PROBLEM PLAY

Press, Volume C, Issue 29502, 2 May 1961, Page 9

PROBLEM PLAY

‘Telescope? On Friday

The problem play. "The Telescope,” by R. C. Sherriflf, will be presented by the Canterbury Repertory Society from next Friday until May 13 in the Repertory Theatre. R. C. Sherriff was the author of the better-known “Journey’s End.” "The Telescope” deals with the two main themes of juvenile delinquency and the Church’s position in modern society. The play is being produced by the society's resident producer, Heath Joyce. It is set in an East End of London dockside and the whole play takes place inside a vicarage. A new young vicar arrives to work in the slum area which was built to house the workers in the factories of his family several generations back. He hopes that by coming to the district he may be able to do something to repair the damage his own family has caused. The vicar takes into the vicarage a young man convicted of theft and attempts to teach him a new way of life. The young man through a telescope sees ships on the Thames and plans to join the Merchant Navy. The play was originally written for broadcasting. Its first production was by the Guilford Theatre Company in 1957.

Through the big bay window of the vicarage a skyline of London can be seen. The Tower of London and Traitors’ Gate underneath Tower Bridge is seen with St. Paul’s in the background.

Peter Giddens, in.his first major role with the society, plays the vicar and Janet Coote plays his wife. The juvenile delinquent is played by Bill Pearce. The police officer will be Harold Pointer. The old vicar, who warns the new man of the heartbreaking work in the parish, is played by George Taylor, and the builder by Strath McNight.