SEASON 12 (1940-41)
The Western Chamber
Shilling Shakespeare
Icarus Preserved
The Fantasticks
October 1940
THE WESTERN CHAMBER
translated by S I Hsuing
Directed by Alfred Emmet
Billed as a 13th century Chinese Romance, this was The Questors' first brave venture into the stylised world of classical Chinese theatre, with genuine costumes of the period and recordings of Chinese music lent by the translator, S I Hsuing, who was closely involved with the production.
One reviewer was particularly impressed by the "sheer, unshorn simplicity" of the presentation.
From Alfred Emmet's Bulletin for Members at home and abroad:
Rehearsals for THE WESTERN CHAMBER are now in full swing [and] have continued in defiance of continued air raid alarms so that, after finishing rehearsal, we have had to adjourn to Miss Webb's cellar for most of the night. We are laying in a store of blankets and pillows at the theatre so that next time we can get some sleep!
On the night of September 19th/20th, we had a small incendiary bomb in the garden, within 30 yards of the theatre. We congratulated ourselves on a narrow escape, and thought, on the law of averages, that would be our "packet" for the war. But not a bit of it! On the night of the 28th/29th September, on the eve of what was to be our dress rehearsal, a couple of small 50 kilo bombs were deposited - one on the pathway...the other right against the wall of the theatre on the East side, making a 10ft crater, blowing in the windows, blowing off all the gutters and making a few holes in the roof...Fred Robinson, Barbara Sharp, and Mike Kelly did some noble work clearing up the mess. We had to postpone the show for a week, to ensure getting the light on again.
January 1941
SHILLING SHAKESPEARE
by William Shakespeare
Directed by Alfred Emmet
Design by Fred Robinson
"To Beat the Blackout!"
A package of short scenes from Shakespeare played on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, all performances timed to end at least one hour before blackout - All seats a shilling!
According to Alfred Emmet, the cast were having to rehearse "in several degrees of frost in a theatre entirely unheated save for one insignificant little oil stove. The team spirit which has always animated The Questors burns more strongly than ever - it is that which will see us through. For my part, I am intensely proud to be associated with such a crew."
The lack of heat in rehearsal may have affected the final product as it seems from the reviews that much of the acting was stiff, rushed and unimpressive (Mr. Emmet as Romeo was cold and uninspiring!), and the general concept of drastically cutting Shakespeare did not go down well - at least with the local press!
March 1941
ICARUS PRESERVED
by Michael Kelly
Directed by Alfred Emmet
Designed by Michael Kelly and Fred Robinson
Braving the "blitz", the QUESTORS carry on!
Thus boasts the programme for this, Questors' first production of a full-length play written specially for the company by one of its own members.
The author Michael Kelly had joined The Questors to work on lighting but began writing one-act plays for the Questors Annual Drama Festival. ICARUS PRESERVED was his first full length play and others were to follow, many of them premiered at The Questors. He also went on to have a successful career writing radio plays.
Alfred Emmet reported in his Mem bers' Bulletin:
"ICARUS PRESERVED" was a distinct success, and a great feather in Mike Kelly's cap.
Audiences were fair to middling, and for the last performance the theatre was over two thirds full, which is pretty good these days !
The performance on April 19th for the Ealing Women Citizen's Association was made quite a "do", with the Mayor and other worthies in attendance, and apart from the direct financial help, this performance has been a most valuable propaganda effort.
July 1941
THE FANTASTICKS
by Edmond Rostand
Directed by Alfred Emmet
Design by Fred Robinson
We only have photos of the set for this prodcution.
Although audiences continued to be on the small side, this production played for a record number of performances. Following three "at home" in Mattock Lane, and an extra one for The Ealing Local Youth Committee, it went on tour to Toynbee Hall's "beautiful and well-equipped theatre", London Civil Defence Services at Westminster Cathedral Hall and an A.R.P. depot in Avonmere Road, near Olympia.
Alfred Emmet noted:
"We had most appreciative audiences: the first one a large audience, including the mayor of somewhere. It was a little disconcerting to find other "items", including ballet dancers and musical artistes, sandwiched between the acts - not to mention the rude noises when the young lovers osculated, and the violent hissing of Straforel ,whom the audience quickly recognised as the villain! Thus altogether we played this show seven times, which is our longest run to date."