Rushden Research Group: Rushden Players' Dramatic Society

Rushden Players' Dramatic Society

First public presentation in 1926 was Miss Mary Pendered's historical play "The Quaker"

Productions - with Mr. Frank Knight as manager producer

1926

The Quaker

Mr. Frank Knight in the role of the Commodore in "Polly with a Past."

1927

The Unknown Quality

1928

Sweet Lavender

1929

Polly with a Past

1930

Cupboard Love

1930

The Ship

1930

Tons of Money

1931

A Bill of Divorcement

Rushden Echo, 19^th April 1929, transcribed by Kay Collins

Rushden Players Dramatic Society

"Polly with a Past"

Great Performance Last Night

Cast
Harry Richardson	Charles Gregory
Rex Van Hale	Edgar Shufflebotton
Prentice Van Zile (Rex's Uncle)	Fred Lilley
Stiles	Don Bugby
Clay Collum (an interior decorator)	G Herbert Parkin
A Stranger	B E Low
Commodore 'Bob' Barley	Frank Knight
Polly Shannon	Hylda Gates
Mrs Martha Van Zile (Rex's Mother)	N Shfflebottom
Myrtle Davis	Gwen Brightwell
Mrs Clementine Davis	Nora Ball
Parker (a maid)	May Chamberlain

Last night's production by the Rushden Players' Dramatic Society was a brilliant one, and the packed audience in the Royal Theatre within a few minutes of the start were highly enthusiastic. [part of a longer article]

Rushden Echo, 7^th February 1930, transcribed by Kay Collins

Rushden Players’ Success

A special photograph taken on the stage of the Royal Theatre, on Saturday, after the Rushden Players second performance of St John Irvine’s play “The Ship.”

l-r: Mr E Shufflebottom, Miss May Chamberlain, Mr G H Parkin, Miss Hylda Gates, Mrs Shufflebottom, Mr Fred Lilley, Miss Gwen Brightwell and Mr Charles Gregory.

Rushden Echo & Argus, 17th April 1931, transcribed by Kay Collins

Acting of High Order at Rushden
Clemence Dane’s “A Bill of Divorcement” at the Windmill Hall

Strongly dramatic fare was presented to Rushden playgoers on Wednesday on Thursday, when the Rushden Players, under the direction of Mr. Frank Knight, acted Clemence Dane’s “A Bill of Divorcement.”

Standing l-r: Mr. Don Bugby (Dr. Alliott); Miss May Chamberlain (Bassett);
Mr. E. Shufflebottom (Kit Pumphrey); Mr. Fred Lilley (Gray Meredith);
Mr. G. H. Parkin (Hilary Fairfield); Mr Frank Knight (Rev. Chas. Pumphrey).

Seated: Miss Hylda Gates (Sidney Fairfield); Mrs. Shufflebottom (Margaret Fairfield); Miss Gwen Brightwell (Hester Fairfield).

List of Productions