Curtain up for Panto Season…

Records of a local Pantomime Company are ‘Now Showing’ at North East Wales Archives! Read all about it in our latest blog…

We have recently been fortunate enough to receive records of the Jack Evans Amateur Pantomime Company on loan from Mr Colin Baines, nephew of Jack Evans. Over the years, he has put together a detailed history of the Company and his family’s involvement in it, creating a wonderfully rich archive. It includes original scripts, production photographs, newscuttings, advertisements and historical memorabilia of this dynamic local theatre company which was in operation between 1929 and 1942. The Company performed extensively in the North-East Wales area, spanning Connah’s Quay, Shotton, Mold, Holywell, Bagillt, Prestatyn and Rhyl.

It was formed by Jack Evans of Shotton (born 1909, full name William J.M. Evans), who had displayed an early interest in pantomimes by putting on shows for his friends in the Boy Scouts at Rhuddlan; later learning ventriloquism and touring with a portable puppet theatre.

In his youth, Jack Evans formed his own Pantomime Company comprising of local people in the North Wales area and joining forces with the Noakes family, who had considerable prior experience in the theatre. The two families were entwined more closely when Jack married Winifred Noakes at St Mark’s, Connah’s Quay, in September 1933.

In 1939, Jack and Winifred Evans lived in Shotton Lane, Connah’s Quay. Jack Evans was an insurance agent by day, but in his ‘spare’ time he was writer, producer, director and a part-time actor in the Pantomime Company whilst Winifred played principal roles in almost all of the productions. Jack was a talented scriptwriter and wrote or adapted all the original scripts for the pantomimes, the typescripts of which have now been deposited at the Archives for future generations to enjoy. Nearly all members of the Noakes family were involved in some capacity: Winifred’s mother, Elizabeth was responsible for the wardrobe and costumes; Ena Noakes, Winifred’s sister, was a trained dancer who became ballet-mistress to the Company; and her brothers created effects, woodwork, lights and make up. Gwilym Roberts, a popular Deeside comedian, was also part of the company. Other members of the extensive cast were comprised of local people, some of whom lived in Fron Road and the surrounding streets in Connah’s Quay. Many of the cast were employees of Shotton Steelworks and Courtaulds’ textile factories (Liverpool Weekly Post, 3^rd September 1938). ‘Specialities’ of the cast included acrobatics, ventriloquism and musical solos which all added to the spectacular performances.

A review of ‘Robinson Crusoe’ at Shotton (1933) pronounced that the Company were of a very high standard, declaring them ‘almost incapable of improvement’. It praised the ‘beautiful dresses worn by the principals and the chorus. Some of the scenes were dazzling and spectacular…. particularly fine dancing.’ (‘Robinson Crusoe at Shotton, A Fine Spectacle’, unidentified newspaper). Meanwhile, the production of Sleeping Beauty in 1937 was described as ‘second to none even on the professional stage’. (Unidentified newspaper, D/DM/1936/2/3).

As well as providing enthralling entertainment in the local area, the pantomimes also travelled further afield to Chester, Ellesmere Port, The Wirral and Colwyn Bay. During its time in operation, the Company raised over £3,500 for local charities. It also offered local amateur actors the rare opportunity to star in much-acclaimed, semi-professional productions, alongside the chance to travel, meet new people and gain an array of theatrical skills.

The Company’s fortunes took a turn for the worse in 1940, when several of the performers were involved in a serious traffic accident. They were travelling in a taxi to a pantomime performance in Rhyl when they were involved in a crash in Prestatyn, seriously injuring some of the occupants. Ena Noakes (later Baines), the Principal Dancer, and ballet mistress was the worst casualty. She was rushed to the Royal Infirmary at Chester for urgent surgery on her head. Very fortunately, she recovered, but sadly the injuries limited her role in future pantomimes.

With the onset of the Second World War, many of the company were called up to serve in the Armed Forces or become engaged in war work. Others, including Ena, joined the Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA), which provided entertainment for the British armed forces during the war. They travelled around, entertaining troops, keeping up morale and contributing to the war effort.

Jack Evans himself served in the forces, as a rear gunner, c.1940-1942. His army career was cut short when he was shot in the neck during active service in a Lancaster Bomber, around 1942. He then returned home to Connah’s Quay but by this time most of the men in the area were serving in the war. The company was broken up and this marked the end of an era for Jack Evans’ amateur pantomime company.   

These records provide a highly visual, absorbing chronicle of the sparkling theatre company which enthralled audiences across North-East Wales for over a decade. Many of the local people who appeared in the performances can be seen in the cast photographs and newspaper cuttings contained within the scrapbooks. Researchers may even be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of their own family members amongst the archives!

These wonderful records are now available to view at North East Wales Archives, Hawarden (appointments necessary), Ref: D/DM/1936.  All images are reproduced by kind permission of Mr Colin Baines © Jack Evans Amateur Pantomime Company.