THIs year the Wharf Theatre marks 40 years since it moved into its present premises and became the only drama group in eastern Wiltshire, formerly Kennet district, to own and run its own theatre.
Like many others, Devizes Amateur Dramatic Society, founded in 1947, was reliant on other venues around the town, including the Palace Cinema, to allow it to perform its productions.
That is, until it was approached by Kennet District Council in the late 1970s to participate in its redevelopment of the Wharf area.
The Manpower Services Commission authorised a job creation scheme in 1977 to clear the site and rebuild the canal wall. This was extended in 1979 by a further grant for works to the structure of the warehouse and landscaping.
The internal conversion of what was to become the theatre building included removing most of the first floor and putting in staircases and the raked floor for the seating.
The Wharf Theatre took over the building on August 1 1979 and members carried out all the remaining works, including internal walls, doors and fittings, rendering and decorating, flooring, seating, and carpeting.
Ann Walker, the then chairman of the Wharf Theatre, said: “It was an enormous undertaking by our members and I still can’t believe all they did in a very short time. I still enjoy coming to the theatre and seeing it thrive.”
The first production in the new theatre, J B Priestley’s When We Are Married, took place in May 1980 and the first season included Absurd Person Singular by Alan Ayckbourn, Getting On by Alan Bennett and Arnold Ridley’s thriller, Ghost Train.
The theatre’s current artistic director, Lewis Cowen, said: “The theatre as it looks today is a monument to the effort and commitment of generations of drama lovers in the town and beyond.
“We still need the investment of time and energy that our members bring to the running of the building, not just mounting our own productions, but catering for visiting shows, both in terms of providing technical back-up with lighting and sound, but also front of house, serving drinks and, selling programmes.We can always use more people.”Visit www.wharftheatre.co.uk
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