South Yorkshire Times, February 9th, 1934
The Rebel Maid
“The Rebel Maid” made her exist last Thursday evening in a blaze of glory, amid the plaudits of its fourth successive full house, which displayed appreciation and enthusiasm in no uncertain manner. The not too critical audiences felt they had received value for money.
The Vicar made a happy speech of thanks at the fall of the final curtain. He thanked the audiences for their appreciation, which would have been deeper still had they known the difficulties.
One principal, Mr. A. Shepherd, had been under medical attention for three weeks and played his part under the shadow of an impending operation. The principals had filled their parts well and four new principals had won their spurs. The standard of past years had been maintained. To Mrs. Burton, the accompanist, they were deeply indebted and also to Messrs. Clark and Johnson for accompaniments at rehearsals. The orchestra under the leadership of Mr. H. H. Sharp had been wonderfully helpful. Above all was one who had been wholeheartedly in the show, the musical director and producer Mr. B. B. Clarkson and Mr. Dowdall had given valuable assistance in the last week.
The Vicar referred also to the stage management, the manipulation of the lighting by Mr. F. Williams and the talent of Fred Hill, who designed and constructed the scenery. Mrs. A. Shepherd had done extraordinarily good work in arranging the dances. There were also the dressers, the ladies of the refreshment department, those who lent stage properties and those who lent cars for transport. The Committee had not an easy task, but had done its work well. Mr. Brook, the treasurer, had been a faithful friend and the secretary Mr. Harrison had done a tremendous amount of work in disposing of over 1,000 tickets. Mr. B. B. Clarkson’s remarks were interrupted whilst the performers sang “For he’s a jolly good fellow.” He said it had been a great pleasure to him, but tremendously hard work, but he had received much assistance from Frank Dowdall.