Rhodes Dramatic Society
Contribution to South African Theatre
June 22, 1947: Murder in the Cathedral was first presented by the Rhodes Dramatic Society at Rhodes University College's Great Hall for three days preceding the staging in the Grahamstown Cathedral. Directed by Leon Gluckman, also in the lead role, with Godfrey le May as "Archbishop Thomas a Becket," Professor Kenneth White and Norman Addleson. Decor by Ronnie Phillips. The presentation was not without controversy, as a letters to Grahamstown's daily newspaper, Grocott's Mail, recorded:
"Staging a play in the House of God is sacrilege," complained one letter writer. Another writer said the play in the Cathedral should "be avoided by all who object to a Christian martyr's suffering being made a Sunday evening 'box-office-draw'." A supporter of the play wrote, "Well-informed people should rejoice that the Cathedral of Grahamstown . . . would provide an appropriate setting and decor for one of the finest and most spiritual dramas of the present century."
The Dean of Grahamstown said he was convinced the majority was not opposed to it and pointed out that Murder in the Cathedral had been presented in Canterbury Cathedral (Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion and seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury), Salisbury Cathedral, England, and Johannesburg Cathedral
The play was staged at the University of the Witwatersrand when it's run in Grahamstown was completed.
August 16, 1947: The Rhodes Dramatic Society competed in the Grahamstown District Festival by staging Saint Joan. The play was produced by Godfrey le May, and starred Wendy Christie starred as "Joan", and John Rex revelled in the role of "De Stogumber".
September 5, 1947: Rhodes University College entered Godfrey le May's production of Saint Joan", in the Eastern Province and Border National Play Festival held in East London at the ???. Penelope Mills starred as "Saint Joan". The adjudicators were Mme. Tamara Samsonov and Alan Warner.
Sources
Saturday Post, June 28, 1947.
Saturday Post, August 23, 1947.
Saturday Post, September 6, 1947.
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