Thringstone House 100 Project (1901 - 2001)
Drama Societies
From its earliest days, Thringstone House has enjoyed a rich association with the performing arts. Consequently, there exists a considerable photographic legacy, featuring scores of local faces from different eras.
The Community Centre enjoyed a particularly prolific period of thespian activity following the arrival of Mr R.H.Jones as Warden in 1951. In 1953 his 'Community Players' reached the divisional finals of the British Drama Festival, giving a production of the George Bernard Shaw play, "Passion, Poison and Petrification" in the Stanford Hall Theatre, and in the same year the group enlisted the support of groups from Coalville, Shepshed and Loughborough to present "The Knight of the Burning Pestle", under the general supervision of Mr R.H.Barker, the County Drama Advisor.
It was originally intended to stage this production in the ruins of Gracedieu Priory, since the play was written by the Elizabethan Dramatist Francis Beaumont, who was born on the site of the priory in 1586. It seems that this rather ambitious plan never came to fruition, though a performance was given at the Guildhall in Leicester as part of Coronation Festivities.
Following the departure of Mr Jones, the drama group continued its activities under the direction of Mr Norman Beard, whose first production was the J.B.Priestly play, "When We Are Married", staged at Thringstone House in December, 1953.
More research is needed in order to give a more complete history of Thringstone Drama Groups.
The present-day Pantomime and Drama Society can trace its origins back to 1975 when a production of 'Aladdin' was staged, largely through the efforts of the then Warden, Mr David Fitt. Mr Fitt himself made an appearance as the fiendish Uncle Ebenazer, and the producer was the late Mr Richard Hammond. "Money will not be refunded under any circumstances", wrote some wit in the modestly produced programme notes, "and all fruit thrown must be taken out of the tin first"!
The show proved an instant hit and pantomimes have been produced at Thringstone every year since, in addition to plays and comedy revues which are usually staged in May.
Realising its enormous potential, the Society was reformed in February 1978. The original production of Aladdin in 1975 had cost just £30 to stage. Only four years later in 1979, the cost of staging the same show was an estimated £600.
The Officials of the new Society were Robert Waterfield(Chairman); Ross Spence(Treasurer); Kay Fitt(Secretary); Joyce Lucas, Eric Brooks, Clive Fearn, David Fitt, John Hopewell and Barry Jackson (Committee Members) and Mary Jarvis (Hon Life Member). Clive Fearn was the Producer, a position he relished until his sudden death in 1991
Mr Fitt remained involved with the Panto Society for some time after he finished as Warden, playing Monica, the Golden Goose in 1977. His wife Kay also maintained an active role and when they left the district in 1979, they were made Honorary Life Members.
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Clive was succeeded as Producer by Robert Waterfield. The prominent involvement of Robert, and also that of his sister Carol, carries a noteworthy significance. Back in the early 1920s, their grandfather, Bert Waterfield was leader of The Thringstone Jollies, a Pierrot concert party based at the Club. Also among their ranks was Bert's brother Jack, and by the 1930s, Bert's son, Frank Waterfield was a leading player in a pantomime society inaugurated by the then Superintendent, Arthur Whitmill. Thus three generations (and at least five members) of the Waterfield family have helped to brighten up the Thringstone theatrical scene.
Thringstone Pantomime and Drama Society - List of Productions
1975: ALADDIN
Thringstone Pantomime and Drama Society Welcomes New Members. Click here to visit their official website !
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