An Anthology of School Plays 1950 - 1980
This is a collection of photos, brochures, comments and information about the annual plays at the City of Coventry Boarding school. As there is so far no information available on any plays that were produced in the 1940s, we begin in the 1950's.
The 1950's
Photo 1
Photo2
Bill Vasper says "I was at the school from 1951 until 1954, The photograph is of a marionette performance organised by one of the teachers who was known as ' Potty Watts' (a real nice guy).In the photograph the people are (from left to right) David Brown, Ken Andrews, Bill Vasper (that's me) Gwyn Evans, Sparks, Watt, Bob Vasper and Maurice Quin."
Photo 3
Photo 4
Michel Billings
"I remember I think it would have been 1956 or 1957 we performed a Poem inside a railway carriage. The Night Mail. She goes up Beattock a steady climb the gradients against here but she's on time are some of the words I remember. The Night Mail was one of those British Railway films that were made in the late 40's & 50's. Yates played a fairy is all i remember." 
Michel Billings
Here's a link to the poem The Night Mail https://www.oatridge.co.uk/poems/w/wh-auden-night-mail.php
Presumably this was an adaption of the nursery rhyme Old King Cole but no information if regard to the author - at least one that was available in the 1950's.
"I was in one of those plays still remember the lines” Strike a match and make a light, or in this house there’ll be a fight”! That was in 1955 I was 10 years old."
1957 TOM SAWYER Review from Boarder Magazine July 1958 (Some of you refer to this as Huckleberry Finn)
It seems that this play was done again in the 1970's.
1958 The Batsman's Bride.
Photo5
Tony Baker
"I was in that. Think that's me at the back. Batsman's Bride was I think 1957 or 58. More likely 57. The fourth year lads were the batsmen and first years the brides. Cannot remember story details but it was a short playlet. On the same bill was another playlet called Dumb Boy put on by the 3rd year. Both were produced by Wally Clarke. The Batsman's Bride. An operetta in one act. Libretto by Donald Hughes."
Photo 6
Here is a review of The Batsman's Bride (An Operetta) and A Tale Out of School (A musical fable) from The Boarder (The School Magazine) July 1959. There had been a production of Tom Sawyer in 1957 referred to in this review and this production in 1958. To enlarge the review - download and expand in photos on your computer. Good review.
Michael McAvoy
Tale Out Of School could have been written by Terry Walker.
George Forrester
"I was the washer woman in Wind in the Willows. 1 line was all that they trusted me with, “I WASH”
Texas Dave McGarry
"I remember being an understudy for a character named Rainbow?"
1966 Arsenic and Old Lace
Peter Lund
"I was in Arsenic and Old Lace as the vicar in the opening scene apparently you could hear the ratting of the cup and saucer I was holding due to nerves on the opening night LOL"
Other plays from the 1950's might have included the WW1 play All's Quiet on the Western Front, (The Long, Short and the Tall). This play was also redone in the 1970's.
The 1960's
Wind in the Willows (Toad of Toad hall) 1960
"I was the washer woman in Wind in the Willows. 1 line was all that they trusted me with, “I WASH”
Michael McAvoy
"That was me Trev. I was Toad. Must have been 1960"
C Armstrong Gibbs & Nancy Bush 1954.
THE GREAT BELL OF BURLEY - Review from The Boarder July 1961
"This year's production differed from that of previous years in one major respect. Whereas in previous productions the accent had been on either humour or fantasy or both with music, lyrics and plot all sharing equal roles. "The Great bell of Burley" has an essentially simple plot, but the music, requiring complex choral work as an intrinsic part of its execution, was all important. This can perhaps be termed our first venture into the realm of opera.
As a first venture, the play was a success, as all plays must be when the major part of the audience belong to that least critical group of people - parents and friends of the actors. The music upon which so much depended in this production was more effective in the choral work than in some of the solos, largely because of the difficulty of finding well-developed bass voices among boys who are only sixteen years of age.
R. Graham and R. Yates sand their sometimes difficult songs very well and were ably supported in their performance by M McAvoy, J Batts, J Bolster A Fields and D Wharmby B Warman, leading his group of very aged bell ringers, once again managed to bring an air of comedy into the production.
No small part of the success of this production was due to the colourful costumes and to the excellent scenery and lighting and stage effects. the costumes were designed and made largely by Mr Thomas, Mr Elkins-Green and Mr Place, and we are very grateful to the Parents Association for their gifts of the canvas from which we were able to construct some much needed scenery flats. Mr Chopping was responsible for the very effective lighting. The training of the soloists and choruses was done by Mr Lovatt and Mr Thomas, who also played the musical accompaniment on two pianos, while the production was in the hands of Mr Cox. No small tribute must be paid to Mr Warman whose services in the make-up department are very much appreciated and most invaluable."
"That was me Trev. I was Toad. Must have been 1960"
THE GREAT BELL OF BURLEY 1961
Sadly Headmaster RT Morris collapsed during one of these performances and later died but it looks like the show went on, as perhaps Mr Morris would have wanted, because there was both an obituary to Mr Morris and a review of this play in Boarder July 1961.
The Great Bell of Burley, an opera for young singers. ComposerC Armstrong Gibbs & Nancy Bush 1954.
"This year's production differed from that of previous years in one major respect. Whereas in previous productions the accent had been on either humour or fantasy or both with music, lyrics and plot all sharing equal roles. "The Great bell of Burley" has an essentially simple plot, but the music, requiring complex choral work as an intrinsic part of its execution, was all important. This can perhaps be termed our first venture into the realm of opera.
As a first venture, the play was a success, as all plays must be when the major part of the audience belong to that least critical group of people - parents and friends of the actors. The music upon which so much depended in this production was more effective in the choral work than in some of the solos, largely because of the difficulty of finding well-developed bass voices among boys who are only sixteen years of age.
R. Graham and R. Yates sand their sometimes difficult songs very well and were ably supported in their performance by M McAvoy, J Batts, J Bolster A Fields and D Wharmby B Warman, leading his group of very aged bell ringers, once again managed to bring an air of comedy into the production.
No small part of the success of this production was due to the colourful costumes and to the excellent scenery and lighting and stage effects. the costumes were designed and made largely by Mr Thomas, Mr Elkins-Green and Mr Place, and we are very grateful to the Parents Association for their gifts of the canvas from which we were able to construct some much needed scenery flats. Mr Chopping was responsible for the very effective lighting. The training of the soloists and choruses was done by Mr Lovatt and Mr Thomas, who also played the musical accompaniment on two pianos, while the production was in the hands of Mr Cox. No small tribute must be paid to Mr Warman whose services in the make-up department are very much appreciated and most invaluable."
...............................
We have no entries for 1962 /3 /4 except
Peter Phelps
"I was in Boarders Burlesque 1963/4 ish. My memory is a bit hazy but I think it was produced/directed by Terry the art master. It was a collection of acts. I recall some of the older boys dressed as Edwardian women sing the song "We went to school in Cheltenham at a fashionable ladies college". I was in a sketch called The Dining Hall Routine in which we acted out a typical meal in the school dining hall but at speed to The William Tell Overture."
"I was in Boarders Burlesque 1963/4 ish. My memory is a bit hazy but I think it was produced/directed by Terry the art master. It was a collection of acts. I recall some of the older boys dressed as Edwardian women sing the song "We went to school in Cheltenham at a fashionable ladies college". I was in a sketch called The Dining Hall Routine in which we acted out a typical meal in the school dining hall but at speed to The William Tell Overture."
The Happiest Days of Your Life by John Dighton 1965
Thanks to Stuart McDonald for this contribution.
Photo 8
Read more about the play here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Happiest_Days_of_Your_Life_(play)
"I remember being an understudy for a character named Rainbow?"
Peter Lund
"I was in Arsenic and Old Lace as the vicar in the opening scene apparently you could hear the ratting of the cup and saucer I was holding due to nerves on the opening night LOL"
Photo 9
About this play https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arsenic_and_Old_Lace_(play)
THIS AND THAT
Photo 11
Dill Holmes
"I am in photo 12 in a lovely frock"
Photo 12
OLIVER 1968
Oliver was the most popular play judging by the responses and the amount of photos comments and other documents we have gathered on this site. I won't put them all on this post as it's long enough already - just a few but if you follow this link you see more on a dedicated post to Oliver.
Photo 13
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Photo 15
THE 1970'S
TOM SAWYER 1972
This musical play was produced before in the 1950's.
Photo 16
Photo 17
Sailor Beware 1973
It was sailor beware in 73 . Galvin Harrison stole the show . I was the one who was sat down in the red and white.
Photo 18
Photo 19
Chase me Comrade 1974
Note - I had this down as 1973 and have been corrected - this play was 1974. I have corrected the date but not yet the order of the photos. Will do soon.
Photo 20
Mark Jeffries on the left in white.
Chase me Comrade From Left: Mark Jefferies; Chris Hill; Stephen Hill; Nathan Johnson. Not sure who the "person" is sitting down.
Photo 21
Back Row L- R: Mark Harrison, Jeff Stockdale, Stephen Hill, Robert Griffin, John Harvey
Front row L-R: Nathan Johnson, Phil Herd, ?, Chris Hill, Mark Jefferies
Directed by Art Teacher Terry Walker and Peter Germain
Photo 22
Chase me Comrade 1974 — with Nath Johnson at City of Coventry School. A little blurred!
Nigel Rigby I recognise Nathen Johnston, i think sat in the chair on the left, and little Phil Herd from Heywood in Lancashire, in his purple jacket
Nigel Tuckey The "Lady" on the right I think is Mark Jeffery and the ballet dancer is Chris Hill
Peter Dawson I remember the Jeffery brothers they lived in Stoke Aldermoor Coventry.
Nigel Rigby I recognise Nathen Johnston, i think sat in the chair on the left, and little Phil Herd from Heywood in Lancashire, in his purple jacket
Nigel Tuckey The "Lady" on the right I think is Mark Jeffery and the ballet dancer is Chris Hill
Peter Dawson I remember the Jeffery brothers they lived in Stoke Aldermoor Coventry.
Kevan Jenkins
That’s me sat down in chase me comrade Trev.
SPYMAN 1977
Photo 23
Simple Spymen 1977 Queens Silver Jubilee
Michael Breslin Back row L to R Alex Mahijlovic, Steve Curran, Sleep Walker Marks, Paul " I'll post photos soon "Fisher, Mick "Judas" Breslin, Mick O Donoghue, Pete Syratt, John McKay. Front Row, Edna the inebriated, Nick Watson, Mick Garlic, Ben Frank.
Photo 24
Paul Fisher with hat, Ben Frank in white wig, Pete Germain teacher (Metalwork/French) The guy in the Fez is Mick Garlic.
Prepping for the school play, Simple Spyman 1976
Prepping for the school play, Simple Spyman 1976
OTHER PLAYS MENTION FOR THE 70'S
All Quiet on the Western Front. ( Possibly 1968 also done in the 1950's)
One For the Pot 77 Directed by Peter Germain.
Dry Rot.
(No details for those or photos)
1980's
The Man In The Bowler Hat" By AA Milne 82?
PHOTOS I CAN'T PLACE
Photo 25
60's or 70's ?
Photo 26
Photo 27
Photo 28
Photo 29
Photo 30
Photo 31
Photo 32
More photos
Some I can place but blogger won't let me place then in sequence above for some unknown reason!
Photo 33
This is maybe Off the Hook 1976?
Photo 34
This is maybe Tom Sawyer 1972?
Photo 35
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Not sure 1970's
Photo 36
Arsenic and Old Lace 1966? Above and below.
Photo 37
Gaz Marks commented - Photos 37 and 38 I can't remember the name of the play but the date would be 1977 / 78. That's me in the wheel chair I think my character was "Mr Harcastle" .
L to r (back,) D.Milne?, Tony Powell, Mick Breslin, Tim Vince, Alex Milhilovic, D, Mulcahy?
Front Paul Fisher, Gaz Marks, Mick O Donague, John Mckay.
Photo 38
Index to known plays
The Man In The Bowler Hat" By AA Milne
John Francis Davenport
"I was in Man in the bowler hat. It must have been the last play the school did before it closed. The teacher thought it would be a good idea to use Vaseline and talcum powder in my hair to give me a slick back greying appearance. It took weeks to wash it out."
1970's
Simple Spymen 1977 Queens Silver Jubilee
One for the pot 77
Off the Hook 76
Sailor Beware 73
Chase me Comrade 73
Tom Sawyer 70's version?
Dry Rot 70's
All Quiet on the Western front The Long and short and the tall
1960's
Oliver 1969
Charlie's Aunt 68
This and That 1967
Arsenic and Old Lace 66
The Happiest days of Your Life (School Play) by John Dighton 1965
The Great Bell of Burley 61
Wind in the Willows (Toad of Toad hall) 1960?
1950's
Tom Sawyer (Huckleberry Finn) 1957 Possibly repeated in the 70's + Dumb Boy?
All Quiet on the Western Front 50's (The Long and the Tall and the Short) WW1 play
The Batman's Bride 1958 + A Tale out of School
King Cole 1956 (included the poem Night Mail)
