Ron Drew's Theatre Page

Ron Drew's Theatre Page

Reminiscences (This page was started in 1998 and has been updated over time)

TREADING THE FUTURE

As in other parts of the country, South Shields Amateur Theatre is suffering from the existence of an increasing number of other activities created by the ever changing social atmosphere. The tremendous output of soaps and sport from television compounds these problems.

The cost of hiring theatres in which to perform are rising. Costs of production rights, costumes and the many other important parts of a theatrical production are all spiralling up. If the quality of theatre by amateurs is to be maintained, then funds to sustain these costs must be obtained from grants, sponsorship or the good old jumble sales and collecting boxes.

If these are not forthcoming then, whilst maintaining the quality of the performance, the quality of the show must reluctantly be downgraded; for the the theatre-going public will put an end to the catch 22 situation. They will take their bums off the seats and refuse to pay the unrealistic price for tickets that would be necessary to have the luxury of a quality performance in a quality theatre with a quality production.

Until that day arrives, I will look forward to sharing many more happy years with the SSAOS. It's unlikely that there will be an acting part for a member with 2 left feet, a memory like a sieve and too many other commitments to be able to devote 100% to rehearsals. However my heart is still with the South Shields AOS and maybe the powers will continue to find me something to do whilst I'm still able to talk and walk; - even just to continue my present activity with them as a PROGRAMME SELLER!

Since this chapter was started, the SSAOS Committee have made a bold decision.
At the Annual General Meeting of the SSAOS held 28th February 2000, they announced that because of the escalating cost of producing shows at the Sunderland Empire, the venue was to relocate to their home town. From the year 2000 future productions of both the Senior and Junior sections of the Society would be held at the Customs House, Mill Dam, SOUTH SHIELDS.

It was felt that whilst the spectacle in future shows may now be limited, neither the enjoyment of the members in their hobby nor the pleasure of the paying public will be diminished. It presents a challenge to all - the committee as well as both the acting members and the stage staff of the Society .

Sadly, since writing the above (it is now 2001), increasing costs of producing Junior Shows are becoming difficult to cover by the takings at the box office. Increasing the price of tickets is not the easy answer - there is a limit to what the public will pay to see an amateur show, no matter what the talent or standard of production is presented to them. As a result the Society's committee have transferred the Juniors back to the Pier Pavilion for their 2002 production.

But will this be the answer? Will the Seniors follow suit? Will the public continue to support a Society, renowned for its singing talents by a large chorus, watch a performance on a small stage? A stage that looks cramped when it has more than 20 actors trying to do movements?

Perhaps we should be looking urgently at other methods of funding. Many other organisations appear to have no difficulty in obtaining funds from the lottery, trusts, business sponsors and the local council. I go back to what I said at the beginning - let's not be too proud to run raffles and boot sales as well as the social evenings that already take place. We need a variety of methods of fund raising to keep our head above water. The Society built up a sizable contingency fund over many years to cover emergencies. It mustn't be used to fund current productions - the result would be that ultimately the SSAOS would disappear into a big black hole.

This final addition to my SSAOS web pages, written in April 2004, makes me very sad. It would appear that my previously recorded advice has not been heeded. Advice from someone who has been a member of the South Shields Amateur Operatic Society for over 50 years: from someone who has been working for the Society with experience on the stage, back stage, in the committee room, and front of house. These words are written, not out of conceit nor boasting: they are written to give the reader the background of my experience. I speak from the position of someone who has seen this happen before.

I have seen other organisations with which I was connected rise and fall because they were not prepared to face reality and make difficult decisions to avoid a pending catastrophe. In any democracy, however, members must abide by the wishes of the majority even if, in the eyes of some, it is a retrograde step.

Every member of an organisation must be prepared to work for the group; giving of time and energy and, within their capacity, their money. If all this fails then, as in our Society's case, no matter how much we all wish to emulate, a West End production , though on a smaller scale, we must bite the bullet and cut our cloth according to our means or find the means to provide for our wishes.

The Junior Section had returned to The Customs House in 2002 yet both the Junior and Senior productions are still showing a loss on their shows. Recent productions have continued to bleed heavily the contingency fund , built up in earlier years, as an buffer against emergencies. However, it does not take long to dissipate even the largest of funds.

This year, at the 2004 AGM of the Society, the 26 members present were informed that the committee's answer to these serious problems was to propose that in order to rejuvenate the interest in the Society its name should be changed as from the summer of 2004. These members present acquiesced to the motion and the Society is no longer to be known as the Amateurs or the SSAOS - the names by which The South Shields Amateur Operatic Society has been known in the North-East for 87 years. It is now South Shields Musical Productions.

Words fail me except to say that I honestly hope the South Shields Amateurs as well as the organisation which follows it under a different name will be remembered in the future with as much affection as The Amateurs had in the past.

No change of name can remove a cancer.

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