The Early Days

All Saints Dramatics Society was founded in 1950 by Rev Clifford Davies in All Saints Church Hall, with our first production being The Whole Town’s Talking in 1951. The hall was constructed mainly of wood and corrugated iron and was designed as a temporary church before All Saints Church itself was finished in the 1900's. The stage was adequate for not only plays but also pantomimes, which in the early days were put on by the Youth Club under the direction of Brenda Underhill, the curate's wife. Several of our current longer-standing members joined the society at this time and some have even gone on to wed and some of their resulting offspring are treading the boards today!
Changing facilities were quite good with provision for separate ladies and gents - however the gents changing room was the kitchen which meant the tea ladies either had to close their eyes (dangerous when pouring hot water!) or be broad minded. During this period one of the well remembered plays was "The Vigil" with the vicar Reg Allen and the curate Mervyn Underhill playing the prosecuting and defence councils.
The society had its ups and downs - Brenda moved to Hedge End with Mervyn and the Youth Club eventually folded. The society didn't have a permanent producer, 1968 was an all time low with no productions that year at all. However, Joy Patton who had produced several Youth Club Pantomimes agreed to produce Society plays and the society gradually began to grow again.
We reached and all time high note in 1971 with the highly acclaimed production of The Miracle Worker - winning Echo nominations for the best actress (Lesley Lock) and best new comer (Gail Pilling). Then disaster struck, two arsonists decided to set light to the hall one night and all we had left were smouldering ruins and memories.