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 The
Cicala Players in The Manor of Northstead by W D Home
Staged: November 1956 at the Barrett Street Technical College
(Behind Selfridge’s) London
 Another
play, and ANOTHER venue for the Cicala Players. This time they are very much
in London’s bustling West End on the stage of a Technical College, but not
exactly in a famous theatre. We are asked to beware the subject
matter, as “the Manor of Northstead” takes as its plot the General Election
as played out in a remote constituency in the Outer Isles. Martins Bank
Magazine wastes no time in declaring the idea as “somewhat dull”, and notes
that the audience was none too impressed either! The icing on the “non-plussed cake” was,
apparently, the creation of a gunshot
noise by having someone simply knock loudly on the floor. The magazine’s
reviewer remarks tersely that if a gun IS to be fired, then LET it be fired.
Goodness, Health and Safety would certainly have something to say about that
in this Century! So, is there
anything to be salvaged from this carnage of a review? Well, apparently a couple of people were
“quite good”, and one or two were “adequate”. We have the feeling that the
writer was hugely disappointed by the whole thing, but please note dear
visitor, that bad critiques of the Cicala Players’ work are, thankfully, VERY rare
indeed…
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 The Manor of Northstead,
by W. D. Home, chosen by the Cicala Players for their autumn 1956
production, is not altogether an easy play for amateurs. For one thing,
there is not a great deal of action: for another, the success of the
production depends upon the performance of the central character. In its
favour, however, can be said that there are several suitable parts for
beginners and that no change of scene is involved. As a play, however, we
had the impression that the audience did not find it very exciting, and its
theme, the General Election in the Outer Isles, somewhat dull.
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John Howard and John Evans
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John Evans John Howard and Clive Hamilton
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The Cicala Players
have chosen many more acceptable plays in the past. Having said this,
however, let it be said straight away that the performance of John Howard
as the Earl of Lister, the central character in the play, was superb. He
completely submerged himself in the part and gave us one of the best
character studies we have seen, avoiding the pitfalls of caricature and the
danger of over-playing. Make-up was excellent and the portrayal completely
convincing. One little point—if a gun has to be fired, then let it be
fired. A knock on the floor by the “effects” man is most disappointing. The
next best performance was undoubtedly that of John Evans as his lordship’s
butler. A major part, portrayed with exactly the right mixture of deference
and deferential assertiveness as the occasion demanded. Betty Evans as the
butler’s wife and the Socialist candidate managed the dual role
convincingly and Stella Brown as the Countess of Lister provided all the
charm and graciousness which the part demanded.
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Clive Hamilton Stella Brown Mignonne Paice
Colin Hunt Jillian Tucker John Evans John Howard and Betty Evans
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Jillian Tucker,
appearing with the Players for the first time, made a very creditable debut
as the Earl’s daughter-in-law whose ambition it is to get her husband into
Parliament. She scolded and
threatened very realistically. The
part of her husband was played by Colin Hunt whose inches seemed to
embarrass him on a small stage and the resultant gangling effect of his
movements was out of character for the part of a Regular Officer. It was not an easy part to play as the
situation involved tended towards the burlesque. Mignonne Paice played the
part of the Conservative candidate.
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Clive Hamilton
and Betty Evans
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She, too, appeared
with the Players for the first time, and her performance came up to
expectation and was all that could he desired. The part of her husband was
played by Clive Hamilton whose interpretation of a somewhat stiff
aristocrat endeavouring to unbend towards his inferiors, struck a good note
and made the best use of a rather limited part. George Kent as the
shipwrecked candidate, had only one fleeting appearance to make, but he
looked the part and discharged the task adequately. The play was produced
by Maurice Ryder and was staged at the Barrett Street Technical College,
behind Selfridge's Store, a pleasant enough theatre but with several
serious disadvantages from the Players’ point of view—entrance to the stage
from one side only, remote dressing rooms, and limited lighting effects.
The financial saving, however, was enormous.
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