1950's - The Passion & Nativity Plays
Memories of Bucklebury from Ann Tetlow - 1950’s
THE PASSION AND NATIVITY PLAYS
Mrs Hardy, the Vicar’s wife, had, I think received acting training. She and Cecilia Millson, the wife of a local builder, were instrumental in putting on Passion and Nativity plays in Bucklebury Church the 1940’s and 50’s, ending in 1958 when The Rev. & Mrs Hardy left the parish. As well as Bucklebury people, singers and actors from neighbouring villages took part as well. My friend, Joan Cutherbertson, was one of the angels in the Nativity Play, and in 1954, when the Farnborough Air Disaster claimed the lives of Jean and Audrey Maccabbee from Upper Bucklebury, who played two of the angels, Joan suggested me as one of the replacements.
Sheila Dennis (later Kent) played the Virgin Mary, Reg Allum was one of the Shepherds and Janet Sellwood (later Allum) was one of the angels. Gabriel was played by Jenny Burgess of Marlston Farm. George Stocker, the Captain of the Tower, played Herod, and for some years I was promoted (or demoted!) from being an angel to playing Herod’s Wife. Cecilia Millson was St. Elizabeth.
Commander Hilary Ewart and his wife were in the choir, and Cdr. Ewart started the play by singing Comfort Ye, from The Messiah.
Mr Hardy spoke the narrative – the actors didn’t speak.
In the Passion Play, Beatrice Perry played Mary Magdalene she was the only woman around who had long hair! – and Basil Johnson played St John. Dr Ashman was Judas and during one full dress rehearsal he was called away to a patient, whom he attended in full costume and make-up! We never knew if the patient recovered from the shock!
The three weeks leading up to Christmas and then to Easter were filled with rehearsals and performances. It was a very moving thing to be involved in – and very professional (on a par with the Aldermaston Play) and a wonderful lead up to the two great Christian feasts. Janet Allum and I agree that Christmas and Easter have never been the same without it.
I think we gave 6 or 7 performances and the church was filled each time. Coaches came from quite a wide area – one year I remember, a coach load came from Bath.
Ann Tetlow
The Oaks April 2011