Thank You Very Much
by Cecil P. Taylor
St. Alban‘s Church Hall, North Harrow
April 1974
"All down history, nine tenths of mankind have been grinding corn for the
remaining one tenth, and been paid with the husks and bidden to thank God
they had the husks" (David Lloyd George. 1906)
This is, to some extent, the theme of "Thank You Very Much" which is in part
a documentary, painting a broad panorama of life in 1914 - mixing family
social drama with topical historical events of the period, and the unique
feeling of conviviality and audience participation of the Music Hall.
A taste of "Thank You Very Much" was included in the joint 10th Anniversary Presentation evening .
The Play - set in Doncaster, 1914
Moray Bell, commercial traveller … Andrew Kitchen
Margaret, his wife … Jill Horrocks
Francis, his sister … Louise Brookes
Annie, his sister … Samantha Hossinott
Ray, his sister … Jo Power
George, Annie‘s husband … Martin Samuels
Walter, Margaret‘s brother … Tim Harris
Ralph, Francis‘ husband … Len Evans
Florrie Pollock, typist, suffragette … Rowena Gura
Stan, her father … Steven Tivey
Mary, her mother … Claire Fletcher
May, her sister … Tracey Wilde
Rose, her sister … Judith Jeeves
Mr. Norrie … Jim Culverhouse
The War Makers (Voices)
Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria & Hungary … Graham Bishop
Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany … Richard Seammen
Sir Edward Grey, British Foreign Minister … Jim Culverhouse
Sassanov of Russia … Julian Flack
Viviani of France … Alan Highet
Palace of Varieties
Miss Polly Burton … Claire Toeman
Mr Albert Gilroy … John Graham
Mr George Fane … Robert Glenister
Ladies & Gentlemen of the Chorus
Mlles: … Susan Cohen, Laura Denness, Sonia Dubas, Janet Fiferman, Elizabeth Franklon, Louise Gager, Sheila Nicholl & Pat Nurse
Mssrs: … Ivan Aaronnson, Tony Briggs, Jeffrey Coles & John Pilger
Musicians
Piano … Brian Brooks
Percussion … Tim Smith
Saxophone … David Marlow
PRODUCTION TEAM
Director … Kay Koré
Production Assistant … Margaret Tweedy
Stage Manager … Richard Seammen
Assistant Stage Managers … Graham Bishop, Philippa Kitchen, Jim Culverhouse & Claire Sirett
Lighting … Tim Harris
Sound … Alan Highet
Properties … Sarah Bamford
House Manager … Marie Haslem
Box Office … Jacquie Russell
Magazine/Programme … Rowena Gura