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THE QUAKER GIRL (APRIL 1956) |
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Because it was now decided to have auditions for the principal parts, great excitement stirred the Company on "Audition Nights" when those who fancied themselves in a particular role, were given the opportunity of parading their prowess before three adjudicators - which terrifying ordeal struck even the most confident members almost speechless. The atmosphere became tense when word was given that the 'panel' was ready, and with surreptitious glances at the door, someone would nudge someone else and whisper "Go on, you have a go" whereupon with Commando-like stealthiness they sidled along the corridor to await a command to their timid knocking. I remember Jos, urged on by one who had already been auditioned, saying with complete candour "I once had a part in 'The Beggar's Opera' when I stood on the stage with twins in my arms and laid the blame at the feet of Macheath, so I don't think I should make a very suitable Quaker Girl" |
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In this show two new names were added high on the list of successful actresses - that of Rita Atkins and Frankie Higgins - the first as Phoebe and the second as Mme Blum, a French siren of considerable experience. Their acting, together with the voices of Phyllis Knight and Angela Jenkins, combined to make this a very lovable show. As Quakers some of the chorus had great difficulty in controlling their jovial enthusiasm during rehearsals, but at each performance managed to subdue their emotions to display piety and Puritan demeanour. It was necessary for each Quakeress to have a white prayer book attached to her white apron, and very entertaining reading some of these would have made; as they had to be uniform in size, most of them were small books covered in stiff white paper. One was a pocket edition of a Spanish-English dictionary! |
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The use of the old-English words 'thee' and 'thou' in some of the lyrics made their rendering most attractive and added much to the enjoyment of the choruses. |
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DORIS SEAMAN |
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EXTRACTS FROM PRESS REVIEWS |
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On Wednesday, the first of five performances, the spirited production in which solo and ensemble singing of a high quality, excellent comedy, graceful dancing and brilliant decor combined into a pleasing whole provoked spontaneous applause from an audience which excusably could not wait for the end of the act to show its appreciation. The time lost by these outbursts, coupled with overlong intervals and occasional delays in entrances and cue-taking were responsible for the show running late...... |
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The company scores because youth is at the helm; principals and chorus are not middle-aged persons working desperately hard to capture the spirit of youth, they are young and their freshness and enthusiasm never flags. They are on the stage for the fun of it and their enjoyment is infectious.... |
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A wide variety of costume, not counting the fancy ones, seemed however to cover all the decades that have passed between now and then. One also noticed an Edwardian telephone shortly to be followed by an interpolated lyric referring to being televised!... |
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The musical forces under the nearly always strong baton of Reginald H Curtis were good. Thirteen of the fourteen names down to compose the orchestra appeared on the first night, a violin being missing. The choruses were firm and strong and the ensemble with the orchestra well under control... |
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If Mr Robinson's promise of some speeding up is fulfilled, tonight's and tomorrow's audiences should be well rewarded for their attendance. |