SEASON 9 (1937-38)
Dandy Dick
Candida
A Bride for a Unicorn
November 1937
DANDY DICK
by Arthur W Pinero
Directed by Rosalie van der Gucht
Designed by Fred Robinson
Sadly we have no photos of this production, which seemed to have been quite a hit!
"There can be no two opinions about the Questors' production at the Mattock Hall of Pinero's farce "DANDY DICK." It was a brilliant artistic achievement and a triumph for intelligent team-work... This company had achieved, by obviously sympathetic co-operation in every part of their work and by complete harmony of purpose under a skilled producer, that rare and elusive quality known as "style." [The Middlesex County Times]
Mr and Mrs Emmet (Alfred and Mildred) were onstage together for this production.
"Mr. Emmet had put his head into a most ferocious red wig, and had turned his face into a veritable Death's head of arrogant disapproval. "My wife," he muttered - and the entire theatre shuddered in sympathy for the very charming young wife who had been so stupid as to marry so dull-witted a tyrant. And Mildred Emmet was so charming that our sympathies were doubly claimed. Both players were perfectly inside the skin of their parts: both gave memorable performances." [The Middlesex County Times]
March 1938
CANDIDA
by Bernard Shaw
Directed by Rosalie van der Gucht
Designed by Dudley Clark
This was The Questors' second full production of a Shaw play and, though seen as quite a challenge, was generally regarded a great success.
One word sums up the production, and that word is "excellent." Nor is it loosely applied, for everything that required to be understood was understood, and, moreover, that understanding was passed over from the stage to the audience... The production, for which Miss Rosalie Van Der Gucht was responsible, equalled at moments any professional West End interpretation. Sincerity was its key-note, but sincerity in this case was backed up by technical knowledge of how to express to others the feelings felt by each individual player.
[Middlesex County Times]
Peter Quince of the West Middlesex Gazette considered this "by far the most difficult play The Questors have tried in their Two Year Plan of the history of drama.
From every point of view-production, acting, dramatic achievement, and general appeal - I place "Candida" as first of the plays The Questors have given during their studies of historical development."
April 1938
A BRIDE FOR A UNICORN
by Denis Johnston
Directed by Alfred Emmet
Sesigned by Dudley Clark
In his Programme note Alfred Emmet explains that, "to wind up our two years' survey of the history of the Drama, we have looked for one representative of the advance guard of the theatre, reacting from the three-act realist play of the type which, in the author's words, is driving people out of the theatre into the cinema... It is a play that defies attempts to "label" it: let it therefore speak for itself !"
For Peter Quince (West Middlesex Gazette) "the Questors' production of this strange, beautiful play was beyond my criticism. I can only applaud. In all respects it was superb."
Another reviewer described how "the Questors triumphantly tackled" the practical problems posed by this "ambitious" work. "For this occasion their tiny theatre was transformed. A large apron-stage was constructed before the stage proper. Ingeniously designed "pent houses" occupied each side of the stage. Extra lighting (beautifully and expertly handled throughout) was fitted in the theatre. Indeed, the stage management of this extremely complicated piece was brilliant; a credit to the society as a whole."