History
The History of KLOG as narrated by Neil Quilter (Vice Chairman) at the 40th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday June 13th 2009:
The first talk of any light opera in Keynsham was during the First World War, when several Gilbert & Sullivan operas were performed. Then people began to meet together to study musical comedy in April 1966, at Broadlands School. But there was not enough interest. So they tried again. The first general meeting was in May 1967 at Wellsway School as an evening class and the first concert followed in 1968 at the Fear Institute in aid of the Red Cross. About 7 people were in this concert but numbers soon increased. Another concert in 1968 took place at The Lamb And Lark Hotel (where Somerfields is now) The founding group included Doris Clements, Margaret Smith, Mollie Sparey, Sylvia Thompson, Valerie Ward and Betty Fry. They advertised – especially for men!! – and one of the men who responded was to become a major influence in the life of KLOG. He was its prime mover and first chairman from 1967 to 1975 – Tony Brown.
Early productions were very much do it yourself affairs and by advertising they managed to get Syd Hatherill who directed and MD’d the first shows. Early rehearsals were very relaxed affairs and singing went on after rehearsals. The group was first called: Keynsham Musical Comedy and Light Opera Group but became KLOG in 1972.The Keynsham Weekly Chronicle always gave excellent coverage to the group. In 1970 talking about Pirates they said: “Tony Brown certainly enjoyed himself as Samuel. With his ample figure and merry twinkle he made the most of his part.”Tony we salute your major contribution to KLOG and of course later to KYTES.
The first real show took place in April 1969 and this was Trial by Jury with excerpts from Bizet’s Carmen. This show took place here at Saltford Hall but the stage hadn’t even been completed at the time of the show. Tickets were 4 shillings!! (20p) and the budget was £33!! Profits went to the Red Cross. Trial by Jury has been the most performed musical in the history of KLOG. It was later performed twice as parts of concerts and more recently formed the main part of Court in the Act – the clever idea of Dave Reynolds, winning him a nomination for a Rose Bowl Award for something a bit different happening on stage. Unfortunately he was beaten by a lad who ate a newspaper!!
The first 5 shows were Gilbert & Sullivan operas. The sixth one was Iolanthe in 1977.Events of 1969 The second show was "The Pirates of Penzance" but the group had now moved to Wellsway School and Syd (who was MD at BODs) once again directed and MD’d the show. However it soon became evident that KLOG needed a separate director and through Syd they found Cyril Gates who with his wife Audrey as Choreographer directed 23 shows from 1971 until Hello Dolly in 1990. Audrey also directed several Autumn shows. At the 20th Anniversary Celebration Cyril was asked why he came to KLOG. He said that it was the best LOG in the West of England and Tony Brown had said that Keynsham council was going to build the best theatre in the west! Cyril felt the group was able with plenty of talent (something echoed recently in the Rose Bowl Report for “Kiss Me, Kate”) but felt the group lacked direction.His first show was Ruddigore in 1971 and this was closely followed by The Mikado in 1972 – both at Wellsway School. Tickets for this show were 30p and 40p and children were half price.
Other early concerts included: a Festival 700 Concert at Keynsham parish hall in 1970, a concert with Semprini at Saltford Hall in 1971, a concert with Keynsham orchestra at Keynsham Parish Hall in 1977 and Fry’s 250th anniversary concert at Fry Hall in 1978. The group took a full part in the life of the local community and gave other public concerts on request for local organisations. I can remember when we used to sing carols at Keynsham Hospital at Christmas and several concerts at old peoples’ homes. We still sing carols at Christmas – at Saltford Golf Club’s Christmas Party for members’ children!!
The group has had 10 directors of main Spring shows over the 40 years since 1969 and we have performed 66 shows in all. The directors were: Syd Hatherill, Cyril Gates (sometimes jointly with Audrey), Mike Wall, Lis Durbin, John Wiltshire from 1995 – 1998 (4 shows), Barbara O’Keefe 1999 (Me & My Girl), Diana Noden-Wilkinson 2000-2001, Heidi Hollis 2002 (The Music Man), Dave Tucker 2003-2004 and Corinne Richards (the 5 most recent Spring shows)Early Autumn shows were directed by Alison Conly (with others) and Audrey Gates. Barbara O’Keefe directed 4 Autumn shows, Wendy Linham 1999, Colin Lyndsay 1998, Dave Reynolds 2 shows, Dave Biddleston, Steve Drew and of course Corinne has directed 5 (10 in all)
After the Gilbert & Sullivan Operas the group decided to branch out to other shows, the first ones being The Merry Widow, White Horse Inn and Bless The Bride in 1976. The 66 shows have taken place in no less than 5 different venues:Saltford Hall in 1969, Wellsway school from 1970-72, Fry Hall from 1973-86 (20 shows), the Riverside Suite in October 1986 Tarrantara! Tarrantara! (the story of Gilbert & Sullivan), Saltford Hall from 1987-94, Broadlands School (Oct.1994-April 1995) and Saltford Hall from 1995 till the present day – a total of 38 shows here.
The move to Fry Hall was a particularly important moment in the history of the group. It was going to cost a massive £20 a night to hire the hall – a lot of money in those days! In contrast Saltford Hall now costs £200 a night (£1200 for the week). Selling Tuesday night tickets was a problem even back in those early days.Sadly Fry Hall closed in 1986 to become a canteen for staff and eventually the group returned to Saltford Hall. Saltford Hall President Gordon Reed said he was tickled pink when we returned. Costs became prohibitive in 1994 and the group decided to try Broadlands School for a few shows. This didn’t work out and in 1995 we returned to Saltford Hall. The rest is history of course.
Several shows have been repeated in more recent times and these include:Brigadoon, The Music Man, Oklahoma, Carousel, Guys & Dolls and White Horse Inn but we are still performing new shows including our most recent production of “Kiss Me, Kate”
The group have had 10 different Musical directors over the 40 years and these have included:Syd Hatherill, Andrew Nicklin (1972), Stephen Sheldon (1973), Chris Beynon (1974), Alan Anderson (1975), Peter Blackwood (7 years), 1976-1981, 1984, Eric Davies1980, Sheila Rice 1982-83 and Keith Warhurst from 2000 onwards. I have of course omitted the most prolific MD – Owen Cole from 1983-2000. Owen spent 33 years with the group starting as ticket officer and starring in “Trial by Jury” in 1969 as the Council and he also performed the Judge himself in a later concert version. He was also the Major General in “Pirates” and Robin Oakapple in “Ruddigore”. Eventually he became MD and MD’d shows for 17 years. He also produced many programmes for us and can always be seen helping front of house these days. At the twentieth anniversary event he told how he almost had a stroke coping with decimalisation sorting out £ s d and £ p. He said that the most horrific moment was the first night as MD when he lifted his arms and wondered if anyone would come in. They did of course. When asked if he would sing he said no but he would conduct everyone else.
We have used 12 choreographers over the 40 years, starting with Rosemary Gould in 1970 followed by Audrey Gates for the next 20 years. She had a break in 1991 when Gloria Samways and Margaret Smith took the mantel. Kim Gilbert 1992, Louise Merrett 1993-94, and then Sarah Canning came with John Wiltshire from 1995-97 but Jill Kelly choreographed his last show in 1998. Claire Grimes 1999-2000 and Corinne 2002-03. Katie Pettigrew 2004 and then Tracey Dean 2005 onwards. Several girls helped Tracey over these years for Autumn shows – lots of talent in the group!!
We have had 9 stage Managers over the 40 years. Peter Dean, ably assisted by his son Tony,1970-1993 (24 years), Brian Board 1994-96, Dave Hewett (1997,2001), David Shearman (1998-99), John Cottrell (2000), Dave Reynolds (2002), Geoff Smith (2003), Phil Tucker (2004) and of course Maureen Quilter from October 2004 (10 shows now). Maureen joined the group in 1985 as the scenic artist and has been with the group ever since – 24 years.But the story about stage management has to go to Peter Dean, although Maureen and Tony remember many of the stories I am about to tell. He volunteered his services to help in 1970 but found that there was no one to help. He was in charge!
Early sets were constructed at Ellsbridge House courtesy of the Evening Institute. But they had to find themselves a hut to actually work in. Eventually they bought a hut from BAC after long negotiations. It cost £10 to buy and £90 to move – Union Labour!! A team of men erected it in Keynsham and Peter remembered Ernie Brown covered in blood and a story about disturbing a wasps’ nest. There were ghost stories associated with Ellsbridge House – 17th century wounded people from the Monmouth rebellion sat on the stairs. One sad story was the day Jack Potter cut the end of his finger off with a circular saw. They took it to hospital with him but sadly they couldn’t sew it back on. They were a great team and produced magical sets for the early shows. Eventually they had to move to Fry’s factory – luxury in comparison to the BAC hut – a work shop indoors!. Again eventually the building had to be pulled down and a decision was taken to send most of the scenery to Keynsham Rugby Club to be burnt on the annual Fireworks Bonfire. I well remember the day that a team of us went to the building for the last time to clear out the room and take the scenery to the rugby club. The backstage crew were homeless again!! I remember we used Dave Reynolds’ garage for a couple of shows but eventually we managed to get a barn out in Stockwood Vale which we use to this day – cold in winter! Peter and his wife Pauline were great scroungers. On one occasion they managed to borrow a table and chairs from a house in Chandag Road and their attic was jammed full of props from previous shows – you never know when you might need them again!!Pauline was props mistress for many years up until 1993.
Many others helped over the years including Jackie Dean, Jacqueline Seed, Doreen Gyles, Jane Ritherdon and Harry Kemp in later years. Then Pat Beaumont and Pat Hewett covered the years up to 1995 before Carol Cawley took over in 1996. She has been our Props Mistress ever since. She has been with the group for 30 years. Her attention to detail with props has been second to none.
The history of lighting and sound is quite interesting. Early lighting was provided by Brian Cory, Roger Morris and Roger Dunster. Peter Blackmore joined them in 1991 and took over in 1995 with Chris Mould and his team. Chris had featured in an earlier team with Brian Cory. Peter has provided us with brilliant lighting for 19 years and we are very grateful for his help again tonight.There is no record of sound systems until 1988 when Gordon Holton provided the equipment. Martin Woolley provided sound from 1993-94 and then came the turn of Dennis Langley – 1995-99. My favourite story about Dennis was when we were in a quiet scene in a house in The Sound of Music in 1997 when a train sound came blasting through the speakers. I seem to remember we often heard tones from Radio 3 on occasions. Ian Fisher provided the sound from 2000 until 2005 and more recently Dave Tullock and Emily have provided the sound for shows since 2006.
This group has always been organised by excellent committees – non-paid members who give up a lot of time to organise various aspects of the group. They sometimes have to make difficult decisions but always have the good of the group in mind.
We have had 11 chairmen over the 40 years and these include:Tony Brown (1967-1975), Phil Hewett (1976-78), Val Ward (1978-1981), Gerry Pearce (1982-1987), Malcolm Broad (1987-90 and 1992-95), Paul Ward (1991), Keith Richards (1996-2001), Neil Quilter (2001-2004), Joanne Meredith (2004-2005), Andy Davis (2005-08) and of course Steve Drew (2008-present day).
Keith and Margaret Richards have given sterling service to this group over many years. Keith is still our Front of House Manager and Margaret is still our Patrons’ Secretary. She has appeared in many shows and Keith took our photographs for many years. As we have already said Owen Cole sold tickets at the start. He was followed by Pat Hewett in 1983-84 and Audrey and Ron Gibbs 1985-88 and 1991.Peter Fry 1992-93, Betty and Peter Fry 1994-98. The Frys had a break, in 1999, when Greta Holdway ran the box office before Betty returned and has run the box office from 2000 onwards.Betty and Peter have given sterling service to the group over many years!
Some of the many accompanists have included:Peter Cobb (7 shows), Chris Sandow, Ted Cox from 1973 until the late 80s, Owen Cole (5 shows), Sally-Ann Baker, Esme Vaughan, Rosalyn Hodson and Margaret Kenigsfeldt, Will Taylor and Natalie Morton, Steve Drew and of course Lee Tesdale from 2004 until the present day. These amazing people come along to every rehearsal as well as performing on the week of the show.We mustn’t forget our amazing orchestras over the years. I was amazed to see an 18 piece orchestra performing in an early show in Fry Hall.
One of the many traditions of KLOG is the Frys Prys.Early recipients of this highly sort after accolade include: Kathy Lamb, Ken and Julie Colbeck, Hugh Quintrell, Ros Jones (for being locked in the kitchen), Norman Marsh (for holding up the bar), Tony Dean (for rushing across the stage), Peter Dean, Richard Cordy (for being the bagpiper in Brigadoon), Phil Hewett and Marjorie Cox. But Peter Fry received the very first one for being the Butterfly Lord in Iolanthe in 1977. Another tradition is that the chairman takes the committee out for a meal. Gerry Pearce introduced this idea in the 1980s.
Costumes have been looked after by many people over the years. Too many names to mention everybody but Pauline Kemp with a team was in charge for some 13 years and our own Pat Cleverdon has run Costumes – usually on her own – since 1999. Pat has been with the group since 1979 and has featured in many shows, including our next show Harper Valley Heartbreak Express in October 20th-24th 2009 and directed by Sally. Plug for show!! Everyone appreciates the support Pat still gives the group. She is still on the committee and really supports the modern ethos of our group. Pat Cleverdon particularly enjoyed “Showboat” in 1980. She has been our wardrobe mistress for many years and feels that the hardest show she has had to dress was her first show “Me and My Girl” in 1999.
Why join KLOG? What is it like to be a member of KLOG? I asked several current members what they liked about KLOG. Many said that they enjoyed getting away from everyday life to become a character, the friendliness of the group and several thought of the group as their hobby. Most enjoyed the lead-up to the shows and the actual week of the show. Tony Dean whose family have been with the group since 1970 remembers when they made scenery at Ellsbridge House in Keynsham and working in a soundproof engine testing hut donated by Rolls Royce. They then moved to a room in Frys and now use a local barn. Claire Davis was our newest member at the time and enjoyed being in “Kiss Me, Kate”. She was very nervous leading up to the show but enjoyed being in the group and had been made to feel welcome. Pete Clark has been a member for 4 years. He enjoys KLOG because it gives him a chance to go on stage performing the shows he has watched on TV since his childhood. His favourite show was “Court in the Act” which he felt was put together well with characters well defined and a clever plot which included the whole of “Trial by Jury”. Sarah Lock said that KLOG was her hobby and she has been in the group for 20 years. She enjoys rehearsals and preparing for shows. Her favourite show was “Fiddler on the Roof” in 1996 – a good story with wonderful characters. Carol Cawley has been with the group for 30 years. She started by helping front of house and helping with coffee whilst her husband John trod the boards. She had a break to bring her family up and then rejoined in the 1990s as props mistress which she has done ever since. She remembers almost being dragged on stage once by some dancers and admitted to setting the wrong scene once in “The Pajama Game” in 1995 – an event which has never occurred since!!
Some other notable contributions have been given to the group byJenny Windmill who prompted from 1991-2000Ray Edwards and Dick Mould have given many years’ service to KLOG back stageMaureen Saunders and Margaret Richards who dealt with flowers for principals and the Foyer over many years between them.I did note that in early years KLOG had a make-up specialist. John Palser did the make-up in the earliest years until 1974. John has also performed in several shows. I remember him in “Brigadoon” in 1998 when he had to tell the story of the village appearing every 100 years. The speech must have gone on for a good quarter of an hour. No one got bored. It’s the way he told it!Roger Cleverdon ran the bar for many years and the Webb family have provided coffee and tea for us for many years. We did miss them for the last show. We have always been supported by Patrons and we are lucky to have some of them here tonight. Of course we must remember all the people who have sung, danced and acted over the years – far too many to name.