5th – 7th April 1971
The 10th and 11th plays (The Princes of this World and King of Sorrows) from the 12 play cycle depicting specific periods in Jesus’ life, from the events surrounding his birth to his death and resurrection.
The Cast
The Evangelist: Eric Saxton
John Bar Zebedee: Mike Yates
Simon Peter: Bob Webb
Captain of the Temple Guard: David Hegarty
2nd Guard: Anthony Chapman
3rd Guard: Eric Knight
4th Guard: Tom Stephens
Jesus: David Garwes
The Portress: Judy Nash
Annas: David Crichton-Miller
Hezekiah: Mike Rutter
Shadrach: Roger Gray
Nicodemus: Neville Pease
Joseph of Arimathea: Bill Beal
Baruch The Zealot: Peter Monger
Judas Iscariot: Ken Humphreys
Caiaphas: Jim Perry
Caius Pontius Pilate: John Webster
Flavius: Ray Cox
Marcus: Peter Gibbons
A slave to Pilate: Trevor Howard
Sergeant: Eric Knight
2nd Soldier: David Hegarty
3rd Soldier: Anthony Chapman
4th Soldier: Tom Stephens
Centurion Marcellus: John Nash
Herod Antipas: Eric Saxton
Techelles: Julian Darling
A Cheerleader: Bill Bingham
1st boy: Julian darling
2nd boy: Trevor Howard
Glaucus: Peter Gibbons
Phoebe: Carolyn Howse
Calpurnia: Letty Firth
Mary Virgin: Kate Jones
Mary Magdalen: Molly Gray
Mary Cleophas: Judy Bruce
1st man: Ken Humphreys
1st Witness: John Nash
2nd man: Bill Bingham
1st woman: Judy Nash
2nd woman: Hilda Humphreys
Gestas: Ray Stanlake
Dysmas: Bob Webb
Simon of Cyrene: Terry Fisher
Chiliacrch: Roger Gray
Adjudant: Mike Rutter
Proclus: Frank Meakins
1st soldier: Ray Stanlake
2nd soldier: Ken Humphreys
3rd soldier: John Smith
4th soldier: Fred Brown
Claudia: Judy Nash
Balthazar: Eric Saxton
Members of the crowd and nightmare voices by members of the cast
Produced by Eric Saxton
Newbury Weekly News review
Compton play finest achievement
Members of the Church of St Nicholas and St Mary’s at Compton combined with the Compton Players last week to produce two plays from The Man Born to be King by Dorothy L Sayers.
They chose plays dealing with the trials and crucifixion of Christ and the Church was packed to capacity on each of the three nights of presentation.
The cast was a very large one and each performer gave performances that were sincere and moving. The difficult part of Jesus was played by David Garwess who achieved an air of humility, dignity and greatness.
The part of Judas Iscariot was given to Ken Humphreys and this must have been an inspiration by the casting director for no one could have played the part with more feeling and meaning. His despairing plea to those to whom he had betrayed Christ and the casting of the thirty pieces of silver at their feet echoed in the silent Church and emphasised the tragedy of the events leading up to the crucifixion.
This production by Eric Saxton must surely be remembered as the Compton Players and supporters’ finest achievement.