A New Venture.

The Rev. S. Powley, vicar of Denaby Main, who was responsible for the formation of the Denaby Church Players, whose first production is noticed elsewhere, is not without experience. He helped to form the now well-established Thurnscoe Amateur Dramatic Society, in whose productions he has taken leading parts, and had previous experience in Yarmouth. In spite of the fact that he is now vicar of a very strenuous parish he intends to give all the encouragement he can to the Denaby Church Players.

His view of the dramatic society as an adjunct to the church was- given to me in a chat I had with him before last Monday’s performance: “Dramatic societies help the social life of the church considerably, for not only do they get people together to interest them in drama, but it is a Very good means of getting them acquainted with one another. I think the social side is a most important part of work, and if you cannot try and lift the people out of their every-day

His view of the dramatic society as an adjunct to the church was given to me in a chat hi had with him before last Monday’s performance:

“Dramatic Societies help the social life of the church considerably, for not only do they get people together to interest them in drama, but it is a very good means of getting them acquainted with one another. I think the social side is a most important part of work, and if you cannot try and lift the people out of their everyday environment you are not much use. By means of a dramatic organisation you not only have the opportunity of giving the people an amusing hour or so, but of suggesting to them something educational. The great thing is to bring a little colour into humdrum lives. There is plenty of talent here and it can be done, although the going is rather heavy and uphill.”

An effort to run a dramatic society in Denaby Main was made a few years ago when the Denaby and District Thespians were formed. This society only ran for two years before it failed for want of support. This is not an unusual experience for new organisations attempting to gain a foothold without the backing of some established organisation, but, with the various sections of the church behind it, the Denaby Church Players should not lack audiences. As a purely church society, all the proceeds of the Players’ productions will go to Church funds, although it is not necessary that members of the society should be church people. Some of the old Thespians, who are not members of the Church of England, are already acting members of the Players and other non-members will be welcomed.

With regard to the development of the Players, Mr. Powley told me that they had no definite scheme in hand. “If these plays go at all well I want to do ‘a full-length play, ‘If Four Walls Told.’ for instance, or ‘Young Imeson.” This production of one-act plays is only being given for one night, but if possible I want to have plays in the future produced on two nights, because people who cannot get ‘on one night can usually get on the other.

“I have some craftsmen in the church, and the next thing I propose to do is to get them together helping to make our own properties and sets. I think the proceeds of our next production might go towards helping along that work. I know it means very hard work, but we have a lot of enthusiasm, and even if I only get 30 per cent results for 100 per cent effort, I shall be satisfied to begin with.”

It is obvious from these remarks that Mr. Powley is no mere titular -president, but that he is one with a lively interest in the venture which he has helped to launch, and from what one saw of the Denaby Church Players on Monday night he has reason to be optimistic.