The Sport of Kings

by Ian Hay

8th – 9th January 1952

In this sporting comedy, two gamblers are visiting the home of a staunch anti-gambler. The host is most self-righteous about it all until he wins the main purse during a horse race. Thrilled, he sets up a bookmaking operation. Unfortunately, by the time the big race runs around he loses it all.

SOK Prog

The Sport of Kings

Back Row L:R Gladys Johns, A Head, Joyce Webb, Ernest Golby, Geoffrey Smith, Peter Monger, R Walters, E Adnams, J Shepherd, H J Johns
Seated L:R  E Pienkos, Elsie Thomas, Shirley Samuels, D Owen, Edith Hill, David Dall

The Cast

Algernon Spriggs: Mr E Golby
Sir Reginald Toothill, Bart: Mr D Owen
A barmaid: Mrs J Webb
Dulcie Primrose: Mrs A Pienkos
Mrs Purdie: Mrs E Hill
Amos Purdie: Mr D Dall
Bates: Mr J Shepherd
Joe Purdie: Mr P Monger
Katie Purdie: Miss S Samuels
Lizzie: Mrs E Thomas
Jane: Mrs A Head
Cook: Mrs G Johns
Albert: Mr R Walters
Panama Pete: Mr G Smith
Police Sergeant: Mr E Adnams

Produced by Mr H J Johns

Newbury Weekly News review

Compton Players in Sport of Kings

For their sixth production, Compton Players gave performances of Ian Hay’s comedy, The Sport of Kings, in the Village Hall on Tuesday and Wednesday last week, the play, with a theme of local appeal, being enthusiastically received by large audiences.

The cenral figure, Amos Purdie, a parsimonious total abstainer, was splendidly characterised by Mr D Dall. His paying guests, Algernon Sprigge and Sir Reginald Toothill, keen racegoers bent on his undoing, were subtly portrayed by Messrs E Golby and D Owen, the former finally succumbing to the charms of Dulcie Primrose, Mr Purdie’s secretary, capably played by Mrs A Pienkos. Mr J Shepherd was excellently cast as the one-time bookie’s clerk and present obsequious blackmailing butler. The part of the browbeaten Mrs Purdie received most sympathetic treatment in the hands of Mrs E Hill. Excellent support was given to the principals by the secondary characters, E Thomas, A Head, G Johns, Miss S Samuels, Messrs P Monger, R Walters, G Smith and E Adnams. The play was produced by Mr H Johns.