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 Martins
Bank Society of the Arts – Drama Section in: Dark brown by Philip Johnson
Staged:
25 March 1947 in the Music Room at Head Office Water Street Liverpool
The performance of “Dark Brown” takes place at the conclusion
of the second annual general meeting of Martins Bank’s Society of the Arts
Drama Section, for whom things are all still a bit “new”, and to get from
here to the dazzling music and drama productions that will be staged over the
next two decades in Liverpool and London, seems like it might be an
incredibly long journey. However, the member of the Society are tenacious
enough to practice, practice, and then practice some more – usually in front
of their harshest critics: Themselves!
By staging one or two act short plays regularly, in the
Little Theatre at Head Office, lines can be learned and perfected, skills can
be honed and wits sharpened, so that when the group performs in a larger
theatre to the paying public, they will be able to carry off performances to
be proud of. In 1945, the first year of the Society of the Arts, no fewer
than FOUR plays are produced, followed by four more in 1946, and two
in 1947. The ground has been broken, and the seeds of something great have
been sown.
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 The second annual
general meeting of the Society was held in the Music Room at Head Office,
on March 25th, when the report and accounts were adopted and the election
of officers took place. We were very glad to welcome Mr. Voyce, Deputy
Chief General Manager, whose first attendance it was at one of our
meetings, and also Mr. Conacher, Joint General Manager. At the conclusion
of the meeting the Drama Section presented a one-act play by Philip
Johnson, “ Dark Brown,” the producer being J. K. Cornall. The presentation
was entirely successful, outstandingly good performances being given by
Maureen Dempster (Heywoods), as the doubting wife; and Betty Jackson
(Income Tax Department), as the insane aunt.
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Betty Jackson as the insane aunt
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Maureen Dempster and Bill Brookes
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Marjorie Balshaw, Kenneth Learoyd, and
Maureen Dempster
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Bill
Brookes (Central), as the hangman, adequately sustained the suspense of
this tense little play; and Marjorie Balshaw (Birkenhead), as the imperious
and possessive bride-to-be provided the light relief which the play needed,
with Kenneth Learoyd (Foreign), as her future husband, who played his
difficult part convincingly. Barbara Sharp (Trustee Department), as the
mother, always does this kind of part well, but her talent and reliability
should be given scope in another direction in future productions. Barbara
Griffith (Foreign) as the gossiping shop assistant, caused just those
interruptions to the tension which were needed to heighten the drama. At
the conclusion of the play Mr. Voyce thanked the members of the Drama
Section for the most enjoyable entertainment.
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 M
Sep3M x
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