The Keys remember

Noel Clarke was Director of Music at Durlston Court from 1967-1978. Marvellous years, Noel produced outstanding concerts, operas and his chapel choirs were a revelation of what young children could achieve.

Noel was conducting a rehearsal of H.M.S. Pinafore on the playroom stage.Admiral Porter spoke these lines: “Tarry wait here – pray silence – Here comes your most engaging daughter.”

The door slowly opened – who entered? A large dog. The whole cast dissolved into laughter!

The dog in question, had been watching a match with it’s owners. The had a son playing in the game. The parents, (who were local) forgot the dog and he probably had wandered off to look for the boy (who was a boarder).

A clever dog indeed, to find the stage and make a remarkable entry!

Alexander Keys

Continuing the Opera Theme
Tremendous work was carried out behind the scenes: Stage manager – set builders – lighting experts – stage furniture and props, etc.

One particularly helpful boy (Alas! The name slips my mind) a very good stage hand was detailed off to climb some step ladder with a platform at the top. His job was to adjust the lights.

Suddenly a vivid blue flash – the lights went out – the boy luckily survived – the drama continued as a large tin of blue paint descended from the top platform of the ladder and poured all over Anne Keys below. She was covered in blue paint and looked as though she had had a blue rinse!

1969 saw a magnificent production of the Mikado. A grand and very dignified Emperor marched on to the stage. It was Christopher Onslow (Head Boy at the time). The audience were duly impressed.

In 1971, a wonderful production of The Gondoliers ran for a week, four or five performances.

Mr Onslow travelled all the way to Poole Hospital and collected an old operating trolley. This came back in the grey minibus. With this he built a spectacular gondola which sailed across the pit at the back of the stage. The audience saw this magnificent gondola, Casilda (played by Siän Keys) had to leap from the gondola in high heeled shoes and a beautiful elaborate gown. There was quite a gap between the gondola and the firm stage. Each time this happened we might have expected a disaster!

In 1976, Doctor Malcolm Tuddenham played the part of the ‘Voice of God’. He had a wonderful, deep, melodic voice. This was in the production of Noye’s Fludde and took place in New Milton Parish Church. He was cleverly hidden in the pulpit and rumour had it that he was allowed a bottle of sherry to lubricate his vocal chords.

In this production too, was Ian Burnham (teacher of Maths) who would crawl around beneath the level of the stage pushing all the stage furniture into place. He was dressed in P.E. Kit and an old pair of trainers.

In the summer of 1977, Mr Onslow challenged the Leavers to put on a play. Alex Keys produced the play and played the musical version on the piano (all at the same time!).

The Leavers really enjoyed it! Were you in the cast? Toad was admirably played by John Gibbons.

Edward Wilson built a super caravan that travelled across the stage drawn by a jolly old horse.

The boys wore appropriate masks. The scene was the River Bank (with Ratty’s hole) and two willow trees.

The performance was so successful it ran to four performances and afterwards we celebrated with a modest party!

In 1977 Good King Wenceslas was an outstanding production and took place in the church. It was written by Alan Ridout especially for Durlston Court. A musical play, a fight between good and evil, King Wenceslas was good, his brother Bolislaw was evil.

The music was an inspiration. A full account can be found on page 150 in the Centenary Book.

Painting the scenery seemed to go on for ever! An angel 12 feet high and the devil also 12 feet high.

The devil was fun to paint but the angel was very difficult as a nail protruded where the mouth was to come and I had to give the angel a pout to disguise this.

We also had four seasons, Spring and Summer to represent good, and Autumn and Winter was cold and evil.

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