South Yorkshire Times, November 24th, 1951
Kilnhurst Will Have a Mermaid
In an Underwater Ballet
Anything can happen in pantomime, but a film sequence is something new. Include an underwater ballet – with a very realistic mermaid – and some effective use of fluorescent and ultra-violet lighting and you have a success recipe which Kilnhurst Amateur Theatrical are anticipating will carry them through a fortnight’s run of “Dick Whittington” at Mexborough in the New Year.
Casting of 19-years-old Beryl Jones as Alice Fitzwarren meant for her a new experience in amateur theatrical work – facing a movie camera. Her two-minute “take” will be projected on to the screen during a Dick Whittington dream scene. Thirty feet of a film of a Lord Mayor of London Show are also to be run off as the dream sequence proceeds and an effects record of Bow Bells calling “Turn again, Dick Whittington” will complete this popular scene.
Producer Tom Bamford is still working on his most spectacular scene – an underwater ballet. Candidate for the mermaid is Aileen Hill, and to her will fall the privilege of wearing the original tail worn by film star Glynis Johns in the film version of “Miranda.” The wig, with knee-length hair, which goes with the costume, is valued at £50.
Newcomer to the society in this year pantomime is Green Room Club member Eric Gordon who plays Alderman Fitzwarren and in the main part is Doreen Ward.