THE SILVER CORD
by Sidney Howard
PRODUCTIONS
1945
CAST & CREW
Mrs Phelps Joan M. Fisher
David Henry W. Gascoigne
Robert Ashley S. Baxter
Christina Margaret Roberts
Hester Patricia Edwards
Maid Grace M. Simons
Producer Eric Roberts
Stage Director Charles F.G. Swallow
Stage Manager Margaret J. McMain
Assistant Stage Manager Irene Hadland
Electrician Robert Inglis
Wardrobe Mistress Frorence C. Brawn
Business Manager Roland Dunwell
Settings Designer George Fisher
Settings made by Charles F.G. Swallow, Herbert Carrier, Thomas McAlvey, Reginald Elliott
Photo gallery
PROGRAMME NOTES: 'a ruthless mother'
Countless dramatists have written of mother-love sympathetically, but not so Sidney Howard in The Silver Cord.
He chose a different and unusual angle. He depicts an abnormally selfish and almost ruthless mother, who schemes and fights to keep the love of her two sons for herself alone. The inevitable clash of character provides an uncommonly tense piece of play-writing, the third act being extraordinarily fine.
Tautly constructed, this play gains its effect not; by theatrical tricks but by the sheer force and sincerity of the writing wedded to the absorbing interest of the human problem portrayed.
Brilliant acting was seen in the London production at the St. Martin's Theatre on 13th September, 1927, by Lilian Braithwaite as Mrs. Phelps, Brian Aherne as David and Denys Blakelock as Robert. The theatre suffered a regrettable loss when the author, who also wrote They Knew What They Wanted, died in the United States in 1939 at the age of 48.
Northampton Drama Club
From the programme for The Silver Cord
The Northampton Drama Club has blazed an adventurous trail since its inception.
lts object to foster and encourage a vital and informed interest in the drama by creative work has been consistently maintained. Variety has been the keynote. lts internal programme has numerous and diverse features and its public presentations cover the whole gamut of the drama ranging from the classic plays of the master-playwrights to light, frothy revues.
Prior to the outbreak of the war, the Club had its own premises which included a small, well-equipped theatre and was the focal point of the principal dramatic societies of the town. Despite the large number of members in the Forces and other war-time difficulties, the Club has suceeded in keeping the flag of drama flying high.