The Geraldine Players have been treading the boards for 100 years.
To mark the occasion, Lindsay Nelson is planning on directing a comedy, Devon Williamson’s My In-laws are Outlaws.
Mr Nelson said the group’s first play, Faithful James, was performed in 1925.
An album of photographs kept backstage meticulously tracked the players’ performances from 1925 onwards.
He was ‘‘pretty sure’’ they had missed a year or two during World War 2.
He said over the century the club’s biggest achievement was buying its own theatre.
While the players had previously performed in school halls, the group’s ability to access space for rehearsals had been restricted, as had performance dates.
When the Masonic Lodge on the corner of Hislop St and Talbot St had been ‘‘reluctantly’’ put up for sale in 2004, the players had jumped at the opportunity.
A few grants and money from the Timaru District Council had helped them secure the property, Mr Nelson said.
However, ‘‘it wasn’t fit for purpose’’.
A hard-working team had created the cosy theatre it was today.
Seasoned director Don McCully had started directing at the Lodge, but The Vicar of Dibley had been his ‘‘swansong’’.
Mr McCully died in July last year.
Mr Nelson said someone else had to step up, so he had set out to cast another comedy.
‘‘If you want something serious then stay home and watch the news.’’
He said over the years people had left the theatre complaining their sides were hurting.
Auditions would be held on Sunday at 2pm at the Lodge Theatre.
For more information, or if you are unable to attend, email Mr Lindsay on [email protected].
