[xml][/xml]
The Bahamas Weekly Facebook The Bahamas Weekly Twitter
Arts & Culture Last Updated: Feb 6, 2017 - 2:32:04 PM


The Freeport Players’ Guild’s History
By Robbin Whachell
Sep 27, 2006 - 4:48:12 PM

Email this article
 Mobile friendly page

Regency1Inset.JPG

The Freeport Players’ Guild’s Regency Theatre

 

You glance at your theatre tickets up by your mirror as you do your last bit of fixing up your hair and makeup. You’ve got your new gown on with your high black shoes. You’re excited to be going to the Sea Craft Building, to see a theatre production on Grand Bahama.


As your car pulls up into the makeshift parking lot, you park on the gravel off Fishing Hole road next to other vehicles already there. You lift your gown to carefully walk across the mud to enter the tin roofed building. After presenting your ticket and saying hello to friends you sit on a folding metal chair. The show begins, but so does the rain! The actors raise their voices to be heard above the sound of raindrops on the metal roof. It is a quick shower thankfully and the sound is back. But wait, an airplane is approaching. The actors must stop mid-sentence, wait for the airplane to rumble past overhead as the sound makes the metal roof resonate, and then resume where they left off as the plane goes further away. These were the humble beginnings of theatre on Grand Bahama.

 

A dedicated group of individuals (mostly British) who had a love for theatre began and kept theatre alive on Grand Bahama, and fortunately for us, it is still thriving today. In 1961 the Freeport Players’ Guild was officially formed with the following board members: Sir Jack Hayward, President;   John Slack, Vice President;   Patricia Bloom, Secretary;   Betty McConville, Treasurer;   and William MacNeill, David Brooks, Peter Aston, Raymond McNeill, Martin Sinsley as Directors.

 

It wasn’t until 1971 that the Regency Theatre was built, opening with the Guild’s production of “The Importance of Being Ernest”. In 1973, the Freeport Players’ Guild was proud to welcome Prince Charles as a visitor to the Regency Theatre. In 1991 and 1992 renovations were necessary to keep the building in good repair. There have been many changes and improvements over the years, the largest renovation project taking place in 1991 -1992. In 1996 the Theatre celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a special "S troll Down Memory Lane” production, when the auditorium was renamed in honor of Peter Aston.   The Regency Theatre is most definitely a building that holds wonderful memories and a rich theatrical arts history for Grand Bahama. It’s had good-to-great years, and years when it was difficult to keep the theatre going, but with the help of many dedicated persons over the years we still enjoy live entertainment today!

 

Just to keep its doors open the Theatre’s annual operational costs are approximately $60,000.00. The Guild attempts to present at minimum, six productions throughout their theatre season which is from September to May. The Guild encourages membership and involvement. For the extremely low cost of only $25.00 a year you receive one free drink at each performance, and can also become involved in the productions. Individual Patron fees are $50.00 a year or $100.00 a year for Family Patrons. A Lifetime Patron fee of $1000.00 is also encouraged. The facility (theatre and/or lobby) can also be rented out to any persons/groups for performances of all kinds, seminars, workshops, presentations, etc.

 

The devastation wrought by hurricanes Frances and Jeanne in 2004 did not spare the Regency Theatre.   The auditorium was under six feet of water, and the Guild was faced with major damage to the theatre.   Since then they have, with the financial assistance of members, patrons and the general public, raised enough funds to repair almost all of the damages to the theatre.

 

The theatre now boasts brand new comfortable chairs! You can still sponsor a chair and have your name (or dedicate it to someone else) on a plaque that will remain on the back of a chair for a donation of $200.00. The old chairs were funded the in the same manner and a large plaque containing the old name plates is displayed in the Theatre. The sound system has been upgraded as well as the lighting. The next major improvement is replacing the stage curtains which are expected to cost approximately $30 – 40,000.00.

 

Each year the Guild holds their TWIRP awards. I had thought this was an acronym for something theatre related but while discussing the theatre’s history with Past president Ivy Elden, and current President, Gloria McGlone, I was told that the name TWIRP was simply a humorous award given affectionately to members of the Freeport Players’ Guild at the end of the season. It has since become the awards presentation that is the island’s equivalent of the Tony Awards.

 

The current board (at the time of this writing) besides the President and Past President mentioned above are as follows:    Delores Kellman-Jones, Vice President;   Olivia Dorsett, Secretary; Paula Fingland, Treasurer;   and Directors are Erik Russell, Jackie Dack, Vicki Howden, Nelson Mitchell, and Joanna Llambias.

 

Tickets to the Freeport Players’ Guild productions are usually $15.00 and $25.00 or higher on Gala Opening nights. They are most often available at these locations: Seventeen Shop, The Cutting Garden, and Fortune Hills Golf Course. They are also available at the Theatre’s Box Office.

 

Each first Monday of the month, the Freeport Players Guild have their general meetings at 7pm. The pubic is encouraged to attend. Each meeting also provides an educational component related to some aspect of theatre.


 

The Regency Theatre is located on West Sunrise Highway and you find it by heading west past the Ruby Swiss Restaurant or Royal Oasis. The Freeport Players Guild, which owns and operates the Regency Theatre, can be reached at freeportplayersguild@gmail.com . They encourage those that love theatre to come out and get involved. Help is always needed in all areas. More men are encouraged to become involved, not only in acting but set building and theatre repair.   High school students - the theatre is a great way to earn your community service hours.

 

Please support the continuance of live entertainment on Grand Bahama and I will see you at the Theatre!

 


Bookmark and Share




© Copyright 2006 by thebahamasweekly.com

Top of Page

Receive our Top Stories



Preview | Powered by CommandBlast

Arts & Culture
Latest Headlines
Award-Winning Photographer Eric Rose presented a printed canvas of 'The Hermitage' to the PM Davis
Minister Bowleg Opens “Double Dutch 8” and “Evolution of the Arc” NAGB Exhibitions
Unbox Bahamian Artistry and Live Your Best 'LifestIsle'
Students display culinary skill and creativity in Bahamas Young Chef Competition
'Build Your Best Life' book presented to Willa Mae Pratt and Simpson Penn centres