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I'll Leave It To You
A Sparkling Light Comedy by
Noel Coward
Produced by David Beeching |
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Cast |
| Mrs. Dermott |
Alex Mailer |
| Her Children:- |
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Oliver |
Edward Garrard |
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Evangeline |
Dee Beeching |
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Sylvia |
Mary Newman |
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Bobbie |
Bert Gallop |
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Joyce |
Sandra Hubbuck |
Daniel Davis,
Mrs. Dermott's brother |
Sam Warden |
| Mrs. Crombie |
Elsie Stevens |
| Faith Crombie |
Lila Garrard |
| Griggs, the maid |
Josie Crone |
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The action takes place in
Mulberry Manor, Mrs. Dermott's house, a few miles out of London.
Act
1 begins on a December afternoon. Acts 2 & 3 take place some 18
months later in Midsummer. |
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Programme Notes
The Fairlight
Players are presenting a light Noel Coward comedy which we are sure
will be very much to the taste of their audiences.
Leading the strong cast is that great
favourite Alex Mailer, who has been absent for too long from our
productions. In her inimitable style she sets the pace of the play
with her sure deft touch. Following his success in our last
production Sam Warden shows his mettle in a more major role and is
the focal point around which the humour of the play revolves. The
children of the family keeping the fun rolling along, Edward
Garrard, Bert Gallop, Dee Beeching, and two newcomers, Sandra
Hubbuck playing the youngest of the family, and Mary Newman bringing
a distinctive flair to her portrayal. Rounding off the cast we have
another great favourite, Elsie Stevens, and also Lila Garrard who
made such a hit in our last production, and Josie Crone another
newcomer.
We are confident that you will
thoroughly enjoy the play, with special scenery to add to your
enjoyment. Remember too our new departure, and extra evening
performance, to enable more people to come to an evening show and
have a better seat. We hope that your support will enable us to
continue this improvement in our productions.
(Notes copied from rear of
programme) |
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As the programme notes point out, this production was notable as
the first occasion on which the Players added a third performance to
the run. It seems odd to us now to go to all the trouble of
producing a play, with the rehearsals, the building of the set, the
acquisition of props and costumes and all the rest, just for the
sake of two performances, especially given the limited seating
capacity in the small hall at that time. On the other hand, I
suppose that the population of the village was that much smaller,
and people would probably be less inclined (or able) to travel. Then
again, what else did the good people of Fairlight have to do? As I
recall, there was rubbish on the telly!
Despite the very favourable review (below)
the production was clearly
not flawless, and the
producer's report to the committee gives an
interesting insight into the role of the producer
at that time. In some ways, not a lot has changed,
but I think we are, at least, better these days at sharing the
workload. In particular, it seems unlikely that any one person would
wish to assume the role of producer / director for so many consecutive
productions. Most of the directors that I have worked with
during my time with the Players seem to end up in desperate need
of a rest after striking the set.
Another new development that I note from the poster is the
relocation of the Box Office to The Corner Stores, now a private
house on the corner of Lower Waites Lane and The Avenue. This enabled
tickets to be made available for sale over a longer period, thus helping
to justify the extra performance. |
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Producer's Report
(copied from original typed
document)
The outstanding point of this play was that the casting was
most suitable, the cast fitting in to their roles extremely
well, and this was one of the reasons for the choice of this play.
The family atmosphere was achieved well, and good contrast between
the various members of the family was gained. The pace was first
class, most essential with a play of this type, and the improvement
during recent productions in this respect has become most
noticeable. Individual characterisations were well drawn. The stage
looked most attractive, the flowers and dressings adding their part,
and the clothes of the ladies showing care and thought.
My most unexpected aspect of the show was that by far the
best performances were given on the Friday night, and they did not
improve subsequently to the degree I had hoped in the following
afternoon and evening.
Although done with my full knowledge I now appreciate that it
is a mistake to change the prompt at any time during performances,
and I feel the responsibility is mine for the hold up that occurred
on Saturday afternoon.
I was glad that we were able to introduce new acting members
to the audience while still keeping old favourites. The team work
throughout was good, once various "laugh spots" were overcome,
especially during the difficult breakfast scene.
The biggest problem still is finding suitable plays to
present. Though now not so tied for men acting members, it still is
the major problem picking a play that is suitable in all the various
aspects for Fairlight. No one who has not tried to do it can be
aware of just how difficult a task it is. Whilst "I'll Leave It To
You" is not one of Coward's strongest plays, it suited our
requirements so admirably in so many respects.
I realise that it did not have the whole hearted enthusiasm
of some of our members, but in spite of everything the productions
was a success, the extra performance well justified, and whilst we
have not perhaps added any new laurels, we have kept our existing
ones fresh and unspoiled.
I would like to see in the future, responsibilities spreading
wider for the various details of production. Printing, programmes,
tickets, booking plans, copies of the furniture plans and scenery
plans, ordering scripts and collecting money for the same, these
jobs I feel I have been "hogging" when they should be spread round
so that other people get an interest in productions. A "Production
Secretary" in fact is something we could well do with.
In conclusion many
personal thanks for the Coffee Pot, a good bid size as vefits
someone with a big
mouth! |
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