The Chaddesley Corbett
NATIVITY PLAY
NATIVITY PLAY
First performed for Christmas 1957
Following Rosemary's first meeting at the vicarage in 1957, the Reverend John Thursfield, formed a committee to raise funds and organise the making of costumes. Coffee mornings, turkey suppers and a Victorian Evening among other functions helped to raise necessary funds, as the original outlay for the staging was costly. "My aim was to establish a tradition for the performance of a Christmas play in Chaddesley Corbett and for future generations to remember and pass on." It is quite common for 3 generations of the same family to take part. Between 1957 and 1994 the Nativity Plays were produced and directed by Rosemary. Following Rosemary's death in 2001, the tradition continued in 2003, 2011 and 2017. |
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Anecdotes from Pat Taft . . . . .
Rosemary was born on 4th August 1914, the day war broke out. She was the daughter and only child of Reginald Henry Brinton Butler and Dorothy Binns. Her birth was registered in the West Ham district of London. She had quite a privileged upbringing mostly abroad and at one time apparently lived in a chateau. All this changed when her father, Reginald, decided to enter the church. According to his bible he was ordained on Easter Sunday 1927 in Bradford Cathedral by the Bishop.
Mrs Butler once told me that they were so poor that they had to put cardboard in their shoes as they could not afford to get them repaired. Rosemary trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. Rosemary’s father told her that she needed to do something useful during the war, so she trained as a nurse. During the 1960s she became Sister on Men’s Medical ward at Kidderminster Hospital. In later life she worked in old people’s homes and continued to do so until the day before she was diagnosed with terminal cancer for which she chose to have no treatment. She died after a very short illness age 87 in May 2001.
I first met Rosemary in 1959 when she came to St Oswalds Church in Broadwaters to direct a play in her role as County Drama Advisor. The play was ‘Bonaventure’ by Charlotte Hastings which required nurses’ costumes which Rosemary brought along for us together with Stephen Williams to play the part of Willy as there were no suitable boys to play that part. As a result, when my cast member Yvonne and I returned the nurses uniforms to Rosemary (Stephen was returned by Rosemary!!), she started the ball rolling with regard to our friendship. After this Rosemary asked me to help with makeup and costumes for the second of her memorable productions of regular nativity plays in St. Cassian's church, Chaddesley Corbett.
Rosemary used to run Chaddesley Youth Drama Group which did regular productions. Eventually as these members became too old to be referred to as ‘Youth’, the group was renamed ‘The Corbett Players’. Rosemary occasionally took a part in the plays herself when there was no-one else to fill the roles, but her main interest was in the directing of the plays. When the Corbett Players ceased to perform, Rosemary set up a group called Cassian Players who perfom regularly in the church.
When I knew Rosemary she lived at Brockencote Cottage and then eventually moved to a cottage in the village. She was a great lover of dogs and always had one of her own.
Rosemary’s faith meant a great deal to her but she neither inflicted it on nor expected it from anyone else. She was Godmother to several children including my own daughter whom she took great care and interest in. Rosemary always said ‘Criticism should always be constructive and not destructive’, and that was her approach to life.
Rosemary was born on 4th August 1914, the day war broke out. She was the daughter and only child of Reginald Henry Brinton Butler and Dorothy Binns. Her birth was registered in the West Ham district of London. She had quite a privileged upbringing mostly abroad and at one time apparently lived in a chateau. All this changed when her father, Reginald, decided to enter the church. According to his bible he was ordained on Easter Sunday 1927 in Bradford Cathedral by the Bishop.
Mrs Butler once told me that they were so poor that they had to put cardboard in their shoes as they could not afford to get them repaired. Rosemary trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. Rosemary’s father told her that she needed to do something useful during the war, so she trained as a nurse. During the 1960s she became Sister on Men’s Medical ward at Kidderminster Hospital. In later life she worked in old people’s homes and continued to do so until the day before she was diagnosed with terminal cancer for which she chose to have no treatment. She died after a very short illness age 87 in May 2001.
I first met Rosemary in 1959 when she came to St Oswalds Church in Broadwaters to direct a play in her role as County Drama Advisor. The play was ‘Bonaventure’ by Charlotte Hastings which required nurses’ costumes which Rosemary brought along for us together with Stephen Williams to play the part of Willy as there were no suitable boys to play that part. As a result, when my cast member Yvonne and I returned the nurses uniforms to Rosemary (Stephen was returned by Rosemary!!), she started the ball rolling with regard to our friendship. After this Rosemary asked me to help with makeup and costumes for the second of her memorable productions of regular nativity plays in St. Cassian's church, Chaddesley Corbett.
Rosemary used to run Chaddesley Youth Drama Group which did regular productions. Eventually as these members became too old to be referred to as ‘Youth’, the group was renamed ‘The Corbett Players’. Rosemary occasionally took a part in the plays herself when there was no-one else to fill the roles, but her main interest was in the directing of the plays. When the Corbett Players ceased to perform, Rosemary set up a group called Cassian Players who perfom regularly in the church.
When I knew Rosemary she lived at Brockencote Cottage and then eventually moved to a cottage in the village. She was a great lover of dogs and always had one of her own.
Rosemary’s faith meant a great deal to her but she neither inflicted it on nor expected it from anyone else. She was Godmother to several children including my own daughter whom she took great care and interest in. Rosemary always said ‘Criticism should always be constructive and not destructive’, and that was her approach to life.
THE ANNUNCIATION
A BEAUTIFUL MEMORIAL WINDOW IN MEMORY OF ROSEMARY BRINTON BUTLER WAS INSTALLED IN THE LADY CHAPEL OF ST. CASSIAN'S CHURCH AND DEDICATED ON SATURDAY 25th MARCH 2017 Here is a photograph of the stained glass panel designed and made by Keith Brettle©, the noted local glass artist from Hampton Loade and installed by Keith and helping him high up on the scaffolding was his business partner Sue.
He beautifully depicts the iconic Annunciation scene. The Holy Ghost is shown descending. Gabriel is shown presenting Mary with a white lily when he is telling her she will give birth to the Son of God. Mary is clothed in her traditional blue. The three circles are the Holy Trinity: |
WERE YOU IN A NATIVITY PLAY?
If you were please do let us know what year and what part you played.
HAVE YOU ANY OLD PHOTOS?
We would be grateful to borrow, scan and include them on this web page.
1957The first production was mime only set to music and singing of Carols
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1959/1961Dialogue was introduced from a French Mystery play for the Kings and a German Mystery play for the Shepherds
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1962 to 1994Rosemary then adapted the famous Coventry Nativity Play which is still the basis of the script used today
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1957
1959
Do you recognise anyone else in this photo, please get in touch and let us know
1960
1961
Jane Meredith (age 16) - Mary Steve Williams - Joseph
Are you in this 1961 picture? please get in touch and let us know. 1961 pictures kindly donated by Jane Hennessy
▼▼The following SLIDESHOW contains 10 photos but we do not know which year they are - can you help?
pictures taken by Daisy Skinner
pictures taken by Daisy Skinner
1964 ?
1980
Louise Fordham (age 16) - Mary
1986
Cast Lists
1980
Director: Rosemary Brinton Butler. Musical Director: Jim Vernon. Mary: Louise Fordham. Joseph: Chris Morris. Salvador the donkey. Patricia, Elizabeth, Patrick and Lucy Baines, Wendy Bartlett, Lucy Burton, Heidi Cook, Rachel & Sarah Culpan, Denys & Kim Fordham, Rita Foster, Jane Fox, Edward & Joanna Hennessy, Keith, Angela, Ruth & Judith Hopkins, Jane Hopwood, Hugh, Pamela & Emma Meredith, Ian and Nicholas Morris, Mervyn, Rosabelle, Helen & Andrew Needham, Robin Palmer, Joanna, Matthew, Daniel Powick, Joanne Stead, Richard & Gordon Vale, Timothy Dodge, Marjorie Ward, Stephen, Jonathan & Jane Williams, Clive & Martin Woodhouse. Brian Martin, David Wilkes, Terry Howe and others. 1986 Director: Rosemary Brinton Butler. Musical Director: Keith James. Mary: Elizabeth Baines. Joseph: Bernard Cook, and Salvador. Lucy Baines, David & Wendy Bartlett, Mary Beswick, Rachel Cook, Elizabeth Culpen, Pam Cummins, Mick Cunliffe, Anna Davis, Anthony & Lisa Dodson, Jane Dudding, Charlotte Eddy, Denys & Louise Fordham, Jane & Joanna Hennessy, Angela, Judith, Keith and Ruth Hopkins, Helen Humphries, Andrew, Christopher and Jennifer James, Katie and Nicholas Jeffs, Hugh Meredith, Charlotte Miln-Hume, Katie and Sally Mindelsohn, Beryl & Chris Morris, Mervyn, Rosabelle and Paddy Needham, Betty Onions, Robin, Rosalie and Sarah Palmer, Leighton and Sarah Phillips, Joanna, Matthew and Gemma Powick, Sophie Richards, Janna Pugh, Clare and Sarah Reece, Jennifer Spencer, Richard, Gordon and Mary Vale, Beverley & Cheryl Whitehead, Stephen & Jayne Williams. Hand Bell Ringers: Wendy Bartlett, Jean & Alan Beaumont, Moira Culpen, Jane Dudding, Anna Davis, Joanna Hennessy, Angel & Keith Hopkins, Nora Kolada, Katie and Sally Mindelsohn, Rosalie Palmer and Janna Pugh. 1990 Director: Rosemary Brinton Butler. Musical Director: Martin Woodhouse, assisted by Jim Vernon. Mary: Elizabeth Cottrill, Joseph: Alan Cox. Ginny the donkey. Gabriel: Mick Cunliffe. Star Angel: Heidi Cook. Shepherds: Bernard Cook, Bill Meredith, Paul Chiverton. Kings: Denys Fordham, Richard Vale, David Hislop Kings Pages: Tom Pugh, Tom Hingley, Christopher Hingley. Believer: Pat Baines, Unbeliever: Angela Hopkins. Herod: Robin Palmer, Herodius: Rosabelle Needham. Calchas: Philip Norton. Arch Angels: Lucy Baines, Wendy Bartlett, Helen Needham, Sally Mindelsohn. Angels: Harriet Parry, Kate Jeffs, Katie Mindelsohn, Victoria Hunt. Concubines: Helen Needham, Samantha Beeston. Crowd: Mary Beswick, Betty Onions, Mark Hingley, Carole Hislop, Paddy Needham, Jane Hennessy, Pat Green, Paul Mindelsohn. Handbell Ringers: Rosabelle Needham, Helen Needham Pat Green, Jane Hennessy, Paddy Needham, Gemma Powick Keith & Angela Hopkins, Victoria Hunt, Kate Jeffs, Jennifer James, Victoria Hunt, Katie Jeffs, Gemma Powick . 1994 Director: Rosemary Brinton Butler. Musical Director: Martin Woodhouse. Mary: Jayne Dudding, Joseph: Derek Williams. Ginny the donkey. Gabriel: Mick Cunliffe. Star Angel: Clare Reece. Shepherds: Paul Chiverton, Bill Meredith, Mick Cunliffe Tom Jeffs. Kings: Rich Vale, Denys Fordham, David Hislop. Kings Pages: Charles Pugh, Ashley Billingsley, Simon Billingsley. Believer: Rosabelle Needham. Unbeliever: Angela Hopkins. Calchas: Tom Pugh. Herod: Robin Palmer. Herod's Pages: Tom Hingley, Tom Jeffs. Herodius: Rosalie Palmer. Arch Angels: Abigail List, Lucy Baines, Kate Jeffs, Victoria Hunt. Angels: Fiz Goodyear Holly Smith, Harriet & Kitty Parry. Not forgetting in the Crowd scene Gaye Collie and 3 month old Charlotte! Roman Soldiers: Peter Goodyear, James Percival. Choir: Christine & David Hickman-Smith, Rachel Greaves, Eric Greenfield, Carole Hislop, David & Stella Pearson, Margaret & Andrew Plank, Lionel & Lesley Wilkes, Clive Woodhouse. Hand Bell Ringers: Sylvia Beardshaw, Moira Culpen, Helen England, Nancy James, Rosabelle Needham, Rosalie Palmer, Celia Phillips, Susan Shaw. |
2003
Director: Rich Vale. Musical Director: Harry Grove. Mary: Harriet Parry, Joseph: Peter Goodyear. Ginny the donkey. Gabriel: George Green. Star Angel: Holly Smith. Shepherds: Paul Chiverton, Bill Meredith, Ed Roe, Mick Cunliffe. Kings: Denys Fordham, David Hislop, Jamie Elliot. Believer: Jo Powick. Unbeliever: Ken Ryland Calchas: Nick Billinge. Herod: Hugh Meredith. Herodius: Lynne Tunnicliffe. Arch Angels: Emily Davies, Hayley and Phillipa Evans, Katie Shaw. Angels: Ellie Page, Rebecca Blakeway, Tilly England, Kate Brinksman, Harriet Goucher, Rebecca Rowberry, Georgina Haywood. Hand Bell Ringers: Helen England, Wendy Green, Susan Shaw, Pat Scott, Rosalie Palmer, Rosabelle Needham, Sylvia Beardshaw, Angela Hopkins. Choir: Helen England, Alyson Evans, Biddy Goodyear, Carole Hislop, Christine Hickman-Smith, Beth Page, Andrew & Margaret Plank, Clare Reece, Lesley Wilkes, Anita Wilson, Stephen Williams. 2011 Director: Rich Vale.. Musical Director: Harry Grove. Mary: Charlotte Collie, Joseph: Ollie Edwards. Ken the donkey. Gabriel: Matthew Tunnicliffe. Star Angel: Emily Collie. Shepherds: Paul Chiverton, Bill Meredith, Tony Newbould. Kings: Hugh Richards, Jim Preston, Barry Carpenter OBE. Believer: Jo Powick. Un-believer: Liz Dodge. Herod: Hugh Meredith. Herodius: Lynne Tunnicliffe. Calchas: Henry Newbould. Arch Angels: Brittany & Heidi Collie, Tilly England, Tammy Fidoe. Angels: Emily Bowron, Mary Harvey, Chloe & Megan Beard, Evie Richards. Roman Soldier: Jonty Newbould. Crowd: Paul Springer, Carole and David Hislop, Jill Beard. Handbell Ringers: Carina Kear, Gill Finch, Polly Garrett, Jean Wilcox, Jean Lloyd, Diane Dolley, Mary Meese, Audrey Myerscough. Singers: Helen England, Alyson Evans, Biddy Goodyear, Carole Hislop, Christine Hickman-Smith, Liz Dodge, Beth Page, Barbara Hurdman, Clare Stockford, Pat Baines, Wendy Arkell, Anna Hanson, Lesley Wilkes, Jo Powick, Susie Pugh, Debbie Newbould, Gaye Collie, Hugh Richards, Jim Preston, David Hislop, Barry Carpenter, Paul Springer, Ollie Edwards. 2017 Director: Rich Vale. Co-Directors of Music: Andrew Plank & Harry Grove. New Costumes for Kings: Audrey Myerscough and Silvana Tucker. Production Design & Lighting: Rich Vale. Sound: Margaret Grove and Andrew Page. Stage Manager: Ginny Belfield Crew: Bob Wilson, Mike Jeffs, Lorna Sewell, Ginny Belfield, Michael Ellis and John Hemming. Choreographer: Lynne Tunnicliffe. Christmas Trees: Leo Stockford. Wardrobe: Audrey Myerscough, Silvana Tucker, Ginny Belfield and Lorna Sewell. Refreshments: Gel Walton and Team. Flowers and Garlands: Rosabelle Needham and Helen England. Prompt: Kim Fordham. Front of House: Denys& Kim Fordham, David Mills, Kate Kenderdine, Susie & Richard Pugh, Jo Powick, Anna Hanson and Mervyn Needham. Conductor: Naomi Berry. Pipe organist and Keyboards: Andrew Plank and Harry Grove. Harpist: Megan Collyer. CHOIR: Jo Powick, Carole Hislop, Clare Stockford, Andrew & Margaret Plank, Penny Searley, Jim Preston, Ed Roe, Barry Carpenter, Roni Pardoe, Hugh&Beth&Evie Richards, Charles James, Wendy Arkell, Kyra Robbins, Rosabelle Needham, Jayne Russell, Helen England, Elspeth Rawston, Lynne Tunnicliffe, Lucy Ellis, Anna Hanson, Christine Hickman-Smith, Sarah Davies, Helen Field, Amanda Payne and Pat Baines. HANDBELL RINGERS: Carina Kearn, Anne Taylor, Gill Finch, Carole Hislop, Mary Meece and Audrey Myerscough. CAST: Gabriel: Jim Preston, Mary: Kyra Robbins, Joseph: Ed Roe, Star Angel: Matilda England, Muckle: Tom Kenderdine, Huckle: Tony Newbould, Sym: Rev. Hugh Burton. Arch Angels: Olivia Garrett and Evie Richards. Angels: Megan Collyer, Amelia McFarlane, Isobel Raeside, Evie Davies, Izzy & Poppy Foreman. Balthazar: Hugh Richards + Matthew Stockford as his page. Melchior: Barry Carpenter CBE + Charlie Collyer as his page. Casper: Charles James + Jimmy Raeside as his page. Crowd: Malcolm and Carol Caswell,Penny Searley, Wendy Arkell, Beth Richards, Helen Field, Amanda Payne and Roni Pardoe. Believer: Helen England, Unbeliever: Carole Hislop, Roman Soldier: Richard Green, Calchas: Freddie Stockford, Herod: David Hislop, Herodious: Lynne Tunnicliffe, Concubine: Alison Hargreaves. |
Mary & Joseph 1957 ? 1958 ? 1959 Rosemarie Purchase Derek Williams 1960 Rosabelle Meredith Stephen Williams 1961 Jane Meredith Stephen Williams 1962 ? 1964 ?Beryl Morris 1968 ? 1970 Mary Purchase Derek Williams 1978 ?Catrina Coton Richard Vale 1980 Louise Fordham Chris Morris 1986 Elizabeth Baines Bernard Cook 1990 Elizabeth Cottrill Alan Cox 1994 Jayne Dudding Derek Williams 2003 Harriet Parry Peter Goodyear 2011 Charlotte Collie Ollie Edwards 2017 Kyra Robbins Ed Roe |
CAN YOU HELP? We know Rosabelle Meredith, Beryl Morris, Mary?Rosemary? Margaret? Purchase and Catrina Coton were Mary's but we don't know what years. Do you know anyone else, please do get in touch. We would also love to see old photos. |
Anecdotes
No-one can remember the name of the first donkey used for the 1970 production but everyone remembers Salvador owned by Pam Cummins at Rushock. He was a charming and lovable old fella adored by everyone. He made appearances in several plays over the years, sadly 1986 was his last. (see picture with Paul and Beth above). Then for 1990, 1994 and 2003 we had gentle Ginny, owned by Richard Pardoe at New House Farm. Ginny would do almost anything for a Polo mint. 2011 saw the first and only appearance of Kenny, from the donkey sanctuary in Belbroughton. Kenny would do anything for a digestive biscuit. He died two weeks before Christmas 2014. It is rumoured he had probably said to himself "Oh no, not another Nativity Play season".
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Andrew Needham played a shepherd in the 19?? production, but during a visit to a dry ski slope he broke his leg and spent much of rehearsals in a wheelchair. But the show must go on, and for the performances sacking was wrapped around his plaster cast to disguise it and he used an old wooden crutch to hobble about on stage - which looked very realistic. A stoic performance.
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▲The original Shepherds lantern used in every Nativity play since 1957. It will be lit again in 2023.
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▼Star: There have been three stars made over the years and the present one first guided the shepherds and kings to the stable in 1990. Constructed from five 7" long cut glass prisms saved from a broken 19thC mantle lustre owned by Rosemary Brinton Butler, and fixed on top of an 8ft nickel tube. The electrics are the Star Angel's secret.
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Charlotte Collie who played Mary in 2011 had previously been in the 1994 production aged just six weeks. Gaye Collie, her Mom, didn't want to miss being in the Herod scene so she went on stage carrying Charlotte in her arms. In 2021, Charlotte married Oliver who played Joseph in the 2011 production in St Cassian's church - the place they first met!!
Jane Meredith made her own dress for her wedding at St. Cassian's in February 1967. Some years later Jane was watching a Nativity Play and saw Mary was wearing her wedding dress! It had been bought at a local Jumble Sale and given a new lease of life but sadly over time the dress has been lost. |
◄ Sword used by the Roman Soldier and Herod in the play is a superbly made replica of a Roman Legionary Gladius. The 21" blade is made of carbon steel, handle grip animal bone, hand guard brass and wood. The point and blades were so sharp we had them ground down because of 'elf and safety. |
◄ Kings Gifts: Two of the three original gifts from 1957 have survived. They were made with papier mâché which was very popular at that time. Traditionally it was Melchior who said "A cup of gold I have Thee brought" so presumably the cup shaped gift is gold and the casket either Myrrh or Frankincense. |
► Gabriel's Wings were made for the 2011 production. The metal wing frames and velcro back pack were made by Rich Vale and the late Frank Verlic using Frank's legendary arc welding machine in his workshop at Bluntington. Each feather was individually attached to the frames by Victoria Hunt and Rich Vale. Over 800 feathers of three different sizes were used. The wings are 4'6" long x 2' wide and weigh a hefty 5½lbs and are attached to the velcro back pack with two ¼" bolts . . . or, are you ready for this - "wing nuts".
Matt Tunnicliffe wore them in 2011, Charles Newbould in the 2013 production of The Tall Trees in the Greenwood and Jim Preston in 2017. |
▼ Are you in this 1960 picture? please get in touch and let us know.
Since 1958 the Chaddesley Corbett Nativity Play has been presented at regular intervals and involving many generations of Chaddesley folk and nearby friends.
From the outset and over the decades, there has been a tremendous community effort and support towards this village tradition.
From the interest shown in the early productions evolved the St. Cassian's Youth Drama Group who performed secular drama in the Institute and in 1963 became The Corbett Players. JCS20437
For more information please CLICK "History of Drama in Chaddesley" ▼
Since 1958 the Chaddesley Corbett Nativity Play has been presented at regular intervals and involving many generations of Chaddesley folk and nearby friends.
From the outset and over the decades, there has been a tremendous community effort and support towards this village tradition.
From the interest shown in the early productions evolved the St. Cassian's Youth Drama Group who performed secular drama in the Institute and in 1963 became The Corbett Players. JCS20437
For more information please CLICK "History of Drama in Chaddesley" ▼