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Notes
This was the very first performance of the
Fairlight Players. Having been formed in 1950, the group initially
met monthly for play readings, lectures and discussions. It is a
tribute to the founders of the group that they felt ready to put on a show
within months of the formation of the group. The director/producer
for the first few years of the group's existence was W
Gordon Lyon, who appears to have brought considerable experience to the
group, and was clearly instrumental in laying the bedrock on which our proud
history is built. I understand that he was known to
his friends as "Tiger" Lyon, and that he lived at Honeypots
in Rockmead Road, in a house which has long since succumbed
to the crumbling cliffs and fallen into the
sea.
There are some interesting points to
note from this flyer. Firstly, the group was known at that time as
"The Fairlight Drama Group". However, records show that, by the time
of the second production, they were known (as we are today)
as the "Fairlight Players".
Secondly, this first production took
place in Pett (not Fairlight) Village Hall. Although
Fairlight Village Hall was almost brand new (it was built in 1949),
presumably the facilities were not yet up to scratch for the purpose
of dramatic art.
Finally, the price of 2s 6d (or half a
crown for those who are old enough to remember it) for a reserved
seat, or 1s 9d unreserved, provides an interesting comparison
against our current prices. In those days, of course, there was no
such thing as a "national minimum wage", but the Department of
Employment and Productivity lists the "Average Minimum Wages paid to
Ordinary Agricultural Labourers for Basics Hours" as 2s 1d.
Therefore, especially in view of the immense improvement in
facilities over the years, we can congratulate ourselves
that our current prices, equivalent to less than 1 hour's wages
at the minimum rate, represent exceedingly good value for
money. |
