|
Sixty Years Young!
The History of GADS
The Society was formed sixty years ago in the Autumn of 1947 by a group of 27 people from Garforth and the surrounding area who called the group Garforth and District Theodorian Society, a name that was later changed to Garforth and District Amateur Dramatic Society. The initial annual subscription was 5/-.
It was intended to produce a pantomime, which had been written by a local author but due to various problems it was abandoned and Dear Octopus by Dodie Smith was the first production performed at St Mary’s Hall. The tickets were 2/- and 1/6 on Thursday and Friday and 2/6 and 2/- on Saturday. Booking was essential as the hall was quite small.
In 1952 there were 32 members at the AGM and there was also a junior section to encourage youngsters to tread the boards, and a very enthusiastic Social Committee who organised a wide range of events.
As St Mary’s became too small to accommodate the audiences the productions were moved to the Miners Welfare Hall in 1955, but about 1970 the hall was closed for refurbishment and the society temporarily moved to the Comprehensive School (Garforth Community College). Bi-annual productions have been at the Miners Welfare Hall ever since.
|
Recent Productions
Anybody For Murder
By Martyn.
The last production – Anybody For Murder – was another success, with lots of positive comments and a total audience figure of well over three hundred, maintaining the upward trend which we’ve seen over the past two or three years. Various factors have contributed to this but I think the main one is our continuing reputation for producing good quality entertainment, which is what it’s all about. Mike’s impressive stage construction drew deserved applause on more than one occasion, and he was kept busy with running repairs as most of the cast seemed unable to remember which way the doors opened! Also worthy of mention was his heroism on the Friday night, in restraining his excitement at Leeds’ last minute winner against Preston until the curtain closed!
Cash On Delivery
- Noda Review
“There is always a warm welcome at Garforth and it is good to see that they are still getting full houses for their plays. This was a very complicated comedy and how the cast followed it filled me with admiration. Their dialogue never faltered even though it must have been difficult remembering which character they were playing. The cast had been directed well and the comedy moves were timed to perfection and much appreciated by the audience. After the play an appeal was made for more members, especially for men, a cry that I have heard more than once just lately. I do hope that they had a good response to this appeal.”
|
Sponsorship
if you would like to sponsor us then call our Secretary Laura Oswald on
07910 811540
or click here to email us.
Advertise Your Business
Contact our Secretary about advertising your business in our production programmes
Friends of GADS
Become a Friend of GADS. Ask a society member for details or contact the Secretary
Dates for your Diary
Our Next Production
will be performed Nov 28th to Dec 1st 2007. The name of the play to be announced soon
Play Readings;
(to be held at the Cricket Club, 7.30pm all are welcome (16+ years)
Thursday 14th June
Thursday 28th June
Thursday 5th July
Thursday 19th July
Treasure Hunt;
Wednesday 11th July (from 6.30pm), starts at Tesco's car park, £3.50 per adult and £2 per child, a light buffet will be provided at the finishing point
The Garforth Lions Gala;
This event will take place on Sunday 1st July, and as before we will have our bookstall.
|
