Drama Clubs

Markhouse & Marsh Street Drama Club reunion Pictures
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There were two Drama Clubs based at Markhouse Road Secondary Modern School. There was the school's club, and Marsh Street Youth Drama Club which was good enough to be recognised by N.O.D.A. Which if my memory serves me correctly stands for National Operatic & Dramatic Association. In fact the two clubs were just extensions of each other and the Director & Producer of both was Mr. Cyril Malyon. I received a letter from him a few weeks ago. He is living in Wales close to Snowdonia and is in good health.

The stage at Markhouse was tiny. At most it was 15 feet by 12, and I think that that's being generous. In the early days it was even smaller, but we obtained permission to extend it. We also used to receive grants from the council, with which we bought lighting equipment, curtains etc.

Thanks to Sandra King (nee Callaghan), I have reproduced some of her programmes that she has sent me from the Drama Days. Click the title to see them:-

I have also included some more photographs of "Pageant" that I have recently found.

 

May 1959 "The Rose and the Ring" by W. M. Thackeray

April 1960 "The Silver Curlew" by Eleonor Farjeon

Aprl 1962 "The Town That Would Have A Pageant" by L. du Garde Peach

October 1962 "Murder in Motley" by Ingram D'abbes and Fenn Sherie

June 1964 "The Rose and the Ring" by W. M. Thackeray

December 1965 "Babes in the Wood" by Wilfred Miller

1973/4 Including "The Queen of Hearts" A selection of photos from Ian Goold

 

A spin off from Marsh Street Drama club was "Markovian Film Club". Under the guidence of Peter Kett, we made a few films on standard 8 and super 8 film. Mostly silent, but some had sound recorded after the editing on reel to reel tape and synchronised to the projector. Click on Markovian button to go to screen.

Peter Kett

 

Here is a selection of photographs (taken by the professional photographer) related to the drama clubs.

 

Place mouse pointer over head to identify

 

 

John Payne Margaret Whitehall ?? Jennifer Lepley Susan Riches ?? Irene Long
Early Rehearsal. ( The front extension { Sorry "APRON"} can clearly be seen here)

 

Scenery shifting. All made by the students.

 

Eileen Wallace (nee Knockles) John Payne Margaret Whitehall Joyce Simmons Jean Simmons
Music Rehearsal with Eileen Wallace (nee Knockles.)

 

 

Ray Aylott & Cleve Edmonston during a
tricky lighting change.

 

 

Make up girls in Room 5 (Chemistry Science Room)

 

 

Marsh Street Drama Club Rehearsing. The stage is now covered with hardboard.

 

Cyril Malyon Gillian Argent Robert Jackson Pamela Neville Hilary Malyon Margaret Whitehall ?? Carol Hagger Jill Cooper Richard Dunn Susan Riches Denis Heath Maxine Elliot Sandra Callaghan Valerie Poore David Morgan Peter Boulton John Cade Gordon Aylott Alec Malyon Ray Aylott

Yours Truly sitting at the organ in Room 2 behind the stage.

 

 

Markhouse School production of "Alice in Wonderland"
(I think this must be around 1963)

 

A write-up of Alice from the same paper.

 

 

A cutting from the local paper dated
17th January 1969.

 

 

These photographs were taken by me at Markhouse School at a party & presentation on the last meeting of Marsh Street Drama Club to thank Cyril Malyon for all his efforts over nearly 20 years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cyril Malyon Gillian Argent RObert Jackson Pamela Neville Hilary Malyon Margaret Whitehall ?? Carol Hagger Jill Cooper Richard Dunn Susan Riches Denis Heath Maxine Elliot Sandra Callaghan Valerie Poore David Morgan Peter Boulton John Cade Gordon Aylott Alec Malyon Ray Aylott Robert Jackson John Oatham John Payne Raymond Aylott Cleve Edmonston Raymond Aylott Janet Grace Anne Maddox ?? ?? ?? ?? Norma Pepperell (nee Evans) Gania Robinson Jill Cooper Eric Griffiths Richard Dunn Peter Boulton Denis Heath John Payne Gillian Argent Gill Langridge Hillary Malyon Valerie Poore Norma Evans Sid Worth Cyril Malyon John Cade June Heath Carole Hagger Ray Aylott Alan Sandiford Alan Robson Jill Cooper Gordon Aylott ?? Cyril Malyon David Morgan Leslie Smith ?? Mrs. M. Cyril Malyon Gordon Aylott ?? Cyril Malyon Mrs. M. Cyril Malyon Mrs. M. Keith Elliot Michael Everett ?? Jimmy Braid ?? Alec Malyon Jennifer Braid (nee Todd) ?? Andrew Malyon John Payne ?? Peter Lee Mrs. Lee (Pete's Mum) Margaret Lee June Heath Denis Heath Bill Chapman Peter Boulton John Payne Mr. Martin (Leader of Marsh Street Youth Centre) Peter Kett John Oatham Cyril Malyon Hilary Oatham Hat on Fire Extinguisher! Barry Elliott Jane Haliday Anne Hayden Merrill Emms Jill Payne (nee Hayden) Bill Chapman Norma Pepperell Ian Hall ?? Robert Jackson ?? Marjorie Kett Peter Kett Norma Pepperell