DOZENS of empty seats at Rushden Dramatic Society's production of "The Blue Goose", a comedy by Peter Blackmore, certainly didn't do justice to the high standard which the players set themselves for the play.
But although audience volume was disappointing the sprinkling of people who did attend would all agree that the performance was far from disappointing. The number of congratulations to members of the society afterwards proved that this was so.
Produced by David Edwards, the comedy centred on the domestic troubles of a South Coast council treasurer. John Booth, as Henry Portal, ably coped with the task of handling his self styled amateur operatic star wife (Renee Welsford) and two self willed daughters, Judith Childs and Kaye Goulsbra.
Perhaps the real scene-stealer of the night was Marion Knott, who drew laughter from the audience enough to do justice to a packed room, as Mrs. Keppel-Piggot, the widow of an admiral, who had a mania for carrying distress signal rockets, ships biscuits — and liquid refreshment — in her shopping baskets.
As Mrs. Portal, Renee Welsford took her part admirably — even to the extent of off-key scales during rehearsals for her annual operatic performance.
Allen Goulsbra, as Hubert Briggs, the reluctant mayor of the borough and fiance of Mrs. Portal's socially conscious daughter Anna (Judith Childs) also brought much laughter from the audience as he related the story of his entry into public life - through his work as the borough undertaker.
Romance also, was not lacking in the production. For romantically minded Louise Portal, played by Kaye Goulsbra, realises her dreams of adventure when she meets Richard Hardy (Bob King), a young sea-faring adventurer who moors near her sea-side home.
Other laughable situations are created through the introduction of the treasurer's young musical clerk. Tony Hirons his maid, Barbara Harrison, and the Lifeboatman-cum-amateur operatic secretary, John Nevill.
Others responsible in the production of the comedy were Len Gomm (stage manager), Cyril Smith (lighting), Christine Smith and Bob Anker (stage staff), Andrea Swart, Marilyn Sykes, and Jean McPherson (properties), Connie Hodson (prompter), Jane Booth (call boy), Mrs. H. Bugby, Valerie Henson, and Susan Field (make-up,) and Doris Noble and Marjorie Witham (wardrobe).
Scenery was designed by Virginia Sackett and made by Virginia with Christine Smith, Bridget Hickey, Sheila Hawes, Bob Anker, Michael Brown and Cyril Smith, under the supervision of Mr. Gomm, the stage manager.
The play took place at Rushden Secondary School for Boys, and there are repeat performances tonight, and tomorrow night.
