Riverside Nativity is praised

This picture from the Observer of December, 1949, shows the cast of Riverside School’s Nativity play, entitled‘Sunrise in Bethlehem’.

The performances were, said the Observer‘remarkable for the sincerity and reverence with which they were rendered’. Jean Brown was praised for the way she spoke the prologue and there also fine performances from Ann Sharp as the nurse, Jim McGowan as the crippled boy and Betty Kerr, the angel.

First shepherd Ronnie Scott struck the right note with his performance as did his wife, played by Mary Rennie, and Geoffrey Brewster, Catherine Anstruther and Helen Jenkins, who played their children’.

Mary was convincingly played by Christine McInnes and the Wise men by Angus Ferguson, Norman Lean and Robert Teven.

David Howlieson and Alex Young were the shepherds and the angel and cherubs were played by Helen

Thomson, Margaret Thomson and Nan Howieson.

At the close, headmaster Mr J Smart proposed the vote of thanks to all those who helped organise the event including speech-training teacher Mrs Robertson, the producer of the Nativity, and music teacher Miss Ward. Mr John Duncan did much of the backstage work.