Habeus Corpus

Report on
Jubilee Player’s
Production of
“Habeus Corpus”
A Farce by Alan Bennett.
Director – Roger Hames,
Lighting – James Linehan,
Sound – Pete Scott,
Costumes – Denyse Brimble,
Seamstress – Dot Reeves.

As seen by Bob Allen, NODA SW District 14 Representative -

on Saturday 9th, May, 2026

at the Jubilee Hall, Bratton, Westbury, Wiltshire BA13 4RW.

PLEASE NOTE:

Any observation made by the reviewer can only be based on what he sees at the performance in question. The
reviewer may have received information in advance of the performance, and it is inevitable that his assessment

will be effected by that knowledge.

The N.O.D.A. Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in particular
the performance viewed. It should be remembered that any review of this nature can only be objective as far as
the techniques used during the performance observed. Any criticisms expressed may not have been valid at
other performances, and are only made to encourage higher standards in Amateur Theatre.
It is hoped that the audience’s appreciation of your efforts will have given everyone a lift and encouraged you to
greater achievements in the future and that the observations made by the reviewer will prove helpful in improving
future productions.

This group is based in the heart of rural Wiltshire in a small village hall. There is a
small stage and seating for about seventy people. The stage has little depth but has
a good lighting and sound setup. There is little stage height. The scene was set with
swing doors stage right and left and a central exit disguised by a clinical screen. The
rear flats were wall-papered. There were dining chairs either side of the stage and a
small telephone table stage right. The space would be limited by a cast of twelve.
However this was their home base so it could be assumed that the cast would have
the movements well rehearsed.
Alan Bennett was responsible for many hits of the seventies of which this was one of
the most famous. As with most things of that time the play has not aged well but the
Jubilee Players chose wisely to perform in the period of writing to an audience who
mainly would remember the period well. The very well introduced prompt sat at the
stage edge had little work to do. Mostly any very small errors were picked up by the
cast as they moved on. As it was a farce the pace was quite good but I would have
preferred even faster delivery by some of the cast. Diction and facial expressions
were good. Movement became repetitive after just a few scenes. Every entrance and
exit used the three nominated places. I wonder if there could have been a few places
where the Director could have retained characters on stage perhaps “frozen” before
returning to action a few lines later. On a larger acting area the “ins” and “outs” would
not have mattered so much. I should add that the Director was also acting so may
not have had the luxury of observing from a distance!
There were scenes, from earlier storylines where the sound and lighting was
changed very effectively to focus areas of the stage. And there was a very real

period phone-call ringing which was a joy to hear. I always appreciate lighting and
sound effects which are so good they are almost unnoticed! Also much appreciated
was the excellent costumes provided. They instantly anchored the farce in the
correct period of the seventies. It is always too easy to take for granted the work
needed in clothing the cast. I was very thankful that I no longer dressed in that
fashion! Some items need a mention here. Lady Rumpers first dress in black, white
and red. Wow. It really lit extremely well and reeked expense! Felicity’s period outfits
– what incandescent colours, Mrs Swabb’s apron – I had an Aunt that wore that
model! Not to mention the colours of all the men’s underwear! Congratulations to
Denyse and Dot.
Cast:-
Muriel played by Susan. Made the transition from Matron to Madame with great flair.
Dennis – Richie playing the awkward son. I shouldn’t have favourites but I thought
you came to life on every entrance and shone for me in this role.
Constance played by Denyse. Played the role as normal as one could!
Mrs Swabb. Maggie you played a tricky role spot on and was loved by the audience.
Canon Throbbing played by Rupert. How will you ever chair another meeting with
those yellow underpants now in your repertoire?
Lady Rumpers. Dot you so owned that role. Well done.
Felicity. Good acting by Lynn despite all the clothes.
Mr. Shanks played well by Tony against the lack of trousers.
Sir Percy Shorter. This was a difficult role to play but handled well by Mark even
when the audience hated him.
Mr Purdoe played by Rich and nearly stealing every entrance!
Finally Dr Wicksteed as played, overly smoothly, by Roger. A difficult role to play. I
was not clear, at first, where his character was going. I expect the script varied stage
entry to stage entry but I would have preferred having an earlier impression of his
personality so we could follow his demise.
However, as a Director over any years, I would applaud Roger for wearing the two
hats of actor and Director. I would suggest that his “Doctor” took some advice of his
own and now rested in a quiet darkened room! Well done Roger and The Jubilee
Players. I’ll be down for Panto!!

Kind regards from Bob Allen
NODA SW district 14 representative.

N.B. The comments above are solely the view of the representative attending and only reflects the performance

seen.

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