REPERTORY SOCIETY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 129, 13 March 1935, Page 2

REPERTORY SOCIETY

THE ANNUAL MEETING. "PYGMALION" TO BE PRODUCED, The Ashburton Repertory Society held its third annual meeting last night, the president (Dr. W. R. Ryburn) presiding. The third annual report stated that the progress of the society in its dramatic work must be a satisfaction to all members. The plays produced during the year had been of varied types, ranging from pure drama to those bordering on farce. The past season included only one full-length, play, namely, "Flat to Let," ■ which was well received by the audiences. The production of that play was so capably carried out by Mr Carl Moller that the committee decided that it should become the policy of the society to present plays produced by its members whenever possible. Members who acted as producers during the year were Miss Winnie Andrew, Miss Renee Chamberlain, Dr. W. R. Ryburn, Messrs C. Moller, L. A. Charles, A. Prentice and S. W. Gower. That method of production 'resulted in a substantial saving in producers' fees, and while not advocated for all productions, had by its economy enabled the society to purchase a fine set of curtains as well as to, add to the lighting on the stage. The first bracket of one-act plays, "The House with the Twisty Windows," "The Road of Poplars," "On Dartmoor" and "The Warming Pan" included what were probably the best one-act plays that the society had yet put before the public. Following numerous requests after this production the committee de' cided that a further evening should be given to one-act plays similarly produced and the following were selected: "Wurzel Flummery," "Ebb Tide," and "Ali the Cobbler," the latter being the society's first costume play. During the year it had been pleasing to note the improvement in stagecraft of all members. There had been a decided improvement in the manner in which rehearsals had been attended. An innovation introduced during the season was the arrangement of a social evening and reading of Galsworthy's "Skin Game." Such functions should do much to increase the roll of subscribers. A performance was staged for the benefit of the relief of distress fund. Mr A. Prentice was elected to a vacancy on the committee while the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mrs J. Bathgate on account of ill-health was not filled owing to the lateness of the season. Thanks was extended to Dr. N. E. H. Fulton and members of .the orchestra for their very fine work, and to all who had assisted the society during the year. The purchase or curtains would enable the society to stage plays which would otherwise be impossible with the facilities at its disposal, and kept the society abreast of modern methods. Given the support received in the past, the society could confidently look to the future. The financial statement showed a credit balance of £23 2s 7d, compared with one of £l3 2s lOd last year. The assets exceeded liabilities by £125 14s 7d.

It was recommended by the Reading Committee that the services of an outside producer should be secured if possible. The three - act play, "Pymalion" (G. B. Shaw) will be the first production in the coming year. Election of Officers. The election of officers resulted as follows: Patron, Sir William Nosworthy; president, Dr. W. R. Ryburn; vice-presidents, Messrs R. Kennedy and J. T. Thomas; secretary, Mr S. W. Gower; treasurer, Mr' I/. A. Charles; auditor, Mr 8. Graham;committee, Mrs J. Bathgate, Miss I. Chamberlain, Miss W. Andrew, Messrs C. G. De C. Drury, C. E. Moller and E. Easterbrook. Mr A. Prentice tendered his resignation on account of ill-health, and it was accepted with regret. A vote of sympathy was passed with Mr J. Halket Millar in his illness, and hopes were expressed for his speedy recovery.