Townsville Theatrical Society The Chiltern Hundreds Oct 1952

“The Chiltern Hundreds” was performed on Thursday 16, Friday 17, and Saturday 18 Oct, 1952, at the Theatre Royal.

Townsville Theatrical Society
‘The Chiltern Hundreds’, Theatre Royal
Thursday 16, Friday 17, and Saturday 18 Oct 1952
Cast
The Earl of Lister (Lord Lieutenant)…………………Carl Schuchard
The Countess of Lister (his wife)……………………..Beryl Bonfield
June Farrell (of the American Embassy)…………..Betty Page
Bessie………………………………………………………………Joan MacKenzie
Beecham………………………………………………………….Ron Forno
Lord Pym (Lord Lister’s son)…………………………….Bill Spencer
Lady Caroline Smith (Lord Lister’s sister)………...Day Dwyer
Mr Cleghorn…………………………………………...........John Reid

Producer…………………………………………………….. Rita Jell
Stage Manager……………………………………………. John Eckersley
Assistant Stage Manager…………………………….. R. Jackson
Assistants……………………………………………………. K. Armit, R. Kern, J. Benson
Electrical Effects…………………………………………. Alan Stephenson
Stage Design and Construction…………………… R. Jackson
Orchestra…………………………………………………… (Mrs Summerfield’s) Messrs F. Feather, L. Grau,
G. Saunders, V. Johnston, W. Newman, J. Phillips, Mrs L. Benstead, Mrs P. Gander.

Chiltern Hundreds review Townsville Daily Bulletin Fri 17 Oct 1952

The article on the left reads:
New Play At Royal A Success
Townsville Theatrical Society last night gave an amusing - and, at times, cleverly presented— performance of William Home's modern British comedy, 'The Chiltern Hundreds’
The play is probably one of the wittiest and most literate of comedies dealing with the aristocracy and politics.
Last night's performance contained an exceptionally realistic and well-drawn portrayal by Carl Schuchard as the Earl of Lister.
Lister is an impoverished aristocrat with an obsession about the rabbits and foxes infesting his estate. Carl Schuchard brought to the role a polish and easy style which dominated the play.

DELIGHTFUL
He was responsible for some delightful passages— when he finds his son in the arms of Bessie the maid; when he invites Bessie and Beecham his butler, who is opposing his son at a by-election, to be week-end guests at the castle; and when he discusses the peculiar construction of the human stomach.
He was alternatively vague, kind, blustering, and bewildered without once creating a sense of unreality, or dropping from character.
Bill Spencer was easy and natural as Lord Pym, the Earl's son. He is a young man who makes two unsuccessful essays into politics, first as a Conservative, and then as a Labour candidate.
As always, he displayed an excellent stage technique.
Joan MacKenzie was a bright (but not arch) Bessie —who became engaged to Lord Pym but finally settled for the butler.
A newcomer to the local stage, she has personality and charm, and considerable poise.
Ron Forno was adequately competent as Beecham, the ultra-conservative butler. It was unfortunate, however, that his second and third act in dress was so completely at variance with the character.

EXCELLENT MOMENTS
Beryl Bonfield was the harassed Countess, and Betty Page the American fiancee of her son.
Day Dwyer, as the Earl's sister, who set out to polish an 'uncut' Labour M.P., was the typical tweeds and brogues county type.
John Reid, as Cleghorn, the M.P., who, after denouncing the aristocracy as parasites, finds himself sent to the House of Lords 'with the Dominions' had some excellent moments. The play was produced by Rita Jell.
It will continue its season at the Theatre Royal to-night and on Saturday night.

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