PART 3

A New Wick Players

In the 1950’s, a whole new dimension arrived to Caithness... pantomime! Wick Bridge Street Church was in need of a new heating system and Jim Mitchell (Royal Insurance) and Mr Edwards (Grocer), who were both new to the town and members of the Church, produced the first pantomime the people of Wick would see- "Cinderella". Most of the main acting parts were taken on by Willie Wilson, George Bain, Jack Calcott, Herbie Lyall and Effie Wilkie, who was a beautiful singer played the role of the 'Prince' whilst the starring role of Cinderella was portrayed by Helen More, alongside her sister Kathlyn who played 'Dandini', whilst the chorus was made up of ladies from the church. Dadda Davidson and Arthur Doull (Butcher) played the comedy-duo role of the Ugly Stepsisters. The pantomime ran for one week in the Boys’ Brigade Hall and was a tremendous success, completed with a magnificent carriage.

The cast of "Cinderella", performed by Wick Players and the Men's Guild of Wick Bridge Street Church.

Due to the production’s success, another one was staged the following year; “Puss in Boots”, with Herbie Lyall as the puss. There was a full-blown orchestra with the late Maggie Henderson, and Henry Rosie on piano, and David Dunnett on the trumpet, featuring a conductor. The audience loved it and the church was overwhelmed with the money received from the two performances. As these two pantomimes included members of The Players, the church and the community; a group of people who had been in these two pantomimes decided to form a separate organisation called the Wick Pantomime Society, however, after many months of considering the pros and cons, it was agreed to absorb the Pantomime Society and to combine everyone’s talents into a new Wick Players, the club we know today. This was based on the understanding that a pantomime would be staged on alternate years with a play if possible.  This new combined group would see the beginning of new talent as the club entered a new era of the 19th century. ​ Eventually, stalwart Kathlyn Harper was let off the hook from secretarial duties and Linda Stamp took over; and as well as Miss Stamp holding down her very responsible post as Matron of the Town and County Hospital, she was an excellent contribution to the club, producing some well-received entries into SCDA's Festival of One-Act Plays, with the exception of “Salmon Sandwiches”, a play of doubt and full merit which proved to be one of the most hilarious. ​​

"Puss In Boots". Left to right: George Bain, Willie Wilson, Unknown, Maria Godsiko, Barbara Plowman, Effie Wilkie, Herbie Lyall (the Puss), Jack Calcott, Unknown, Kathlyn Harper, Muriel Plowman, Murdo Macleod, Helen Riddoch, Ella Henderson, Unknown, David Gall and Keith Edwards.

The cast and crew of "Scganarelle". Back row, left to right: Alan Miller, Jack McBride, Linda Stamp, Harold Reid and Ian Mathieson. Front row, left to right: Kathlyn Harper (Director), Nan Graham and Pat Blakeman.

In 1952, Jack Calcott produced “The Happiest Days of Your Life”,a popular play which proved to be great fun for everyone involved. We became so keen that not only did we produce festival plays but in 1955, following the festival in April, Jack Calcott produced “Bonaventure” (by Charlotte Hastings), we mention this one particularly because it was set in a Convent with nursing staff and it was the first time that member, Pat Weir (nee Riddler) appeared on a programme. She played a young nurse and Wilfred Weir (later her husband) played the caretaker and the rest is history. Pat not only took on an active roles but made most of the costumes and for many years following her debut with Wick Players. Pat had a great talent and used curtains, evening dresses, sheets, transforming them into some amazing costumes, saving the club a fortune in hires. ​​Many outstanding performances are worthy of a place in our records, “Scganerelle” (by Molière) which went forward to the Scottish Final in 1958 .“Trouble Brewing” (by George S. Carruthers) with Wilfred Weir and Ruth Suffolk and then “The Happy Hypocrite” (by Max Beerhohm) with Marley Robertson, Jimmy Morrison and Greta Riley. These were all one-act plays but three-act plays were not neglected, and some were entered into and also won SCDA’s new Three-Act Play Festival. This involved the appointed adjudicator moving from place to place to judge each play entered in the festival.

In 1961, Mowat Thomson produced “Pride and Prejudice” (adapted from Jane Austen's novel), the first production by Wick Junior Players which was performed in the Boys’ Brigade Hall with a large cast of young players, all under fifteen or sixteen who responded greatly to his guidance. The original Victorian and Edwardian costumes from the wardrobe fitted these teenage girls to perfection and helped the production to give the period atmosphere of the play. The beautiful stage set was a perfect background, and this was quite an undertaking but was very well received by the audience. Sadly, only a handful of these young players appeared again on the stage, to name a few; Alfred Mackay, Jackie Strachan, George Anderson, Eileen MacPherson and Carol Eaton. The first name on the programme was that of Donald Farmer making his debut on stage; and although Donald appeared in a few productions later; “The Birthday Party” (by Harold Pinter) produced by Hugo Tait, starring Donald Farmer as a ninety-year-old in a wheelchair, supported by Mowat Thomson, a young Kathlyn More, Margaret Sinclair, Nan Graham and Ian Matheson; and “The Bet” (by Owen Thomas). Whilst Donald appeared on stage with Wick Players for these few productions, he found his strongpoint in directing and was to lead the club in spotlight for many years.

The large and cast and crew of "Pride and Prejudice".

Between 1963 and 1965, the need for premises became more and more apparent. Storing materials was becoming an issue and the club needed somewhere more permanent to meet up and rehearse. Premises at the end of Breadalbane Crescent was eventually acquired, the club obtained the ground floor of the building and the space served the club well. It was here that Wick Junior Players rehearsed for their production of "Pride of Prejudice". In 1965, Donald Farmer tried his hand at directing for the first time. His chosen production was "Rizzio's Boots" which was a historical drama (by Hal D. Stewart), this play would feature an entire cast of all new members which was entered into SCDA's One-Act Play Festival which was adjudicated by Scottish actor and broadcaster, Michael Elder. Alongside "Rizzo's Boots", the club also entered "Shetland Yarn" (by Alexander Scott) under the direction of Nan Graham. Neither of the plays progressed throughout the festival that year, and being Donald's first attempt at producing, he recalls a memory which he'll never forget:

"Shetland Yarn".

The written adjudication which was supposed to arrive in the post was never coming, and so I enquired about it with the club secretary at the time. So, Kathlyn chased it up and after a few weeks she got back to me to say that she had asked SCDA where my adjudication went... she was told that Michael's office went on fire and the adjudication was long gone!"

Poor Donald never did receive the written adjudication for the first play he directed, but it never put him off, in fact it did quite the opposite and Mr Farmer went on to produce some of Wick Players' most successful productions.

Another lady, who for many years worked tirelessly for the club was Nancy Eaton, who had contacts all over Caithness, town or county and there wasn’t a house, hotel, or church that she could not borrow props or furniture from. She did appear on stage but was much happier preparing everything behind the scenes and was a great help with many memorable productions. With help from a great Stage Manager, Ian Mackenzie, Donald Sinclair, Duncan Robertson, Pat Weir, Nancy was directly involved with many plays which the club produced during the 1950’s and 60’s. Throughout this time, some excellent dramatic work was achieved, and memorable sets and individual performances did credit to the producers, maintaining a high standard which had become the club's hallmark.

Pictured above is a Wick Players production, with our Nancy, pictured to the far right.