Written By
Emlyn Williams
Where and When
20th November 1970 @ Wimborne Modern School, Wimborne
The Plot
Martin’s best friend Paul has been wrongfully hanged for murdering a girl in his adoptive father’s flat. When he fails his law exams Fenn, a private tutor, arrives and confides to Martin that he is Paul’s father and together they determine to discover the true murderer.
Ticket Information
- Admission – 5/-
Cast
- John Nedlow – Arthur Brooks
- Martin – Tony Pawley
- Miss Lennie – Tricia Marlow
- Hilda – Janine Brockes
- Vera – Elizabeth Anthony
- Fenn – Tim Eling
- Mrs Danecourt – Carole Bird
- A Neighbour – Mike Waring
- His Wife – Jenni Waring
Creative Team
- Directors – Thelma Dryden and Muriel Brooks
- Stage Manager – Alan Lewis
- Assistants – John Poat, Rosemary Poat, Chris Ridout, Ian Raeburn, John Anthony, Jennie Lewis, Carol Dunton, Linda Pawley and Jennifer Webb
Gallery
Reviews
Someone Waiting Held It’s Audience
Enthusiasts of the thriller story would have been entertained by Wimborne Drama Club’s latest offering – Someone Waiting – at Wimborne Modern School.
With Emlyn Williams writing three deaths into his script, the three-act play had plenty to interest an audience. Unfortunately each evening saw small numbers in the hall to enjoy the result of the amateurs’ hard preparation work.
The cast of nine, directed by Thelma dryden and Muriel Brooks, tackled the difficult play with their usual enthusiasm. And they succeeded in presenting it sufficiently well to maintain the undulating tension necessary to make the play enjoyable. Tim Eling took his most difficult role as Fenn, father of a boy hung by mistake and out for revenge on the man who escaped the gallows – John Nedlow (Arthur Brooks). The bearded Mr Eling looked the part and did very well.
Tony Pawley, as Nedlow’s stepson, looked natural in his part and was particularly good in the emotional scene when Fenn disposed of the maid, Janine Brockes, after her short and lively scene on the sofa. Mr Brooks’ guilty Nedlow was well controlled and handled with maturity, and the polished Betty Anthony, his wife, made him a good partner.
Tricia Marlow made a charming secretary and Carole Bird, as Mrs Danecourt, brought a touch of light relief. Completing the cast were Mike and Jenni Waring.
The set and lighting were excellently organised by Alan Lewis. Production assistants were John Poat, Rosemary Poat, Chris Ridout, Ian Raeburn, John Anthony, Jennie Lewis, Carol Dunton, Linda Pawley and Jennifer Webb.
Advantage taken of acting opportunities
After one or two ‘flights of fancy’ in their recent productions, Wimborne Drama Club came down to earth again last week-end, when they presented Emlyn Williams’ thriller, ‘Someone Waiting,’ at Wimborne County Modern School.
Too improbable to be taken seriously, the play, nevertheless, gave some good acting opportunities, of which the players took full advantage.
Tim Eling kept well in character throughout his long role as the bereaved father, Fenn, and was capably supported by Tony Pawley, as the embittered lav student, Martin. Arthur Brooks was suitably pompous as the social climbing John Nedlow; and Betty Anthony had a straightforward characterization as his wife, Vera.
Tricia Marlow was convincing as Nedlow’s secretary, Miss Lennie; Carole Bird brought brief, but welcome, comedy relief during her appearance as Miss Lennie’s mother, Mrs. Danescourt. Janine Brooks, too, made the most of her ‘cameos’ in the role of the maid, Hilda; and Mike and Jennie Waring had ‘walking on’ parts as a neighbouring couple.
Production by Thelma Dryden and Muriel Brooks was well conceived, although tension could been
heightened by more varied pace, Alan Lewis stage managed, assisted by John and Rosemary Poat, John Anthony, Jennie Lewis, Carol Dunton, Linda Pawley, Jennifer Webb, Chris Rideout and Ian Raeburn.
On Thursday, Friday and Saturday of last week the Wimborne Drama Club presented “Someone. Waiting”, a thriller by Emlyn Williams, in Wimborne Modern School, Pamphill.
This is a diffcult play to perform as so much depends on the Iong mainly static scenes between (the two principle characters. However, Tony Pawley, the adopted son, Martin Ledlow, did well in his first roll with the Club, and Tim Elling as Walter Fenn, gave a well sustained performance in the testing role of a man who is obsessed with avenging the execution of his son (Martin’s friend), for a murder he did not commit.
Together Martin and Fenn set out to prove that the young Swedish girl, whose body is seen on the stage at the opening curtain, was, in fact, starngled by John Nedlow, the adoptive father whom Martin hates and who would have faced ruin had the girl disclosed his involvement with her.
Arthur Brooks made a believeable blustering business magnate with an eye for the girls. These included his attractive secretary, Miss Lenni, played by Tricia Marlow. and the flighty maid, Hilda, excellently portrayed by Janine Brockes. Elizabeth Anthony gave a good performance as John Nedllow’s unhappy wife, posing as a gay socialite.
Carole Bird gave a clever cameo in the part of Mrs. Danecourt and her account of her passionate interest in crime drew laughs from the audience.
The.supporting rolls of the nelighbour and his wife were played by Mike and Jenni Waring.
The play was well produced by Thelma Dryden and Muriel Brooks. Stage Manager, Alan Lewis, with his assistants John Poat, Jennie Lewis, Rosemary Poat, Carol Dunton, Chris Rideout, Linda Pawley, Ian Raeburn, Jennifer Webb and John Anthony were responsible for the very effective set.
Programme
