MEMBERSHIP OF 129

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 20, 16 October 1937, Page 7

MEMBERSHIP OF 129

Hawke's Bay Little Theatre Society PAST YEAR REVIEWED The Hawke's Bay Little Theatre Society finighed tho year wjth the highest membership of its history. According to the annual report, to be presented at the annual meeting of the society oii Tuesday next, the membership of the society at the end of the fiscal year was 129, which is 37 more than last year. There wero 18 resignations during the year, so that the number of new membera enrolled during the year was 55. The report states: — Ono main play has beon produced this year — "Hobson's Choice," which was presented in the Municipal Theatre, Hastings, on June 28 with the foJ* iowmg cast:— Alico ) Hobson's ... Edna Bainey Victoria) daughters, Christina Williams Maggie ) Margaret Nuttei Aibert Prosser ...... Miles Greenwood Henry Hobson . J. le Oonite Mrs Hepworth ........ Ales Kochfort Jim Heeler .......... Allan Chapman Tubby Wadlow ...... Donald Davies Will Mossop David Neilson Ada Figgins Phil Davies Freddio Beanstock W. Farrell Dr. Macfarlane E, E. Rivers The play was produced by A, Stanley "Warwick. The second main production for the season, "Anthony and Anna," is now in rehearsal and is being produced by Lcon Fail, witli the following cast: — • Anna Christina Williams Lady Cynthia Molly Averill Anthony David Neilson Dunwoody J. C. Watson I'euu ...» G. Hurdenburg Jago E. E. Rivers George ................ J. le Comte Fred ..i R. D. Baird One-Act Plays An evening of on-e-acfc plays was givon on May 5. Four plays were presented, and provided an excellent night 's entertamment. lt is hoped that we can arrange another of these mghts towards the end of this month. four committee has had considerable difficulty in castiug plays this season, and we would ask members to try and take part in plays when asked. Of course, the committee realises that it is soinetimes inconvenient, but With a small society it is extremely hard to fill parts. This appiies more particularly to men. Play reading: A reading of "Call il a Day," by Dodie Smith, was given on August 13. This reading was arranged by Mrg J. D. H. Buckanan. Drama League festival: Only one play could be entered in the Drama League festival this year— "The Babes in the Wood," produced by Leon Fail. This play was entered in the non-com-petitive section and was excellently done, and the society owes a debt to Mr Fail and the cast for their work. Your committee sincerely eongratulates the Napier Repertory Society on win- . -ir g tho final at Rotorua with "The

300th Performance," produced by Miss May Macdonald. The Finances Work of members: Following the society 's principle of providing its own usfiers and programme-sellors, and thereby making a considerablo saving, thanks is due to all members who heip ed towards this end. Thanks is also due to those members who helped with properties in connection with "Hobson's Choice" and the one-act play evenmg. Financial: The statement of income and expenditure and balance-sheet show that the year ended with a prpfit of £30 2/6, in" comparisou with a profij: of £9 15/2 last year. The balance at the Bank is £49 2/10. In addition to this, there are outstanding subseriptions amounting to £7 17/0. It has been decided not to include in tho balancesheet any amount representing stage properties acquifed. Tbe production "Hobson's Choice" showed a loss of £16 9/8 but, if the members' tickets are taken into consideration, this loss would turn into a profit of about £3. Also, the reading of "Call it a Day" showed a loss of, £3 13/9. Appreeiation; The committee wishes to express its thanks to the Press for very valuable co-operation and pubiicity.