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 Martins
Bank Society of the Arts – Drama Section in: Her Shop by Aimee and Philip
Stewart
Staged:
28 to 30 November 1949 at the David Lewis Theatre Liverpool
“All
are to be congratulated upon a most creditable production.” – Goodness, the critic writing in Martins Bank Magazine
offers his or her general approval to “Her Shop”, which is chosen by Martins
Bank Society of the Arts Drama Section as their winter production before a
paying audience at Liverpool’s David Lewis Theatre. There is praise for the
wardrobe, acting, set dressing, and a rebuke to the staff of the bank for the
rather disappointing numbers who turned out to see the play. Evidently it was
very much their loss – Martins Bank Magazine is always on the side of the
various acting and singing groups in the Bank, and if it feels that one group
has been let down by poor support, it is not afraid to have a really good go
at those who stayed at home.
By the 1960s, stage productions, amateur
ones in particular are really struggling for audiences which now have to be
shared with the “kitchen sink dramas” being put out on television most nights
of the week. In 1949 however, TV has not yet widened its appeal enough to be
to blame. Howell Jones is named once again for his acting, and also on this
occasion his production of the play. He certainly seems to be one to watch.
The play is light and funny, and it is interesting that the plot of the film
“Carry on Cabby”, made in 1963 is quite similar in that a woman competes with
her husband over who can run a successful business.
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 On the
nights of November 28th, 29th and 30th, the Drama Section of Martins Bank
Society of the Arts presented at the David Lewis Theatre in Liverpool “ Her
Shop," by Aimee and Philip Stewart. It was light, witty, well-acted
and superbly dressed. It was disappointing to the Section and disheartening
to the players that the show was so poorly supported by the Staff. The play
concerns the adventures of one Lady Mary Torrent who, having quarrelled
with her husband Henry about her extravagance, buys a dress shop (with
Henry's money) and enters into a bet with him that in six months she can
earn more money than he. Lady Mary, blonde, flippant and engagingly
inconsequent, was played by Barbara Griffith, (Liverpool Foreign).
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William Brookes Leslie Howell Jones N Hubbard Nora Owen
Hilary Parr Barbara Griffith
Yvonne Simmons Miss A J Smith Maureen Dempster B Isaacson
and Kathleen Horsburgh
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Henry
was played by Howell Jones (Liverpool City Office) who was also co-producer
of the show. Henry and Mary were an endearing pair, and always held the
sympathy of their audience. As usual, Barbara Griffith's very presence on
the stage inspired others with confidence. Her excellent memory for even
the longest parts, such as this, never fails, and her co-actors can always
rely on her. Howell Jones was certainly the most outstanding male on the
stage, and he thoroughly enjoyed playing Henry. From his first entrance, a
monocled vision in pearl-grey, the play really began to live, and each of
his subsequent appearances caused a stir of appreciation in the audience.
Not the least of Lady Mary's trials were the shady confederates from whom
she bought the shop.
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They
were Mr. Jacob (long, dour and rather shatteringly Scots) and Mr. McDonald
(short, voluble and incongruously Jewish), played by Brian Isaacson
(H.O.Trustee Department) and William Brookes (Church Street). Mr. Isaacson
is a promising newcomer to the Society and his make-up, which took J. K.
Cornall (H.O. Branch Department) an hour to apply each night, was really
masterly. Many of us had no idea of his real identity. One of the best
characterisations was the pathetic Miss Mutchison, played with great skill
and delicacy by Miss A. J. Smith (H.O. Registrar's Department).
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Her
transition from a shabby and crushed nonentity at the beginning of the
play, to a tastefully dressed and helpful secretary at the end, was a quite
excellent piece of acting. The two mannequins in the shop, Barbara, played
by Yvonne Simmons (Branch Department) and
Babette, played by Hilary Parr (H.O. Relief Staff), were both
good. Hilary Parr, who is another newcomer to the Society, gave a
delightful performance; she was so young and ingenuous and full of
joie-de-vivre. Nora Owen (Staff Department) took the
part of the designing but very lovely Jane Arbuthnot, and her entrance on
the stage evoked a murmur of envy from the feminine portion of the
audience, so beautifully was she dressed. In sharp contrast was the
too-dutiful Gertrude Cunningham, portrayed by Kathleen Horsburgh (Staff
Department). Poor Gertrude was an ideal wife and perfect mother,
but didn't care how she dressed. It was no wonder that the soignee Jane
Arbuthnot stole her husband.
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 Maureen Dempster Howell Jones A J Smith and Barbara Griffith
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Gertrude's
dowdincss was so well presented on the stage that those who know her
original were rather horrified at her first entrance. However, Lady Mary
takes Gertrude in hand, and in Act 3 she blossoms into a chic which ousts
her rival and, incidentally, wins her husband back. The scene between these
two was excellently handled, feline but restrained. The remaining female
part, played by Maureen Dempster (Heywoods) defies description. Her
characterisation of Lottie Gordon, a “ pick-up " of Henry's, shook the
audience to its core as, brazen and strident, she took the stage.
Everything paled beside her. It was a small part, but compelling portrayed,
and it was impossible to look at anyone else while Lottie held the stage.
Norman Hubbard, (Victoria Street) played Gilbert, the dress designer. He
had only rehearsed the part for a week before the production, but his
acting was imaginative and convincing. He achieved the impression of
artistic eccentricity without the aid of such clumsy additions as beards or
long hair. The play was jointly produced by E. G. Shaw (Smithdown) and
Howell Jones. Teddy Shaw was laid low by illness early in the rehearsals
and only returned the week before the production. Howell Jones took over
and made an excellent job of the production during his absence. The Stage
Managers were Trevor Owens (H.O. Relief Staff) and Thea Bower (Staff
Department). The Wardrobe Mistress was Ann Smellie (H.O. Income Tax
Department), and the beautiful dressing of the play deserves very special
mention. All are to be congratulated upon a most creditable production.
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