Mexborough and Swinton Times November 1937
Sinbad the sailor by Goldthorpe Parish Church members
Junior Societies in the district would be well advised to adopt some of the features that have made the Goldthorpe Church Juvenile Players’ production of “Sinbad” the success it undoubtedly is. They are presenting the pantomime this week in the Parish Hall.
The principal players have an unusually mature sense of stage-craft. The other outstanding feature of the production is the excellent team-work. Though one or two of the players are undoubtedly more expert than the rest they do not allow themselves to shine unduly, to the detriment of their colleagues.
The ancient legend of “Sinbad” has been specially adapted by Mr. Frank Rowlands, Moorthorpe, and it was all done with a scrupulous attention to detail and yet with a briskness that never allowed interest to lapse. Mary Baldock. as “Sinbad,” has the sort of role she revels in, and she does not fail to do full justice to a part that gives her a fair amount of liberty. Her singing, dancing and mannerisms are all well up to standard. Kathleen Banks made a charming principal girl. Her part is not, strictly speaking, a large one, but it was, nevertheless, important, and the ability she shows has a lot to do with the success of the production.
It was a good touch on the part of the producers to give the part of the Dame, Sinbad’s mother, to Madge Overend. In her is vested most of the humour, and she handles it wonderfully well. Her backchat with the Captain (ably played by Stanley Vaughan), is one of the high-lights of the show. Both have a natural aptitude for this slap-stick stuff, and they put it over with pleasureable vigour.
In the other principal parts are James Kent as Second Mate, Kate Burns and Jack Gordon, deck hands, whose main purpose is to provide an atmosphere for the laughter-making arid the chorus work. This sort of part is always difficult to play, and the three players can congratulate themselves on giving natural performances.
Minor parts are taken by Doreen Mcnks, Evelyn Priestland, Gladys Griffiths, Thomas Spibey, Margaret Prestley, Winnie Faith Hoyland, and Geoffrey Monks. The juvenile chorus, to whom much credit is due, is made up of Rita Newbold, Alice Mann, Isla Marshall, Margaret Brammer, Doreen Brammer, Hilda Jeffreys, Doreen Bassinder, Sylvia Duffield, Audrey Duffield, and Beryl Buckley.
Those in the senior chorus, which contains some very clever dancers, are Pearl Yates, Eileen Moore, Margaret Jackson, Mary Jeffreys, and Dorothy Minks.
Last, but not by any means least, mention must be made of the adult helpers behind the scenes. The joint producers, Mrs. Baldock and Mr. Walter Bailey, have carried out their duties very well; the casting was as good as it could have been, and the children, from the largest to the smallest part, have received an squally intensive training. Some remarkably effective scenery is under the charge of Messrs. Walter Bailey and Arnold Lay-cock. Mr. H. Parkinson’s Elite Band play selections during the intervals, and accompany the singing.
The show will be repeated to-night (Friday).