archive 1956

13 – 25 February
Saint Joan
by Bernard Shaw

Many writers have attempted to portray one of the most controversial characters of all times, who loved during an obscure and clouded period of history.

Shaw’s masterly delineation of the characters who fought with her and against her and his portrait of her, makes his play a masterpiece of historical interpretation, despite rivals in the same field which were seen during the London season last year.

No other playwright has resolved the enigma of one of the strangest women of history; the dark forces that surround her and the lights that lead her to her martyrdom.

Artistic Credits
Director: Keith Beattie
Designer: Jean Love

Cast
Captain Robert de Baudricourt: David Dodimead
Steward: Dinsdale Landen
Joan: Jessie Evans
Bertrand de Poulengey: John Ringham
Monseigneur de la Tremouille: Hugh Mathias
Archbishop of Rheims: William Moore
Page: Jack Smethurst
Gilles de Rais: Bernard Cribbins
Captain la Hire: Donald Bain
The Dauphin: Nicholas Amer
Duchesse de la Tremouille: Peggy Clark
Dunois, Bastard of Orleans: Gordon Whiting
His Page: Timothy Harley
Richard de Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick: Edward Cast
John de Stogumber: Ronald Fraser
Monseigneur Cauchon, Bishop of Beauvais: Haydn Jones
Brother John Lemaitre, The Inquisitor: David Dodimead
Canon John D’Estivet, The Promoter: Hugh Mathias
Canon de Courcelles: Raymond Mort
Brother Martin Ladvenu: Dinsdale Landen
The Executioner: Tony Easterbrook
A Gentleman: John Ringham
Ladies and Gentleman in Waiting, Soldiers and Assessors: Louis Brooks, John Cattini, Elsie Gallant, Geoffrey Hutchings, Jean Linnell, Angela Marshall and Peter Rounce of Hornchurch Theatre Club.