1930s | oldstokereptheatre

The 1930s

A Permanent Home

The 1930s were a decade that was defined by a global economic and political crisis that culminated in the Second World War. For the Players it was business as usual although the exact timings of the next few productions are a little foggy. What we do know is that between 1929 and 1932 six productions were staged at the Studio Theatre. These were 'The Lilies of the Field' by John Hastings Turner, 'Ambrose Applejohn’s Adventure' by Walter Hackett, 'The Admirable Crichton' by J. M. Barrie, 'Loyalties' and 'The Skin Game' by John Galsworthy and 'The Knight of the Burning Pestle' by Beaumont and Fletcher.

Works by J. M. Barrie were a popular choice for the company with five of his plays being presented between 1921 and 1934. This is not surprising when you consider the success he had received with 'Peter Pan' and other productions staged in London and on Broadway.

In 1932 the opportunity arose for the Players to rent St. Jude’s Parish Hall at the corner of Beresford Street and Victoria Road in Shelton. Built in 1879 (under the supervision of the Rector of Stoke, John Herbert Crump) as a Mission Church to meet the spiritual needs of the growing population. Crump appointed Rev. Edmund Spink as Curate of the new Mission Church of St Simon and St Jude in the centre of the new suburb.

This was the beginning of a new era for the Players and within three months the hall was transformed into a performance space with around 200 seats. Rehearsals for their first production, 'Lean Harvest' by Ronald Jeans, were accompanied by hammering, sawing and painting. The members efforts were rewarded when Sir Percival Heywood performed the opening ceremony of the Repertory Theatre.

There was virtually no foyer, the entrance doorway led almost directly into the rear of the auditorium. Seating (part raked) was confined within the line of pillars supporting the roof. The stage was flat and was approximately twenty foot deep. There was no orchestra pit, any musicians having to be accommodated on the same level as the front seats.

Nevertheless, over the next seven decades it would become a treasured space, much loved by its members and patrons alike.

During the first decade at Beresford Street standards were established with such plays as 'The Nelson Touch', 'The Queen’s Husband', 'Death Takes A Holiday', 'Candida', 'Rose Without A Thorn', 'The Late Christopher Bean' and 'Tobias And The Angel'. These productions drew increasing and ever-enthusiastic patrons.