Written By
Frank Harvey
Where and When
26th – 28th April 1951 @ The Women’s Institute Hall, Wimborne
The Plot
It follows the efforts of a group of regulars at a London pub as they try to discover the truth about their friend Will Graves who is due to hang the next day for the murder of his landlady Mrs Truscott
Cast
- Ivy – Megan Leleu
- Fred – Jack Dredge
- Mr Hoskins – Harold J. Midmore
- Newsby – John Smith
- Mr Wickers – Paddy Brooman
- Joe Harris – Ronald L. Small
- Nora – Daphne Anderson
- Jim – Leslie Young
- Sally Watson – Winifred Caney
- Peter – Norman Rowe
- Jean – Eirwen Rowe
- Queenie – Pam Mottram
- George – Bill Williams
- Doris – Sonia Wheeler
- An Evangelist – Edward Phelps
- An Organ-grinder’s Mate – J. E. Chandler
- Three Mayfairites – Thelma Dryden, Elaine King and Leonard Taylor
- Bains – Norman Rowe
- Fred Smart – John Bennett
- A Strange Customer – John Smith
- A Waitress – Elaine King
- A Policeman – M. Bartlett
Creative Team
- Producers – L. H. Mottram
- Stage Manager – H. Coles
- Stage Lighting – Reginald L. Wilkinson
- Interval Music, Recordings and Effects – Charles O. Chaleel
- Prompt – Myfawny Stearns
- General and Business Manager – Ronald L. Small
Reviews
Wimborne players a success in Saloon Bar
Wimborne Drama Club followed up their successful first production – The Chiltern Hundreds, last autumn – by a very competent presentation of Frank Harvey’s Saloon Bar, at the Women’s Institute last night. There will be a repeat performance this evening.
Outstanding among a strong cast, portraying more than score of typical habituees of a West End bar was Ronald Small as Joe Harris the dapper, shrewd, and loquacious dealer, who took a prominent part in gathering the clues which led to the arrest of the murderer of an old lady.
The guilty man, Fred, was very ably impersonated by John Bennett, who particularly clever in the – closing scene before he made a bolt for liberty. Harold Midmore was very successful as the genial “mine host,” and Paddy Brooman’s impersonation of Mr. Wickers, a regular – very regular – customer at the bar, was masterly.
Although he did not have much to say, Leslie Young acted very cleverly as Jim, a blind violinist, and Megan Leleu did extremely well as the barmaid.
They were very ably supported by Jack John Smith, Daphne Anderson, Winifred Caney, Norman Rowe, Eirwen Rowe, Pam Mottram, Bill Williams, Sonia Wheeler, Edward Phelps, J. Chandler, Thelma Dryden, Elaine King, Leonard Taylor, and M. Bartlett.
The play was ably produced by L. H. Mottram and Myfanwy Stearns.
Saloon Bar suspense
Did Eddie do it? From the first opening moments of Saloon Bar, a play by Frank Harvey, which is being performed by the Wimborne Drama Club at the Women’s Institute Hall, Wimborne this week, until closing time, subliminal suspense is maintained.
“Star” of this splendid and ingeniouss story is unquestionably Ronald Small whose performance of Joe Harris, a cockney super salesman – cum amateur ‘tec is really – “par excellence”. He seems- actually to live his part, and displays, a perfect understanding of stagecraft.
Running close in the honours list comes Megan Leleu whose perky barmaid is a grand example of polished artistry; and Paddy Brooman who, as Mr. Wickers, a regular, tempts providence by taking on a role with only one movement attached to it – that of lifting the “glass of health” to his lips.
Harold J. Midmore as landlord Hoskins, retains a great moiety bf his former popularity, and Pat Mottram (Queenie) displays a good thorough ability to act dramatic situations in true dramatic style. Sonia Wheeler as Doris is outstandingly fine.
The very large cast, many of whom make but a brief appearance, but who each fully deserve the highest commendation for making the most of those appearances include; Jack Dredge, John Smith, Daphne Anderson, Leslie Young, Winifred Caney, Norman Rowe, Eirwen Rowe, Bill Williams, Edward Phelps, John Chandler, Thelma Dryden, Elaine King, Leonard Taylor, John Bennett and Mr Bartlett.
Congratulations to producers, Leonard H. Mottram and Myfawny Stearns; H. Cole the stage manager, and those responsible for lighting effects, music and prompts.
Programme
