The pageant shapes as Northamptonshire’s biggest Festival event and will have a choice setting on a natural “stage” racing a slope which corresponds with the rake of a theatre floor. There will be 1,600 seats at each of the three performances, and “promenade” tickets are also available in unlimited numbers.

Essentially the history of a peaceful village, the pageant theme will perhaps surprise those who know little of Rushden’s past. There are outstanding characters such as John of Gaunt and Thomas Britton, and many authentic details are woven into the eight scenes, but the chief revelation may be the way in which the elements of spectacle, music, drama and comedy have been combined for continuous entertainment.

Actors and musicians number about 350. The total staff probably exceeds 400. Scenery has been made locally and painted by Rushden Sketch Club. The pageant even has its own overture L. V. Elliott wrote the book and George Street is the professional pageantmaster, with Don Bugby, Hylda Bugby and May Knight as sub-producers.

The great majority of seats, if booked in advance are at three shillings, with forward rows at five shillings. Special sound amplification is being installed.

On Saturday, the concert, wholly choral, included eight or nine part songs by the united male voice choirs of the Methodist Church, Band Club and Adult School, and four by Rushden Girls’ Choir.

Messrs. John Cooke and Arthur Pack shared the conducting for the men’s programme, with Mr. S. T. Beal at the piano, and Mr. Eric Hardwick directed the girls. Mrs. Joan Hart accompanying. The singers were thanked by Coun. W. E. Capon (chairman of the Festival organisation).

On Sunday evening the choirs were from the Established and Nonconformist churches, and the bands were the Temperance, Town and Mission. The audience was estimated at two or three thousand. Mr. William Scholes conducted and Mr. S. T. Beale was the accompanist. Some of the secular numbers played by the brass were directed by Mr. Maurice Clark. Mr. Cyril Faulkner (chairman of the Rushden U.D.C.) introduced the concert and Mr. Geoffrey Knight announced the music.

Resources massed as never before
Massed and presented as never before, Rushden’s resources in the field of drama and music made the town’s pageant a memorable experience for those who attended the Festival performances in the Hall Grounds.

The enthusiasm as the company made its final bow on Saturday evening, and the congratulations poured upon players and organisers left no doubt that the artistic aim had been fulfilled.

About 2,000 people saw the three performances – a very inadequate attendance to meet the financial outlay and reward months of preparation. Perhaps those who stayed away were unaware that the best has to carry a price.

Only the best
The discriminating ones found that they had been offered only the best – a superb setting that enhanced the natural beauty of the park; a flow of humour and surprise; an acting standard in which the inexperienced vied keenly with the stage-tried companies; music that lived with its setting; scenes that bore the conviction of history re-created.

Many will long remember the hunting scene with its full gallop of horses and hounds along the eastern ridge of the park, its jaunting hay-cart and its dramatic exposition of great days at Higham Park.

All were held by the mystery and floating Handelian music of “Tom Britton’s Dream” – a scene which must leave the musical small coal-man a fully-acclaimed figure on Rushden’s roll of honour.

Other scenes were more straightforward in design but full of workmanship and effect – the early Britons wall-building under Roman supervision; the 11th Century village where the children dared to mock the drunken bailiff; the rude Court Leet where supercilious William Chicheley and the local ruffians received rough-and-ready justice.

Children had an important share in four scenes and played their part delightfully. The old cobbler and the Shoe Ballet brought the town’s industry vividly into the finale. Ancient Britons mimed comically between the scenes, and Narrator John Sturgess, escorted by four smart girl heralds, drew all the threads together with full-blooded rhyming declamation.

Rushden Temperance Band, under William Scholes, was at its best in the pageant’s own overture, a “corny” theme-tune for the Ancient Britons, dances and entr’actes. The May scene had its own costumed string players. Eight microphones picked up the dialogue and music.

After the final performance congratulatory speeches were made by Coun. W. E. Capon (chairman of the Festival Committee) and Coun. C. G. Faulkner (Council chairman), who called on the author, L. V. Elliott, Pageantmaster George Street and sub-producers Hylda Bugby, May Knight and Don Bugby were also introduced.

Mr. George Lindgren, M.P., and Mr. A. C. Allen, M.P., with their wives, were among those who saw the pageant. Mr. G. R. Mitchinson, M.P., visited the park as the Saturday performance finished.