'Here We Come Gathering'

Play was a "choice fillet"

Here we come gathering….. a comedy by the Dolphin Theatre group and performed at the War Memorial Hall. Photos, programmes and clippings from Dudley George.

Scene from “Here we go gathering…”

Nobody will care to dispute that “Here We Come Gathering …” is a comedy which, if handled with some degree of skill, can yield a granary of laughs. Produced on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Canvey War Memorial Hall, by Dolphin Theatre Group (Canvey), it was a merit to all concerned—a real choice fillet in fact. One could not get away from the feeling that it could be watched a second time and still coast by accompanied by an overture of laughter.

Correct characterisation is often the needle which producers cannot find in their haystacks of amateurs. Yet Kay Witcombe (producer) is to be complimented for knitting together nine entirely different personalities with a rare aptness. This combination had the desired effect, for it had the audience rocking throughout each of the three acts.

Telling of a group of people marooned in an unfurnished old world cottage, the play is a collection of humorous incidents and accidents from start to finish. It will not be easy to forget the high throaty murmurings of Dudley George as Rev. James Kellaway. As he stumbled and pottered in a quaint “parson-like” way, one could not help but think of him as an attraction worth paying for alone. His dominant wife (Harriet) was admirably portrayed by Maye George. Her acting was a gift.

Scene from “Here we go gathering…”

Praise can only be added to the names of the others in this excellent cast. Iris Debnam for her “freshness.” George E. Nye and F. C. H. Witcombe for being competent as playwrights, Reginald Goudge for his “broken ankle scene” and A. G. Goudge as a pedlar. A mention must be made of Dorothy Austin as a churlish schoolgirl. Her shrill voice and demonstrativeness was quite a treat. Ella Tillett did well in a part not exactly studded with glamour.

Congratulations for the décor, quite the best seen on the War Memorial Hall stage. House manager, W. H. Eldndge: electricians, R. W. Goudge, Ron Debnam: prompter, YvonneKing; property master. Colin Carter; Stage manager and amplification, Brian Goudge; scenery painted by A. G. Goudge.