May 1953
Topical Play
“All for the good of the cause” said Mrs C Sparkes, of 41 Church Street, South Brent Amateur Dramatic Society when I entered the parish rooms at South Brent last week. She was selling sixpenny programs on behalf of the coronation fund, and doing good business in the process.
I was there to see it South Brent’s amateur dramatic society present three one act plays, and of them I make a special mention of “Queens progress,” which has an all woman cast.
This play tells how an invalid daughter dreams during Coronation Day of Boadicea, Elizabeth I, and Queen Victoria; and of how by dreaming she brings them out of the pages of history to share the national jubilations. I thought it an achievement for this small company to put on such a play, since although it is short, its demands several lighting changes and many sound effects.
15-year-old Judith Jensen spoke the lines of an unseen commentator with great clarity and confidence. I hear she is taking part in the Shakespeare festival at Ashburton in August.
Good deed
A feature of this play were the dresses worn by Boadicea, Elizabeth I and Queen Victoria.
They were made by Mrs Joan Deedes, 35-year-old farmer's wife, who told me that she put in considerable research in order to ensure that they were accurate in every detail.
Such care helped to make this one of the most ambitious productions ever attempted at South Brent. Produced by school-teacher Miss Joy Carnochan, it made such an impression that many of the second night audience wanted an encore.
May 1953
SOUTH BRENT AMATEURS
Present three plays for Coronation Fund
On Tuesday and Wednesday evenings of this week the South Brent dramatic society presented 31-act plate use in the church hall, in support of the coronation fund.
The acting throughout was of a very high standard and the occasion must not pass without a special mention of Joan Deedes and also be mentioned for her find portrayal of two characters in this production. She played the parts of Mrs Hester Lumley in "The Bonnie Earl O’Moray," and was outstanding in the role of Queen Victoria in "Queen’s Progress." The whole of the all-female casts are to be congratulated on a very polished performance.
Those taking part were: In “The Saint”- Joan Deedes, Daisy Rowe, Elizabeth Knapman, Carmen Manning, Katie Holloway. In “The Bonnie Earl O’Moray” – Joan Deedes, Evelyn Hard, Rosalie Smeeth, Carmen Manning, In “Queen’s Progress” – Winifred Windatt, Elizabeth Knapman, Judith Jensen, Alma Preston, Rosalie Smeeth, Katie Holloway, Joan Deedes, Carmen Manning and Evelyn Hard.
Joy Carnochan was the producer, and other credits go to John Piper (stage manager), George Preston (asst. stage manager), John Piper and George Preston (stage design and décor), John Piper, Sidney ayres and John William Cranch (lighting), George Preston (properties), Joan Deedes (wardrobe) and Sidney Ayres and Alan Perkins (effects).
