History of the Society in the 1940's & 1950's
It is doubtful whether the Finchley Operatic Society (another new
name) would have been re-formed in 1947 without the super-human
efforts of Harold Hinton, who contacted old members and called a
General Meeting where it was decided to revive the Society.
The first post-war production, "The
Gondoliers", was presented in the spring of 1948, the
musical director John Bennett continued as M.D. for 10 years, whilst
the production was in the capable hands of Bob Baker. Jeanette Manly
became prominent in the Society at the time and through the years
contributed much to the well-being of 'the family'.
The first committee meeting took place at "Woodhurst"
(the home of Di Chilcott's grandfather) at which Ken Bristow was
appointed Treasurer, a position he held until 1986.
After "The Gondoliers" Bob Manly, son of the founder,
was unable to continue as Secretary and Syd Cave took over the role.
Around this time another Society 'long server', Doris Jewell, joined
the company. She appeared in the Society's productions and also
provided the much needed 'cuppa' at rehearsals and in the Green
Room during show week.
So the Society continued on its way, passing all the usual milestones
until 1949 when the Dramatic Section presented two plays "George
and Margaret" and "Flarepath".
In 1950, another change in name, The Finchley Operatic and Dramatic
Society, both the 'operatic' and 'dramatic' parts of the Society
presented their productions at the Church Hall. Dorothy Patton,
having played in many operatic productions, guided and produced
many plays to the high standard she set herself and expected from
others.
Before completing the first thirty years, the 1951 production of
"The Yeoman of the Guard"
held the record for ticket sales - 94% overall with at least two
if not three performances sold out. This record was broken 25 years
later in 1976 by "Kismet", when ticket sales reached 4,852
with HOUSE FULL boards up for every performance. |
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In 1955 the Society first staged "Me
& My Girl" with Roy Spivey guesting from the National
Provincial Bank Operatic Society as Bill and Muriel Mantle as Sally.
The producer was Cyril Corker with Di Chilcott as Dancing Mistress,
John Bennett as M.D. and Glyn Evans as Conductor. The tickets cost
4/6 (22 ½ p), 3/6 (17 ½ p) & 2/6 (12 ½
p).
The Society's 50th production in 1956 was "Lilac
Time". Among the cast one reads of Ruby Clifft, Josias
Adair, Frank Squire, Eldred Holmes, Pauline Wainwright (later Robinson),
John Whiting, Howard and Dennis Robinson, Edward Warburton, Frank
Hoblyn, Rita Beale, Maud Everton, Sydney Cave and Ron Judd - the
producer being Di Chilcott and the M.D. John Bennett. Many of these
names now read like a roll of honour, for many of them gave so much
time to the Society.
A further look at the programme reveals that Mary Hembling was
Secretary (a position she held from the early 50's to 1961), her
husband Leslie was House Manager (a task he readily undertook for
many years) and Jean Ewing (later Hodges) was Hon. Members' Secretary.
It is invidious to try to name all those who joined around this
time but many familiar names appear in programmes - Rona Slatford,
Winnie Monk, Harry Walters, Debbie Clifft (later Terwey), Valerie
Laight, Valerie Covington (later Evans), and Judith Chilcott (later
Edmonds).
It is of interest that Ruby Clifft, Debbie Terwey and Valerie Evans
each played more than thirty roles with the Society over the years
and Judy Edmonds has just celebrated forty years as a NODA member. |
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