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Martins
Bank Society of the Arts – Drama Section in: The Mock Trial – an ad lib
performance
 Staged:
24 March 1949 in the basement theatre at Head Office
Ad-lib is not a style of drama that we are used to seeing
amongst Martins Bank’s various acting groups, but by way of exception, in
March 1949, “The Mock Trial” - billed as a comedy - was very much an ad-lib
performance. This was in an attempt to increase the realism of a court case
where only those playing the court officials had been “briefed” about the
“case”, thus giving an “edge” to the performances of those involved. The review printed in Martins Bank
Magazine’s Summer 1949 edition is, however mixed to say the least – they like
the idea, they admit it was very funny, but in trying to be the balanced
critic, the writer makes much of people whose lines were not clearly or
loudly spoken, and of times when the whole thing seemed to drag on. Having seen the reviews of more than one
hundred performance of music and drama by the Bank’s various societies, we
are struck by how each of them receives this kind of critique – what used to
be referred to as “bouquees and brick-bats”. We do wonder what some of the
performers felt about the things that were written about them, which whilst
always constructive, were often lacking in sensitivity!
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 The case
“Grouse v. Winsome and Cheap” was unrehearsed, except that Counsel had
studied their briefs. It was extremely funny, particularly the early part,
and some first-rate talent was revealed. The life and soul of the
proceedings was Keith Scott as the Plaintiff—one of the “barrow boys.” From
beginning to end he never lost an opportunity of either an interruption or
a smart retort, interspersed with plenty of byplay. Derrick G. Hanson took
the role of Counsel for the Plaintiff and made an extremely good job of it.
He had obviously studied his brief carefully and his questions and the
general conduct of his case were workmanlike and to the point.
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Barbara Griffith Keith Scott W Brookes
Colin Skelton Derrick Hanson Howell Jones
Thea Bower Betty Jackson Edward G Shaw
(Teddy) Shaw and John Pugh
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Howell
Jones played the part of Counsel for the Defendants. From a histrionic
point of view his acting was of a very much higher standard than his
material. Many of his questions seemed to lack point but the manner in
which they were presented covered this up to a large extent. The defendants
were played by Betty Jackson and Edward G. Shaw. Betty could not be heard
very clearly, a fact which somewhat spoiled the effect of the
cross-questioning at this part of the trial. Neither counsel made use of
the fact that there was no case against the Assistant Editor, who should
have been discharged. The Editor and the Proprietor are the people
responsible for what is printed in a publication—not the Editor’s
assistant. The verdict was given for the defendants. The witnesses were
Thea Bower as the Plaintiff’s mother; Barbara Griffith as his ex-fiancée,
R. W. Bywell as an ex-Staff Manager and John Pugh as a police constable.
Each added his or her quota to the hilarity of the proceedings and helped
to make things go. Colin Skelton took the role of Clerk to the Court and
George Oxton acted as Court Usher. The part of the judge was played by Mr.
S. G. Urmson. There was one point about midway when the action dragged a
little, and there is something to be said for rehearsal beforehand, but
apart from these comments it was highly entertaining and well worth the
experiment. It will bear repetition, using a different case.
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Martins Bank Archive Collections 1988 to date.
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