It occurred to me when reading the first issue of this magazine that you might wonder why Thorpe Players is appearing in Chertsey Life. Why no Chertsey Players? Did Chertsey ever have a drama group of its own? The answer is “Yes”, at least two. Let me try and explain.
Once upon a time, a very long time ago, there was a Chertsey Dramatic Club. The earliest reference I have found so far is in 1929, when it was Chertsey Amateur Dramatic Club. If this is right, that would make it one of the earliest groups. Certainly, after World War II the group was using the Constitutional Hall as its base and for performances. This is the building that became Wellers Auctioneers, and is now flats, in Guildford Street, opposite the entrance to Aldi. Sometime in the late 60’s/ early 70’s The Con was condemned as unsafe, so in 1974 Chertsey Dramatic relocated to Lyne Club (now Lyne Village Hall) where it remained until it folded two or three years later.
There was at least one other drama group over the years. When the Chertsey Hall was first built in the 1980’s there was finally a decent stage in the town. In May 1981 Bernard Ashfold set up a new group called Redwynde Players, Redwynde being an old name for the Bourne. I have to admit to being a founder member of this, along with my mother, Audrey. We did indeed do a few plays in the Chertsey Hall, but it is not as suitable for drama as it appears – it is much better for music. Unfortunately, Redwynde became ideologically split over the purpose of a drama group and disappeared in the mid 80’s.
These two groups had at least two curious things in common. Firstly, they both put on a play called “No Time for Fig Leaves”, by Duncan Greenwood and Robert King, which was very popular with amateur groups. It imagined a world where, for the lack of men, women were Prime Minister and cabinet members (Shock! Horror!), so there were plenty of good roles for women, and it only needed two men. The plot is a bit dated now, of course. The second thing the groups had in common is that the remaining members, and audience, of both transferred to Thorpe Players.
So there you have it; that is why Thorpe Players is in Chertsey Life.
Valerie Lane
Chairman
