ANNUAL MEETING OF DRAMATIC SOCIETY

Taupo Times, Volume IV, Issue 193, 7 October 1955, Page 5

ANNUAL MEETING OF DRAMATIC SOCIETY

Electioiv Of Oflicers The annual general x.cMing of the Taupo Dramatic Society was held in the VVar Memorial Hall supper-room on Thursday evening, September 22, Miss D. M. Cohen, retiring President, presiding over an attendance of some thirty members. The Committee's annual report, read by Miss Cohen, statecl that membership, which had stood at 137 a year ago, showed a slight decrease, being now 126. F.our major productions vvere presented during the year. On November 2 and 3, 1954, Emlyn Williams' play "The Late Christopher Bean" was produced by Mr J. W. Birnie, assisted by Mrs Evison, one of the • N.Z. Drama CounciTs week-end guest producers. On March 8 and 9 last Kenneth Horne's comedy "Wasn't It Odd?" was produced bv Miss Cohen, this being the Society 's first production in the War Memorial Hall. Necessary additions had been madc to the existing flats, and the players appreciated the greater scope given by the larger stage. Some anxiety had been felt as to whether a twonight production was justified in view of the extra seating accommodation in the new Hall, but attendances were gratifying and the Society might reasonably expect being able to continue with two-night productions. On June 14 and 15 three one-act plays had been produced as follows: "Birds Of A Feather," by J. O. Francis, produced by Mr Jack McBeth; "Druid's Ring," by T. B. Morris, pro/duced by Mrs Beryl Kennedy; and "The Inconstant (Moon," by Philip Johnson, produced by Mr Charles Leslie. Of 36 players who had appeared during the year 15 had been newcomers. "Druid's Ring" had been entered I in the British Drama League festival [ in Rotorua. Whilst it had not been j placed, the judge, Miss Elizabeth Loe, I commented that it had the largest I cast of those presented and that [ much credit was due for their work. I One of the junior members of the I cast (Miss Patricia Bostock) had been awarded a Certificate of Merit for a promising performance. For the usual fourth production of I the year no producer was available, \ and the committee had invited the Rotorua Little Theatre Society to I bring their production of Noel [ Coward's comedy "Relative Values" I to Taupo on August 10. This had I been a huge success. There had been no response to the ! Committee's appeal for producers of rehearsed play-readings, so it had been impossible to arrange fort- [ nightiy members' evenings. However, . two readings were given in April, produced by Mrs Jean Dixon and \ Mrs Vera Leyland; two in May produced by Mrs Doris McBeth and Mrs Sally Kent; and two in July, produced by Mrs Grace Booth and Miss Dora McMillan. The accounts for the year showed the Society's finances to be in a satisfactory state, with increases in cash in bank and in fixed assets, and a substantial profit on the year's productions. During the year the Society acquired a set of handsome pale grey drapes which were used to good effect in the June productions. A number of spotlights were also purchased. Following adoption of the report and accounts, Mr J. W. Birnie was elected to the chair to conduct the election of officers for the ensuing year, which resulted as follows: — Patron, Col. J. D. Swan; President, Mr N. Lowe; Immediate Past-presi-dent, Miss D. M. Cohen; Vice-presi-dent, Mr. J. W. Birnie; Secretary, Mrs Vera Leyland; Treasurer, Mr Frank Bostock; Committee, Mrs J. E. Booth, Mr John Corrie, Mr G. W. Foote, Mr J. McBeth, Mrs G. A. West,

Mrs J. C. Young; Auditor, Mr N. A. Duthie. Votes of thanks to the retiring tiring secretary, Mrs J. C. Young, were carried with acclamation. Resolutions were passed recommending to the incoming Committee consideration of the establishment of i a family subscription rate, and of a junior membership. Appreciative references were made to Mr Charles Leslie's services as stage-manager and in the making of scenery. Mr. Leslie had declined nomination for ofRce, stating that he wished to reduce his activities somewhat. Pursuant to notice given at the previous annual meeting by Col. J. D. Swan, a motion was presented and passed providing that officers of the Society should include an Immediate Past President, in addition to Patron, President, Vice-president, Secretary, and Treasurer; that the Committee should consist of six members, and that the provision enabling the Committee to add two members should be deleted. The Committee's power to fill vacancies occurring on the Committee was not affected. Supper was served following the ciose of the meeting.