, notably Hurstpierpoint's, were barely mentioned.  It will be difficult to maintain interest in the Bright & Hove Arts Council competition if the standard of adjudication from one year to the next continues to be so wayward and unpredictable."

March Wick News two letters were published.

My sympathies are with the production team and the cast over their disappointment at not winning the Brighton and Hove Arts Council competition with such a splendid production.  However, I find it sad that losing could not be accepted more graciously, however unfair the decision may seem to have been.  I was extremely disturbed to read the comments in the Wick News airing such disappointment in cold print.  In this instance such carping, in my opinion, is counter productive.

It seems to me that the Executive Committee of the Wick Theatre Company have two alternatives - a] they enter the competition and abide by its rules and adjudicators - no matter how good or bad, 'with it' or 'not with it' the adjudicators may appear to be, or b] they disassociate them selves with the competition and 'go it alone'.

Wishing the company every future success."

When I read the article in the last Newsletter, I was horrified and deeply upset as were other members of the Company [who spoke to me].  We have always strived for and maintained an impeccable reputation.

I was particularly concerned about the reaction of members of the Companies who did win towards the Wick.  Since the Wick started we have entered numerous festivals and in many, many cases we have won, but also in other cases we have not won.

However in all that time whatever our own opinion we have never been ungracious in defeat.  We all know that festival results are one person's opinion - they always have been and always will be.

I did agree with the unanimous reaction to the Dream - that it was comedy of the very high level, but I did miss the magic and the fairies."

Over the next six months, Southwick Community Association will be completing a £900,000 project to enlarge and improve the Barn, and to build new arts workshops in the grounds.  Funds have been awarded from a wide range of sources, the major one being a grant of £637,000 from the Arts Council National Lottery Fund.  Wick Theatre Company is proud to be contributing over £10,000 form its own funds and contributions fro its members.

When the work is finished next April, Southwick's Barn will be bigger, better equipped. and beautifully redecorated.  And the local theatre companies using it will be working from excellent new stage workshops and rehearsal rooms.  This is particularly exciting for Wick Theatre Company, as we will be celebrating our 50th anniversary, next year, in these fine new facilities.

However, the Community Association is still £40,000 short of the funding it needs to finish the development work and to fit out the Barn to a high standard.  If you would like to help, please look out for the 'Friends of the Barn' campaign whish is about to be launched.  By making a donation to the 'Friends' scheme, you will be commemorated in an individual plaque on one of the new seats in the new theatre.  Please think about it!'

1998

1999

It was a fitting end to a successful evening for the Company.  The Merit Certificate for Best Actor went to David Creedon for his performance as Bernard Nightingale.  Not only that, this year contenders for each award were named, and Jim Calderwood [Septimus Hodge] was one of these. 

Last but not least, the Chairman's Award this year was for the best design of publicity, and supporting and promotional material.  It was awarded to Wick's Publicity Team.  This now consists of Rosemary Bouchy [press], Judith Berrill [design and graphics] and Rosemary Brown [displays].  I do feel;, though, that part of the kudos is due to Jean Porter, for many years in charge of publicity, for all the hard work she did in establishing the present machine.

So here's to us, and many more successes in years to come.'

Nick Young the competition adjudicator had this to say of Wick; "elite company, setting a standard which other groups should be aspiring to."

2000

2001

Company members were confident enough to turn out in numbers at the Awards Evening.  Fashion photographers were snapping away wildly as 24 Wick luvvies gushed into the newly-refurbished school hall at Blatchington Mill.  The lights went down and 'Arnold's Oscars' were under way.  We were not disappointed.  George won an unprecedented four of the six main awards this year.

• Best Design & Publicity
• Best Set
• Best Director
• Best Production - runner up

Merit awards for

• Best Lighting

Nomination for

• Best Actor

There was some surprise about not getting the Overall Best Production award [which went to Forest Row's lesbian romp, Prin] but the general feeling was that, by winning just about every department, we'd made our point!  The other surprise was not a mention from the platform of David Creedon's widely acclaimed performance of King George.  Ray Hopper was a nominee for an acting 'merit' award.

In many ways the event continued to tickle connoisseurs of the quirky.  But despite the oddities of the Festival and the awards evening itself, there was the satisfaction this year of plenty of recognition for Wick, which can only add to our reputation for quality drama and production.

2002

Workshops held since the first meeting in May were put to good use with excerpt's from John Godber's Teechers.  Rehearsal time was short, but acting talent was evident and we look forward to seeing more of these youngsters.  The hard work put in by organisers Derek Fraser and David Goodger certainly paid off.  A radio play, Paradise Found by Derek Sellen, featured Wick members, playing various animals from the Garden of Eden.  Complete with Adam, Eve and Gabriel, this rounded off the evening nicely.

Judith and Adrian made sure we didn't go hungry and slaved over a hot stove to produce a supper of baked potatoes served with delicious fillings and salads.  Many thanks to all concerned for an excellent evening's entertainment.'

2003

2004

2005

2006

The main Wick Theatre Company was awarded two merit certificates, one for best costumes, and the other for publicity material for its production of Blithe Spirit. 

Principal star of the evening, though, was Betty Dawes, Wick's president and founder member.  She was presented with the 'contribution to the arts' award for her enduring work in the theatre.  This started in 1946 when, as a member of Unity Youth Club in Fishersgate, she had the idea of branching out into a drama section.  This eventually became the Young Wick group and, as members became a little bit older, the 'Young' was discretely dropped.  The main company has been Wick ever since.

Betty, who lives in Southwick, was also active in the hard work that went into getting the original Barn in Southwick turned into a theatre.  She has been busy ever since with acting, directing and administration for Wick.  Also, in the early 1970s, she branched out into opera and has directed a string of productions for another company, Southwick Opera.

Betty said: "I was surprised and pleased to be given the award 60 years on from when I first started in youth theatre.  A great satisfaction to me now is how youth activity in the theatre has been revived across the generations, with the latest Young Wick Group enjoying great success." 

2008

Not only that the production garnered:

• GABBUS DENNY  AWARD for BEST DIRECTOR  for Bob Ryder; his flair and imagination, demonstrating excellent use of light, sound and stage effects.

• THE FLOWER FAMILY AWARD [new this year and in memory of Mark Flower's late parents] for BEST TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT with music and sound was accepted by Steve Gallant for his original music.

• BEST LIGHTING AWARD to Mike Medway for his bold and dramatic lighting effects   

Theatre companies receive accolades
published Wednesday 17 December

Rosemary Bouchy, of Wick Theatre Company, said: "It felt wonderful. Everybody worked so hard, because it was a huge cast. It was wonderful for everybody to win, the cast, the crew and Bob the director."

Richard III was awarded the Bea Waters Challenge Cup for best overall production, with Bob Ryder carrying off the award for best director and Mike Medway winning best lighting design. Wick newcomer Steve Gallant was the recipient of a new award in memory of Mark Flower's parents for composing and producing the original music for Richard III.

Mrs Bouchy said the awards were the perfect end to the company's diamond anniversary year. "It couldn't get much better, really," she said.

2009

December   The following presentations were made for winners of the Brighton and Hove Arts Council's 2009 Drama Awards.

Best Production: New Venture Theatre - Art
Runner up: Brighton Little Theatre - Blood Brothers
Best Actor: Co-recipients - Andrew Allen - New Venture Theatre - Yvan - Art 
and Callum McIntyre - Brighton Little Theatre - Mickey - Blood Brothers.
Best Actress: Anna Quick - Wick Theatre Company - Scout - Popcorn
Best Director: Tim McQuillen-Wright - New Venture Theatre - Art
The Flower Family Award for Best Technical Achievement (Video projection and animation) Andy Etter - Wick Theatre Company - Popcorn for his amazing video and animation effects, bringing the background of the plot to breathtaking life.
Best Lighting Design: Strat Mastoris - New Venture - Art
Best Sound Design: Lee Wenham -Southwick Players - Jerry & Tom
Best Set: Allan Cardew - Brighton Little Theatre - Blood Brothers
Best Stage Crew: Len Shipton & crew of Southwick Players - Jerry & Tom
Best Costumes: Audrey Pickles of Rottingdean Theatre Society - Kafka's Dick
Best Publicity: Rosemary Bouchy of Wick Theatre - Popcorn
There were runners-up in various categories, too - Amanda Urwin-Mann as Brooke [Best Actress], Guy Steddon [Best Actor] and Steve Gallant [Best Sound Design].

The main prizes may have gone to our Brighton colleagues this year, but Wick has every reason to be proud of its winners.

The National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) South East Regional Awards held at Priory School, Lewes;  presented for excellence.

2010

Best Production - Bea Walters Challenge Cup: Southwick Players - Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons adapted by Paul Doust
The Arthur Churchill Award For Excellence: Lewes Theatre Club - Groping for Words by Sue Townsend.
The Gabbus Denny Director's Award: Tony Bright - Southwick Players - Cold Comfort Farm.
The Flower Family Award for Best Technical Achievement: Gill Lake - A Scent of Flowers by James Saunders.
Best Actor: Andy Bell - New Venture Theatre - Lennie - Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Best Actress: Billie Trubridge - Southwick Players - Flora - Cold Comfort Farm
Best Young Actor: James Darby - Urk - Cold Comfort Farm.
Best Young Actress:  Sarah Charsley - Thelma - Groping for Words
Best Lighting Design: Strat Mastoris - New Venture Theatre - Of Mice and Men
Best Sound Design: Sian Elizabeth Selway - Rottingdean Drama Society - A Scent of Flowers
Best Set: Len Shipton - Southwick Players - Cold Comfort Farm
Best Stage Crew: John Arnold, Laurie Moody, Dean Bridger - Burgess Hill Theatre Club - Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead
Best Costumes: Sally Merriott - New Venture Theatre - Of Mice and Men
Best Publicity: Sally Driver, Anita Jones, Paul Watts, Candy White, Michael Eyers - Southwick Players - Cold Comfort Farm
The Chairman's Award - Rosemary and Lucien Bouchy [recently retired publicity officers] - Wick Theatre Company for Most Conscientious Attendance at Adjudications

The National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) South East Regional Awards held at the Mandolay Hotel, Guildford;  presented for excellence.

2011

Best Production - Bea Walters Challenge Cup: New Venture Theatre - Iron by Rona Munro
The Arthur Churchill Award For Excellence: Rottingdean Drama Society - Sailor, Beware! by Philip King and Falkland Cary
The Gabbus Denny Director's Award: Natalie Notley - Wick Theatre Company - Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead.
The Flower Family Award for Best Technical Achievement: Don Funnell - Lewes Little Theatre - Enter a Free Man by Tom Stoppard
Best Actor: Guy Steddon - Wick Theatre Company - Guildenstern - Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead
Best Actress: Erica Thornton - New Venture Theatre - Josie - Iron 
Best Young Actor: Chesney Jones - Burgess Hill Theatre Club - Alex - Karens Garden
Best Young Actress:  Anna Gould - Southwick Players - Helen Keller - The Miracle Worker
Best Lighting Design: Strat Mastoris - New Venture Theatre - Iron 
Best Sound Design: Jezz Bowden, Daniel Stevens - New Venture Theatre - Iron 
Best Set: Len Lake - Rottingdean Drama Society - Sailor, Beware! 
Best Stage Crew: Dudley Ward and members of Lewes Little Theatre - Enter a Free Man 
Best Costumes: Audrey Pickles - Rottingdean Drama Society - Sailor, Beware! 
Best Publicity: Martin Oakley, Sally Diver, Anita Jones, Paul Watts, Candy White, Michael Eyers - Southwick Players - The Miracle Worker
The Chairman's Award - Burgess Hill Theatre Club for Promotion of New Writing

2012