MISS I. C. SLATER must take the credit for the formation of the West Wickham Amateur Operatic Society, for it was almost entirely due to her efforts that the first members met and the Society carne into being in the Spring of this year. Membership increased rapidly, rehearsals commenced and on Friday and Saturday last the Society staged its first production, the Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera, “Iolanthe,” at the Grand Hall, Beckenham - a really remarkable performance in such a short space of time.

The producer, Frederick W. Dixon, has a very wide experience of Gilbert and Sullivan, having appeared in a number of Eagle Star and British Dominions Insurance Co. Operatic Society productions. Mr. Dixon has also played the lead in more than a few of the Wickham Players’ recent productions and achieved no small success in this connection. In the part of Strephan, the Arcadian Shepherd and son of Iolanthe, he was extremely good, the clearness of his speaking voice, his singing and the great ease with which he took the part, winning him hearty applause from an appreciative audience.

The musical director of “Iolanthe” was John Vanderpump, whose experience and knowledge also contributed largely to the success of the show. Mr. Vanderpump is the conductor of the West Wickham Orchestral Society and also the Ivanhoe Band at Lewisham, which has carried off awards at the Lewisham Festival. In addition he is the musical director of all the Peak Frean Society’s shows and has had many years’ experience as an organist.

With these two gentlemen to direct their efforts, there seemed to be no reason why the West Wickham Society should not put over an excellent first production, provided that the had the will. Apparently the will was present in a very large degree, as a first-rate production of “Iolanthe” was presented to a large and appreciative audiences at the Grand Hall, Beckenham, an Friday and Saturday.

Phyllis, the Arcadian Shepherdess and Ward in Chancery was portrayed in confident style by Marion Woodcock, who made a good partner for Frederick Dixon. Their numbers were well applauded, particularly “We will not tarry ere we marry” in the last act.

Walter Marsh gave a good performance as The Lord Chancellor. He managed the patter songs very well, especially the Nightmare number. Stanley Edge was outstandingly good as the Earl of Mountararat and had a good partner in G. Marter Hinwood as the Earl of Tolloller. The latter three in the number “Faint heart never won fair lady” received most enthusiastic applause and were recalled a number of times.

Herbert Thompson as Private Willis the Sentry in the Palace Yard, Westminster, also gained an encore for his singing.

Mary Barnett, as the Queen of the Fairies, had a very different part from the one which she took the previous week in “Quality Street,” which was produced at the Lecture Hall by the West Wickham Women’s Institute. In the latter she was Capt. Valentine Brown—a vastly different proposition from the Fairy Queen of Iolanthe. She took her part well and hearty applause for her number in the second set gave her an encore.

The three Fairies, Celia, Leila and Fleta, were taken by Mary Kempton, Marjorie Goodwin and Sybil Pratt, and although in small parts, they showed a great deal of confidence, The performance of Marjorie Goodwin, who has never taken such a part before, was quite promising.

Winifred Thompson, as “Iolanthe” the Fairy Mother of Strephon, revealed an extremely fine voice. Her singing was enjoyed, perhaps, more than that of any of the other ladies, although as the actual” “Iolanthe” she did not reap the benefit of the tuneful melodies which the others had in their numbers.

“In Friendship’s Name,” sung by Phyllis, Mountararat and ToIloIler, was also deservedly heartily encored. The chorus backed the principals extremely well, some of their concerted items being of even higher standard, and they re-captured for their audience the old haunting melodies of this Gilbert and Sullivan favourite in fine style.

Considering the lack of space an the stage the performance was really very good. The orchestra at times a little over-played the solo numbers.

Members of the chorus were:
Ladies: E. L. Asten, A. Cardew, G. V. L. Cross, D. Henman, R. V. Hinwood, M. C. Hyde, D. L. Ingram, D. E. Kent, E. I. Mercer, E. Parker, E. L. Phillips, I. C. Slater, W. G. Stevens, M. B. Thompsett, R. I. Watler.
Gentlemen: W. J. Cooper, S. W. Dishman, S. W. English, H. Hart, C. Harvey, S. Kingett, S. H. Lewis, A. W. Lounton, R. M. Lounton, H. Nachbur, M. Pocock, W. Singletan, C. M. Sales, J. L. Spruhan, H. W. Thornpson, R. J. Towers, T. Towers, P. Turney.
Mrs. S. Junes, the hon. accompanist to the Society, was at the piano, accompanied by a full orchestra.
Stage Manager: E. C. Simmons. The Mayor and Mayoress, Dr. and Mrs. Bennett, were present on Saturday night. Pamela present presented a bouquet to Mrs. Bennett.

At the conclusion of the performance the Mayor gave a short address, in which he warmly commended the efforts of the Society, paying special tribute to Miss Slater, Mr, Dixon and Mr. Vanderpump. He said that those who say that nothing good ever comes out of West Wickham would have to look out for themselves, and he ex ressed the wish that the Society would stage many more successful shows in Beckenham.