The Chalk Garden

by Enid Bagnold

directed by Tony Bull

Performed at the

Maskers' Studio Theatre

on

15th to 19th October 1996


Background Note

This year marks the 40th. anniversary of the play’s first. London performance which starred Edith Evans and a young Peggy Ashcroft. The chalk garden which totally defeats Mrs.St.Maugham’s attempts to cultivate it is symbolic of her failure with her daughter and her grand-daughter. Plants, like human beings, need a sympathetic understanding she does not know how to give. Thus her garden is bare of the coveted flowers, her daughter Olivia is divorced and her grand-daughter Laurel, adopted after Olivia’s re-marriage, riots in the bizarre atmosphere unchecked by a series of despairing companions. Then Miss Madrigal takes charge .....


Of the play Kenneth Tynan wrote:

We eavesdrop on a group of thorough-bred minds, expressing themselves in speech of an exquisite candour, building ornamental bridges of metaphor, tip-toeing across frail causeways of simile, vaulting over gorges impassable to the rational soul.

The Observer


Cast (in order of appearance)
Miss Madrigal, The first applicant Maria Head
Maitland, The manservant Keith della Gana
A Little Lady, 2nd. applicant Brenda Atkinson
Laurel Lucia Latimer
Mrs. St. Maugham, her Grandmother Marion Westbury
Nurse Norma Mackey
Olivia, Laurel’s Mother Terese Davies
The Judge Harry Tuffill

 

For the Maskers
Stage Manager Martin Ingoe
Properties Ella Lockett, Christel Mauffet
Set Design Ken Spencer
Set Construction Bryan Langford, Douglas Shiell, Geoff Cook
Set Painting Ken Spencer
Lighting Clive Weeks
Sound Lawrie Gee
Wardrobe The Maskers
Front of House Managers Sheana Carrington, John Carrington
Box office Belinda Drew

 

 

click on a photo to enlarge it

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The Set
Tony Bull (the director) adjusting the set
Keith della Gana & Marion Westbury
Lucia Latimer & Marion Westbury
Terese Davies
Lucia Latimer
Keith della Gana
Norma Mackey & Marion Westbury
Maria Head & Lucia Latimer
Maria Head
Maria Head & Keith della Gana
Lucia Latimer & Maria Head
Maria Head & Marion Westbury
 
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Shirley's own LOCAL theatre!

Maskers Theatre Company
Off Emsworth Road
Shirley
Southampton
SO15 3LX

Registered Charity 900067

Established 1968

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