Bill Vasper says
“I was at the school from 1951 until 1954, The photograph is of a marionette performance organised by one of the teachers who was known as ‘ Potty Watts’ (a real nice guy).In the photograph the people are (from left to right) David Brown, Ken Andrews, Bill Vasper (that’s me) Gwyn Evans, Sparks, Watt, Bob Vasper and Maurice Quin.”
Michel Billings
“I remember I think it would have been 1956 or 1957 we performed a Poem inside a railway carriage. The Night Mail. She goes up Beattock a steady climb the gradients against here but she’s on time are some of the words I remember. The Night Mail was one of those British Railway films that were made in the late 40’s & 50’s. Yates played a fairy is all i remember.”
Terry Waddington
“I was in one of those plays still remember the lines” Strike a match and make a light, or in this house there’ll be a fight”! That was in 1955 I was 10 years old.”
Tony Baker
“I was in that. Think that’s me at the back. Batsman’s Bride was I think 1957 or 58. More likely 57. The fourth year lads were the batsmen and first years the brides. Cannot remember story details but it was a short playlet. On the same bill was another playlet called Dumb Boy put on by the 3rd year. Both were produced by Wally Clarke. The Batsman’s Bride. An operetta in one act. Libretto by Donald Hughes.”
Photo 7
Here is a review of The Batsman’s Bride (An Operetta) and A Tale Out of School (A musical fable) from The Boarder (The School Magazine) July 1959. There had been a production of Tom Sawyer in 1957 referred to in this review and this production in 1958. To enlarge the review – download and expand in photos on your computer. Good review.
“I was in Tale out of school, the new boy. I remember Field being the creeper. Bit of type casting there. The BBC TV came to record, I think, tale out of School. It was written by one of our Masters. Great fun. Three of us were offered apprenticeships at the Coventry Rep.My mother would not let me. Get a trade stuff. Frustrated me. I joined a band as a singer which ruined my apprenticeship. Played back up to Lulu the Stones, Manfred Man ,Tornadoes and a few other big bands. Life went on ”
George Forrester
“I was the washer woman in Wind in the Willows. 1 line was all that they trusted me with, “I WASH”
“That was me Trev. I was Toad. Must have been 1960”
The Great Bell of Burley, an opera for young singers. Composer
C Armstrong Gibbs & Nancy Bush 1954.
THE GREAT BELL OF BURLEY – Review from The Boarder July 1961
“This year’s production differed from that of previous years in one major respect. Whereas in previous productions the accent had been on either humour or fantasy or both with music, lyrics and plot all sharing equal roles. “The Great bell of Burley” has an essentially simple plot, but the music, requiring complex choral work as an intrinsic part of its execution, was all important. This can perhaps be termed our first venture into the realm of opera.
As a first venture, the play was a success, as all plays must be when the major part of the audience belong to that least critical group of people – parents and friends of the actors. The music upon which so much depended in this production was more effective in the choral work than in some of the solos, largely because of the difficulty of finding well-developed bass voices among boys who are only sixteen years of age.
R. Graham and R. Yates sand their sometimes difficult songs very well and were ably supported in their performance by M McAvoy, J Batts, J Bolster A Fields and D Wharmby B Warman, leading his group of very aged bell ringers, once again managed to bring an air of comedy into the production.
No small part of the success of this production was due to the colourful costumes and to the excellent scenery and lighting and stage effects. the costumes were designed and made largely by Mr Thomas, Mr Elkins-Green and Mr Place, and we are very grateful to the Parents Association for their gifts of the canvas from which we were able to construct some much needed scenery flats. Mr Chopping was responsible for the very effective lighting. The training of the soloists and choruses was done by Mr Lovatt and Mr Thomas, who also played the musical accompaniment on two pianos, while the production was in the hands of Mr Cox. No small tribute must be paid to Mr Warman whose services in the make-up department are very much appreciated and most invaluable.”
“I was in Boarders Burlesque 1963/4 ish. My memory is a bit hazy but I think it was produced/directed by Terry the art master. It was a collection of acts. I recall some of the older boys dressed as Edwardian women sing the song “We went to school in Cheltenham at a fashionable ladies college”. I was in a sketch called The Dining Hall Routine in which we acted out a typical meal in the school dining hall but at speed to The William Tell Overture.”
Texas Dave McGarry
“I remember being an understudy for a character named Rainbow?”
1966 Arsenic and Old Lace
Peter Lund
“I was in Arsenic and Old Lace as the vicar in the opening scene apparently you could hear the ratting of the cup and saucer I was holding due to nerves on the opening night LOL”
Photo 10
Charlie’s Aunt 1968
I think this photo is Charlie’s Aunt 1968!
Kevan Jenkins
It was sailor beware in 73 . Galvin Harrison stole the show . I was the one who was sat down in the red and white.
Chase me Comrade From Left: Mark Jefferies; Chris Hill; Stephen Hill; Nathan Johnson. Not sure who the “person” is sitting down.
Back Row L- R: Mark Harrison, Jeff Stockdale, Stephen Hill, Robert Griffin, John Harvey
Front row L-R: Nathan Johnson, Phil Herd, ?, Chris Hill, Mark Jefferies
Directed by Art Teacher Terry Walker and Peter Germain
Nigel Rigby I recognise Nathen Johnston, i think sat in the chair on the left, and little Phil Herd from Heywood in Lancashire, in his purple jacket
Nigel Tuckey The “Lady” on the right I think is Mark Jeffery and the ballet dancer is Chris Hill
Peter Dawson I remember the Jeffery brothers they lived in Stoke Aldermoor Coventry.
OFF THE HOOK 1976
SPYMAN 1977
Simple Spymen 1977 Queens Silver Jubilee
Michael Breslin Back row L to R Alex Mahijlovic, Steve Curran, Sleep Walker Marks, Paul ” I’ll post photos soon “Fisher, Mick “Judas” Breslin, Mick O Donoghue, Pete Syratt, John McKay. Front Row, Edna the inebriated, Nick Watson, Mick Garlic, Ben Frank.
Prepping for the school play, Simple Spyman 1976
This is maybe Off the Hook 1976?
This is maybe Tom Sawyer 1972?
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Not sure 1970’s
Arsenic and Old Lace 1966? Above and below.
Gaz Marks commented – Photos 37 and 38 I can’t remember the name of the play but the date would be 1977 / 78. That’s me in the wheel chair I think my character was “Mr Harcastle” .
L to r (back,) D.Milne?, Tony Powell, Mick Breslin, Tim Vince, Alex Milhilovic, D, Mulcahy?
Front Paul Fisher, Gaz Marks, Mick O Donague, John Mckay.
1980’s
The Man In The Bowler Hat” By AA Milne
John Francis Davenport
“I was in Man in the bowler hat. It must have been the last play the school did before it closed. The teacher thought it would be a good idea to use Vaseline and talcum powder in my hair to give me a slick back greying appearance. It took weeks to wash it out.”
1970’s
Simple Spymen 1977 Queens Silver Jubilee
One for the pot 77
Off the Hook 76
Sailor Beware 73
Chase me Comrade 73
Tom Sawyer 70’s version?
Dry Rot 70’s
All Quiet on the Western front The Long and short and the tall
1960’s
Oliver 1969
Charlie’s Aunt 68
This and That 1967
Arsenic and Old Lace 66
The Happiest days of Your Life (School Play) by John Dighton 1965
The Great Bell of Burley 61
Wind in the Willows (Toad of Toad hall) 1960?
1950’s
Tom Sawyer (Huckleberry Finn) 1957 Possibly repeated in the 70’s + Dumb Boy?
All Quiet on the Western Front 50’s (The Long and the Tall and the Short) WW1 play
The Batman’s Bride 1958 + A Tale out of School
King Cole 1956 (included the poem Night Mail)
Photo 30 is Oliver
I was at the school’66-71 and have many memories of my days there some good some bad. The Glen, Ditton Priors Railway, the village and trips into Ludlow. They were sometimes difficult times with cold winters but look back on those days fondly. Lance