| Description | STOURBRIDGE THEATRE SOCIETY (STS)
The first meeting recorded was dated May 1946. The Mayor, Mr R. Dunn, J.P became the first President of the society, and Mr Thorneycroft became the first Chair.
Initially, the main aims of the society were the raising of funds, and building a theatre. As this would take some time, the S.T.S. meanwhile would "aim at the co-ordination of all existing societies with the objection of stimulating interest in music and drama".
The committee aimed at having a membership of 1,000 during the first year, but this turned out to be a little ambitious as by the General Meeting on 20th May 1947, membership stood at 604. Membership initially cost 2/6. By Jan 1949, membership had fallen to 290. When the society closed in June 1956, membership stood at only 60.
For members' entertainment, various talks were arranged such as 'The Stage' by Lady Hardwicke, and a talk on the Kidderminster Theatre. Music evenings were laid on, such as those performed by the Operatic Society. Trips to places such as the Kidderminster Playhouse and the Stratford Memorial Theatre were organized.
Members' entertainment events and attendance at meetings were hampered somewhat during late 1947-48 due to the abolition of the basic petrol during the War, so the setting up of a weekly bus to the Kidderminster Playhouse was proposed.
The society produced a quarterly newsletter called "Bulletin". The price of which was 4d when the first edition came out in 1946, and was distributed free to members.
Land in Mount Street, and Birmingham Street were inspected and considered as a site for the theatre in the first year of the STS. Later options considered included improvements of the Town Hall. By 1951-52, sites such as in the vicinity of Bath Road and Greenfield Avenue were possibilities for the building of a 'Little Theatre'. Numerous other land sites were considered over the 10 years the S.T.S existed, but sadly no theatre was built.
Local Societies were invited to send representatives to act as co-opted members on the General Committee. These included the Concert Society, Institute Choirs and Stourbridge Play Readers.
In 1952 the S.T.S. proposed the organisation of the "The Stourbridge Theatre Society Drama Festival" (later simply known as the Drama Festival). The programme for the 4th Drama Festival in December 1955 shows performances were put on by Y.M.C.A. Players, performing "Red Sky at Night", "Flying Trapeze" by Wordsley Amateur Dramatic Society, and "Two Aunts and Grandmother" by the Lapal Townwomen's Guild.
The final meeting was held 20th June 1956 at the Talbot Hotel. The Chairman, Mr Lucy, said the Society had "run into difficult times and it was doubtful if it was providing a service which the community wanted". Mr Sydney Ryder stated that Television's increased popularity had had an adverse effect on the Sunday evening meetings and the attendance had been very poor. He added that the Society still had no site for a theatre. The remaining money was to be transferred to a committee for the continuance of the annual Drama Festival. |
| AdminHistory | The STS was set up in 1946, and disbanded in 1956 |