|
·
 
 The choice of
the Argosy Players for their winter show this year was Arthur Watkyn’s
comedy “For Better for Worse”, the theme of which is the early trials of a
newly-married couple. The play was produced for three nights, December
12th, 13th and 14th, at Crane Theatre, Liverpool. The Argosy Players is the
only one of the three Bank amateur dramatic societies which managed to
stage a play last autumn, the Cicala Players and the North Eastern Players
having met with insuperable casting difficulties. The Argosy Players have
had their troubles, too, but of a different nature, and we are extremely
grateful to Sidney Costin, who came to our rescue and produced the play for
us and to William Cussons, who took one of the parts which the Players were
unable to fill. A great deal of talent was evident throughout this lively
play of domestic situations and there were a number of gems of individual
acting, especially in the smaller parts. Bill Brookes's portrayal of a
plumber was one of the best bits of characterisation he has given us, and
Jean Boothman's talkative char, both from the point of view of make-up and
acting was excellent. The two furniture removers, played by Ken Maddison
and Alan Mills, hardly needed their lines (and those were funny enough) to
provoke mirth. Each time they departed to go and bring in another piece of
furniture the little procession of two, with Alan as the furniture
remover's mate bringing up the rear, caused a ripple of mirth to spread
through the theatre.
 In the same
line of business, Norman Leach as the furniture man treated the part so
seriously that the resulting portrayal was almost startlingly realistic,
and one never thought of him as just a bank manager playing in amateur
theatricals. It is some time since we have seen Shelagh Cowan and we were
quite unprepared for the mature performance she gave us as the elderly
spinster. It was quite the best performance we have seen her give. Of the
major parts. Valeric Tilley played that of the newly-married girl. We
understand that it was her first major part and she is, therefore, all the
more to be complimented on the natural and charming performance she gave.
She looked lovely, she was dressed beautifully and she brought to the part
all the grace and freshness of a girl in love. Marshall Hesketh played
opposite to her. He is now an amateur of some experience and can be relied
on to get the best out of a part such as this. With the inspiration of
Valerie to help him it is not surprising that we have to give him full
marks for his performance. The parts of the father and mother of the young
girl were played by Brian Isaacson and Ann Smellie. In each case, make-up
and dress were excellent. As regards portrayal, so far as Brian was
concerned, he gave us one of the best performances we have seen him put
over. It was Ann's first appearance with the Players for some time as she
has been serving in the Midland District. She managed this somewhat mature
part quite well, though perhaps a trifle too philosophically even for a
doting mother.
The parts of the couple living in the flat above were
played by William Cussons and  Valerie
Barrett. William Cussons’ portrayal of the estate agent was so good that
his subsequent admission to being just an ordinary clerk, hard up and
facing an ejection order, did not seem quite in character. Valerie, too,
had some difficulty in being convincing. First of all she had to figure as
the objectionable neighbour and later on as her usual sweet self. The
sudden change was very hard to put over and neither she nor Mr. Cussons
seemed fully at case in the last part of the play. In these days of competition
with television the amateurs are on their mettle and audiences are not so
easy to attract. It is gratifying to note therefore that although sales of
tickets could have been better, the financial position of the Players is at
least solvent.
IMAGES: (Top Right) - Ann Smellie, Norman Leach, Brian
Isaacson, Marshall Hesketh and Valerie Tilley.
(Above Left) - Alan Mills and Ken Maddison. (Above Right) -
Jean Boothman and Bill Brookes.
|
