DUNEDIN REPERTORY SOCIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23528, 17 June 1938, Page 14

DUNEDIN REPERTORY SOCIETY

,ANNUAL REPORT EXCELLENT YEAR’S WORK The executive of the Dunedin Repertory Society (Inc.) reported another very successful year to the annual meeting of members last evening. The vice-president (Mrs F. Wakefield Holmes) presided in the absence of the president. Mrs Richard Hudson, and after welcoming those present handed th-i conduct of the meeting over to the c airman of committee, Mr W. R. i-rugh. ANNUAL REPORT The annual report stated, inter alia; The Finance Committee is able to report that the finances of the society are in a sound position, although it must be noted that, owing in a large measure to exceptional circumstances, the balance of income over expenditure is only £29 4s Id. The total net cost of the four major productions was £337 Bs, as against £294 6s 5d last year. This was largely due to the increase in wages and in other running expenses. The social evenings show cash takings of £463 4s 6d, and expenses £4OO 2s lid, leaving a surplus of £63 Is 7d. Last year’s surplus was £57 8s 3d. During the year the society paid over the sum of £l9l 2s for royalties on past major productions. The society has always recognised its obligations to pay royalties: in some cases royalties were actually paid over at the time of the productions, but in most cases reasons existed at the time which made it advisable to hold the fees ready for payment in a special account. It is these fees which have now been paid. Their amount does not affect the society’s income account for this year or for any previous year. Royalties for the year now past, amounting to £65 12s 6d. have been paid as they came due. Since May 1. £l4O 7s 8d has been paid in subscriptions. MEMBERSHIP , The membership of the society has been well maintained, for on April 30, 1938. the end of the fifth year, 1026 w T ere pn the list—999 being financial — showing an increase of six as compared with the previous season. Of this number approximately 350 were actively engaged in some capacity in the various departments of the society. GENERAL In regard to the four major productions presented in His Majesty’s Theatre, one critic stated that “ it had been a year of splendid effort by the society.’’ The committee felt that the " listening ” members have been well satisfied with the entertainment offered and that those taking part in the different plays have been given greater opportunities. Some excellent work was done throughout Tie year and both acting and staging reached a very high standard. The production of the first three plays of the year was in the hands of Miss Bessie Thomson, who added to her laurels as a producer with these successful plays. Miss Thomson left for a year’s sojourn in London in November. Mr W. Russell-Wood was appointed producer for the last production of the year, and he also is to be congratulated on ms excellent work. The staging of the productions under Messrs T. C. Wynne, O. T. Harris and Arthur Barnett, jun.. was excellent. Messrs Harris and Barnett each graduated from the Technical Circle to stage-manage a major production with efficiency and artistic ab The y Drama Class held weekly in the rehearsal rooms, carried on until November under the supervision of Miss Thomson, to whose effects and enthusiasm the good work of the 40 odd members was due. The class resumed in March under the supervision of Messrs W. Russell-Wood and F. Lanyon. and some 25 members were attending. The same fee of 5s per term was charged. The absence of men limited the choice of plays, and it was felt that it would be of great assistance to the class if some men would join up for the next term. They would undoubtedly derive great benefit from the class themselves. A fortnightly Flay Reading Circle 4 has commenced and it is hoped that more members will avail themselves of this opportunity I>r further experience, • ■ SELECTION COMMITTEE

The Selection Committee held 16 meetings during which 27 plays came up for detailed discussion. Of these, seven were cast and four were eventually presented in His Majesty’s Theatre. A total of 76 members appeared in these productions. A feature of the past season’s work has been the large casts employed in three out of the four plays presented, and the committee is gratified at the successful results achieved by our producers and players in these ambitious efforts. So pleasing was the reception accorded to the society's first "period” play—- “ And So To Bed ’’—that it, will be the Selection Committee’s aim to include a play of this character each season. They feel that this, the. fifth year of the society’s existence, has marked a definite step forward in its efforts to present worthy entertainment to lovers of the theatre. We have recently lost a number of valuable acting members and there is urgent need of more men capable of playing middle-aged and elderly parts. So acute is this need that many admirable plays have had to bo rejected on account of the Impossibility of casting them. Until this position is remedied the choice of plays must necessarily be narrowed, and the Selection Committee have no option but to call repeatedly on the same men. They thank all those members who have given so generously of their time and worked so hard to make the past season’s productions of outstanding merit.

5 . SOCIAL EVENINGS * The average attendance at the social evenings held each month in the r lown Hall Concert Chamber was 668. Twothirds of this number were members and the remainder guests of members. It was customary to hold 10 evenings during the season, but a special function in Coronation Week accounted for the extra night. • The Social Plays Committee had a strenuous year and are to be congratulated (with the oroducers and casts! on the result of their work, which was reflected in the sustained interest and applause of the large audiences. The outstanding event of the year was an abridged version of “ Cavalcade.” presented during Coronation Week under the direction of Miss Anita Winkel and Mr Desmond Greenslade. The complete programme of the year consisted of three three-act and 24 one-act plays. Nine of these were presented by the Drama Class, and the committee expresses its gratitude for the willing help received at all times from the class and for the; high standard they have set and maintained. Two hundred and twenty-seven members took part (140 women and 87 men), together with those who gave valued services behind the scenes. The producers of the plays during the year were Miss K. Falconer (1), Mr D. Greenslade (3), Mr E. Griffin (2), Mrs J. Hamer (4). Miss E. Lungley (1), Miss F. Pacey (1). Mr L. Pithie (1) D, Skene G). Mr A. S. Stephens (2) Mrs O. C. Stephens (2), Miss A. Winkel (1). The appreciation and thanks of the committee are due to these producers. The Social C .mrniUee again had a

busy year, and the unenviable task of serving supper to between 600 and 700 people was carried out by some 35 young members, their services being very much appreciated by the committee. PERSONAL Each year the society has been faced with the loss of several active and valued members—some of whom have gone abroad on holiday or for study. London seems to be the happy hunting ground for members of the local Repertory, and the very best wishes of the society went with them. Others have left the city to reside in different parts of the country. The committee regrets the loss of Messrs E, W. Lees Bullot and T. C. Wynne, who have both gone to positions in the north. Mr Bullot was a member of the General Committee for two years, and acted on both the selection and publicity sub-committees. Mr Wynne was the society’s efficient stage manager for three years, and his work with the Technical Circle has shown excellent results.

Mr H. Henderson, acting treasurer, carried out his onerous duties until the return of Mr Joel in August, and he is deserving of the society's grateful thanks. GENERAL COMMITTEE

The committee expresses Us thanks and appreciation to the press, the Publicity Committee, the wardrobe mistresses (Mrs J. D. Charlton Edgar and Miss Mercia Hardman), the theatre manager (Mr Max Wilson), the secretaries of the drama class and subcommittees (Miss Sybil Henderson and Mr C. W. G. Paterson), the front of house, backstage, and make-up assistants, Mr V. Stapp and the assistants at the theatre, the Town Hall staff, the city firms and friends who had lent furniture and properties for the stage, and all others who contributed in any way towards the success of the year.

Mr Brugh, moving the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet, said that the report disclosed an excellent year’s work. They had a small balance on the year's working of £29 4s Id, and. although this was preferable to a deficit, he felt that it was sailing somewhat close to the wind. However, the coming year’s balance sheet should be a better one, as there were items of expenditure this year that should be non-recurring. The membership was being maintained at about the thousand mark, and it was gratifying to note that, out of a total membership of 99P. no fewer than 350 had been actively engaged during the year in some capacity or other. The speaker paid a tribute to Mr A. .T. Quin for his work as convener of the Selection Committee, and expressed warm appreciation of the untiring efforts of Mrs E. T. Moller as convener of the Social Committee. He concluded with a vote of thanks on behalf of the committee to all who had assisted the society during the year, one of the names particularly mentioned being that of Mr D. Greenslade, who, the speaker said, had arranged for a visit to Dunedin on June 27 of the Oamaru Little Theatre Society’s cast of Frank Vesper’s “ Love from a Stranger.” which they would perform. The motion was seconded by Mr Maurice Joel, who spoke in appreciation of the work of Mr H. Henderson as treasurer during his absence in England. He urged caution in finance as a necessity. Of course, with a society that was flourishing as vigorously as ae society was, free spending was almost inevitable, but he suggested that it would be in the interests of the future success of the society if the importance of care in expenditure were not overlooked. The motion was carried. ELECTION OF OFFICERS

The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: — Patrons, Mr Justice Kennedy and Sir James Allen; president, Mrs Richard Hudson; vice-presidents, Mrs F. Wakefield Holmes and Mr A. G. Smith; committee—Mrs E. T. Moller, Messrs W. R. Brugh, D. S. Chisholm, D. Greenslade, G. Z. Lindley, A. J. Quin, C. V. Smith, and W. D. Young; honorary treasurer, Mr Maurice Joel; auditors, Messrs Mac Lean and Paterson; secretary, Miss M. E. Moloney. Mrs Wakefield Holmes paid a tribute to the work of the various committees during the year, and said that the proof of success of their efforts was to be found in the excellent outcome of the year’s operations. She eulogised the work of Miss Bessie Thomson as producer of the earlier productions of the past year and referred to the success of Mr W. Russell-Wood’s first venture on the society’s behalf. Among those singled out for .special mention by Mrs Wakefield Holmes were Mrs E. T. Moller, for her work on the Social Committee, Mr A. G. Smith, as deputy chairman of committee, Mr A. J. Quin, Mr D. Greenslade, Mr E. W. Lees Bullot, and Miss M. E. Moloney. A vote of thanks to the chairman, and the singing of the National Anthem brought the meeting to a close.