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Hi,
Just thought I’d send you this picture from around 1967 when we performed
Gordon Honeycomb’s “The Redemption”. John Harris was Jesus and is seen
washing Peter’s feet (played by myself). The incomparable John Evans, as
Judas, sits to the right of me followed by Brody, someone whose name I
don’t recall and then, I believe "Sansome". We were fortunate enough to
have the author; a well known news broadcaster visit the school and see
the play. Although my talents in acting were extremely limited, he was
complimentary and mentioned that he had played the role of Peter in the
first enactment of the play. Ken Pickering was an inspiration to us all in
the production.
Hope this is of some use,
Regards,
Robert Banning. (24th April 2003)
From Martyn Durbidge:-
Going back to the website photo from The Redemption (1967),
the person Robert Banning can't remember the name of is, I think, me! I'll
need to check my photos (dunno where they are though). It certainly looks
like me and I'm sure I've got that photo. The only thing I don't
understand is why I would be in it. I was a first year pupil and not a
main character. Perhaps they needed one more and I was hanging around.
Anyway, I'm pretty sure. How extraordinary!
I remember during one of the performances (sorry if you're getting a lot
of reminiscences) the Messenger was called for ("Hark, a messenger
approaches!"). Unfortunately the Messenger was playing cards in the
dressing room and was oblivious both to the time and how the origins of
the modern church were panning out. I'd been to so many rehearsals I knew
the Messenger's speech backwards, and when it became apparent that
something was wrong all I had to do was push my way out of the 'crowd' and
pretend I was the Messenger. Surely I could do it? I had a mental picture
of the older boys slapping me on the back afterwards for saving the day,
congratulations from the Headmaster, my name in the Distinction Book, a
lifelong career as star of stage and screen...and of the real Messenger
arriving at the same time and of there being the wrong sort of 'scene' and
me looking a prat. Was it the Right thing to do? Should I or shouldn't I?
I didn't. The day wasn't saved and for all these years I've lived with the
regret of not having had the courage to step forward. Silly, isn't it?
Martyn Durbidge (15 June 2003) |
