Arsenic and Old Lace - 1968


Previous Page

"The attached photographs and Evening Sentinel press cutting were donated for display on the website by Edward (Eddie) Embury, ... who was a pupil at the school from 1965 to 1969.

The pictures are of the school production of "Arsenic and Old Lace", which was additionally performed on one occasion by the School cast at the Mitchell Memorial Theatre in Hanley.

Eddie can't remember some names of his fellow actors in this production, other than those named in the Sentinel cutting plus Geoff Smith and Tony Burgess. He believes Tony was also in the school production of "She Stoops to Conquer", unless of course, you know different!

After all these years, Eddie still names Robert Stride, a fellow pupil from his year, as his best friend.

Do you see anyone you recognise?"

Arsenic and Old Lace - 1968 picture 12

From the 1968 School Magazine "The Review"



The School Play . . . Arsenic and Old Lace

This year's play was real family entertainment. Several groups of boys came on their own and were as magnetised by the action as the adults were. Humour of situation, verbal quips and visual pleasures followed fast and neatly and each fall of the curtain was regretted.

Perhaps this genuine and unedited series of remarks bugged from a staff-room table is the best evidence of general satisfaction--- "He looked just like a little old woman, Licata."   "We were up till half past ten on Tuesday night."   "Smith was marvellous, just like Peter Lorre."   "They didn't go up the stairs two at a time, thank goodness, like they did in rehearsals."   "She had grey ankle-socks on."   "It was a bit cold starting on Wednesday night."   "Policemen always seem stilted in real life."   "I think it's the most enjoyable play I've ever seen here."   "And he's got good exits."   "They didn't lose any of their laughs."

It is not necessary to enumerate the staff and boys involved apart from giving the programme information below. Let us just thank them all for three delightful evenings, assure them that their efforts were well worth while and congratulate them on their success. The partnership of Mr. Johnson and Mr. Miller is now dissolved, for Mr. Miller has left us to teach at Crewe Grammar School, but the tradition of drama which they so confirmed and strengthened will no doubt live on.
The Actors
  Clive Foden
  Paul Willin
  Stan Bate
  Andrew Harris
  Edward Embury
  John Licata
  Tony Burgess
  Robert Rushton
  Maurice Cowley
  Tony Barnes
  Geoff Smith
  Philip Davies
  Robert Bentley
  Derek Marshall
  David Wooliscroft
The Production Staff
  Mr. Johnson
  Mr. Miller
  Mr. George
  Mr. Riley
  J. Slater
  Mr. Light
  Mr. Hammersley
  Des Richards
  Mr. Kilfoil
  Mr. Martin
  Mr. Ballham
  Mr. Yelland
  Mr. Barber
  Mr. Richard
  A. Smith
  D. Cliffe
  H. Wilson
  J. Moyes
  G. Brown
Arsenic and Old Lace -  1968 picture 5
Arsenic and Old Lace - 1968 picture 6
Arsenic and Old Lace - 1968 picture 7
Arsenic and Old Lace - 1968 picture 8

Previous Page or Top