The President's Message

Once again it is time to ring up the curtain on the Society's Spring Production and I have been asked to write a few words as President for inclusion in this programme.

Firstly may I be permitted to turn the thoughts of all our patrons from this dreary winter to the more sunny climes associated with this year's very popular production "The Desert Song". This needs no introduction from me, for with the loyalty of our members under the able and professional direction of our Producer, Miss Margaret Boyle, I know we are going to remember 1963 as a real vintage year in the history of our Society.

As in the past, we shall strive not only to give our patrons a first class show, but by their patronage, coupled with the financial support of our vice-presidents, we hope once again to fufil our ambition to give a generous sum to our local charities.

The Society will always welcome applications from anyone interested in joining. Applications should be made to -

With thanks and appreciation to all concerned.

The  Story  of The  Desert Song

In Morocco the French are having trouble with the Riffs. Some years before, Pierre Birabeau, son of General Birabeau, was struck by a superior officer for protesting against the treatment of the natives. In revenge he organizes a band of Arabs to avenge the wrongs committed by his countrymen, and assuming a disguise, quickly becomes known as the Red Shadow.

To the French army the Red Shadow is a mystery, for the simple reason that Pierre spends a fair part of his time in their midst posing as a simpleton with a passion for picking wild flowers. Naturally this sort of duplicity leads to complications, and two are particularly awkward for Pierre.

One is that his own father has recently been appointed the General in Command of the Army, with a special commission to root out the bandit chief, and the other is that the girl he loves, Margot, only knows him as a gentle, half-witted creature who brings her posies. Margot's imagination has been taken captive by the deeds of the mysterious Red Shadow, and Pierre, in his capacity of the Riff Chieftain, gives her the desired surprise of being carried off by the desert warrior and conveyed to the harem of his Arab Chief. Here he woos the romantic maiden with all the fierce ardour associated with the love-making of wild, semi-barbarous Sheiks, and Margot, while straining at her captivity, succumbs to the wooing of her desert lover. The Red Shadow then finds himself in trouble with his Riff associates, but he defies and cows them. When, however, his father, the General, appears on the scene and bids him draw and fight, he submits to the ignominy of being branded a coward, and is driven forth into the desert without arms to defend, or the wherewithal to nourish himself. In the last scene General Birabeau learns that his son is the Red Shadow after the soldiers have gone out with orders not to spare his life if he is found. They return with the news that the bandit is no more, the famous Red Shadow having been killed off by Pierre. The final curtain falls on Margot in the arms of her Sheik-like lover, Pierre having adopted his disguise for the last time.

The Committee and members of the Society wish to offer their very sincere thanks to all of the following whose assistance and co-operation have made this production possible.

The Northamptonshire Education Committee (Mr. G. E. Churchill, M.A., ChiefEducation Officer) and Mr. W. J. Monck, Head of the Rushden Evening Institute who has given every help in the arrangement of rehearsals.

Mr. W. A. E. Sherwood who has again undertaken the arduous task of arranging the booking and all his assistants.

Mr. H. W. Catlin, Headmaster of Rushden Secondary Modern School for Boys, and the Caretakers for their help.

Mr. H. Norman of Podington and Mr. F. Knight of Rushden for their kind assistance with regard to the  provision of the donkeys taking part in this show.                        

The local traders who have taken advertising space in this programme.

The Stewards and Programme Sellers.

The Nursing Sisters and St. John Ambulance for attendance at the Theatre.

Mr. W. R. Hewitt, his co-directors, Mr. Knighton the Manager and all the Staff of the Ritz, Rushden, for their continued interest and assistance.

The Stage Staff and all others who have worked behind the Scenes, each one of whom has contributed so much to the success of this Production.

Everyone who has assisted the Society in presenting "The Desert Song", whether or not mentioned in these pages.