Masks  Rushen Players Masks

History    Committee    Constitution

Venues

All the early plays were presented in St. Catherines Church Hall in Port Erin but the narrowness of the room and the size of the very small stage made it an unsuitable venue. Within two or three years, at the invitation of the Headmaster of Rushen Primary School and with the approval of the Island's Director of Education, the Society used a classroom for rehearsals and the school hall as a theatre. This involved erecting a stage and proscenium for each production and curtains were manufactured out of redundant wartime blackout material. Footlights and dimmers were made from army surplus equipment. These arrangements continued right through to 1963.

By 1961, however, the productions were being staged in the newly built British Legion Hall in Droghadfayle Road, Port Erin. The hall was also used for Bingo on two nights a week and the organisers were not prepared to have this pattern interrupted by periodical plays. From the British Legion's point of view regular sessions of Bingo were more profitable than occasional plays, so Bingo won!

At least one play was then presented in the Castle Rushen School Hall but it was around this time that Dr. John Bethell and his friends embarked upon the work of converting the former Methodist Chapel in Victoria Square, Port Erin, into an Arts Centre. Members of the Rushen Amateur Dramatic Society supported this project and the Society presented 'When We Are Married' by J.B.Priestley in the new Erin Arts Centre in November 1971.

Since then most of the Society's productions have been staged in this venue and the Erin Arts Centre is now regarded as the Rushen Players' permanent base. The Society's current (2000) secretary, Mavis Hopster and technical director, John Moon are invited to attend meetings of the committee which administers the Centre.

There have been occasions, however, when the Arts Centre was not available and on two occasions the Society was permitted to use the excellent facilities available in King Williams College. The snag with this arrangement was that the productions had to be timed to coincide with school holidays.

As recently as 1997 three one act plays were performed in the Port Erin Methodist schoolroom but the inadequate stage facilities presented many production problems. As has been stated earlier, in the late seventies the committee approved the suggestion that it might be interesting, enjoyable and profitable to stage a comedy one night a week over a period of five or six weeks during the summer, thereby attracting summer holidaymakers as well as local residents. But where could this be done? It would involve leaving scenery and setting undisturbed throughout the period. An approach was made to the Commissioners of Port St. Mary and several meetings were held with their representatives. The outcome was that they accepted the Society's offer to improve the stage by building a fixed proscenium, complete with curtains and adding a removable apron to the stage which would extend about four feet into the auditorium. In return they agreed that, provided furniture and properties were removed between performances, the set could remain undisturbed throughout the season of the plays.

In the summer of 1978 the Society performed 'Job For The Boy' by Dennis Driscoll before packed houses. It may be of interest to note that the leading role was played by John Gray, an experienced actor who was formerly a member of the same dramatic society as the author of this play and had performed in its world premiere. These plays became the pattern for the next few years, a popular feature of the summer scene in Port St. Mary and much welcomed by the local residents. Numerous venues have been used for rehearsals - the westroom in Port St. Mary Town Hall, Mount Tabor Methodist Church schoolroom, private houses (at no cost), the Station Hotel in Port St. Mary, the Cosy Nook Cafe in Port Erin, the Erin Arts Centre, and the Marashen Crescent sheltered accommodation community room - to name but a few.

Today many of our rehearsals are at Marashen Crescent. Also in 2013 we have started using the very hospitable Station Hotel in Port Erin as a base for Play Readings. This in addition to attracting new members enables thirsts to be quenced duing and after much conversation.

The following pages are taken from Stan Woolock's History of Rushen Amateur Dramatic Society's written in 2001 and with some updates to reflect changes from 2001 to 2013
In the BeginningPlays PresentedTrouble Ahead
Incidents to RememberSocial Activities
Financial AspectsManx Amateur Drama Federation (MADF)Drama WorkshopsPresidents of  the SocietyVenues
Looking to the Future

Back


© www.rushenplayers.org.uk 2014