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Haul for the Shore - by Jean Mc Connell
Performed - Spring 1964 at the Blenkin Memorial Hall, Boston
Synopsis
A comedy in three acts.
Review
Boston Playgoers Provide Laughs
Boston Playgoers Society sticking faithfully to the tried and trusted policy
of selecting plays which do not demand too much of their audiences has
chosen the three-act comedy “Haul for the Shore” for their Spring
production.
You may already have seen this amusing
concoction on television but the chances are you will still enjoy thoroughly
enjoy the local presentation which opened a three-night run at the Memorial
Hall last night writes G.S.B.
The characters are stock ones, certainly – the
salty old seadog with a heart of gold beneath a rugged exterior, a stagey
parson, and a nosey neighbour all included. But producer J. W. Alexander is
fortunate in having players who manage to bring them to life, and the laughs
are there aplenty.
The setting, an attractive one, is a cottage on
the Devonshire (or possibly Cornish) coast, where the main occupation of the
local inhabitants, it seems, is avoiding the attention of the Customs
authorities. Living there are the seadog (Fred Kirk), his nephew (John
Bignall), and the girl the nephew can never make time to marry (June Kemp).
Mr Kirk positively revels in his role, and to
him go the comedy honours of the evening. He has an excellent foil in Mary
Parker, as the neighbour with whom he engages in a never-ending verbal
battle.
June Kemp is a most attractive bride-to-be, but
John Bignall lacks a certain ruggedness I would associate with the
character.
Two other expert characterisations are those of John Cammack (a newcomer, I
believe), as the diffident parson who finds himself inextricably embroiled
in some of his parishioners less lawful occupations, and Richard Ansell as
the “cover,” ever ready to fit the needs of the moment with a semi-Biblical
quotation.
Bess Berry, as the doctor, Jill Sharp, as the milkmaid from London, and J.
Lindsay Stephen, as the considerate constable, all contribute effective
cameos. Completing the cast are G. E. Adamson, J. W. Alexander, and George
Budge.
What the play lacks in speed, it makes up in
good “atmosphere,” sound characterisation, players who are practically word
perfect, and the fact that every ounce of fun is squeezed out of every
situation.
Cast
Actors names on right:
- Fred Kirk
- John Bignall
- June Kemp
- Mary Parker
Parson - John Cammack
- Richard Ansell
Doctor - Bess Berry
Milkmaid - Jill Sharp
Constable - J. Lindsay Stephen
- G. E. Adamson
- J. W. Alexander
- George Budge
Production Team
Producer - J. W. Alexander
Stage Manager - Allan Kemp
Prompter - Margaret E. Comer
Business Manager - G. E. Adamson
Wardrobe - D. Woodcock
Properties - Shirley Kirk & Nancie Allen
Electrician - George Budge
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