SEAFORD MUSICAL THEATRE    

A Brief History of Seaford Children's Theatre

by Graham Tubb

See Also

A Brief History of Seaford Operatic Society

A History of Seaford Operatic Society by Pat Berry

Memories of Seaford Operatic 1956 - 1960 by Graham Tubb

 

It was late 1949 that I first joined Seaford Children's Theatre, run by that 'household name' the wonderful Kathleen Marsh.  Rehearsals were then held in the Community Centre over Hoadley's in Clinton Place (now the cycle shop).  Early members included Pauline and Colin Bell (whose mother had a secondhand clothes shop on the site of the Post Office in Church Street).  The pantomime was 'Babes in the Wood',  produced at the Clinton Hall; it was not to be my debut, as I was taken ill with tonsillitis, but in 1950 I appeared in 'The Nativity' at the same hall, which was most enjoyable.

Kathleen Marsh had long been a principal in the Operatic Society, and decided to form the Children's Theatre to 'school' likely talent for future Operatic productions, as well as provide an outlet for local talent and entertainment for the town.  The TV was in its infancy.  Every year, productions were enjoyed by so many citizens and, at one time, many parents and relatives were involved in helping.  Costumes and scenery were all home-produced; the whole town was involved.

In the summer season 'Variety Nights' were performed at the Clinton Hall (the cast included Judy Cornwell) and we took 'music hall' shows to local homes for the elderly, hospitals, etc.  In 1951 the pantos moved to the larger Queen's Hall and 'Cinderella' was the new production.  1952 saw 'Mother Goose', 1953 - 'Robinson Crusoe' and 1954 - 'Jack & Jill'.

Graham in 'Jack & Jill'

When Kathleen Marsh took a well-earned rest with relatives in South Africa, Enid Wilderspin (now Enid Streeter) took charge, and rehearsals were then held at the new Little Theatre in Steyne Road.  Other rehearsal venues were the Ritz Cafe over the cinema (now Morrisons) and the old barn, now the Barn Theatre.  In later years, Mrs Marsh (whose husband was a local master butcher) produced shows for Seaford OAPs at the Baptist Church Hall in Broad Street (site of today's Boots), for the Women's Institute at the Claremont Hall, and a revue with town talent, 'Top of the Tree' with Mabel Buchanan at the Queen's Hall (her last major production) - all of which I appeared in.  Eventually Mrs Marsh retired to Haywards Heath where she died.

Many people owe Kathleen Marsh a lot of thanks, myself included, for all the help she gave presenting talent on the stage, and for the happy times we all spent together as her 'extended family'.