South Yorkshire Times, January 25, 1958

Per Ardua Ad (Through difficulties to the Stars – RAF Motto)

Kilnhurt “Stars” Really Overcame Adversity

Kilnhurst Amateur Theatrical Society’s production of “Dick Whittington” will be remembered by the public as one of the best for many years. The pantomime closed on Saturday after a two weeks’ run at the Royal Cinema, Mexborough.

It will also remembered by the cast, because last week proved an occasion on which producer Tom Bamford would have been entitled to the term Society’s ” doctor,”,

The table off-stage which usually holds the numerous “props” for the cast, was more than overcrowded with bottles of medicine and boxes, of pills—in fact it had the appearance of a mobile “chemist shop, rather than of a ” prop ” table.

The First ” Casualty ‘

Derek Vickers, who played King Rat, was the first to be unable to play his part in the pantornirne, and the role was admirably understudied by Ernest Fisher, who learned the part overnight. Last Monday, producer Tom Bamford had to read the part while Ernest Fisher did, his best on stage. But after this, until Thursday, when Derek Vickers returned, Ernest Fisher undertook the whole thing.

Then June Edwards, as Tommy the Cat, was also very ill for several days. but fortunately managed to go on stage.

Mr. Bamford told a” South Yorkshire Times ” reporter this week that she was wonderful and the Society owed her a great deal.

Mr . Bamford said that. last Thursday  night June had a very high temperature and acted her Part in a half-conscious state, and although she was very ill throughout the night, she returned on Friday to keep the show together.

Dosed Off-Stage

Other principal players, George Kirton and Eric Gordon, who as the comedians gave such a wonderful performance, were on stage when they should have been in bed.  On Monday night Mr. Kirton almost lost his voice completely, and Mr. Gordon had a very high temperature on Monday and Tuesday, nights. They were being dosed with medicine and pills every time they were off stage.

Alan Miller, Peter Gittins and two chorus girls were also taken ill during the week.

Despite, all these set-backs, it is doubtful whether any of the audiences during the week noticed,the difficulties.

As well as the cast being ill, the musical director, Mrs. V. Styling,” was also ill in bed after Wednesday night, and her husband, a member of the orchestra, took her place as conductor. Owing to his

work on Saturday, Mr. Styling was unable to conduct at the matinee performance and another member of the family, Mr Jack Williams, who plays cornet in the orchestra took over the baton, completing the family trio of conductors!