How it all started
How it all started
"To provide drama
in the town of Neath, to encourage the development of
local dramatic talent, to provide opportunities for the performance of
original plays, to offer instruction in all phases of dramatic art to
members, to do all in our power to set up a Little Theatre in Neath which
shall be cultural, educational and a social centre for all who are
interested in the many aspects of Amateur Dramatic Art. It is felt that
this movement can satisfy a very definite need in the town and no effort
will be spared in the attempt to establish a Little Theatre in Neath."
Those were the aims and objectives of the Neath Little Theatre movement when
it was launched in 1935, and today, seventy years on, those aims and objectives
still stand firm.The dreams of the founder members of the Neath Little Theatre
have materialised-their own theatre, fully equipped, a membership able to
maintain the presentation of four full-length plays of one week's duration
each for public performance every season and the satisfaction-albeit a
perplexing situation-of having to say they are overbooked for every
performance. A far cry from the days when members of the old Neath Dramatic
Society had to knock on doors trying to sell tickets in order to fill the
Gwyn Hall for one night once a year!
Nevertheless, this same Amateur Dramatic Society, founded by the Billings
Family in 1929 together with a small but keen group of local businessmen
and academics formed the cornerstone of what is now a firmly established
centre of Amateur Drama acknowledged not only in Neath but throughout the
Principality. Founder members have nostalgic memories of the first
headquarters in Water Street, the first tentative steps toward the first
production in the Gwyn Hall and the mounting excitement and eagerness as
the new movement gathered momentum.
By the year 1939, Neath Little Theatre was gaining a strong foothold in the
town. Then came the war. Members were scattered in the services, indeed
members were lost in the hostilities, but the theatre continued to function
during the war years. In the history of the theatre it is probably true to
say that the period 1939-1945 was one of the most important, a period when
it could have folded, but large numbers of new members were welcomed-mostly
short-stay service personnel-all of whom were entertained on the continuing
weekly club nights and on each Saturday afternoon were invited to
headquarters for informal "at homes".
Several servicemen took part in the productions which still continued
through all the stresses and shortages of those years. Like the Windmill
Theatre, Neath Little Theatre can claim "We never closed"
Apart from the domestic affinity with the armed forces, the theatre
entertained R.A F. personnel at St. Athan and at the gun site at Neath
Abbey. At the latter, the theatre helped dress and provide make up for the
gunners' own shows.
The Arts Council were sending out plays, ballet and music, and the theatre
provided front of house arrangements for these at the Gwyn Hall and the
services of their stage manager. Special entertainment such as "Holidays at
Home" and money-raising for things like "The Spitfire Fund" were all included
in the life of Neath Little Theatre. It is worth noting that the sum of £1,700
was handed to various charities. At the end of the war, lost members were
mourned, but Neath Little Theatre was still there, thriving and eager to welcome
back old members and greet the many new.
Still at Water Street, the Theatre continued to flourish, becoming an
integral part of the social scene in Neath, but now there was an even
greater aim in view-their own headquarters. Nothing could deter the
enthusiasm of the members towards what some called "the impossible dream
Members of those days can recall not only the artistic effort which went
into the fight for a place of their own, but also the very real physical
"slogging" of those days.
All this because of the dedication of the membership, some of whom put in
hours of hard work each week through the year, all this because of the
supportive attitude of the general public, a public which has laughed or
cried its way through our performances. Neath Little Theatre is justly
proud. It has fulfilled the need for live theatre in the town, it has
encouraged local talent, it is a cultural, educational and social centre.
Long may it flourish!
On February 19th, 1955, the dream came true - Neath Little Theatre had its
own headquarters at
Westernmoor Road.
It has never looked back. Many members
have become professional players, many more hope to become professional
players and still many, many more are happy with their amateur status, safe
in the knowledge that they help to bring live theatre enjoyment to hundreds
of people in Neath and District.
There can be very few Amateur Theatres in the country celebrating seventy
active years and established in their own theatre free from debt,
financially sound, constantly improving their standard of performance and
constantly adding to the amenities of the theatre.
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