When Hobson's Choice opens for a week-long run at Tynemouth Priory Theatre on Monday night, it will prove an extra-special moment for the core team.
The Harold Brighouse play - a relationship comedy centred around a boot-maker's shop - was the first production to open the coastal theatre 50 years ago and its re-run, as part of its golden anniversary celebrations, involves three of the original cast who have even dug out one of the original costumes worn on the debut.
Since the early days of the member-led theatre club's move into its new home - a former Methodist chapel in Tynemouth's Percy Street - the building's interior is now unrecognisable. Following its conversion, there were several extensions as it grew its base in the heart of the community and it is now a rabbitwarren of rooms.
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Before 1972, productions had been hosted in the nearby Holy Saviour's Church Hall for more than 30 years and the move brought about unexpected problems for the opening. They'd been used to creating sets for a far smaller space, recalls Christopher Carr who played a character called Freddy in the debut play and this time around is its designer.
"This was vast - we didn't have enough scenery," he said. With Hobson's Choice requiring three set changes, the challenge was even greater as they set about finding ways to fill up the space. Sharing those first night memories with Chris are Christine Coaster, a 77-year-old retired conveyancer who is directing the new production, and Tony Hurst, 73, who will be taking to the stage again on Monday, swapping his original Hobson's Choice role as Tubby for the part of a Scottish doctor.
It will be, he agrees, a very special moment, joking he might feel even more nervous than last time. All three of them act but also take on multiple other roles at the club which is a charitable trust, run entirely by members.
Christine - the original Vickey, one of the daughters of the main Hobson family in the 1972 production - is the longest-serving; with husband Roly, who she met there, not far off. The oldest member is an energetic 92-year-old who still attends the shows and two other long-standing committee members have children who now are similarly heavily involved.
There are around 100 members in all, a mix of retired and full-time workers, and every year the theatre produces four shows - it used to be five - plus a panto. Adverts for this year's pantomime Puss In Boots are displayed on the front of the theatre alongside the poster for Hobson's Choice.
It's no surprise that locals Christine, Chris and Tony can't count how many productions they've appeared in on stage over the years. They can be seen in lots of the photographs from past productions which are displayed, divided into decades, on the walls of the green room. Among them is the costumed cast of 1972's Hobson's Choice which shows all three alongside a fellow member wearing the dress which is being resurrected for use.
It's been dug out by Christine, who also works in the costume department. Some show costumes are hired from places such as the People's Theatre in Newcastle; others are made and, in readiness for Monday, she has been busy with ironing in the dressing room which has been recently converted from a large kitchen area.
While space is always under pressure, the theatre expansion - which has even included upwards to create the fly loft above the stage - now accommodates the likes of a well-stocked props room which is like a treasure trove. Members have sourced all sorts - everything from period lampshades to a spinning wheel - to dress various sets. A tea service, previously belonging to Christine's mother, is in there too.
Nearby is a scenery store and the workshop where Chris, who's nearly 70, has been so busy on his designs and one, featuring the interior of Hobson's shoe-maker's, is already in position on stage. Chris also runs a hair salon, Splinters, in Whitley Bay so tends to get drafted in for all the cast hairdos and wig sets too - and not only for this theatre.
Similarly Tony, who worked in engineering until his retirement, has connections with several local societies, including as a musical director. Bar time off for raising children and busy work periods, the members remain dedicated to the theatre and it is a huge commitment. But audiences are loyal too.
The combination is what keeps the theatre going, even in tough times as experienced during the pandemic. It does not rely upon grants and Christine says: "We own this building and we don't owe anybody anything."
As a charity, it doesn't pay council tax but the pandemic closure was a tough time. It launched a Covid 19 appeal asking people to sponsor a seat in the auditorium and this proved a huge success.
All 189 seats now feature an individual name-plate, including dedications to late theatre-goers by their families and one celebrating a new-born baby. "We also had donations from people," said Christine. "We raised quite a few thousand pounds doing all that."
They are a close-knit group and missed each other during the pandemic closure. "This is our hobby," points out Christine. "We struggled because we couldn't get together.
"But we're all still here and as a company we were very, very lucky. We're solvent; we didn't lose anybody - and we're back. That's what matters and we just need to build our audiences up again."
Recent shows haven't been full but around 90% of audiences are made up of loyal season ticket holders. When Hobson's Choice gets under way on Monday, it actually will be the third production of the play: a second having taken place in 1992 amongst the theatre's huge variety of offerings.
They all feature in the theatre's fascinating archive which includes old newspaper clippings and an original advert for the debut show which promotes tickets for just 25p - which Christine thinks must have been a special offer.
Of her own memories of that night, she laughs: "I was a bit of a flibbertigibbet then!", adding that her main impression was of all the people, including the local mayor, who packed out the auditorium to watch Hobson's Choice. They are all hoping for another good turn-out to welcome it back next week.
Hobson's Choice will run from November 7-12. For more about the theatre see here and for show booking information see here.
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