ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2011
Off Centre Theatre
Annual General Meeting
2010-
Chair’s Report
Welcome to the OCT 2010-
All societies exist in and through their membership and so I begin by thanking all members for their support throughout the year by their participation in and attendance at the OCT productions, activities, club nights and other community events. Members’ support has been an encouragement to the Committee throughout the year.
There were two very successful and well supported productions in 2010. The first was a serious and dramatic youth production, Merlin and the Cave of Dreams, centring on the tales of King Arthur and the Celtic mysticism of that period, involving 19 young people on stage and drawing in near full audiences. Our congratulations go to the directors Stephanie Harris and Jain Boon. The other very notable and successful production was that celebrating the anniversary of the death of Charles Rolls, The Rolls Review, where 27 young people and 15 actors were involved on stage and again congratulations go to Cedric Gibbons and Gordon Casson for the production and the writing of the Review which was attended by a total of 532 over the five performances.
During 2010 plans had been made for a John Godber play, Going Dutch, to be put on in November, directed by Jim Newcomb, but unfortunately Geoff Manning, one of the cast, had to withdraw pending an operation and therefore it was felt necessary to defer putting on the play. Our thoughts prayers and wishes for a full and quick recovery go to Geoff and also for his wife, Sue. Rehearsals for the first of our 2011 productions in March 2011 of Allo Allo, were begun in November directed and produced by Tom Rigby and Gordon Casson.
To mark the opening of the refurbished Shire Hall the Council approached OCT in July with a proposal that OCT produce a play, ‘The Chartists’ written by a playwright, Phillip Michel and engaged by the Council. However after a number of meetings it was felt not to be feasible as OCT could not produce sufficient numbers of male actors with a welsh accent for the size of play envisaged. This will now be taken on by Phillip with a view of engaging the whole community.
During the course of the year the Committee were approached though the committee to help out a local youth theatre group who had lost their premises and the committee felt able to offer free use of our premises over the summer and autumn terms in return for the group’s leader, Sam Densham, giving free places on their workshop sessions to OCT youth members and a part in their Christmas Pantomime.
With having to adjust to a new venue and with the task of getting into a new routine our club nights have been rather staggered though the year. Nevertheless we have still been able to maintain a varied programme of entertainment and activity of skittles, play readings, quiz nights, bingo, treasure hunt as well as a bumper Christmas Party and a Fire Work night.
In addition to these was a Comedy Workshop by a professional actor and tutor, Chris Harris, and this year we were able to provide a float for the Monmouth Carnival. Thanks to all those who were responsible for organising and leading these events.
We must pay tribute this year to members of OCT and in particular Chris Ryde and Stephanie Harris for their part in the rescue of the Savoy and the setting up of a new Trust. It is good to see the Savoy now functioning with local productions, top notch acts, personalities and professionals and top class films with OCT members involved in providing FOH . Well done one and all.
It has taken some time to settle into the new premises of St John’s Ambulance building with adapting to less floor space and not having Monday and Tuesdays being St John’s days for meeting and classes. However we are grateful to Anne and Stuart for the use of their home and hospitality in order to have our committee meetings on a Monday evening while we still have the rest of the week for meetings, club nights and rehearsals etc. This year we have been able to renegotiate our rent and Tenancy Agreement so as to come to a more satisfactory financial arrangement.
Membership in 2010 was 82. It is worth reminding members, if they have not already done so, that OCT can benefit from members gift aiding their subscription. Forms can be obtained from the Gift Aid secretary on 01600 716057 or brianpearce777@btinternet.com.
Once again we are indebted to Keith Mortimer for a comprehensive, informative, attractive
and exciting Web Site and for keeping us on our toes with demands for current information
and input from members. We would encourage all members use Web Site and more importantly
still to add their own comments and information of interest to members. In particular
photographs and memories of past productions, past members or events of interest
will be welcomed by Keith. The Website address is www.offcentretheatre.org.uk with
email addresses:-
info@offcentretheatre.org,uk – for information re OCT
news@offcentretheatre.org.uk – to send news items
comment@offcentretheatre.org.uk – for comments on items
help@offcentretheatre.org.uk – to report any feedback about the site itself
Please get in touch with Keith for a password into the Members section of the Web Site.
Finally I must express my sincere thanks to our committee for their service this
year. A special thanks to Paula Brady for our secretary; to Caroline Pearce our Vice-
With high hopes for all that 2011 will bring.
Brian Pearce -
Brian’s report is provided covering events up to January 2011 and delivered at the AGM, 6 April 2011.
The Cast of
‘Merlin And The Cave Of Dreams’