22 January 1938, Orpington Evening Institute
James Parish’s Distinguished Gathering was presented on 22 January 1938 and was the second performance by the group that would become Chelsfield Players. The troupe was actually credited as “Students of the Dramatic Class” of the Orpington Evening Institute on Charterhouse Road.
The play was performed at the Orpington Central school, a secondary modern which was later demolished for new housing and a playground (see map). The show has always been on the Society’s official list of performances and most of the cast seem to have come from what was then the Chelsfield Village Hall Dramatic Society, so it seems likely that members of the new society attended evening classes at the institute to hone their acting skills.
James Parish’s Distinguished Gathering was presented on 22 January 1938 and was the second performance by the group that would become Chelsfield Players. The troupe was actually credited as “Students of the Dramatic Class” of the Orpington Evening Institute on Charterhouse Road.
The play was performed at the Orpington Central school, a secondary modern which was later demolished for new housing and a playground (see map). The show has always been on the Society’s official list of performances and most of the cast seem to have come from what was then the Chelsfield Village Hall Dramatic Society, so it seems likely that members of the new society attended evening classes at the institute to hone their acting skills.
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Review from the Bromley & West Kent Mercury
The action of the play revolves round the murder of an unscrupulous adventurer who has written a book of memoirs, and in it has told of indiscretions and crimes committed by several distinguished people. These people, invited to a dinner party by the proposed publisher of the book, plan and carry out the murder of the writer.
The heaviest part fell upon Colin George as “Felix Montague,” the publisher, who was on the stage during most of the play, and was nearly always the central figure. Mr. George did remarkably well as this eccentric figure, who planned murder in his own drawing-room and invited his friends’ help.
Kathleen Curtis, as “Judith Montague,” his wife, gave a consistent performance, although she never looked quite as nervous as she said she was.
A clever character study was provided by D. Orme, who played the part of “Dorinda Caswell,” a charmingly helpless young lady,’ who in spite of a natural dislike of daggers and blood, was buoyed up to the end by an insatiable curiosity. A suitably austere portrayal of a highly placed Government official was given by V. St. C. Tomalin as “Sir Brian Howett.”
Eric Hart brought considerable talent to the part of “Eliot Richard Vines,’’ the adventurer. A suave sinister figure when he first appeared, this actor showed first apprehension and then real fear, as the plot was unravelled, and he realised that his murder was planned.
Some fine emotional acting was given by Norah E. Foreman, who as” Caroline Beckworth” saw her life’s work was to be ruined unless her would-be betrayer was killed. Joyce Stacey played the part of “Lady Thalia Wilmer” with a stately air and cynical tongue, and acted well in several tense situations where something more than poise was required. Teddy Hollands was excellent as “Major ‘Runty’ Pearson,” a pitiable figure who wanted to go home and leave the murdering to his friends. Ellen George was the mysterious “ Leslie Guest,’’ calm and glamorous, who took the blame and fled into the night.
Francis Paige acted well as “C. D. Williams,” a dour flying ace who, as he said, was not interested in living but couldn’t be bothered to die.
A confident aggressive demeanour identified W. E. P. Loraine as Detective Inspector Rutherford,” a sleuth from Scotland Yard. He paced the room feverishly and fired questions over his shoulder in a most convincing fashion only occasionally dropping a word at Charles Jones, who played “Det.-Sergt Ferris,” his unhappy assistant. Albert Powell made a short appearance as “Det.-Sergt. Ramage.”
The play was well produced by Eric Hart.
Music was provided during the intervals by the students’ orchestra under the direction Mr. J. H. Wood.
The action of the play revolves round the murder of an unscrupulous adventurer who has written a book of memoirs, and in it has told of indiscretions and crimes committed by several distinguished people. These people, invited to a dinner party by the proposed publisher of the book, plan and carry out the murder of the writer.
The heaviest part fell upon Colin George as “Felix Montague,” the publisher, who was on the stage during most of the play, and was nearly always the central figure. Mr. George did remarkably well as this eccentric figure, who planned murder in his own drawing-room and invited his friends’ help.
Kathleen Curtis, as “Judith Montague,” his wife, gave a consistent performance, although she never looked quite as nervous as she said she was.
A clever character study was provided by D. Orme, who played the part of “Dorinda Caswell,” a charmingly helpless young lady,’ who in spite of a natural dislike of daggers and blood, was buoyed up to the end by an insatiable curiosity. A suitably austere portrayal of a highly placed Government official was given by V. St. C. Tomalin as “Sir Brian Howett.”
Eric Hart brought considerable talent to the part of “Eliot Richard Vines,’’ the adventurer. A suave sinister figure when he first appeared, this actor showed first apprehension and then real fear, as the plot was unravelled, and he realised that his murder was planned.
Some fine emotional acting was given by Norah E. Foreman, who as” Caroline Beckworth” saw her life’s work was to be ruined unless her would-be betrayer was killed. Joyce Stacey played the part of “Lady Thalia Wilmer” with a stately air and cynical tongue, and acted well in several tense situations where something more than poise was required. Teddy Hollands was excellent as “Major ‘Runty’ Pearson,” a pitiable figure who wanted to go home and leave the murdering to his friends. Ellen George was the mysterious “ Leslie Guest,’’ calm and glamorous, who took the blame and fled into the night.
Francis Paige acted well as “C. D. Williams,” a dour flying ace who, as he said, was not interested in living but couldn’t be bothered to die.
A confident aggressive demeanour identified W. E. P. Loraine as Detective Inspector Rutherford,” a sleuth from Scotland Yard. He paced the room feverishly and fired questions over his shoulder in a most convincing fashion only occasionally dropping a word at Charles Jones, who played “Det.-Sergt Ferris,” his unhappy assistant. Albert Powell made a short appearance as “Det.-Sergt. Ramage.”
The play was well produced by Eric Hart.
Music was provided during the intervals by the students’ orchestra under the direction Mr. J. H. Wood.
Francis Paige, Teddy Hollands, Ellen George, Colin George, Norah Foreman, Vernon Tomalin, Joyce Stacey, Dorothy 'Bunty' Orme, Kathleen Curtis