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A brief history by Mrs P J Reece (Chairman)
The Society was formed in 1932 to cater for a growing need among ladies in the area who wanted to meet and do some acting. Our Chairman in those far-off days was someone whose name escapes me. We have done a great many plays, both funny and serious, and in 1951 we had the honour to perform for the Mayor of Guildford although he was not able to be present.
Our current President is Dame Vivian O’Fay, who is our longest-serving member, having joined the society back in 1959. She is best remembered for her role as Blanche DuBois in our production of A Streetcar Named Desire, a performance singled out for special praise by the National Operatic & Dramatic Society reviewer (“I cannot find the words to adequately describe Miss O’Fay’s portrayal”). Although she rarely takes to the stage these days, Dame Viv—as she graciously permits us to call her—still pops in from nearby Lower Gusset to attend the odd rehearsal after her weekly stint on the mobile library.
Most of our rehearsals take place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7 pm—9 pm, and any ladies interested in drama are welcome to join us by contacting our current secretary, Mrs Gilhooley, at Guild House, Farndale Avenue, Cheltenham. We also welcome those menfolk with an interest in DIY who might help with lighting or building a set. One or two of our ladies have, in the past, made an effort at stringing a few flats and rostra together but they haven’t always been as secure as we might wish. Many’s the time I’ve ended up performing on a very shoddy erection, I can tell you.
We’re currently in talks with Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber with regards our proposal to stage the amateur premiere of Starlight Express next summer. We’re quite hopeful. Anyway, enough of looking forward. For those of you who are interested, here are just a few of our previous productions:
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Previous Productions |
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1940 1945 1947 1949 1956 1958 1959 1961 1963 1965 1966 1967 1968 1972 1976 1977 1978 1979 1982 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1991 1995 1997 2001 2002 2005 2007
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Hindle Wakes Cavey Girls! It’s Miss Wimbush Doctor Faustus Brown Owl Knows the Ropes A Woman’s Mission Hindle Wakes A Streetcar Named Desire The Pilates of Penzance Larks in the Dingly Dell Good Night Vienna Toodle-Pip Bratislava Gay Nuns of Salzburg Oklahoma! Now, Now, Your Reverence Macbeth Hindle Wakes The Farndale Follies Hindle Wakes Chase Me Up the Garden, s’il vous plait The Romans in Britain (all female amateur premiere) Goodnight Mrs Puffin The Seagull Aida Double Bill: Cheeky Chops the Sausage Dog/Hindle Wakes Hindle Wakes The Mikado A Christmas Carol Peter Pan No Sex Please, We’re British Hindle Wakes (our 50th anniversary production) The Merry Window Death of a Salesman
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