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The following article was published in the Hunts Post on the 25th November, 1993, following disappointing audiences for 'Loot'.
THE world of, amateur dramatics really has its ups and downs ask anyone
involved in it, and they will give you plenty of downs.
When Huntingdon Drama Club was formed 50 years ago, it had its problems.
The Second: World War meant there was a shortage of readily available
volunteers; the club was made up entirely of anyone under the age of 18 and over
50.
One of its founder members, Jack Hyde, then 17 years of age, was determined to
see amateur dramatics flourishing in Huntingdonshire.
"Drama really can bring the community together," he said.
But sadly we struggle in today's times. We performed Joe Orton's ‘Loot’ earlier
on in the month in the Commemoration Hall.
"A total of 105 people attended over the three nights an average of 35 per night
in a hall that holds more than 200.
"When the population of Huntingdon stood at 5,000, we used to get audiences of
450 to 600, Now there are 20,000 in the town and 20,000 in the surrounding
villages and we can't manage half that number."
Mr. Hyde, who is now treasurer of the club, has worked tirelessly over the
years. promoting the group. His work paid off. The club's next performance `Tom
Jones' will be its 95th and between 30 and 40 people regularly turn out to
perform both onstage and offstage.
"We have good periods and bad ones," he explained. "We had a very good period
before television got a complete hold. Sadly, television is one of .the
contributory factors of audience decline.
"It's strange; people are quite happy to watch a play on television but won't
come out and watch one on stage.
"They have this inbred feeling that amateur dramatics involves putting on a
performance in, a cold church hall full of errors and prompts.
"If they turn up, to one of our performances, they'll find it's better than
that.''
The club can sped around £1,000 putting on :a performance, so it is important to
get the audiences back in the auditoriums.
"The hall is warm, car parking is free, refreshments and wine are available
during the interval," said Mr Hyde.
"Admission fees and standards of performances ales comparable with other clubs
in the area. I don't know what they evidence we can provide."
He added: "We celebrate our 50th birthday next year, beginning with a costume
comedy in April. May I ask the public to support this and ensure one ceremony is
not followed by another that of disbandment? The club could not afford another
loss of such magnitude."
It was accompanied by a photograph of club members rehearsing for Noel Coward's 'Hay Fever' - their 40th anniversary performance.