MEMORIES OF R.O.A.D.S. in the 1920's
by Frank Beckett




As far as my memory goes the Society was formed in 1921/2 and was the idea of Mr & Mrs Harold Crump. Mrs Crump was better known under her professional name of Madame Minnie Embrey (teacher of singing ) and the formation of the Society might well have been to supply her pupils with an outlet for their talents. Mr Freddie Farsons consented to act as Musica1 Director and the whole idea was enthusiastically welcomed by the majority of his Choral Society.
The first production was The Pirates of Penzance in 1922 which met with great support and full houses. This encouraged the Society to put on H.M.S. Pinafore in the following year.
Towards the end of this year there was a change of Musical Director when Mr C.L. Llewellyn (Laurie) took over the baton and held that office for the remainder of the period under review. The Society owed much to the iron control of such a talented musician who earned the respect of all who sang under his insistence that the musical side of the operas be of the highest order.

1924 "The Mikado".
There were over 60 performers who gave 5 performances plus one matinee to full houses. This show is still remembered for the superb portrayal of the role of Ko-Ko by Mr W.H. (Billy) Jones, the best amateur performance that I have ever seen.

1925 "The Gondoliers".
My chief memory of this was in the handling of the home made gondola. The stage was not large enough to allow for a complete gondola so the front half only was constructed. This contraption was propelled by pushing on stage with the gondolier punting in the bow. The exit was contrived by pulling it off by a rope and unfortunately the gondolier forgot to change his position so that when he punted forward the boat departed in reverse much to the delight of the audience. Ah well ! It happens to all of us at times but I need hardly say that this error was corrected in the remaining shows.

1926 "The King of Cadonia".
The first break with G.& S and was notable for the coming of Mrs W. F. Jackson ( later Lady Jackson ) as leading soprano. The orchestra scores arrived 1ate and in a deplorable condition so that Harry Llewellyn spent the whole of one night, dusk to dawn, rewriting the whole of the Band Parts. What a genius that man was,

1927 "Patience".
Mrs Jackson played the title role on the first night but was taken ill just after the show finished. Miss Mary Birt was called upon at this short notice to take over not having had a chance of rehearsal. However, with the assistance of Mr Percy Preece the part was mastered in time for the next performance and was carried through without a hitch,

1927 (2nd show) "The Cingalee".
This show was outstanding for the dances performed by the chorus. The required standard of movement and precision was obtained by a solid month of hard work under the tuition of Mrs Brian Hatton of Hereford and quite stole this light-hearted opera.

1928 "Tom Jones".
Another outstanding production which brought forth rave reports in the local papers and ran from Tuesday to Saturday with a matinee on the Saturday, this opera having some 26 named parts gave scope for many of our members, most of whom doubled up in the chorus. This was also the last with which I had any persona1 connection having moved to Malvern in the following year.

A few notes on the local situation at that time

The Theatre


All shows were staged in The New Theatre (formerly The Corn Exchange ) situated over what is now Messrs Lerego & Sons Garage. The conditions were by no means ideal, one could call them primitive, and certainly would not comply with modern safety regulations. The stage was small and had very little depth. When an actor made an exit on one side followed by an entrance from the opposite side the following routine had to be followed:
1. Off stage and down Fire Escape to yard at back.
2. Out of yard into street.
3. Down street into The Kings Head Hotel.
4, Through Kings Head Bar 7 upstairs to door connecting with stage.
5. Onto stage & on cue if you were lucky. A hazardous journey by any standard but we survived and the show went on.

Dressing Rooms

Ladies in Kings Head & Gents in building opposite Lloyds Bank in Church Street. Not the most convenient and certainly no Star Dressing Rooms.

Price of admission (reserved seats)


Tuesday - Friday 3/6d (17½p) & 2/4d (2½p)
Saturday 5/- (25p) & 3/6d (17½p)
Annual Subscription 10/6 (52½p) carrying the right to book seats 1 week in advance of the general public
Booking Office & Plan of Seating - Ross Gazette Office

It is worth noting that during the whole of the period under review these prices remained constant. ( Inflation, what have you done for us !)


Larriperz


During this period and for some time afterwards the Society Members ran a Concert Party called The Larriperz which raised a considerable amount of money with the idea of providing a public Hall & Theatre for the benefit of the town. Unfortunately this scheme came to nothing and the ultimate destination of the fund is lost in "The Mist of Time ".

F.F. (Frank) BECKETT

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