Hatfield Road Drama Group – Glenferrie Players

by admin · Published June 3, 2019 · Updated June 3, 2019

HATFIELD ROAD METHODIST DRAMA GROUP

Archive Material

During the 1960's the church had an active amateur dramatic group - The Glenferrie Players. I have been passed the archive material for the group and include it here in this part of the website so that it is not lost.

If you have any further material about the Glenferrie Players I would be delighted to add it to the site with your permission.

MINUTES OF THE FIRST MEETING (INFORMAL)

Thursday 1st November 1962 at 8pm

A meeting was called by Mr W. for discussion of the formation and future of the Drama Group.

Mr M W. was in the chair. First item time and day of the week most suitable for weekly rehearsals

Mrs F., gave the bookings of the various vestries, and said that Wednesday evening was the most convenient, everyone present could use Wednesday evening, with the exception of Miss C K for whom Wednesdays are booked until after Christmas, agreement was, to meet either Wednesday or Thursday until then, as the rooms are available next meeting on Wednesday Nov 7th '62 at 7:30pm and on Thursday 15th 1962.

Twelve letters were sent out with time and day of meeting. Letter of apology from Miss S S she is no longer available.

Attending were:-

Mr W in the Chair. (PRODUCER)
Mrs M B
Mr D C
Mrs A F
Mr and Mrs F
Mr and Mrs H
Miss R H
Miss C K
Miss S St C
Mr J W

Apologies of absence from Mr M

It was agreed that the Drama Group should be formed and the production should be about March 1963. Name of D.G. to be agreed at a future meeting.

Miss St C. proposed that a subscription should be made by each member as it would be quite impossible to run a dramatic Society without money.

There would be many expenses and it would not be fair for these to fall on one or two people (Costumes and Scenery etc.)

Mr W. proposed an annual Subscription of 15/- but where members were a husband and wife, should be 25/- the two. This was unanimously agreed.

Mrs F. asked if it was intended that the D.S. should remain within the church or was intended to throw it open to the public?

Miss St C. said, she thought as it had been suggested as a church society it should remain so, as had an Operatic and Drama Society "The Mallory Players" that had been in existence through the war and after from 1942 - 1952 had been. Mrs F. said it would then come under the church leaders and as it was formed through the campaign should really do so.

This was agreed, Miss St C. suggested that the Rev. Paul Kimber, the resident minister should be asked to be the President.

Mr W. agreed to approach him with this request.

No other business, the meeting closed with agreement all round.

Signed
Chairman: M. W.
Acting Secretary: S. E St C.
Date: 1/11/61.

The Glenferrie Players

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD - 15/5/1963

A meeting was held at the church to discuss the recent production of "She Stoops to Conqueror"

Mr W. was in the Chair.

Those attending were:

Dr N. K.
Mrs M.B.
Mr and Mrs F.
Miss R. H.
Miss C. K.
Mr G. H.
Mr J. W.
Mr D. H.
Mr N.
Mr R W.
Miss S E St C.
Apologies of absence from.
Miss B. G.
Mr D. C.

Mr W. said the profits were about £20 after all expenses were paid and was paid over to the Church Treasurer towards the Boiler Fund.

The question was raised about funds for the Glenferrie Players expenses, Miss K. suggested a float of three or four pounds to be retained from the profit for minor expenses which might arise, such as stamps, note paper etc. Mr W. said we could apply to the Treasurer for money for our needs as we wanted it, it was suggested that it was rather embarassing to have to apply for small amounts of money especially as we had made a profit of £20.

Mr L C. suggested that we might meet at memebers homes during the summer for play readings & coffee & light refreshments could be served and a small charge of 6d per person be made and used to go towards lighting and any small expenses we might have, Mr J W. seconded.

Dr K. wanted to know when we would return for serious rehearsals.

Suggestions were that several plays should be read at the Summer meetings, to find the most suitable for the next show.

Mr D. H. suggested a modern play next time and that the dress rehearsals should be before an invited audience.it was also suggested to have "Stand-ins" for the next show if possible.

Mr D. H. brought in a long criticism from a Mr D C L., a member of the audience, Mr W. asked him to thank Mr L. for his criticism.

Dr K. suggested that the title and date of the following play should be announced on the Programmes also that a prompter should be appointed to attend rehearsals and attend all performances and remain all the time, also that the stage attendants should remain in the vicinity of the stage in readiness for all scenes on any eventuality.

Mrs B. said she thought the lack of warmth was due to the play itself not warming up. Saturday night audience was the best but it was really too late in the year.

Mr W. replied that he would book in advance before we started rehearsing the production nights and rehearsal nights and request that the Hall to remain free for our use for the whole week of productions to avoid other bookings of evenings in the same week.

He thanked all members for their support during the (bad) winter, at rehearsals, it was suggested tha a trip to town should be organised and invited suggestions.

1st coffee evening Mr W. May 30th 9pm.

Meeting closed at 10 o/c

Signed
Chairman: Mr W.
Secretary: S St C.
11/9/63

The Glenferrie Players

The Annual General Meeting of the above was held at the church on 11th September 1963 at 8 p.m.

Letters of apologies and resignations from Mr S M, verbally from Dr K, Mr D H, owing to pressure of work, letter to be sent to him.

Minutes of the last meeting read, agreed and signed.

Matters arising :- Subscriptions. Mr W said "that this year, we must have subscriptions, it was suggested that a 15 /- sub. Should be paid each year, but, owing to the fact that so many members were persuaded to take part in the production of "She Stoops to Conqueror" it would be unfair to ask a sub from them as well, it was decided to waive the matter for that production, but this year there would be heavy royalties on a modern play, plus other expenses, which would have to be met before the production could be staged.

Mr D C suggested that he thought a subscription 10 /- annually would be enough.

Mr W said "That last year it was decided that the subs would be 15 /- each but in the case of Husband & Wife membership it would be 25 /- the two, but if it were to be reduced to 10 /- it must be a straight payment of 10 /- each per person, and no difference made for a husband and wife membership.

Mrs M B seconded this, carried.

Selection of officers and committee:-

President:- Rev P Kimber to be returned.

Mr W returned as producer.

Mr W wished not to be returned as Chairman, but this was, again, proposed by Mrs K and seconded by Mr D C, carried.

Secretary:- Mr D C proposed Miss C K, who said she would like to take office. Mrs B seconded. Carried.

Stage Management and lighting:- proposed by Mr W - Mr L C & Mr S, "They had vast experience and had done so well for the previous production". Seconded by Mr W.

Ticket secretary and treasurer:- Mr W proposed Miss St C this was seconded by Mr D C.

Committee of three:- Miss L B was proposed by Mrs K, seconded by Mr D C

Mrs J F, seconded by

Mr D C proposed by Miss C K seconded by

Any other business:-

Next production to be at the church hall. 19th, 20th 21st March 1964.

Suggested plays:-

Relative Values - Noel Coward

Tony Draws a Horse - by L Storm

As Long as They're Happy - proposed by Mrs M K, to be read by the play selection committee.

Mr W, Mrs B & Mrs K.

Mrs B said "she thought it best for Mr W to decide and present it to the company as the chosen one".

A trip to the theatre in London to see "Boeing Boeing" has been arranged by Mr H W on Saturday 19th October 1963. 8 p.m. Tickets are 21 /- each coach 6/6 = 27/6 each. 33 tickets must be sold. Coach to leave the church at 7 p.m. names to be given to Mr W.

Members Present:

Mr M W Miss S E St C

Mrs M B Mr J W

Mrs J F Miss R H

Mr M W Miss L B

Mrs M K Mr and Mrs F

Miss C K Mr D C

Apologies for absence from Mr W F

Next meeting, for play reading, Monday 7th October at 8 p.m. at the church.

Meeting closed at 9-30 p.m.

Signed by outgoing secretary

S.E. St C 11/9/63

April 1968

"Night Must Fall" produced for three nights by M W.
Cast: R L, M B, E W, S R.
£20 given to Trust following this and previous production.

May 6th 1968 - Meeting at Townsend Drive

1). Discussion on possibility of providing a "dramatic incident with Christian application" for performance at Evening Service in the church on Sunday, July 14th.

2). Discussed possibility of full length production in November this year.

3). Reading (re item 1) of "One Hour to Dusk."

July 14th 1968

"One Hour to Dusk" produced by M W at evening service.
Cast: W W.

Group discussion immediately follows performance in which congregation talks around pertinent points in the play.

Sept. 11th 1968

Meeting at Church hall. Agreed to do joint evenings of drama & music in conjunction with the choir - week ending Nov 16th.

Nov 18th 1968

Meeting following above performances, which consisted of choir items & sketches & a one act play "Vacant Possession" by drama group.

Monies taken to church kitchen fund.

Suggested Carol singing on Dec 20th in aid of Blind Club.

"Man Born to be King" (excerpt) to be performed in church at Carol Service on Dec 22nd.