Watts Hall, Freemantle, Southampton

The Hampshire Advertiser, 17 March 1928, advertised the Freemantle Adult School Dramatic Group in Shaw’s ‘The Shewing-Up of Blanco Posnet’ and Harold Brighouse’s ‘Lonesome Like’ at the Watts Hall on Wednesday 21 March 1928. ‘I could not help reflecting … in connection with the production by the Freemantle Adult Schools’ Dramatic Group of “The Showing up of Blanco Posnet.” I remember seeing, some years ago, an early attempt of a few Fremantle Adult School members to play a little dramatic version of Tolstoy’s ““Where love is God is” … “Blanco” was quite a grand performance by comparison. but it was informed by the same spirit. Curiously enough, too, by the way, “Blanco Posnet” is a sort of complement of Tolstoy’s story. It was the sincerity of the acting which gave it its value. Walter Southwell himself is an amateur actor of distinct ability, capable of being powerfully inspired by parts of a certain character. He surpassed himself in the very difficult role of Blanco, and he was the producer also. But one felt that it was the real spirit of fellowship, coupled with a common ideal, which had made so good a show possible with performers chosen from so narrow a circle’ (Hampshire Advertiser, 31 March 1928). See also an account of the group in the Hampshire Advertiser, 6 October 1934.