Am Dram

Many people are astonished to hear that a small former mining village like Audley has its own theatre.  They are even more astonished to learn how long it has been there and how many productions have been staged there (over 200).
Yet little Audley, a village near Newcastle under Lyme but isolated from it, has a theatrical tradition stretching back many years.

Way back then

Before there was a theatre there was a local dramatic society and it used to perform in the village hall though they did not have proper dressing rooms.

But, in the late sixties, the society managed to acquire the old Palace Cinema, which had closed in 1960 (because so many homes had televisions by then).

Changing the cinema into a theatre was a huge challenge but it was considered that it would be an invaluable resource for the local community. It was opened by the local singing star Jackie Trent in April 1969; and the first production was “All in Good Time”. The women had worked through the night trying to make the costumes look authentic.

This verse, written by one of the Theatre’s producers Martin Thomas, sums up just how diverse the productions held at this theatre are:

“We do Farce and Comedy,
Serious play and parody.
Every year we do our annual panto.
Slapstick, song and lots of innuendo.”

Forty Years On

Of course, a fortieth birthday could not have been allowed to pass without a celebration.
And so the show ‘40’ was born - a variety show containing songs and sketches from past productions at the theatre.

Luckily, because I am Audley born and bred and a huge fan of this theatre, I was allowed to take part in the production; and watched the show grow from concept to rehearsals to sold-out performances!

The sketches in 40 were chosen because they were the ones that bring back the happiest memories for everybody in the cast.
All my favourite productions of the past were in the show (in a shortened form).

The adults performed a short section from ‘Stepping Out’ by Richard Harris, and an extract from a murder mystery farce.
The youth did a section from ‘Bugsy Malone’ (I have been in that musical twice myself, so it is good to see others enjoying performing it as much as I did).
There is also the hilarious sketch that combines all the pantomimes that have been performed in Audley – that brought back many memories for people.

The show opens with adults dressed as children from the past (complete with Stokie accents!) but ends with songs from Hairspray and Grease (which are both currently showing in the West End).

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The Production

Robert Brown even decided to join in, and took part in the show!  What was it like?  Here he reports for us…

Although I only played in the chorus it was so good to be back on this stage after a three-year absence: I just wanted to be part of this huge production.
I was playing Stan Laurel, and having to tap dance in his ‘awkward’ funny style; and it is strange how one has to work really hard to look clumsy and professional!

Martin Thomas, the producer, cleverly decided to use two boxes as platforms for the actors, desks, beds, two boats and just generally to give the sense of lots of different objects, and to enable many and fast sketches (I didn’t think it would work but it did…).
Joel Quick, a fellow English and Media student of mine at Keele University, compiled video footage from past shows, photographs of the musicals we are singing and all sorts of visually impressive material and projected them onto the back of the stage.

Reunion

Some of the old members returned to be in the show and it is the largest cast ever with over 100 performers. Everyone became extremely passionate because, I suppose, we all felt so privileged to be able to participate in this celebration..

The show itself was held from Wednesday 13th May to Saturday 16th May 2009… quite an experience!

In fact, it was a massive success - with full houses every night and many favourable comments from the general public. On the way out of the theatre many of the front-of-house staff were stopped and told how brilliant the show was by patrons.

Unfortunately, I made a mistake on opening night and fell down the stairs between the stage and the auditorium (but I wasn’t hurt). The problem with live theatre is that it is susceptible to spur of the moment problems!

Community's success

One of the founding members of the theatre, Pauline Johnson, said: “it is great to have youth involved with shows like this because they become much more confident people.  In that way, this theatre is a fundamental part of the local community.”

She added: “The future of this theatre is that we will continue to put on productions, train the youth during weekly sessions and, even if some of us can no longer be involved with the theatre, it will continue to be a major part of the local community.
We are geared up for the October play and the annual pantomime in January.’

Reg Johnson, another founding member, said: “We have done extremely well for 40 years of live entertainment. We are very lucky to have a large numbers of members who work closely as a team. The team never splits up and we work together in all the productions. It is one of the closest theatre groups in the area. We also have regular bookers and supporters.’

“We are a unique company in that we have seen many changes to the building over the years. We keep adding to it and making improvements as technology and money improves. We don’t have as much money as the larger companies - but we do well off the council and supporters in the area.”

I enjoyed being in the show, although it was hard work, and will miss all my friends now it is over.
We are however already planning to get together amongst ourselves and put on an evening of singing, dancing and acting for our families.

The theatre keeps on growing and growing.

Here’s to the next 40 years!

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Audley revived its first-ever production as part of the 40th anniversary celebrations. Click 'NEXT' to see our review...

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