Old Time Entertainments

 Of these we had a fairly constant succession.  We were fortunate in having among us a Mr Marshallsay, bank manager, who was wonderfully successful in producing and arranging our modest shows.  Somewhere in the late 60’s an amateur Dramatic society was formed which ran for several seasons afterwards.  Although in those days the amount of talent available in a small town was necessarily limited yet, somehow a number of residents were recruited who proved themselves quite competent in presenting the various parts required.  The company included, Messrs Marshallsay, CS rose, Rhesa Rose, Cheesman, Norman, Clough and Nelway, the latter hailing from Stout Provost.  Female parts were taken by ladies from outside the town.  The performances were staged in the Crown assembly room which, on such occasions was usually crowded to the doors.  Among the pieces undertaken at various times I recall ‘Paul Pry’, jolly young Watermanm, a gypsy melodrama and a farce in which a miser kept the house rocking with laughter by an oft repeated complaint ‘I want my gruel’.

Intervals were enlivened by an orchestra of two cornets and a piano whose repertoire included the ‘Blue Danube’ waltz, then recently composed.  A complete range of scenery was provided, the drop curtain showing a scene in Venice complete with palaces and Gondolas.  These were painted by a local artiste (who also lettered our shop signs and gilded the same), a bohemian by nature and inclination, reputed to be a discard from a travelling Minstrel troupe, a view based on his skill as a banjo player.

The performances of the society consisted of a drama followed by a farce.  Between these items a comic song by a local comedian was always presented, an item which roused the audience to the highest pitch of delight.  The chorus was taken up by the audience with stamping of feet and clapping of hands, a chorus which formed our popular tune until the next performance as new songs were few and far between, not being hatched by the thousand as in the days of jazz.  Like so many provincial efforts their society died out after a few years of existence.

During the winters of the 70’s many evenings were devoted to penny readings which were well attended and greatly enjoyed by us all, especially by many whose recreations were few and far between.  The readings themselves were usually humorous ones but some readers descended to the gloomy depths by way of change, but whatever the subject we listened to all with rapt attention.  Most of the items were pianoforte solos, songs, ballads, duets and glees, the latter by church choir and musical friends.  But whatever the nature of the items they were thoroughly appreciated and vociferously encored, even from Stalbridge, and once we were instructed by ‘Chemical experiments’ demonstrated by a local scientist.  In this last effort the audience were treated to an unrehearsed effect, worthy of April 1^st . The lecturer directed our attention to a pig’s bladder, which he had hung on a lofty ceiling, containing gunpowder which would be exploded by an electric current.  We were directed to watch the object narrowly which we did for a long time, but nothing happened although the operator frantically turned the handle of a small machine on his table while we got cricks in our necks.  After profuse apologies another experiment was begun; While this went on the bladder took upon itself to explode with a Bang which shook every window of the room.  Laughter and applause – the success of the evening !

During the later 70’s a new feature in our entertainment’s developed, no less than the production of several Gilbert and Sullivans operas.  On different nights I saw ‘Box and Cox’, The Sorcerer ‘, ‘Trial by Jury’. And finally ‘Pinafore’.  These pieces were staged to the accompaniment of a Piano, without scenery or costumes except that in the last named opera the choir boys were arrayed as Bluejackets.  The series after running for 4 seasons came to an untimely end by a demand, from the G and S proprietors, for royalty fees which were reluctantly paid.

Altogether a noteworthy effort, probably a record at the time for a town the size of Sturminster.