Reunion for Wellsford Drama Club

Organisers of Wellsford Drama Club’s reunion at Labour Weekend are hoping that past and present thespians will join them to celebrate the 62-year history of the club, which started with the formation of a play reading circle in1945.

Past president June Levet said members met fortnightly to read plays, performing in public for the first time in November 1946. In 1947 the group was renamed the Wellsford Drama Club, and performed Noel Coward’s Blythe Spirit. A year later it was affiliated to the NZ Drama Council.

A programme from the club’s 1966 pantomime The Golden Kiwi which Mrs Levet produced for its 22st anniversary, holds the key to some of the club’s early history and records the fact that in those first 21 years, members performed a total of 13 three-act plays, 11 pantos and several one-act plays.

Many of the club’s early records were lost when its premises were destroyed by fire in the 1990s. Treasurer Toni Oldfield spent hours retrieving photos, scripts and newspaper cuttings from the still-smouldering building.

The highlight of the reunion, from October 23-25, will be the Old Time Music Hall, directed by Val Couling featuring 25 current members, on Saturday October 24.

The show will be repeated for the public the following weekend, including a dinner and performance on Saturday, October 31.

Information: Toni Oldfield, ph 423 7181, or reunion secretary Nikki Brereton, ph 422 2629, email: n.brereton@maxnet.co.nz

PHOTO: Current members of Wellsford Drama Club rehearse for the Old Time Music Hall.