KIDDERMINSTER PLAYHOUSE
1946 - 1968 A Souvenir
| History | Contents | Previous Page | Next Page |
1956 - 1957
This season opened with one of the society's biggest box-office successes, Reluctant Heroes, which made as much profit as the other six shows between them. It was well-known and well presented, with Neville Hay and Graham Orr making first appearances in straight parts and Joy Brockway making her debut.Witness for the Prosecution was one of those big-scale courtroom dramas, lavishly peopled with supers, which never fail. It also had the advantages of powerful performances by Brian Hill, as the prisoner, John Pell and the late Charles Hackett as opposing Queen's Counsel and George Slater as the judge. And So To Bed brought Charles II and Samuel Pepys to the stage.
Sabrina Fair was a lightweight offering which introduced Doreen Evans. Ladies in Retirement did not repeat the financial success of its first appearance. It was followed by a joint production of The Mikado and the season ended gaily with All For Mary.
The Carpet Trades, Society filled in one of the blanks with its own pantomime, Babes in the Wood, as well as staging Bob's Your Uncle. The KAOS contributed a lavish White Horse Inn.
The pantomime was Robinson Crusoe and other professional work included the Northern Children's Theatre, a variety week, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and a series of Sunday night band concerts.
The theatre was open for 16 weeks, ten amateur and six professional.
But when the takings were counted the debt was reduced by only £347,
a disappointing result.
ReluctantHeroes.jpg 34.26 Kb |
WitnessfortheProsecution.jpg 31.67 Kb |
AndsotoBed.jpg 30.96 Kb |
LadiesinRetirement.jpg 21.26 Kb |
TheMikado.jpg 33.01 Kb |
MadaleineNewbury.jpg 31.98 Kb |