Townsville Theatrical Society Red Letter Day Sept 1957

‘Red Letter Day’ was performed on Thursday 26, Friday 27, and Saturday 28 Sept 1957 at the Theatre Royal.

‘Red Letter Day’
Thurs 26, Fri 27, Sat 28 Sept 1957
CAST IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE
TOBY, a Young Boy. ........................................ PAUL BROWN
NED SUTHERLAND, his Father.........................JOHN DAVIES
ANNA, the Maid.............................................BARBARA MclNTYRE
ALICE, Ned's Daughter.....................................HELEN SHOEBRIDGE
LORA, Ned's Wife........................................... .JO FOREMAN
TIM, Ned's elder Son. .................................... .ALLAN LANDER
CAROL, Tim's Wife................................. ………..JUDITH BRACKSTONE
JANE COOPER, Ned's Sister..............................MARY SUMMERFIELD
HELEN CONRAD,..............................................GERTRUDE POHLMEYER
MANUEL DEL VEGA..........................................WILLIAM APLIN
Produced and Directed by JACK GRASSO
Stage Manager: D. STORTENBECKER.
Assistants: L. KACZMASKE, R. PATERSON, F. FOREMAN, A. TEALBY
Lighting : N. WARD, R. NEWSOME
Orchestra : Mrs. SUMMERFIELD, LILIAN BENSTED, ANITA WILSON, NORMA O'DEA, HARRY NOTT,
GEORGE PURCHASE, N. MINON, N. GHEA.
Townsville Daily Bulletin Friday 27 Sept 1957
REVIEW of ‘Red Letter Day’

Trial For Leading City Actor
One of Townsville's leading actors was on trial on Thursday night.
He was Jack Grasso, whose first production, "Red Letter Day," opened at the Theatre Royal.
His choice for his behind-the-scenes debut was not altogether an easy one, but it has put him well on the way to success in his new field.
Presented by the Townsville Theatrical Society, "Red Letter Day" proved to be a continuation of this season's high standard of theatre entertainment.
The majority of the artists made their first appearance in 12 months and this coupled with opening night nerves, led to a rather shaky beginning.
But the players were quick to settle in their roles and lifted their performances, in parts, to great heights.
Central figure in the story is Lora Sutherland, whose ''Red Letter Day"—her 50th birthday—is told in three acts.
It all takes part in her New York home. In the morning, she is showered with gifts—
From her seldom-seen husband, Ned, who makes a plane trip to be with her for the occasion; her youngest son, Toby; daughter, Alice; her soldier-son, Tim, and his wife, Carol; and Ned's sister, gay divorcee, Jane Cooper.
The morning is a mixture of joy and irritation for Lora—with the irritation crowned by Carol's gift, a shawl—and Jane's cheery "Happy half-century!"
Her mixed mood is further aggravated by the antics of Toby, who in his own words, is at a dangerous age.
Lora is possessive towards 23-year-old Tim, and cool to his young wife. She ends her morning with doubts about Ned's affections.
Enter, in the afternoon, a bejewelled Helen Conrad, a gay type who has had several excursions into matrimony. She is Lora's principal suspect about her husband's affections. Helen makes things worse by presenting Lora with a return trip to the Virgin Islands as a birthday gift.
Immediately, the unhappy Lora decides she will have an affair within 48 hours. The target is Brazilian Manuel Dei Vega, whose attentions, however, are directed towards her daughter, Alice.
A bitter quarrel between Lora and Ned follows, with Lora climaxing it with a minor display of hysterics. Enter then Manuel who expresses his burning love— Lora brightens for Alice.
Brightest comedy in the whole of the play comes when Lora makes a desperate effort to meet some of her former male acquaintances, only to find that they are either dead or deaf.
The play moves on, punctuated with further comedy and interest, to an ending that should satisfy all.
Jo Foreman plays Lora superbly. She carries the play and her performance is coloured with brilliance. The moods of the woman on a new threshold of life are excellently portrayed by a talented actress. She was among those on the stage for the first time in more than a year.
Ned, who is also 50, is characterised by John Davies, a 26-year-old. John is a talented actor and he used his talents fully to bridge the gap between his age and the character he was portraying. He may not have been so convincing early, but as the play progressed, he and Ned were inseparable.
William Aplin, an 18-year-old not long out from school, almost stole the show as the Brazilian. Manuel Del Vega. It was his first time on stage and seldom has any actor made such an impressive debut in Townsville. He spoke with an accent that was as near as possible to the real thing.
Mary Summerfield was cast as Jane Cooper, Ned's sister, and she was always at ease in the role. She carried it off with polish and without a fault.
Tim was played by Allan Lander and he infused into the role all the boyish enthusiasm that was required.
His wife, Carol, was characterised by Judith Brackstone who handled it with the right amount of feeling and gentleness that the producer asked.
Experienced actress and theatre personality, Gertrude Pohlmeyer, was Helen Conrad and she gave a sure performance.
Helen Shoebridge was cast as Alice, Ned's daughter, and interpreted the part well.
Impish Toby was given to 17-year-old Paul Brown who also made his stage debut. He shows a lot of talent and it is hoped that more will be seen of him in the future.
Barbara Mclntyre played Anna, the maid, and although it was only a short role, she carried it off effectively.
The play will be staged again to-night and Saturday.

 

Comments are closed.