Evening Telegraph, 1967

‘Sailor’ puts Rushden on the comedy map

“Sailor Beware”, the hilarious farce woven around matrimony, firmly established members of Rushden Amateur Dramatic Society as one of the leading comedy teams in the district, when it opened at Rushden last night.

The ever popular play by Philip King and Falkland Cary drew deserved encores and even mid-scene applause through the sterling efforts of the team of nine whose portrayal of the ill-fated Hornett family and friends left nothing to be desired.

In fact, their polished performance and command of the atmosphere of the play would have done credit to the most popular of professional companies.

Rene Welsford – Rushden’s own comedienne – played the part of the domineering Mrs. Emma Hornett and made ample use of her laughter-packed material.

It was Lily Hawes, however, who at times stopped the scenes while the audience recovered from the impact of her portrayal of the sentimental, once-jilted maiden aunt. Her references to her “great sorrow” and the traits of fate all added to the amusement of the audience – one of the largest the society has seen.

Neighbourly

Appearing for the first time in the society’s shows was Jessie Maguire, who, as a more than neighbourly neighbour, looked like securing for herself future roles with the team.

Also putting in their first appearances were Stuart Jones, as a young sailor with mother-in-law problems, and Doug Mitchell as his best man. If there is still any doubt in Rushden what sailors are it was no fault of these two talented actors.

Contrasted sharply with the personality of his wife was hen-pecked Henry Hornett, played by John Denton, who really did manage to put over the required affection for ferrets that his role required.

Glamour

The glamour was provided by Sheila Hawes as the bride-to-be and Sandra Green as her sophisticated chief bridesmaid. Capably taking on the short, but nonetheless important role as the sympathetic clergyman was Gordon Bruce.

It must go to producer John Neville for some admirable casting and direction. The play is to be repeated at Rushden Secondary School for Boys tonight and tomorrow night.

Among the guests at last night’s performance were the Mayor and Mayoress of Higham Ferrers, Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Lawson, Mrs. Hilda Bugby, president of the society and Mrs. A. U. Muxlow, a member of Northamptonshire County Council.

Evening Telegraph, 1967

RUSHDEN PLAYERS SHOOT FILM AT REHEARSALS

Rushden Amateur Dramatic Society, currently hard at work on their spring production “Sailor Beware” had a very special rehearsal on Monday night.
From the Scout Headquarters on Skinners Hill they moved to the more sophisticated atmosphere of the Secondary Modern School hall on Highfield Road. The reason? To enable fifty feet of colour film of “The Society at Work” to be shot for a special film show for members and their friends in March.

First Film

While a number of the members went through their paces in the society’s latest comedy, producer John Neville, actors Douglas Mitchell and Gordon Bruce took it in turns to shoot the first film the society has ever made. “Sailor Beware” is their eleventh production and Rushden playgoers will be glad to her that a number of the old troupers will re-appear when it goes on stage at the school on April 4, 5 and 6.

Rene Welsford and Lily Hawes two of the group’s most experienced actresses turn up again as Emma Hornet and Auntie Edy respectively. Mrs. Hawes’ daughter Sheila who has also appeared before takes the part of Shirley Hornet.
However the society is not slow to recognise talent it its newest members and they are well represented by Stuart Jones as Arthur Tufnell, Douglas Mitchell as Carnoustie Bligh, Jessie McGuire as Mrs. Black and Gordon Bruce as the Rev. Purefoy.

Other parts played by Sandra Green and John Denton. Old hand John Neville makes his debut as a producer and is assisted by Virginia Pope.
The society was formed at a public meeting in 1961 “to do pure drama as against operatic work.”

It now has a membership of about forty and represents a wide section of the Rushden community from bank managers and cola merchants to schoolgirls and grannies.

They have been rehearsing their present production since before Christmas, meeting twice weekly at the Scout HQ in Skinners Hill.

Their first production “Haul for the Shore” went down very well locally and since then they have produced a number of successful plays such as J. B. Priestley’s “When We Are Married” and William Douglas Home’s “Chiltern Hundreds”.

In 1963, with remarkable courage, they produced the controversial play “Rape of the Belt”. Mrs Marion Knott, the chairman, commented “It was rather outrageous but we wanted to do it.

Tremendous

In fact the local theatre lovers, appreciating very much the chance to see it themselves locally, gave it a tremendous reception.

However, it is not only the practical side of the art which is emphasised by the group. Last autumn they attended an evening course at the Rushden Evening Institute where they were able to absorb the theory as well as the practice of the theatre under the expert tuition of teachers such as Mr. Gilbert Gordon the county drama advisor and his wife.

Looking ahead the society has already arranged a ten week summer school at the institute for members and interested outsiders.

Tony Hirons, a former active member and now an honorary member, has gone on to Oakhurst College of Speech and Drama in Birmingham and has appeared in a minor role in the BBC serial “United”.

The only real problem the society has, and it is one from which every thriving group suffers is a lack of fresh talent.

New members

Mrs. Knott explained: “We are looking for new members of the right calibre – those who will rightly have a sense of achievement when the show goes on but who are also willing to put in hard work in the  weeks beforehand.”

So if you feel that either your acting or producing talents are going to waste, get in touch with Rushden Amateur Dramatic Society – you will not find a happier or more ambitious crowd in the district.