Interview with Mrs Betty Deans about amateur dramatics rehearsals in hotels in the Isle of Man, 1940s
Audio Player:
Date(s): 1998, 1999
Creator(s): Manx Heritage Foundation
Scope & Content: Elizabeth Mary Deans talks to John Beckerson about practising amateur dramatics in hotels in the Isle of Man during the winter in the 1940s. She talks about giving cues for her parents at rehearsals in a house called Summerville; rehearsing with a junior dramatics society in Mrs Bentley's boarding house and putting on plays at the Centenary Hall; play 'Making it Pay'; extra sugar rations allowed to boarding houses; winter weather in Peel; entering The Guild; Mrs Bentley and her daughter being good singers; guest house owners and complaints; casts; unsuccessful play 'Bloaters'; plays 'Between the Soup and the Savoury'; rooms bare in winter; Mrs Bentley and the Second World War internees; Mrs Bentley's boarding house in Circular Road, Douglas; Cleveland Medal Contest at The Guild; Villa Marina Cafe; camaraderie amongst the boarding house keepers; Jennifer Leece (née Blakemore); rooms used for rehearsals; Betty Sheargold; dance lessons; meeting her husband Frank during cycle race week at Mrs Bentley's boarding house; moving back to the Isle of Man in 1978.
Administration / Biographical History: Elizabeth ('Betty') Mary Deans was born 12 May 1929. John Beckerson, researcher, born 1974.
Language: English
Extent: 15 min. 6 sec.
Item name: cassette tape
Collection: Sound Archive
Level: ITEM
ID number: SA 2019-0001/22
Access conditions: All reasonable attempt has been made by Manx National Heritage to trace and request permission (where needed) from the copyright holder(s) in this sound recording. If however you think you are a rights holder then please contact Manx National Heritage.
Subject tags : #UOSH, #UOSHHolidays