1963 Our Town

OUR TOWN

The 1963 Festival production of Thornton Wilder's "Our Town" proved a worthy successor to a long line of memorable Gladstone presentations.

Only a few members of the cast had previous experience. Many were on stage for the first time, but spirit was high, talent was first rate, effort was unstinting and results were fully satisfying.

Festival adjudicator, Mrs. Lily Harper, said she is seldom "caught up" by any production she is adjudicating because good critical evaluation requires objective analytical study at all times. "Tonight," she said, "I found myself involved with the characters. At the close of Act III I had a lump in my throat along with everyone else."

"This is a difficult and durable play," she continued, "not always as skilfully handled as it was tonight."

"The direction must be inspired. The total effect must be one of truth, dignity and simplicity, so that we are moved by the story and we take something warm and memorable away with us."

"Relationships between characters are vital - each character in this play must be a full personality, even the smallest parts."

"This cast realized fully the heart of this play and gave us many truly moving moments: the ladder scene; the ice-cream parlour; the wedding; the funeral; Emily's return home, etc., etc., etc."

Special mention was made of the simple and imaginative stage settings conceived by Wayne Thom of Class 1; and of the delightful milinery wonders dreated by Peggy Lewis of Class 10. The complicated area lighting, efficient sound effects, and the effective incidental music supplied by the orchestra were other highlights singled out by Mrs. Harper for special commendation.

CAST MEMBERS

Stage Manager - Watson Deery
George - Gordon Reeve
Editor Webb - Wayne Thome
Mrs. Webb - Merelyn Milsted
Emily - Marlene Skidmore: BEST ACTRESS