THEATRE WHAKATANE INC HISTORY

In 2005, following several years of discussion between Whakatane Operatic Society and Whakatane Repertory Soceity, the inaugural Annual General Meeting of Theatre Whakatane Incorporated took place, and with it the election of a new committee and adoption of a new constitution.

The first committee of Scott Jarrett (President), Bill Clark and Gaye Moyes (Vice-Presidents), Gwenda Ruegg (Secretary), Teresa Doggett (Treasurer), Brian Skilling, George Odey, Roxanne Reid, Mark Fort and Colin Guthrie brought together a combination of members from both previous societies with a commitment to continue live theatre in all forms.

As both societies had existing properties, these were both sold with the proceeds going towards the purchase of new clubrooms. This involved extensive fundraising, taking many forms from grants from funding agencies, donations from individuals and businesses, through to being the scary people in the Horror Maze.

With a lot of discussion as to our requirements, and several disappointments along the way, the property at 30 Gateway Drive, Whakatane was purchased. This property will be developed into a state of the art boutique theatre and rehearsal facility for use by the whole community. As well as being the home base for Theatre Whakatane, it will be fully functional for the community to use for performances, meetings, auditions, rehearsals and recitals, as well as providing set building, storage and a costumes wardrobe. Continued efforts to raise the funds required for this extensive development are still underway, but Theatre Whakatane does now officially have a home.

The aim is to have memorabilia displayed from both previous societies in the new facility, and that it will not only be our asset, but a community asset as well.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF…

  • The Repertory Society in Whakatane was initiated by a Mr John Kelsey in 1950, who was its first President. Interested persons attended a meeting at Magnus Lennie's premises in Strand East and it was decided to purchase two sections in James Street from a Mr Green, who owned the grocery shop on the corner of James and King Streets, for 300 pounds (150 pounds per section). This money was raised by the first group of members and the Title purchased.

    Then the Hut was built, again by members, aided by Mr Warren Beasley (a local builder) and Mr Luke (of Boon, Sullivan and Luke). Then, as now, it was obviously all hands on to get things done.

    The first committee consisted of, amongst others - John Kelsey, President, Gladys Franklyn, Secretary (this job taken on the following year by Dorothy Pearce) and Millie Thatcher, Treasurer. Others on the committee were Cyril Thatcher, Warren and Barbara Beasley, Doug Debreceny. Incidentally, Millie is still with us.

    Other early members were Ursula Lovelock, Nan Morice, John Sullivan, Breton Chadwick (Robin Chadwick's father), Froggie Le Lievre and Ian McLean.

    The first production was 'You Can't Take It With You' by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufmanan. This was probably performed at the old Grand Theatre on the Strand, but other, smaller productions were put on at the Women's Institute Hall in Lovelock Street.

    All the Record Books and photographs are held at the Whakatane Museum, where you are quite welcome to peruse them for further information.

    So, 1950 to 2005 - not bad going and many, many happy memories - of successes - ALL successes in our eyes but some not so rewarding; of hard work, dedication and all the great people who have come through the doors of our little Hut in James Street and contributed to 'The Repertory'.

  • Whakatane Operatic Society was born in 1959 from the thought of a few such as Don Stewart, Gordon Church and Jim Hudson. They had believed that there was acting and musical abilities lying latent in Whakatane and these abilities should awakened and enjoyed by those who preferred to watch performances.

    With this thought, the Whakatane Operatic Society was born with 50 pounds in its pocket, hope and eager stage-struck members. Meetings were held in Committee member’s homes and when the occasion called for it in a local hall. The first President was Mr Don Stewart.

    The first production was Follow the Fleet in 1959 and played for two nights and enjoyed a very warm reception and there was such public demand that another night was played about a month later.

    With performances in various locations such as the Grand Theatre, Memorial Hall, Restaurants and local halls, they even toured as far as Opotiki to put on performances for the “Country folk”. Imagine transporting the sets, costumes, musicians and the like in that time without the technology and transport we have today. Sets were built in business houses storage areas or private properties.

    A variety of locals have tread the boards or played in the orchestra pit for the musicals played from 1959 until the current production and many retain their membership today. Some names from the past and many who have enjoyed both appearance on stage for Repertory and Operatic or in the orchestra include, Shirley Sherborne, Joan Volmuller, Dick Hales, Ina Doggett, Mary Bell, Jan Miller, Peggy Mitchell, Briton Chadwick, Valda Niederer, Bert Bleasdale, Adele Harrison, Margaret Dempsey, David Smith and many, many more.

    The Society after years of fundraising purchased their own clubrooms in the late 1960’s in Bracken Street and transformed a mechanics garage into a home for members to audition, rehearse and socialize. They remained there until the amalgamation with Whakatane Repertory Society.

    There has been a variety of musicals played to the audiences over the years and also several joint productions with Repertory. Over the last 10 years many of those appearing on stage or assisting with technical crews have been members of both theatre groups and it was mooted that perhaps to ease the load, combine resources and the financial costs, it would be worth while discussing amalgamation of the two groups.