WYONG DRAMA GROUP
THE TOUCH OF SILK
By Betty Roland
Produced by June Colquhoun
Performed April 1964
This was an Australian play set in the Mallee country of Australia ten years after the First World War - in the period we now call the Depression Years. An incident witnessed by the author at an outback dance gave her the idea for this play. It is a poignant drama centred on Jeanne, a homesick French war bride and her shell-shocked husband battling hardship and prejudice in the drought-stricken town.
Article from the Wyong Advocate, Wednesday 1 April 1964
Article from theTuggerah Lakes News, Wednesday 1 April 1964
Beth Gingell as Nelly Davidson, Barry Beggs as David Ritchie, Edna Bate as Mrs Davidson, Gladys Goldsworthy as Stella Patterson, Ted Bryant as Dr Wilson, George Geatches as Clifford Osborne, Bonnie Bryant as Mrs Ryan, Arthur Gleed as Alexander Ritchie, Dick Woodward as Jim Davidson & Gwen Clarke as Jeanne Davidson
Fred Chapman, George Glading, Beth Gingell, George Geatches, Arthur Gleed, Edna Bate, Dick Woodward, Gwen Clarke, Ted Bryant and Bonnie Bryant
Beth Gingell and Barry Beggs
Beth Gingell as Nelly Davidson, Barry Beggs as David Ritchie, Edna Bate as Mrs Davidson, Gladys Goldsworthy as Stella Patterson, Ted Bryant as Dr Wilson, George Geatches as Clifford Osborne, Bonnie Bryant as Mrs Ryan, Arthur Gleed as Alexander Ritchie, Dick Woodward as Jim Davidson & Gwen Clarke as Jeanne Davidson
Use the arrows to browse through the cast photos for The Touch Of Silk. Click the images to view them full-size.
Article from the Wyong Advocate, Wednesday 8 April 1964
Review: Tuggerah Lakes News, Wednesday 15 April 1964
The play was produced (for Adjudication in the NSW Country Drama Festival) by June Colquhoun in April 1964. The production dates were Thursday 9 April, Saturday 11 April and Saturday 18 April 1964. The adjudicator was Reid Douglas who saw the production on 11 April.
The playwright, Betty Roland, actually attended the opening night of the play! In the drama group archives we have an autographed copy of the programme signed by Betty Roland herself.
Photo from an article in the Wyong Advocate, Wednesday 15 April 1964
Review by Neville Goldsworthy: Wyong Advocate, Wednesday 15 April 1964
Article possibly from the Tuggerah Lakes News, probably Wednesday 25 March 1964
Article from the Wyong Advocate, probably Wednesday 25 March 1964
PRODUCED BY:
June Colquhoun
CAST:
STELLA PATTERSON - Gladys Goldsworthy
CLIFFORD OSBORNE - George Geatches
ALEXANDER RITCHIE - Arthur Gleed
MRS. RYAN - Bonnie Bryant
JIM DAVIDSON - Dick Woodward
MRS. DAVIDSON - Edna Bate
NELLY DAVIDSON- Beth Gingell
DAVID RITCHIE - Barry Beggs
JEANNE DAVIDSON - Gwen Clarke
DR. WILSON - Ted Bryant
HARRY - George Glading
CONSTABLE HUGHES - Fred Chapman
AS LONG AS THEY'RE HAPPY (1964)
By Vernon Sylvaine
Produced by Rene Levenspiel
Performed October 1964
This was our usual end-of-year farce, and produced by Rene Levenspiel. The drama group also produced the show in 1973. The show was presented on Friday 16 October, Saturday 17 October and Monday 19 October 1964.
Not quite a fully-fledged musical, "As Long as They're Happy" can be described as a romantic comedy with song-and-dance interludes. Stockbroker John Bentley's household is thrown into a tizzy when popular singing star Bobby Denver visits his home. Bentley's three daughters Gwendoline, Patricia and Corinne are immediately smitten by Bobby, though each reacts to his presence in a different manner. Mrs Bentley, hoping to loosen up her staid hubby, pretends to be likewise enamoured with the singer.
Tuggerah Lakes News, Wednesday 14 October 1964
Wyong Advocate, Wednesday 14 October 1964
Tuggerah Lakes News, Wednesday 30 September 1964
Article about the general meeting following this show in the Wyong Advocate, Wednesday 112 November 1964.
This article outlines the general meeting, a forthcoming one-act play and the up-coming production of Bed of Roses
It was made into a 1955 film with Diana Dors and "Carry On" regular Joan Sims as a comic maid, among many others. The film did the most amount of good for recording artist Jeannie Carson, who landed her own American TV sitcom as a result of her appearance herein.
PRODUCED BY:
Rene Levenspiel
CAST:
(Click photos to view full-size images)
BOBBY DENVER
- George Geatches
LINDA - June Dargan
STELLA BENTLEY
- Anne Morgan
PATRICIA
- Beth Gingell
BOBBY BENTLEY
- John Worgan
GWENDOLINE - Jan Bailey
MR. SKEGGINGTON - Toby Bryant
HERMAN SCHNEIDER - Ted Bryant
MICHAEL KENLEY - Colin Lean
PETER PEMBER - Don Watson
PEARL - Pam Robinson
CORRINE - Helen Marsonet
BARNABY - Mark Levenspiel
BED OF ROSES
By Falkland L Cary
Produced by Arthur Gleed
Performed April 1965
Arthur Gleed is a name familiar to most WDG audiences from the early days throughout the 1960s, having appeared in countless plays. With this production he turned his hand to directing (and it is to be noted he never directed another show for Wyong Drama Group!)
Tuggerah Lakes News, Wednesday 31 March 1965
Review by Neville Goldsworthy in the Wyong (and Tuggerah Lakes) Advocate, Wednesday 14 April 1965
Several other articles on the play appeared in newspapers. Click the button below to view them:
This play was the last production at the Wyong Youth Hall in Hely Street. It played for three nights, Thursday 8 April, Friday 9 April and Saturday 10 April 1965. On Monday 12 April the whole production was taken up to Morisset Psychiatric Hospital for a special performance for the patients only (not open to the public).
Fred Chapman as Mat and Ian Tasker as Bob
Fred Chapman as Mat, Pam Robinson as Jenny, Don Watson as Basil, Helen Marsonet as May, Ian Tasker as Bob and Jan Bailey as Pam
Watching the rehearsal (the last show in the Youth Hall): Mrs Chapman, an unknown young member, Bonnie Bryant and Gwen Clarke
Fred Chapman as Mat and Ian Tasker as Bob
Use the arrows to browse through the gallery for Bed of Roses Click the images to view them full-size.
Rose has convinced herself that she is an invalid and spends all her time lying on a couch with her husband Matt at her beck and call. Matt and the doctor devise a plan. Matt pretends to have injured his leg and when Rose gets up to tend to him he jumps on to the couch so that she is unable to resume her role as invalid.
PRODUCED BY:
Arthur Gleed
CAST:
JENNY PICKERSGILL - Pam Robinson
PAM PICKERSGILL - Jan Bailey
MRS . BLISDEN - Gladys Goldsworthy
BOB HUGGINS - Ian Tasker
ROSE PICKERSGIILL - Mildred Field
MAT PICKERSGILL - Fred Chapman
BASIL GRAVES - Don Watson
DR. RAHENY - John Worgan
MAY ROSSITER - Helen Marsonet
MURDER MISTAKEN
By Janet Green
Produced by Gwen Clarke
Performed July 1965
Neville Goldsworthy's article reviewing the play in the Wyong Advocate,Wednesday 21 July 1965
Tuggerah Lakes News article, also published on Wednesday 21 July 1965
This was our first play produced at the new Memorial Hall. Its producer was Gwen Clarke and was a nice little thriller to open the new hall with. It was Gwen's first directorial production for Wyong Drama Group and ran for two nights, Friday 16 July and Saturday 17 July 1965. It was also the drama group's entry in the 1965 Arts Council play festival which was judged by Mr Reid Douglas viewing the Saturday night performance.
Murder is his business and generally speaking Edward Bare is a successful business man. Married first to Monica, rich, doting and many years his senior, Edward waits amicably for her to die. It is not "poor Monnie's fault" that he comes one day to the mistaken conclusion that she is about to make a will in favour of her sister, and decides that, his only course is to hasten her end. But Edward has misjudged the old woman, for she meant to leave him everything. As it is, he finds himself with less than he had when she was alive.
ADJUDICATION
Adjudication: marks and comments made by Reid Douglas at the Arts Council Drama Festival performance.
Date of document: 17 July 1966
Edward is not daunted: He looks around for another rich fish to net, and finds the answer to this pressing necessity in the person of Freda Jefferies, wealthy widow of a hotel proprietor. Freda, who has always seen that her head ruled her heart, marries Edward, at the same time keeping a tight hold on her purse strings. This does not suit Edward and when Charlotte Young, another rich woman, arrives on the scene, he is all set to remove the one that irks him most. Charlotte appears easier game than the tough Freda, and Edward sets about staging the scene for an exciting last situation.
Which lady will receive the brunt of his murdering tactics? Packed with suspense and thrills, the machinations of the killer's mind are laid bare for the observation of the audience, and the twists are unexpected and spine-chilling.
At rehearsals in the new hall: George Geatches, Bonnie Bryant and Phillip McGill
George Geatches, Bonnie Bryant, Phillip McGill and Lorna Worgan
Lorna Worgan, George Geatches, Bonnie Bryant and Phillip McGill
At rehearsals in the new hall: George Geatches, Bonnie Bryant and Phillip McGill
Use the arrows to browse through the gallery for Murder Mistaken Click the images to view them full-size.
PRODUCED BY:
Gwen Clarke
CAST:
FREDA JEFFRIES - Bonnie Bryant
EMMIE - Lorna Worgan
MONICA BARE - Mildred Ede
PHILLIP MORTIMER- Phillip McGill
EDWARD BARE - George Geatches
CHARLOTTE YOUNG - Juyne Ceely
THE RELUCTANT DEBUTANTE
By William Douglas Home
Produced by Aub Brown
Performed December 1965
This play was produced by Aubrey A Brown on Friday 3 December and Saturday 4 December, 1965. It was our second production in the new Memorial Hall. Notice from the programme that tea-and-biscuits no longer cost sixpence, but had in fact doubled in price to a whole shilling!! This was only going to be for another three months anyway, with future tea-and-biscuits being charged for in cents!
When 17-year-old Jane Broadbent comes to London to live with her wealthy father Jimmy Broadbent, her stepmother Sheila feels compelled by her social aspirations to introduce her to society. Jane is bored by the debutante balls she attends and the young men she is introduced to, but becomes interested in a drummer named David Bullock, who has a reputation for leading young women astray. To complicate matters, David Hoylake-Johnston relentlessly pursues Jane, even though she openly detests him. As it turns out, Bullock's reputation is undeserved, but Sheila is convinced otherwise, and she tries to keep him away from Jane.
Publicity article in the Wyong Advocate, Wednesday 24 November 1965.
Note: Ian Tasker's name has been typo'd as "Gasker"
Sheila's garrulous friend Mabel interferes with Sheila's attempts to separate the two in order to secure David Bullock for her own daughter, Clarissa. Fortunately for Jane and David, Sheila's plans fail miserably. The two young people fall in love with each other, and David Hoylake-Johnston proposes to Jane. He also inherits an Italian title of nobility, satisfying Sheila's concerns for Jane's social status.
The play was made into a 1957 movie starring Rex Harrison and Angela Lansbury and was also the basis for the 2003 movie What a Girl Wants starring Amanda Byne.
Unfortunately, no production photos seem to exist, however to publicise the event, the Drama Group organised a float for the Wyong Parade in November 1965, which carried five cast members throughout the town of Wyong on a very nice sunny day. The four colour shots below are taken from Railway Street (Pacific Highway) Wyong, looking toward the railway station from where currently stands the late-night chemist or Legends Bakery or thereabouts. Note that in 1965 there was no pedestrian footbridge over the railway line! The Canary Islands palm trees were quite profuse along the eastern side of the highway in past days (they were planted in the 1930s as an employment creation scheme), and there are still a few left today.
Photos of the Group's float in the 1965 Wyong Parade. Click the thumbnail images to expand them.
PRODUCED BY:
Aub Brown
CAST:
JIMMY BROADBENT - John Worgan
SHEILA BROADBENT - Gwen Clarke
JANE - Pam Robinson
MABEL CROSSWAITE- Beth Gingell
CLARISSA - Jan Bailey
DAVID BULLOCK - Ian Tasker
DAVID HOYLAKE-JOHNSTON - Bryan Brown
THE REVEREND ARTHUR HUMPHREY - Ted Bryant
MRS. EDGAR - Pamela Say
AN ITALIAN STRAW HAT
By Eugene Labiche and Marc Michel
Produced by Phyl Bennett
Performed June 1966
This play was produced by Miss Phyl Bennett in June 1966. It had a large cast of 24. Supper at this stage cost 10 cents - it was our first play produced in decimal currency. The play was presented (for two performances only) on Friday 3 June and Saturday 4 June 1966 at the "new" Wyong Memorial Hall.
The simple plot takes place on a couple’s wedding day, when the groom’s horse eats a lady’s straw hat which sets off a chain reaction of events, making it appear as if there is much ado about nothing. The lady whose hat was eaten cannot return home to her husband without it for fear it would reveal her clandestine meeting with her officer-lover. The Lieutenant, desperate to find a hat exactly like it as a replacement, goes to extreme lengths, thereby causing further turmoil.
We have a large gallery of photos for The Italian Straw Hat. Click the images to view them full-size.
The wedding party falls into a chase across Paris as the hapless groom attempts to find the hat and get on with his wedding, which the bride’s father calls off time and time again, much to the delight of bride’s besotted cousin who thinks he should take her hand. Mistaken identities abound, deceptions are uncovered, the plot thickens... or rather it runs about all over the place. But with farce, plots are not meant to be scrutinised; it’s just the vehicle for the jokes and the comic delivery. The show also contains a number of songs interwoven throughout the action.
Review by Neville Goldsworthy in the Wyong Advocate, Wednesday 14 June 1966.
Publicity article in the Wyong Advocate, Wednesday 4 May 1966.
PRODUCED BY:
Phyll Bennett
CAST:
VIRGINIA - Denise Proust
FELIX - David Fryer
VEZINET - Arthur Gleed
FADINARD - George Geatches
EMILE - Aub Brown
ANNETTE - Jan Prothero
NONANCOURT - Fred Chapman
HELEN - Beverley Say
BOBY & ACHILLE - Ian Tasker
CLOTHILDE - Cathy Hurst
CLARA - Pamela Say
TARDINVEAU - Ted Bryant
COUNTESS DE CHAMPIGNY - Beth McIntyre
DUCHESS DE CHATEAU GILLARD - Isobel Unsworth
LE DUC DE CHATEAU GILLARD - Bruno Marsonet
MADOMOISELLE LA POMPE - Mildred Field
MONSEIUR BEUAJOLAIS - Bonnie Bryant
CORPORAL - George Glading
SOLDIERS - Grant Field & Edward Sharp
WEDDING GUESTS - Beth Gingell, Anne Field & Belinda Fane
