Grassington Players are calling for old members to join the party in January as they celebrate their 90th anniversary.
Founded in 1923 the local thespians have been entertaining the dale and audiences further afield in touring productions with laughter and tears ever since. Generally the Players have put on two or three productions a year since their first performance; a quartet of one act plays.
Sue Clement, the current Chairman of the Players and stalwart performer for many years is keen to contact as many past members as possible to join the current society at the dinner on Friday 11th January. The date is exactly 90 years to the day from the night when her predecessor William Walker, ‘Convener’ held the first meeting following this announcement:
“Will all persons interested in the formation of a Dramatic Society for Grassington and neighbourhood, having for its initial object the raising of funds for the new Town Hall Extension, by means of the production of Stage Plays, please attend an inauguration meeting to be held at Mrs.Yarker’s Tea Rooms, Station View, Threshfield, on Thursday, the 11th January 1923, at 8pm, when it is hoped to elect Officers and Committee and to enrol members willing to take part in the production of Stage Plays. The desirability of such a Society, has, it is believed, long been felt in the locality and a good attendance is requested.”
About 40 budding local thespians answered that first call, and the Society was born as ‘The Grassington and District Amateur Dramatic Society’, becoming ‘Grassington Players’ in 1928. The first President was the Rector, the Revd. J A Leighton, and the annual subscription set at 5 shillings.
The first general meeting the following month drew 45 members and friends. A play ‘The Younger Generation’ was proposed, but withdrawn on the grounds that it might have hurt the feelings of the devout, since it was considered a slight skit on chapel going, “out of deference to the Rector.” Instead, four one act plays were the Society’s first offering:- ‘Mother O’Pearl’, ‘No Servants’, ‘The Monkey’s Paw’ and ‘Should This Meet the Eye’.
Now in 2012, the current Players committee are making the final arrangements for the 90th anniversary dinner, to be held in the main town hall at the Devonshire Institute. The outside catering team from the award-winning Grassington House Hotel will be making sure the event goes with a swing.
Past members are urged to come and reminisce with old friends and anyone with contact details for people who may have moved away are asked to pass on details. The Players can be contacted by email through their website, www.grassingtonplayers.co.uk, Facebook or by calling contact Joan Whitaker on 01756 752964.
Tickets for the three course dinner celebration are £20 and are available from Joan, as above.