TO mark its 60th anniversary Malvern Theatre Association is holding a celebration day on Sunday, July 21.
President Mark James, the regular panto funny man, is hosting a family fun afternoon in the theatre foyer with magic, games, balloon modelling and a lucky dip, while in the evening there will be a members’ 'Glamour, Glitz and 60 Years' event.
"And now ladies and gentlemen I would like you to join with me and put your hands together in a rousing round of applause for a group of people without whom tonight’s event would not have been possible.”
At which the packed auditorium rose as one to show appreciation for the work of the members of Malvern Theatre Association.
It doesn’t happen like that of course but maybe it should.
Because the volunteers of the MTA are one of the backbones, unsung heroes, call them what you will, of the theatre complex in Grange Road and this year the association celebrates its 60th birthday.
Unsung they may be but appreciated they certainly are and Fred Moroni, executive director of Malvern Theatres, said: “I’m delighted to congratulate the MTA on its anniversary. Without our volunteers, the theatre could not survive.
"Thanks to the MTA we can look to the future with optimism and working together for the years ahead.”
To which Judith Gudgeon of the MTA added: “Our love of and commitment to Malvern Theatres has not diminished over 60 years when we have supported the growth and development of the complex through fundraising and steadfast volunteering. We look forward to the next 60 years.”
It all began back in 1964 when the future of the theatre complex was insecure.
The cinema part had closed and the theatre had been used, for most of the year, as a replacement cinema.
Malvern Urban Council had taken over the building and a trust had been suggested to ensure the future of the theatre and to manage it.
However, before that emerged the following year to foster and encourage interest in the theatre an association was suggested, to be called Malvern Theatre Association.
At the beginning of July 1964 a meeting was held in the Winter Gardens (now The Forum), 200 people attended and the association was formed.
Over the following weeks MTA members and volunteers redecorated and re-equipped the Picture House (the cinema) and Festival Theatre.
This included removing tons of worn fittings, dismantling, re-covering and re-installing seats in the auditorium, applying litres of paint and distemper to the Picture House walls and ceilings, doing odd carpentry, redecorating the theatre foyer, installing the foyer bar and, having removed large quantities of old scenery and props, transforming the cellar into a restaurant.
Following the re-opening of the theatre 400 guests attended the MTA First Night Ball.
The alterations had been the vision and planning of the Theatre Trust with the help of the association.
The MTA was to become responsible for hospitality and hostess duties welcoming people to the theatre, to help advise and answer questions, to organise front-of-house duties, selling programmes, making and selling coffee in the interval and organising after-show drinks for the touring companies following their first night performance.
It was considered proper for evening dress (dinner jackets) to be worn. As an alternative for men grey flannels and open neck shirts, while for the ladies grey skirts and white blouses with a distinctive badge. Now it’s black trousers or skirts with a black jacket for ladies.
From 1969 the MTA arranged and produced a regular stage show called AVOE (A Variety of Entertainment) which involved many local people and societies.
These continued successfully, contributing funds each year and always playing two separate shows to packed houses.
The MTA Club was formed in 1969 to offer bar facilities after performances when the theatre bar was normally closed and to operate a club similar to those enjoyed in other theatres.
This allowed after-show parties to meet visiting artists and for amateur societies to relax and enjoy themselves after their productions. Any profits were given to the theatre.
The association contributed together with the MTA Club more than £30,000 towards the redevelopment appeal in 1997 which helped towards the major alterations to the theatre in the late 1990s.
By 2005 the association had supplied the orchestra rail in the Festival Theatre, the handrails in the circle, the lighting desk and some follow spots totalling some £20,000.
It also presented the clock in the foyer and new curtains for the Forum Theatre.
Beryl Jones, MTA archivist, said: “Today after 60 years our involvement is still to provide all front-of-house ushering in the theatre and forum, selling programmes and Tuesday mornings in the cinema.
"We still meet on Saturday mornings for a chat, sign up forthcoming duties and to discuss the latest play or performance.
"Fundraising continues with garden parties, back-to-black coffee mornings and our annual Christmas party.
"In the next few years more work will be done on the forum, increasing its appeal, and I am sure the MTA will be there to help front of house during the alterations and offer any duties required in the future.”
And that’s got to be worth a standing ovation and a few curtain calls any day.
It costs £15 a year to join the MTA and support Malvern Theatres.
Contact membership@malverntheatresassociation for more information.
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