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From 'Gleanings', Magazine of St Mary's College Crosby. Summer 1949.
Taken from the South Sefton Local History Unit, Crosby
OCR Transcript:
Garden festival - Little Crosby in 16th century
ST. MARY'S COLLEGE PAGEANT PLAY ? and ?
A DELIGHTFTUL glimpse of sixteenth century village life in Little Crosby, set against - the colourful background of Elizabethan times in all their pageantry and splendour,
was enjoyed by parents and friends who attended the St. Mary's College garden festival on a "Wednesday in ,June. and saw the boys take part. in a play, entitled " Surprise for Queen Elizabeth." This as specially written for the festival by the headmaster, tile Rev. Br. .1. B. rç
OPEN-AIR STAGE
Acted in the open air, on a natural stage surrounded by a tiered rockery, the play was the highlight of an excellent and varied programme of entertainment, which fully maintained the high standard achieved in previous years by the College.
"Surprise for Queen Elizabeth" told of a company of players from London, led by Shakespeare, who came to the Little Crosby Revels and found themselves playing before Queen Elizabeth. Among the company was a Catholic priest who had joined the players in an effort to escape south. An element of suspense and excitement was introduced when there is an attempted arrest of the priest which leads to interesting developments.
The play, which had a musical setting with choruses, traditional dancing and Maypole dancing, included the trial scene from Shakespeare's " Merchant of Venice." Miss Sylvia Allen produced the play as a whole, and the trial scene was produced by Mr. John Preston.
Outstanding among the leading actors were Robert Kent, a dignified and sincere P.rtia; Laurence Taylor and Joseph McNamara as William Shakespeare and Richard Burbage, principal actor in the company; Roger McGough, a haughty and spirited Queen Elizabeth; Michael Gribbin and Brian Quinn, as George and Ann, a charming and amusing old couple; and Philip Griffiths as the jovial Bob Butts.
The others in the cast, too numerous to mention individually, but who gave good support, were John Brown, Vincent McNamara, Bernard Proctor, Bryant Edey, Cohn Redmond, Peter Deary, Francis Ryan, Edward Devlin, Francis Byrne, Paul Lovelady, Peter Kennedy, John Brown, Brian Kelly, Kobt. Fernyhough, Anthony Hamilton and David Thompson.
Boys from various forms in the school acted as the Queen's attendants, soldiers, cockle wrenches, yeomen of Crosby, Crosby boys and girls, and Maypole dancers. The orchestra, with Miss M. E. Cookson at the piano, was conducted by Mr. Arsene Polet, the instructor. Choruses were under the direction of Mr. F. Slade, and the dances were by Miss Hilary Burrows, A.M.R.A.D., F.I.S.T.D.
At' amusing and excellent little play," Mr. Stick-it-up," by Enid Blyton, was presented by the Preparatory School boys, who showed very good acting ability, heightened by refreshizig enthusiasm. Those taking part were Brendan Elliott, William Barnes, David Jones, Anthony Pinnington, Michael Monaghan and Paul Mercer. The producer was Mr. E. A. Keating.
For the younger members of the audience there was an interesting puppet show, which included "The Freeing of the Slave," by Miss Sylvia Allen, and "Variety in Puppetry." The puppets, which were designed by Mr. W. Slade, Art Master, and made in the College Art Room under his direction, were worked by boys of the school.
Other items were a gun team display, foot drill, and a parade by the combined Cadet Force of the College; and a display of gymnastics, club swinging and horse exercises by Forms Alpha, IVa, lYb, Lower V Alpha, Lower Va and b, and Upper VI Modern and Upper 'VI Science.
Teas were served during the afternoon, and there was an interesting display of art in the School, which was open for inspection. Parents also had an opportunity to see the boys' vegetable plots.
The refreshments were under the direction of Miss E. McCann and assisting ladies.
Extract from The Crosby Herald, June 18th, 1949
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