Western Players Amateur Dramatic Society

The Western Players Amateur Dramatic Society was founded in 1968 by a small group of enthusiasts with the original aim of promoting plays and play readings for the benefit of residents in the Western suburbs of Port Elizabeth. The emphasis was on light family entertainment and the majority the productions were in aid of charities, school funds and similar deserving causes. In 1976 "Green Room Evenings" were started during which lectures, demonstrations and instruction on a wide range of theatrical subjects were given including various aspects of theatrical history, voice production, mime, make-up, movement and play directing. In 1977 the society began their experimental "Impact" functions at the Linton Grange Library which consisted of monologues, short extracts from plays, songs, reciting of poetry and hilarious readings of the Frank Muir "My Word" stories. At the end of each evening an impromptu reading of a One-Act play was held.

Roy McGregor was Chairman with Shirley Nicolson as secretary in 1977.

Contribution to South African Theatre

1969: Pools Paradise

1969: Cat and the Fiddle

1969: Post Horn Gallop

1970: Here We Come Gathering.

1971: Caught Napping.

1971:House On the Cliff

1971: The Party

1972: The Love Match

1973: Black Chiffon

1973: Milk and Honey

1974: Frank Rogaly One Act Play Festival

1974: Are You a Mason

1975: Love Birds

1976: Frank Rogaly One Act Play Festival

1976: Trial and Terror

March 10, 1977: David Henry's 3-Act play, Writer's Cramp, was staged by the Western Players Amateur Dramatic Society at the Mannville Open Air Theatre in collaboration with the Eastern Province Defence Ladies Association. Directed by Yvonne Röder and starring Clive Dunckley (Yardarm), Carol-Ann Kelleher (Jill), Jim Brennan (Commander), William Poole (Peter), Margrit Vermaas (Lorna), Anne Hayes (Aunt Elsa), Deon van Deventer (Albert), Neil Vernon-Smith (Hackenshaw), Jeanette Mitchell (Jenny), Moreno Maton (Herman).

May 1977. Autumn Impact was staged as lunch-time entertainment during the Port Elizabeth Autumn Festival

Sources

Original March 10, 1977, programme from the Western Players Amateur Dramatic Society's production of Writer's Cramp.

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