Half a Sixpence
It was based on H.G. Wells’s novel Kipps: The Story of a Simple Soul. Steele plays Arthur Kipps, an orphan who unexpectedly inherits a fortune, and climbs the social ladder before losing everything and realizing that you just can’t buy happiness.
The novel is somewhat autobiographical, being inspired by the rapid changes in Wells’s own life when his early novels brought him financial security.
This production was graced by the author David Heneker, then in his 80s and Patron of the society at that time.
Cast & Creative
Cast List
| Character | Actor |
| Arthur Kipps | Peter Barnett |
| Sid Pornick | Peter Campbell |
| Buggins | Dave Evans |
| Pearce | Andrew Yeates |
| Flo Bates | Marion Alais |
| Victoria | Claire Walker |
| Kate | Mandy Stenhouse |
| Emma | Frances Warhurst |
| Mr Shalford | Bob Salter |
| Carshott | Paul Viney |
| Mrs Walshingham | Marion McLaren |
| Ann Pornick | Janet Turner |
| Chitterlow | Mark Holliday |
| Laura | Merian Ganjou |
| Helen Walsingham | Lesley Cox |
| Young Walsingham | Andrew Macbean |
| Edith | Margaret Boughton |
| Gwendolin | Margaret Collier |
| Student | Rachel Marks |
| Student | Liz Angel |
| Student | Doug Roberts |
| Reporter | Roger Roseboom |
| Reporter | Roger Roseboom |
| Photographer | Norman Marks |
| Dancer | Melanie Edwards |
| Dancer | Yvonne Sibbald |
| Dancer | Debbie Harkness |
| Company | Pauline Beament |
| Company | Mary Fraser |
| Company | Hazel Graham |
| Company | Barbara Hall |
| Company | Ellen Harvey-Smart |
| Company | Marion Mullins |
| Company | Jane Smith |
| Company | Kate Stevens |
| Company | Louise Stevenson |
| Company | Joyce Stewart |
| Company | Barbara Thomas |
| Company | Martin Harrison |
| Company | Ron Pharo |
| Company | John Powter |
| Company | Mark Tooley |
| Company | Peter Vaughan |
Creative Team
| Role | Name |
| Producer | Vic Fardell |
| Musical Director | Carl Smith |
| Designer | David Casey |
| Production Manager | Suzanne Yeates |
| Stage Manager | John Mitchell |
| Deputy Stage Manager | Barbara Mitchell |
| Crew | Trevor Marland |
| Crew | Heather Mitchell |
| Crew | Julie Luker |
| Crew | Viv Tasker |
| Crew | Denise Ganjou |
| Costume Co-ordinator | Pauline Kendrick |
| Rehearsal Pianist | Dennis Gomm |
| Prompt | Patricia Vandepeer |
| Box Office | Beryl Yorath |
| Props | Peter Sporle |
| Costumes by | Alan Scott |
| Sets constructed by | BROS Workshop |
| Lighting | Ralph Bramley |
| Publicity | Jeremy Newton |
| Stage Photography | Doug Roberts |
| Rostra | Phil Parsons |