REPERTORY SOCIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24327, 18 June 1940, Page 11

REPERTORY SOCIETY

ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the Dunedin Repertory Society was held last night, Mr W. R. Brugh presiding. The annual report was as follows; — The Finance Committee reports that it considers a creditable result is shown by the balance sheet. The fact that the society has been able to show a small surplus on the . year’s workings must be considered satisfactory in view of the higher costs that had to be met during the year. A careful watch will have to be kept over expenditure if the society's financial position is to be maintained. The cost of staging the four major productions was £690 Ss sd, as against £737 4s the previous year. The total cash takings were £397 Is’ 7d, compared with £440 5s Bd. thus leaving the net cost at £293 3s lOd, against £296 14s. 8d in the previous year* Declining revenue was also experienced in connection with the social evenings, receipts totalling £375 7s and expenditure £373 11s 3d as,compared with the previous year’s figures of £412 Os 6d and £399 18s 3d. Royalties this year cost £7l 8s for major productions, and £2O 8s for social evenings, the total being £9l 16s as against £B4 13s Od. On April 30, 1940, the end of the society's seventh year, the membership stood at 1022. Since May 1 38 new members have joined. On her return from England, Miss Bessie Thomson was reappointed producer for the society. The Drama Class has continued to flourish under the guidance of Mr Frank Lanyon and Miss Kathleen Falconer. At each social evening the Drama Class is responsible for one of the plays and at t the end of every term an evening is given to which the committee and friends are invited, and thus we have an opportunity of seeing what excellent work is being done by those who attend the classes. On February 17, the society presented a dramatic evening, including an historical pageant, in the Concert Chamber, under the auspices of the Centennial Week Committee. The Selection Committee has held 14 meetings, discussed 40 or 50 plays, and after careful consideration of over 20 of them, finally selected and cast the four major productions; “ Children to Bless You," " Glorious Morning. Dear Octopus," and "People at Sea.” In addition, the members of the committee read all the available theatrical literature with a view to discovering any plays which might be suitable for production by the society and endeavour to obtain copies of such plays. The outbreak of war has accentuated the difficulty of casting men’s parts and has in some cases necessitated changing the play. This tendency will, of course, continue under present circumstances and will probably involve repeated calls on the limited number of men available. Of the 57 members who appeared in major productions no fewer than 21 did so for the first time, and the amount of fresh talent brought to light is most gratifying. Each play has been of a widely different character, and the society’s producer has had some difficult problems to surmount. The Social Plays Committee reports that the year just completed has been a busy and successful one. The year's production programme consisted of three full length plays and 22 one-act plays, no fewer than 132 members taking part, 87 women and 45 men. The society was fortunate in having a delightful presentation of * 1 Lover’s Leap," which was staged by the Invercargill Repertory Society. Miss Anita Winkel is to be congratulated on her productions of " The Middle Watch ’ and “ Tilly of Bloomsbury.” During the year 10 social evenings were held in the Concert Chamber. The average attendance was 592, of whom 434 were members and the remainder guests of the members. In August a ball was held, which was considered to be one of the most successful functions of the year. On behalf of the society, the Social Committee, with the valuable help' of several members, is assisting with the entertainment of soldiers at the Services Welcome Club. The General Committee held 20 meetings during the year. At the last annual meeting Mr W R. J3rugh was elected a vice-presi-dent. Mr Max Wilson to the General Committee, and Mr Gordon Douglas was elected treasurer. The following officials were elected:— Patrons, Mr Justice Kennedy and Mr A. C. Hanlon, K.C.; president. Mrs Richard Hudson; vice-presidents, Mrs Wakefield Holmes and Mr W. R. Brugh: .committee —Messrs G. Z. Bindley. A. J. Quii% F. Lanyon. W. D. Young and Max Wilson.