THE 70th birthday celebration of the Dorrigo Dramatic Club was held on Saturday 14 June in the town’s Old Gazette Theatre.
Launched in 1955, the community theatre group continues to thrive today.
Past and present members were invited to share a meal and enjoy reminiscing on decades of performances.
“What an incredible display of creativity and talent that we are so lucky to have in our community!” the club said in a statement.
“Thank you to all involved, and a special mention to those that travelled from far and wide to reminisce with us.
“It was a truly special day and a testament to the club slogan of ‘Keeping the stage alive since 1955!’.”
Primary teacher Pat James, then 18 going on 19, was part of the earliest productions.
Pat and other members including Nita McKnight, shared with attendees the history, joys and pitfalls of live theatre on the Plateau over seven decades.
The impact of the club on the youth of Dorrigo was also discussed, in particular how performing on stage had prepared young people to head confidently out into the world.
In attendance was Jeremy Nash, whose mother Ralda spent 10 years directing Shakespeare plays with the club.
Ralda had spent time with the Sydney University Dramatic Society (SUDS) in her youth, before leaving to London for work, and eventually finding her way back to the stage in Dorrigo.
“She abandoned the stage as marriage and four children came along, and it was only when she retired to Dorrigo in her 60s that she was able to give back to the community the skills that she had learned in her youth,” Jeremy said.
Many community-minded people have led the club over the years, with Jonathan Billing currently working to continue a wonderful and remarkable tradition of drama on the Plateau.
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