AMATEUR THEATRICALS

Taranaki Daily News, 27 February 1931, Page 2

AMATEUR THEATRICALS

MEETING OF KAPONGA SOCIETY.

FIRST YEAR’S SUCCESS REVIEWED

The first annual meeting of the Kaponga Amateur Theatrical Society was Held on Tuesday night, when Mr. I. D. Fallows presided over a good attendance of members. In presenting its report the committee congratulated members on cj?e success of the first year’s operations. Uhe society had been inaugurated ou February 17, 1930, with 32 active and 1honorary members. Practices for a revue had been com<menced almost immediately, but as a result of a subsequent decisio to stage an operetta rehearsals had not commenced in earnest until towards the end of April. The eperetta, “Princess of Poppylahd,” was produced according to time table at the end of July. It Ihad been well received, the success being largely due to the enthusiasm displayed by principals and chorus, while too much ’ praise could not be bestowed upon the musical directors, official pianist, producers, and many others who had done the spade woik of the production. The two performances of the operetta at Kaponga had resulted in a nett return of over £9, 5s of which had been donated to. the Kaponga branch of the Plunket Society. Performances had been given at Manaia, Auroa and Opunake, at which towns a portion of the nett proceeds had been donated to a local cause. The statement of accounts showed the finances of the society were in a healthy condition, the credit balance being about £23. While .it was not proposed to produce anything upon an elaborate and expensive scale in the coming season, the _ committe was of opinion that the society should aim at something better than year’s; To do this it would be necessary to watch finance closely and to make every use of the properties acquired in the recent production. . The election of officers resulted: President, /Mr. A. E. Gallagher; vice-presi-dents, Dr. J. I. R- Gray and J. secretary and treasurer, Mr. C. A. Corder; honorary auditor, Mr. J. Hesse'll; executive committee, Mesdames Evans and Knight, Messrs. F. Albon senr., H. Gallagher, O. E. Champtaloup and b. Death. The retiring president, Mr. F. W Fallows did not seek re-election, stating that pressure of business prevented him from again offering his services to the society. He paid a tribute to the great assistance he had received from the secretary, adding that at no time had he worked with a more efficient one. He mentioned also the work of the auditor, Mr. J. EleSGell, and hearty votes of tOianks to both, these men were carried. A vote of thanks to Mr. Fallows was carried enthusiastically* The secretary reported that he had been endeavouring to obtain something suitable for the 193'1 production but he was not yet in a position to put anything definite before the meeting. Negotiations were now in train for a musical comedy which should be eatisfacLory. Aa soon as the matter had reach* ed finality a meeting of members would be called.