The Letchworth Citizens' Company
In December 1921, Claud Sykes produced in Letchworth The Mollusc, a comedy by the English playwright Hubert Henry Davies. He had previously staged this work in Zurich for the Sykes-Joyce theater company The English Players. Through this production, Sykes sought to spark interest in formation of a theater troupe modeled on his Zurich company; professionals in the leading roles, amateurs as supporting cast. Within two weeks of the performance, several citizens of Letchworth, led by Sykes, formally organized The Letchworth Citizens' Company. Sykes would produce and direct the company's performances and his wife, Daisy Race, would play the lead female roles.
The Mollusc
Hertfordshire Express, December 17, 1921.
Formation of the Company and its Managing Committee
Hertfordshire Express, December 24, 1921.
Hello Dolly!
The Citizens' Company's first production was Dolly Reforming Herself, a comedy by Henry Arthur Jones. It had three performances from Thursday, October 12 through Saturday October 14. Syke's directed and performed in a supporting part while his wife had the title role.
Hertfordshire Express, October 21, 1922.
Productions of Claud Sykes and the Citizens' Company
All performances but one were in Letchworth. The Mollusc was performed at Pixmore Hall, the other plays at the United Services Theatre. The one performance not in Letchworth was a patronized production in St. Albans (Everyman).
1921
The Mollusc by Hubert Henry Davies.
1922
Dolly Reforming Herself by Henry Arthur Jones.
An Enemy of the People by Henrik Ibsen.
Major Barbara by George Bernard Shaw.
1923
Everyman by an anonymous 15th-Century playwright. *
The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare.
The Blindness of Virtue by Cosmo Hamilton.
Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare.
* Special performance through the patronage of the Bishop of St. Albans, CoE. The Stage, March 15, 1923.
Cast Photograph, Taming of the Shrew
The Taming of the Shrew was performed by the Citizens' Company April 26-28, 1923. Sykes directed and played Gremio; his wife portrayed Bianca. The diminutive Daisy Race is the third from the right.
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