‘The Town That Would Have a Pageant’ by L du Garde Peach

The Town that would have a Pageant is set in ‘Mangel-Wurzelton’ – a small provincial town – with the action passing from a Committee Room in the Town hall through to the local theatre – some weeks later!

Newspaper Report – Text

‘SCHOOL PUTS ON LIVELY COMEDY PLAY’

‘Walthamstow’s  Mark House Secondary School Stagecraft Club last weekend presented ‘The Town That Would Have a Pageant,’ a lively comedy by L Du Garde Peach.

Thirty members took part : 29 pupils and one master, Mr J Bowling, who played ‘The Earl of Bliss’. An audience of about 80 consisted mainly of parents, friends and teachers at the first show. There were plenty of laughs in the play, the plot of which revolved around the preparation and presenting of a pageant, held in the topsy turvey town of Mangle – Wurzleton.

COUNCIL CHAMBER MEETING

It commenced with a comic council meeting, which followed scathing comments regarding ’all the guzzling done by councillors’ during meetings, and grumbles about the rates, made by the office cleaner at the Town Hall (Maureen Kerwin) to the small, bespectacled and loyal Town Clerk (Peter Boulton)

The comedy is strengthened by the assumed deafness of Councillor Joe Pool (Michael Brennan) who only hears ‘what he wants to hear’. Then there is Dr Holden (Brian Butler) for ever on the alert for a call from an expectant mother. Eventually he is called away and the scene ends with the news that the lady had twins.

There is Eleanor, Countess of Bliss (Margaret Phare) always late, airily off the point and forever charming, though a little tiresome at times.

NOTABLE ACT

Outstanding in the first scene is the Mayor (Barry Elliott) who, with his round honest face, little black moustache and benign gruffness, is a star turn in himself. The second scene depicted and exceedingly funny interpretation of a stage rehearsal for the show, the actors purposely forgetting their lines and stumbling over the half made props. Finally there was the presentation of the great pageant itself. The Mayor formally opened it and sat with the Mayoress in two reserved seats at the front.

WELL PAINTED SCENERY

There were some clever sequences in the pageant and the scenery throughout was magnificently painted, from the panelled council chamber in the first scene to the pageant stage sets in the final act, by art master John Jones. The moveable scenery was made by the boys in the school stagecraft workshop and art room; while the costumes were made within the school by parents, teachers and girls under the supervision of Miss E Beakon. Pianist was Richard Dunn and the stage-management was in the hands of Miss J Malyon.

The Producer, Mr C Malyon, who teaches English, drama and stagecraft at the school, told the Guardian ‘We have rehearsed for this play, excluding holidays, for about an hour every night in each week since September’

CAST

Members of the cast in this delightful, purposely – inperfect comedy play were: Mrs Winlow – Margaret Drewe; Miss Pilsey – Shirley Balkind; Mr Sheldon – Robert Kemp; Miss Pethick (A Reporter) – Jean Fitzpatrick; Miss Wilkins – Carol Philpot; Sam, the Electrician – Richard Dunn; Mr Drogue – Brian Curry; Mr Hepple – Michael Wicks; The Earl of Bliss – Mr J Dowling; Lady Mary – Irene Long; Angela – Susan Riches; Amy – Sandra Callaghan; Mr Jubb – Dave King; Lady Mayoress – Valerie MIngay; Molly – Sheila Wright; Jacqueline – Jacqueline Clark; Cynthia – Denise Harrington; Alice – Janet Severn; Sally – Mary Hammond; Sylvia – Brenda Briton; Rose – Rose Grace; Jane – Ellen Hughes; Pageant Prompter – Ruth Coleman.’

 

 

This second newspaper clip from the Walthamstow Guardian was not a drama column report, but a letter sent in by Councillor L A Baylis, after seeing the performance of ‘A Town That Would Have a Pageant’

‘SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON TV’

‘I would like to draw attention to the comedy ‘The Town That Would Have a Pageant’ which was performed by the boys and girls of the Mark House Secondary School, Walthamstow, recently

I had the pleasure of attending the final performance on Friday last, and it is many years since my wife and I have enjoyed so much laughter – at times we were convulsed and I am sure that this goes for the remainder of the audience.

Great credit is due to all who took part in producing this comedy, and to the actual performers I would give special praise.

I, in common with many others, do not always think very highly of the younger generation of today, but I have to revise my opinion now. These boys and girls were really first class and how they all remembered their lines and parts is amazing. I do not want to single out any particular actors – but I cannot pass over the performances of the ‘Mayor’ and ‘Town Clerk. These characters were perfect and there is evidence of great talent here.

There is not enough publicity given to efforts of this nature and the standard of this show was far higher than most of the drivel shown on television. In fact, it should have been on television.

To the Headmaster and his Staff I would like to say that you are doing a wonderful job – thank you: and to the boys and girls who took part – thank you for teaching us how to laugh again, it was a most enjoyable time and a jolly good show.

Cllr L A Baylis, Chestnut Avenue, Walthamstow.’

 

Cast

• Mrs Maude Higgins – A Cleaner -Maureen Kerwin
• Mr Small – The Town Clerk – Peter Boulton
• Mrs Whirlow – Margaret Drewe
• Councillor Joe Pool – Micheal Brennan/Costakis Apolalides
• Dr Holden – Brian Butler
• Miss Pilsey – Shirley Balkind
• Jack Sheldon – Robert Kemp
• Mr Kemp – Mayor’s Attendant – Dennis Heath
• His Worshipful The Mayor – Barry Elloitt
• Eleanor, Countess of Bliss – Margaret Phare
• Mr Pethick – A Reporter – Jean Fitzpatrick
• Miss Wilkin – Carol Philpot
• Sam – Stage Electrician -Richard Dunn
• Mr Drogue – Brian Curry
• Mr Hepple – Micael Wicks
• The Earl of Bliss – J Bowling
• Lady Mary – Irene Long
• Amy Frith – Sandra Callaghan
• Mr Jubb – David King
• The Mayoress – Valerie Mingay
• Lady Angela – Susan Riches
• Molly – Sheila Wright
• Jacqueline – Jacqueline Clark
• Cynthia – Denise Harrington
• Alice – Janet Severn
• Sally – Mary hammond
• Sylvia – Brenda Britton
• Rose – Rose Grace
• Jane – Ellen Hughes
• Pageant Prompter – Ruth Coleman

Stage Management

• Joan Malyon, Trevor Aldred, Alan Canham, Barry Wilson, David Kingswell & Peter  Relton

Lighting

• Richard Dunn

Wardrobe

• E Beakon, Hazel Chapman, Jacqueline Bishop, Jacqueline Tozer, Barbara Thomas, Joan Rooney & Valerie Mingay

Make Up

• Carole Hunt, Sheila Bloomfield, Valerie Bloomfield, Ruth Brownutt, Teresa Dicker, Ann Dyer,
• Sandra Garside, Janet Grace, Christine Marshall, Judith Riches, Dianne Tarling &  Pat Barker

Music

• Richard Dunn

Produced by Cyril Malyon

Programme Note: 

“Stage extension built from recovered timber by boys of the school under the guidance of Mr P Hayden.  The Stagecraft Group wishes to acknowledge all the help received from the other Departments of the School, without which this play would not have been possible”.