Written By
Sutton Vane
Where and When
9th – 10th May 1933 @ The Women’s Institute Hall
The Plot
This classic tells a strange story. An odd assortment of characters are passengers on an ocean liner whose destination is unknown. Suddenly the bewildered travelers realize they are dead and headed for Judgment Day. The young man who has lost his faith in himself becomes desperately afraid, the snobbish Mrs. Cliveden Banks prepares to demand certain heavenly concessions, and the old cockney woman goes on with her knitting. Most frightened of all are a young man and woman who have committed suicide. The Examiner comes on board to judge their cases with whimsical perception. The Examiner rewards virtue, punishes vice and relieves the confusion and fears of the travelers. Happiest of the lot is the little cockney woman who is allowed to care for the frightened young man who is really her son.
Cast
- Scrubby – R. L. Small
- Ann – Janet Hibberd
- Henry – Robin R. Wright
- Mr Prior – J. Forrest Reid
- Mrs Clievedon-Banks – Katherine Purchas
- Rev. William Dukes – A. P. Whicher
- Mrs Midget – Alice Jacobs
- Mr Langley – V. J. Fairclough
- Re. Frank Thompson – J. E. L. Poulson
Creative Team
- Producer – L. H. Mottram
- Stage Manager – G. R. Inkpen
- Prompt – Elinor Kerridge
- Scenery – H. E. Drury, A. D. Fripp, G. R. Inkpen, H. M. Coles and D. W. MacRaw
- Lighting – R. H. Rodway
- Business Manager – J. E. L. Poulson
Reviews
Wimborne Amateurs in The Limelight – Clever Performaces
Although not much more than a year old the Wimborne Amateur Dramatic Society has been responsible for several highly successful productions, and it’s members added to their successes on Tuesday and again last night, when they presented Outward Bound (Sutton Vane) in the Women’s Institute Hall.
It was an ambitious aim for so young an amateur society, and the fact that they achieved it efficiently and convincingly is a tribute to the ability of those taking part, and the capability of Mr L. H. Mottram, the producer.
There was not a weak spot in the whole production, and although the audience on the opening night was not large it was appreciative; and the players were deservedly given unstinted applause. There was a better attendance last evening and again the audience saw acting of the highest standard.
Not only were the players providing enjoyable entertainment to a number of Wimborne people, but they were doing a good turn to the unemployed, as part of the proceeds are to be given to the fund to provide work. This fund was inaugurated some months ago by a committee of which Mr S. C. Riley, J. P., chairman of the council, is chairman.
The society are continuing the good work tonight (Thursday) and tomorrow when they produce Lilies of the Field at the same venue.
As it’s name indicates, Outward Bound has as its setting a ship, and the principal characters are Henry and Ann, a young couple; Prior, a young ne’er-do-well; Lingley, a typically successful City Stockbroker; the Rev. W. Duke, a parson, whose parish is in the East End of London, Mrs Clievedon-Banks, a mercenary woman of the world; Mrs Midget, a former boarding-house keeper; and a steward named Scrubby.
There is an eerie atmosphere about the play, as it deals with conciousness after the crossing of the Great Divide and the cross-examintion of the various characters as to details of their past life to an Examiner, who passes judgement on them, with the exception of Henry and Ann, who return to mundane affairs.
Unless very capably and seriously acted, a play with such a theme could not be convincing and would, in fact, be farcical. As presented by the Wimborne Society players it is thought provoking and exceedingly interesting. There are a number of extremely poignant scenes, and these were particularly well carried through, notably by Henry (Robin Wright) and Ann (Janet Hibberd). These two young players were fully appreciative of the real significance of their parts and did full justice to extremely difficult characterisations. They are to be congratulated upon really first class performances.
Although young Prior did not make much of a success of his life, mainly because he found alcohol too much of a temptation, there was real good in him, as was shown in the end, and J. Forrest Reid, who was the impersonator of this casual and irresponsible young man, had no easy task to make him convincing. That he did so in admirable style is a tribute to his very real ability as an actor, which the audience was not slow in realising.
With an attractive face and figure and a tongue that caused much pain to sensitive and innocent folk, Mrs Clievedon-Banks was a typical, cynical, worldly woman, and her portrayal was masterly and was a noteworthy feature of the production.
A. P. Whicher, as the East-end parson, had a difficult role to fill, and that he did it well, in a natural and emely effective manner, was proof of his histrionic ability. Alice Jacobs was equally successful as the former boarding-house keeper, and O. J. Fairclough was responsible for some admirable acting as the pompous stockbroker with an exalted opinion of his own importance.
As the Examiner J. E. L. Poulson achieved a notable performance, carrying through a trying part with dignity and a real appreciation of the spiritual side of a characterisation that is unique. A clever impersonation of a ship’s steward was given by R. L. Small, who was successful in making Scrubby a very live personality.
Programme
