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 The
Cicala Players in The Secret Tent by Elizabeth Addyman
Staged: 7 to 9 November 1962 at the Chanticleer Theatre London
 1962 is a special
year for the Cicala Players, who although they have performed under that name
since 1947, were established as a group of performers ten years earlier,
making 1962 their Silver Jubilee Year.
After almost folding in the mid 1950s, the Players have survived
through sheer determination and effort, aided by the introduction of new
members to replace those lost to Bank transfers out of the London District.
Despite this, recruitment of enough quality performers to the group is still
quite hard to achieve. Martins Bank
Magazine notes in its review of “The Secret Tent” that the Cicala Players
still manage to stage two productions each year, and that recruitment to the
Bank’s other amateur dramatic societies is also difficult. This production marks the debut with the
Cicala Players of Christopher Norman-Butler, who plays the part of the play’s
major character. Mr Norman-Butler’s performance is described and strong and
sustained, capabilities that are certainly reflected from his Bank career –
having joined the Bank in 1961, he became manager of London’s Waterloo Place
branch within just four years, rising to Superintendent of Branches in the
North East by 1969, when his role within the merged Bank is as an assistant
to the Local Directors in Barclays’ Norwich Local Head Office.
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 To mark the
occasion of their Silver Jubilee the Players presented 'The Secret Tent.’ A
drama by Elizabeth Addyman. at the Chanticleer Theatre from November 7th to
9th. Of the three Dramatic Societies which have been connected with the
Bank, the Cicala Players is the first one to celebrate its 25 years of
existence (inclusive of the war years 1939-1946) and the only Society to
present a play in 1962. The North Eastern Players have experienced
difficulty in casting a play this year and the Argosy Players are in a
similar position. So, in a District which has more problems than any other
in putting on amateur productions, it is all the more credit to the
stalwarts of the Society that it continues to present two plays each year
Some of the founder members arc still actively concerned with the Society,
such as C. R. R. Hamilton. D F Russell, and Miss B. I Evans in their
present capacities of Chairman, Vice Chairman and actress respectively Mr
E. Webster, who has been jack of all trades in the Society.
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Mignonne Paice and Jacqueline Foster
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Christopher Norman-Butler Mignonne Paice
and Dorothy Elgar
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Miss R. Dudman and
G A. Kent have only missed one production, and Miss B. M Paice (Honorary
Secretary), although a more recent member, has worked very hard to maintain
the standard set by her predecessors. Many will remember such grand
artistes as Renee Forder. Isabel Simblett. Stella Brown. Ernest Vales. John
Howard. John Evans. Joan Cowell and Pat Machin, and the producers, among
whom were Josephine Ellor. G Craig Batey, Charles Hawkins. Maurice Ryder
and the present producer, Dai Armstrong. All of these and many others have
made their contribution to the success of this Society, and it augurs well
for its future that new members are always coming forward to take part in
the productions. Provided this interest is maintained by both the active
support of members and the financial support of the non-members who attend
the shows, there seems to be no reason why the Society should not celebrate
its Golden Jubilee, and we wish it every success.
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Reg Rowlands Mignonne Paice and
Christopher Norman-Butler
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Christopher Norman-Butler Mignonne Paice
and Betty Evans
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Christopher
Norman-Butler has not been in the Bank very long and it was therefore very
encouraging to find him making his debut with the Society by playing the
major role. This was the part of a husband who has been happily married for
five years, with two children, and is demented when his wife disappears and
is believed to be dead, but whose sorrow turns to rage and almost hatred
when he learns the details of his wife’s life before he met and married her
within a few weeks. This part made many demands on his acting ability and
he played the numerous emotional scenes with complete conviction and gave a
well-sustained performance. He has a commanding stage presence and made a
most successful debut. Another leading role was played by Mignonne Paice in
yet another portrayal of the part of the mother Mignonne plays these parts
extremely well and we felt that this was one of her best performances.
Rather critical and uncompromising at first, she then shows her sympathy
and human understanding when she is needed most and her son is faced with a
major crisis in his life. She was in complete command of the situation in a
quiet and unassuming way and earned full marks for a good all-round
performance.
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Dorothy Elgar
played the part of the young wife, very much in love with her husband,
rather hostile to her mother-in-law and bedevilled by her unhappy
childhood. Dorothy again gave a most satisfying performance and really
shone in the third act when she comes back to face the wrath of her beloved
husband now that he has learned the truth about her The pathos of this
final act really held the audience, and contained some of the best acting
from these three leads. The village busybody was played by Jacqueline Foster
with great success. Her mincing walk, her bird-like expression and keen
eyes, and even her voice all contributed to an excellent character study
and we felt we could willingly have strangled her every time she appeared
on the stage even though the feeling was very often tinged with humour at
her antics. Another delightful character study was given by Alan Apps as
Ernie Briggs, the village simpleton. It was only a small part but Alan, by
every mannerism, facial expression and intonation of voice, made it a
little gem of acting.
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Mignonne Paice Christopher Norman-Butler
and Alan Apps
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Reg Rowlands can always
be relied upon to give a competent performance of any part he undertakes
and his portrayal of Inspector Thornton was no exception. Very reminiscent
of the Inspectors one sees so often on television, Reg. was well cast in
the part, which he played Perfectly Betty Evans, too. has had a variety of
parts with the Society And her portrayal of Miss Pearce, the head of an
approved school, was wholly acceptable. The unfolding of her story seemed a
little longwinded at limes but this is more a criticism of the play rather
than of the actress, and. of course, was intended to spare the feelings of
the husband. The other members of the Society who helped with this special
production were Ian Andrews, who as Stage Manager was also responsible for
constructing the fireplace, Hugh Hairs. Michael Piesse, Anthony Hayles,
George Kent, Brenda Sanderson, Pat Childs, Barbara Sellwood, Eric Webster,
Jeff Webberley, Howard Bartlett and Alexander Ingram. To sum up. we thought
that this play was well cast with no weak links and, apart from a rather
slow first act. a good all-round performance was given. But we would like
to sec the Players tackle something more worthwhile. Their choice of play
in recent years has not been in line with the long tradition of the Players
and the loyalty of supporters is strained if the plays themselves are
mediocre.
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