The society has its origins in two groups founded in the pre-war years, the original New Forest Players founded in 1931 and the New Milton Amateur Dramatic Society founded three years earlier in 1928. The New Milton Amateur Dramatic Society presented straight plays between 1928 and 1941, when the activities of the society were suspended (like so many other societies) due to the hostilities. Their producer was Frank Weston who directed a score of plays for them, the last a notable staging of ‘Distinguished Gathering’. The New Forest Players originally performed musicals before the War but switched to straight plays during the conflict.
Unlike most dramatic societies, or for that matter many other organisations, the Society carried on during the War, and in fact throughout its history no year has passed without at least one production. There were four in the 1943-4 season, and a further four in 1944-5. War time productions, supplemented by other activities, resulted in quite considerable gifts to various charities, the total during the period 1939-45 being of the order of £685.
The beginnings of the society are linked with the name of Mrs. Lola Platt, whose enthusiasm and competence laid the foundations on which it has been built. The twenties, thirties and early forties were the days of the musical, and the records include such productions as ‘San Toy’, ‘The Country Girl’, ‘The Arcadians’ and, the last of them, that delightful comedy of English history, ‘1066 and All That’, in which some forty performers took part.
The resignation of Mrs. Platt as producer and chairman of the Society, after seventeen years’ devoted work, was the end of a chapter. After the end of the War the two societies amalgamated under the name of ‘The New Forest Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Players’, the first production being Agatha Christie’s ‘Ten Little Niggers’ in 1946. In 1948 the society simplified its name to the ‘New Forest Players’.
The story of the players thus falls into two chapters – the era of the musical and that of the straight play. But although the emphasis is no longer on musical comedy, music and dancing has not been neglected. In most seasons since 1966 the society has produced a pantomime, adding yet more variety into the yearly programmes. It seems quite fitting that our 75th season should finish with a musical with the production of Lionel Barts ‘Oliver’, taking the society full circle.
In the Society’s early days, a permanent resident producer was always appointed, the first three being Mrs Platt, Mr Stride and Mr Ian Brown, but in 1949 a new policy of appointing producers for each play came into force which still operates today.
To recall the names of NFP actors and actresses would be an impossible task but mention must be made of members who have adopted professional careers. Yvette Wyatt understudied Clare Bloom in ‘Ring Round the Moon’, later playing the part opposite Paul Scofield when the West End company went on tour, and Ian Brown was for five years in charge of the British Army radio network in Cyprus. Others included John Grearson, June Morrish, Pat Draper, Myrtle Moss and Neil Turner, and latterly Matthew Steer, Adi Cobey, Mandi Chennell, Norma Howard and Pete Davies.
Our widely-known emblem was born in our 1948-9 season when a competition was announced among our members culminating in a display of a couple of dozen entries in the Church Hall. Judging was on a voting basis, and the winning device, with its now-familiar trumpet, flag and forest oak leaf, was that submitted by Arthur Davies. The emblem was first used in programmes and publicity for Frank Weston’s production of ‘Miranda’ in Sept/Oct 1949.
In 1963, it was decided to produce a monthly News sheet to keep everyone au fait with the club’s activities and interests. It was christened ‘Contact’, a competition being held to find an appropriate and original title (obviously no entries were received, as it still bears that name today).
The NFP originally owned wooden storage huts next to the Rectory. These were burnt down in 1977 in an arson attack and replaced with today’s brick structure. Since 1992, the Society has held a lease on the current Clubhouse in Old Milton Road, which serves as both an equipment store and rehearsal space.
The NFP has long had an association with the Church. Lola Platt, our founder, at one time owned what is now the Rectory. Productions were staged in the Church Hall up until 1984 after which productions were held at the Arts Centre and the Memorial Hall. However, from September 2000, the Arts Centre was no longer available for our use and all Club Nights and Main productions were staged at the Memorial Hall. In September 2001 we saw a return to our roots as owing to the cheaper hiring charges and proximity to our Clubhouse and store, Club Night plays were again to be held at the Church Hall.
If the dramatic side of the NFP can be divided into two periods the same may be said of its social activities, the appropriate chapter headings for which would perhaps be Whist Drive and Club Night. Before and during the War, whist drives were frequent, popular and profitable; since, the Club Night has flourished with one-act plays (providing a nursery for budding actors and producers), talks and almost every conceivable variety of instruction and entertainment. Other events held throughout the years have included the popular annual treasure hunt and until very recently an annual tennis tournament. More recently we have included annual skittles and quiz evenings and many other one-off events.
In 1973 it was decided to revive the Junior Membership and set up workshops for our younger members at regular intervals. These have continued on and off over the years and currently are held weekly for children aged 5 – 18 yrs old. These educational events are an important part of the Charitable Status which the society gained in April 1995 which brought the benefits of tax-free savings and also a 100% rebate on the Council Tax bill for the Clubhouse and store.
The NFP celebrated their Golden Jubilee in 1977/78 with productions of ‘Absurd Person Singular’, ‘Babes in the Wood’, ‘Something to Hide’ and ‘Cavalcade’. A One-Act Play writing competition was held which was nation-wide and had entries from Lancashire, down through the Midlands to the Southern Counties – indeed the winning entry came from Wales. A formal Dinner and Dance was held for the members at the Red House Hotel, and at Club Nights there were displays of photographs and programmes throughout our acting years.
The NFP’s Diamond Jubilee in 1987/88 saw us putting on ‘When we are Married’, ‘Old King Cole’, ’84 Charing Cross Road’ and ‘Waiting in the Wings’. To celebrate this occasion we also held our very first One Act Play Festival which has become an annual event. A formal Dinner and Dance was held for members at the Rhinefield House Hotel.
In our 75th season, the productions will be ‘Amy’s View’, ‘Round and Round the Garden’, ‘Don’t Dress for Dinner’ and Lionel Bart’s ‘Oliver’. In addition to our Festival we will be hosting the British All Winners Drama Festival in July. A dinner is planned on Friday 18th July for the members at the East Close Hotel and also a picnic in the forest.
Administratively, the Society has been well served by officials and committee members who have undertaken the running of a large society with devotion. There have been six presidents of the society: Mrs Platt 1944-46, Mr Dudfield 1946-52, Mrs Dudfield 1952-61, Alec Stewart 1962-1985, Iain Stirling 1986-1988 and Michael Collyer 1989 – present, and numerous chairman who have all given their time and effort for the benefit of the society. As technology continues to grow, more and more people are getting computers and in 2002 the NFP acquired its own website. On this are details of forthcoming productions, events and Club Nights, plus a full list of previous productions going right back to 1928 with photographs being added all the time.
No other attraction can take the place of live theatre which for seventy-five years the New Forest Players have tried to keep available to the public. Let us hope that our familiar emblem of trumpet and forest oak leaf will be the hallmark of courageous artistic endeavour and quality entertainment for many years to come. |
