Edward Alderton Theatre

1940s Radio Revue
devised by Wendy Marsh and Ian Long

Directed by Wendy Marsh

8-17 July 2010 (10 performances)

A nostalgic medley of songs, sketches, jokes and even a whodunit to solve. We also have our own version of a typical comedy show of the period and some ‘special American guests’ will be making an appearance...

Cast
Performers	Mark Campbell, David Hampton, Desni Hanford, Ian Long, Eleanor McEnery, Geraldine Mullins
Announcer/Pianist	Michael Martin
Sound Effects Man	Neil Cushley (8th-15th), Richard Banks (16th-17th)
The Andrews Sisters	Charlotte Jacobs, Hannah Jacobs, Wendy Marsh

Crew
Stage Manager	Wendy Marsh
Set Design	Wendy Marsh
Set Construction	John Vinnels, Ron Andrews
Set Painting	Henry Dalton, Hannah Jacobs, Charlotte Jacobs, Wendy Marsh, Rebecca Mason
Lighting	Jerry McKeon, Christine McKeon, Colin Rayment
Sound	Charlotte Jacobs, Hannah Jacobs, Wendy Marsh, Rebecca Mason
Sound Technicians	Jacob Friett, Jerry McKeon
Choreography	Charlotte Jacobs, Hannah Jacobs
Costumes	Bustles and Breeches
Production Artwork	Richard Banks

Special thanks to: Bustles and Breeches, Gravesend, for their assistance and continued generosity. The German Piano Company for a great price on the piano (again!). Carol and John Eastaugh from the re-enactment society for looking so authentic and providing their car — the best prop ever! Ian Long, Mark Campbell and Michael Martin for sourcing material and their ongoing support. Rebecca 'the Sponge' Mason and John Vinnels for once again pulling it out of the bag for me. Ros Dalton for 'lending' me her husband and to Henry for all his hard work. All the Front of House team for dressing up — you look fab! And finally, to my wonderful husband who is having trouble remembering what I look like! ~ Wendy Marsh

Preview

Tune in for 1940s comedy hour

The digital generation, with its staple diet of MP3s, i-Pads, rolling news and cattle-car commuting, has almost entirely written off radio to the tinny realm of radio-alarm clocks and building sites, writes Jules Cooper. However, members of the Edward Alderton Theatre will be fighting this frenzied trend in July with their production 1940s Revue. Audiences are promised to be taken back into a slower, more civilized time, when listening to the wireless was a family activity and living in an 'age of austerity' was taken for granted.

The Bexleyheath-based group are set to finish off their season with a performance drawing from the varied strands of radio's halcyon days, including songs, sketches, jokes, stories and interviews. Whilst early BBC broadcasts were criticised for being staid and boring, the Edward Alderton Theatre production intends to draw upon the programmes that sprung up after the popular introduction of For the Forces broadcasts. Influences such as It's That Man Again with Tommy Handley, Bandwagon, Vera Lynn's Sincerely Yours and Music While You Work will all be apparent.

Comedy with a cut-glass accent is clearly growing back into fashion as the Edward Alderton production, devised by Wendy Marsh and Ian Long, follows the very popular London-based series, The Fitzrovia Hour, which is currently being shown at the The Last Days of Decadence, near Shoreditch on the East London line, until July 25.

The 1940s Revue runs at the Edward Alderton Theatre, Bexleyheath, from July 8-17 at 8pm. Tickets priced Ł7 are available from the Box Office on 020 8301 5584. For more information visit edwardalderton.org.

Jules Cooper

Kentish Times | 1 July 2010

Review

Radio show captured 1940s' can-do spirit

Step back in time with the 1940s Revue at the Edward Alderton Theatre and it’s a step worth taking too, writes Steve Spencer.

Wendy Marsh and Ian Long devised an enjoyable production at the Bexleyheath theatre which brought together radio sketches and songs from an era most pensioners of today will recall. What I liked most about the production
(which Marsh directs) is that it is played as if the audience is at a BBC radio recording session. So instead of simply watching a variety show we are part of the performance. The actors know we are there and play accordingly to the audience if they want their gag to get an extra laugh. After each ‘turn’ they take a little bow — so evocative of a bygone day! And at the end of the show it’s our turn to join in with the community singing!

Attention to detail is there too: actors performed in formal evening dress; the ‘studio’ accommodated a grand piano and an off-stage booth for the orchestra (where announcer-cum-music maestro Michael Martin convincingly conducted imaginary players); and the sound effects corner was brilliantly coordinated by Neil Cushley, who offered every audio trick in the book.

As for the programme, it had lots to offer and shows off the varied talents and skills of this theatre group. Michael Martin and Ian Long drag up as Fanny and Biddy in a comic warm-up routine ripe with innuendo. A dramatic whodunit scripted by Mark Campbell and a comic parody, The Ministry of Shortages, painstakingly recreated by Ian Long from genuine period radio sketches, were pieces enthusiastically played by Mark Campbell, David Hampton, Desni Hanford, Ian Long, Michael Martin, Eleanor McEnery and Geraldine Mullins — all of whom covered a multitude of roles and voices. Neil Cushley has his work cut out here!

Memorable songs White Cliffs of Dover and Stately as a Galleon are elegantly rendered by the fine voice of Desni Hanford with Michael Martin at the piano. Wendy Marsh (again!), Charlotte Jacobs and Hannah Jacobs are a stunning trio of vocal artistes in forces uniform, who sing beautifully harmonised tunes ŕ la The Andrew Sisters with their (imaginary) swing orchestra. Bravo to the team managing the sound for this production!

The programme notes remind us that people showed a sense of determination and spirit in the face of wartime adversity. The Revue certainly captures the mood of the 1940s but this production has successfully recreated the ethos as well. Don’t hang around — get a ticket before the show closes.

Steve Spencer

Kentish Times | 22 July 2010

Feedback

We felt that we must write and thankyou all for giving us and our friends and the rest of the audience such an entertaining evening last Monday. We all felt that you were superb and that the standard of acting etc was exceptional and worthy of the West End stage. We were particularly impressed by your accents and facial expressions — brilliant. After seeing the three Andrews Sisters I decided to join the ATS myself but sadly was turned down and told that I was the "wrong gender". Never mind, I intend to appeal on grounds of sexual discrimination! PS Set and Box Office staff etc also excellent.

Raymond & Audrey Hagley and friends

Miscellaneous

	Press Release
	Programme
	Kentish Times review
	Trailer
	Fanny Writes Book (YouTube)
	The Great White Sale (YouTube)
	Pleased to Have Met You (YouTube)
	The White Cliffs of Dover (YouTube)
	The Theatre of Doom: Prologue (YouTube)
	The Theatre of Doom: Part One (YouTube)
	The Theatre of Doom: Part Two (YouTube)
	Simultaneous Broadcast (YouTube)
	Simultaneous Broadcast (YouTube)
	Over the Garden Wall (YouTube)
	Stately as a Galleon (YouTube)
	The Ministry of Shortages: Part One (YouTube)
	The Ministry of Shortages: Part Two (YouTube)
	Pots and Puns (YouTube)
	The Andrews Sisters (YouTube)