Throwback Thursday - Arsenic and Old Lace 1978 Drama Production
Do you remember the performance of Arsenic & Old Lace in 1978?
Were you a member of the cast?
Do share your stories with us and any photos you may have hiding in the attic.
See below the news article published in the 1978 Chronicle....
DRAMATIC SOCIETY
The Dramatic Society's production for 1978 was "Arsenic and Old
Lace", a play in three acts by Joseph Kesselring. It was performed in
the School Hall on Friday, July 14th, and Saturday, July 15th and is
here reported in the form of an acrostic.
A is for acting, which was of the usual high standard of a Surbiton
production, and called for the dramatically rich portrayals of
American cops and supposedly sweet old ladies.
R is for raucous laughter and rave reviews. To misquote from the
"Times" review of the original production in 1942 . . . " the most
amusing comedy on the S.H.S. stage today . . . the biggest laugh
this house of farce has ever had.
5 is for sumptuous scenery — probably the most authentic we have
ever had.
E is for enthusiasm, shared by back-stage and "front of house"
workers, which seemed to increase as rehearsal and scenery
schedules tightened.
N is for nightmares and "near misses", above all, for Mr. North and
his lighting effects.
I is for eyes, noses and mouths — that is, for make-up applied to
them — and the valiant work done by Mrs. Tedder and her crew.
C is for costumes and therefore Mrs. Cutland, aided by Mrs. Fells.
O is for organisation and oddities — the organisation successful,
though at times haphazard: the oddities too humorous to mention,
though they include a corpse which lay shaking with laughter.
L is for Lower VIth who played a large part in the organisation and
D is for donations of drinks and refreshments, organised by Mrs.
Hurd and Mrs. Brunning in the Interval.
L is for Lower VI who played a large part in the organisation and
showed real team spirit.
A is for audience appreciation, which even extended to clapping the
scenery.
C is for comedy, which the audience appreciated.
E is for excellence, which could only have been achieved under the
guidance of Mrs. Sandilands, helped by Miss Lloyd. E is also for
endurance and" endeavour, which Mrs. Sandilands has to possess
to get her through a school production whilst remaining sane.
For this, and for all she does for school dramatics, we are grateful.
