KIDDERMINSTER PLAYHOUSE
1946 - 1968 A Souvenir
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THE BEGINNING OF THE STRUGGLE
The Nonentities, a happy-go-lucky group in the tradition of the strolling players, acting on any stage that was offered them and giving the proceeds to charity, became a business organisation. The theatre had been snapped up from under the nose of a London manager but this was war-time, restrictions abounded and shortage was not restricted to money.The first committee had George Slater as secretary and Charles Hackett as treasurer; both were to hold office for many years.
Meanwhile the show went on. While the derelict Edwardian theatre, built in 1903 and last used as a food store, was being put in order the Nonentities played in the Town Hall. The plays included Blithe Spirit, Libel, The King Who Couldn't Laugh, The Barretts of Wimpole Street (this was the first of many productions by Robert Gaston) and This Happy Breed and the roll-call now included Tom Trewin, Dorothy Bird, Ann Hathway and Olwen Wright.
The counting of pennies will occupy a big part in this record. Here is a first instalment:
| Before 1943 the society raised £1,000 for war-time charities;
the old Opera House cost £6,000, bought with the help of a mortgage, and it was proposed to spend £l0,000 on restoring and equipping it; |
| towards the total of £16,000 (which grew to £19,000) the Nonentities contributed £2,200, a public appeal brought in £1,000, the Arts Council gave £500 and made a loan of £3,000, the Town Council made a loan of £1,000. |
It was then in debt to the tune of £10,800.