THE OLD STOKE REP

Let Us Go Forward Together

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Survival during the war years in spite of overwhelming difficulties was due to the tenacity and enthusiasm of members who were determined that the things of the spirit should not be crushed by war and the many responsibilities which had been shouldered, or by the loss of many members who joined the forces. Priestley’s domestic comedy When We Are Married drew crowded audiences and its financial success contributed to the funds of the Red Cross and Prisoners of War, and was performed at Loggerheads Sanatorium and at Tern Hill Aerodrome in Shropshire. Further ventures included excursions into the musical world with productions of Cousin From Nowhere, and still more ambitious Beggar’s Opera when members of the local operatic societies collaborated and added to the growing prestige of the Repertory Theatre.

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The Playgoers’ Club

The post-war years saw continued success for the Players and in the autumn of 1947 the company introduced The Playgoers’ Club. The idea behind this initiative was to hold ‘club nights’ at the theatre during the winter season. Entertainment in the form of One Act Plays, Recitals, Film Shows and music was arranged with refreshments available “at a small charge”. As well as the opportunity to meet and discuss interests it was hoped that the meetings would also uncover “latent talent among the non-playing members who can be cast in the principal productions”. The club was only made possible through the voluntary support of members who acted as stewards, refreshment helpers, backstage staff, etc. An idea germinating as far back as 1928 matured in 1945 when the first programme for a children’s theatre was given. The response from children as an audience, and from their letters of appreciation which followed, was highly encouraging.

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Little Theatre Guild

The Little Theatre Guild, was founded in 1946 to represent the views of Amateur theatres across the UK.[2] Its original membership was nine[3] with groups such as The Crescent Theatre, Highbury Little Theatre and The Questors taking a leading part in its foundation.[1] By 1988 this had increased to 30 and by 2010 to 103 theatre companies, some of which are outside of the UK. The major restriction for membership is that it is open only to those amateur theatres that own or lease the theatre premises upon which productions are mounted.