VIDEO: Worthing Community Play review

The first of three performances of The Just Cause, it was the culmination of a two-year project led by director Ann Feloy.

She has written a story based on facts, telling of a turbulent time in Worthing’s history, when trouble between the Salvation Army and Skeleton Army lead to the reading of the Riot Act.

She included various pieces of music and there was plenty of opportunity for the audience to get involved, making it a true community experience.

The whole of the historic church was used to tell the story of the build-up to the troubles, including the balcony, which proved extremely effective.

Many of the audience wore Victorian costumes to fit in with the period of the play, adding to the atmosphere.

There were notable performances from David Stephens as the Rev Cruse, Chris Hare as Sir Robert Loder MP and Lisa Fairfield as Captain Ada Smith.

Journalist Paul Holden, rather aptly, played the editor of the Worthing Gazette, accompanied by Steve Speller as the photographer Walter Gardiner.

The project was funded by a Heritage Lottery Fund grant, which meant tickets were free and a beautifully illustrated programme was also handed out free to the audience.

Following the performance, the cast formed a procession, lead by the Salvation Army Band, from the church down along the seafront to Splash Point for the Party on the Prom.