But maybe at Beaford?

The sequence where a North Devon actress bared her breasts during a production by the Boutport Players of Eugene Ionesco's 'Exit the King' was left out when the play was staged at Northam Church Hall this week.

'The Vicar of Northam rang me up and told me we mustn't do it' the director, Mr John Longden of Barnstaple, told the Gazette.

Added Mr Longdon 'The Vicar said you can quote me as being an old fuddy duddy if you like but you must leave it out'.

The actess concerned was Miss Jean Maudling, a 22 year old Northam bank clerk who lives at Westward Ho! and she became the first to appear topless on the North Devon stage when 'Exit the King' was shown at Beaford Centre.

She played the part of the concubine and during one scene she lowered her dress to the waist. 'It was right and suitable if done without offence' commented Mr Longden.

The Vicar of Northam, Rev Michael Lucas, told the Gazette: 'I have no control over what takes place on any other stage in the country but I have control over what takes place on the stage of Northam Church Hall, and while I am Vicar there is going to be no toplessness there'.

He said that he had telephoned the director who had been most considerate. 'I don't think I used the phrase fuddy duddy but I am perfectly prepared to accept all the kicks' he added. 'As far as the Church Hall is concerned I am the boss and I decided this was not happening, and the director was extremely cooperative about it'.

The sequence is also being left out when the production is staged at the Queens Hall at Barnstaple tomorrow night.

'It is my decision' explained Miss Maudling, who said that she had been embarrassed by the whole situation. 'It was meant to be taken as a simple gesture of innocence. It all started off as a joke and then they started getting serious about it. I didn't really want to do it but at Beaford I thought it would be all right, with a small friendly audience.

Miss Maudling also appeared in the Boutport Players' two previous productions, Duncan's 'The Catalyst' and Shaw's 'Heartbreak House'.

Gazette article dated 18 December 1970