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We are a small multi-cultural drama group based in the London
Borough of Brent. We are open to all and encourage members to take
an active part in our productions whether performing, backstage or
front of house. We usually mount two productions each year as well
as performing at Borough festivals and community events.
We were formed sixty years ago and started out as part of a youth
club. Shortly after the second world war in September 1945 Mrs. Nora
Kent, the wife of the then editor of the Willesden Chronicle,
approached the Reverend Jones of St Paul's Oxgate to see if any
members of the youth club would be interested in a Drama section.
Our President, Peter Fidler, who was at the youth club was one of
those interested. The first production of the group, for one night
only, was a selection of sketches, musical items and a one act play.
This was followed in March 1946 with a production of 3 one act
plays. Admission was free and after an impassioned speech at the end
of the show by a member of the audience a silver collection, for the
group, was taken. This raised £12 8s, over £300 by current values,
which was promptly kept by the Vicar. This did not go down too well.
It was suggested by one of the Church members that the Group should
set out on its own and in March 1946 the Madhatters was formed under
the leadership of Mrs. Kent. The first production was a three act
play, Call It a Day, by Dodi Smith, picked mainly because it had 16
characters and everyone in the Group could be used.
We have never been a particularly large group usually sustaining
between 10 and 20 members. From time to time the Group has
regenerated when new faces have appeared to revitalise our talents.
The past few years have seen a change in our fortunes as membership
has increased and we have secured better venues for performance.
From needing to meet in members' houses, we now
meet regularly at
the Stables Arts Centre on the edge
of Gladstone Park, Dollis Hill Lane, NW2 6HT. We are also performing
our plays at the Malorees
Junior School. We were successful in applying for a Lottery grant
to improve our performances and equipment and we also received a
Millennium grant to produce a video history. Further Awards for All
grants were received in 2006 and 2009 for our work with the
community.
As well as our play productions we also perform at the Borough shows
and community events and we have a social programme of visits to the
theatre.
We were granted Charity status on the basis of the strong community
content of our work.
For further details please contact, Cathy, our Secretary,
telephone 020 8452 5239 or Martin, our Chair,
telephone 020 8450 8505 or
email us.
See a copy of our constitution
and to see our member's news.
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