SUCCESSFUL SEASON

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 93, 21 April 1939, Page 9

SUCCESSFUL SEASON

WANGANUI REPERTORY SOCIETY ANNUAL MEETING HELD i - "In spite of the fact that there was an acute shortage of producers the season has maintained its usual high standard, especially so in regard to the major performances,” stated Mrs. S. Rankin, president of the Wanganui Repertory Society, in her annual report adopted at last annual meeting. “Each year the committee has been in a position to make some necessary improvements toward the advancement and advantage of the society,” continued the report. “This season we were in a position to enlarge the stage and improve the dressing rooms to a marked degree. All properties for plays can now be placed in a convenient place on each side of the stage ready for each change of scene, thus saving time and energy. In the past heavy stage furniture had to be handed up a flight of stairs through a confined space because of the cramped conditions. This was sometimes quite dangerous. It is hard to realise how the past stage managers managed to work so efficiently in spite of these difficulties. “Heavy royalties prevented our major performances from showing a profit. No matter how small the theatre, the royalties are usually £5 5s for the first night and £4 4s for each succeeding night, this making it difficult in a tiny theatre such as ours. This point is outweighed by the fact that the society is independent in possessing its own theatre and club rooms, which is a rare advantage to enjoy. We have to thank our firstyear committee, headed by Mr. C. P. Brown, as president, for its foresight and enterprise in finding this building and adapting it to serve as a home in the fostering of the historic talent Wanganui is proud to possess.” The report stated that the three major public performances were “The Distaff Side” produced by Mrs. T. L. Sperring, “The Cat and the Canary” produced by Mrs. S. Rankin and “Grumpy” produced by Mr. Paul Latham, all being successes and reaching a particularly high standard. A great deal of the success achieved was due to the splendid team work and co-operation between the players and the producers.

Election of Officers. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year.—President, S. Rankin; vice-presidents, Mrs. T. L. Sperring and Mr. C. P. Brown; secretary, Mrs. H. Gilberd; treasurer, Miss H. Bassett-Smith; committee, Mrs. N. Bancks, Miss A. Wood, Messrs. P. Latham, G. Tarrant, A. Kitchen, T. B. McCarthy and C. S. Brown.