History of CTS
The Carillon Theatrical Society of Bathurst, New South Wales, now regarded as one of the State's most successful amateur theatrical societies, claiming a long line of outstanding productions both culturally and financially.
The Society has had a long list of dedicated members from all walks of life who have given freely of their time and talents to provide first-class entertainment for the theatre-loving public of Bathurst district. The beginnings of what was ultimately to become the Carillon Theatrical Society can be traced back to the arrival in Bathurst in 1957 of Victor Bindley a man of great warmth and many talents, who had been sent to Bathurst by his employers, Western Cinemas, to supervise the installation of wide screens in the company's Bathurst cinemas. Vic came to Bathurst with a reputation of considerable expertise in film and stagecraft and it wasn't long before he began to make this love of theatre known to his many new friends. |
A meeting of interested people formed a committee, comprising Vic Bindley, local businessman Jack Lasky, Alex Alexander (Secretary of the Masonic Hall), Don Markey (Manager of the E.S. & A. Bank), dancing teacher Dolly Mackinnon and Sid Hardy (conductor of the Bathurst Society of Music and Arts Orchestra).
This committee met to discuss the presentation of a musical production in the Masonic Hall, with a possible performance date of autumn, 1958, and decided to revitalize the then dormant Bathurst Musical and Dramatic Society Thanks, mainly, to the constant enthusiasm of Vic Bindley, a very successful production of Gregory's 'Maid of the Mountains, starring Colleen and Monte Miller, Don Moffitt and Pat Kneale, together with Gerry Taylor, Peter Davies, Max Anderson and Harry Brindley was presented in the Masonic Hall in autumn of 1958. At the first performance, after all the seats had been sold, there was still a sizeable queue of people wishing to see the show, so those prepared to stand were sold tickets and stood two and three deep around the side and back walls whilst others sat on the steps of the balcony. |
Immediately when this production was finished and with enthusiasm running high it was decided to stage another musical which was to become the all-round entertainment show 'Oklahoma!' which opened in the Masonic Hall in the autumn of 1959. At this time, Vic had met Marie Rheinberger and Paul Sullivan and realised that here were the ideal leads for this show.
'Oklahoma!' proved to be an outstanding success with its excellent casting, although at times the backstage technical equipment left a lot to be desired. On the first night of 'Oklahoma!', about two hundred people had to be turned away, and, not to be done out of their night's entertainment, most of them went to see the film at the Tudor Theatre. |
After Oklahoma! it became obvious that a larger venue would be needed for future productions and, after negotiations with Western Cinemas, the City Theatre was made available for the Society's use & Show Boat was presented in the new premises in May, 1960.
Because of the increased size of the stage larger sets had to be worked on and with fifteen scene changes, this massive show - with both black and white choruses - really tested the stage crew and the first night saw a midnight finish. However, by the final performance the curtain was rung down just after 11 p.m. - a tribute to the dedication of all concerned. |
"The task of putting together such an enormous show also taxed Vics stamina. He suffered a mild heart attack about a fortnight before the show's opening night and, at Vic's request, Frank Brown took over the production and was able to guide it to a successful staging.
'Show Boat' was the first show to run for seven performances, Monday to Saturday, and to include a matinee. The recent decision to move to larger premises caused some division in the executive of the Society and, as a result, the Bathurst Music and Dramatic Society, as it was then called, ceased to function. Frank continued as Producer and staged the Sacha Guitry three-act show, 'Don't Listen Ladies' the following October, in the Masonic Hall, in association with the Bathurst Players. Vic Bindley formed his own company, raised the necessary finance and began assembling a cast to stage the Scottish fantasy 'Brigadoon'. His idea was to mount the production along professional lines with the entire company participating on a profit-sharing basis. Unfortunately, Vic Bindley was again taken ill and Frank Brown, who was one of the principals in this production, took over the direction of the show and again brought it to a successful conclusion. |
At the conclusion of the 'Brigadoon' season, however, this concept of profit. sharing was found to be unacceptable to those involved and it was therefore decided to revert to the original amateur status. Records indicated that, unfortunately, almost all memberships of the former society had lapsed, creating a need to reform the society under a new name.
It was resolved at a meeting, after a lengthy and heated debate, that the balance of funds held by the Musical and Dramatic Society be divided equally among the Bathurst Musical and Dramas Society, the Bathurst Players and a new society was to be formed which ultimate became the Carillon Theatrical Society. Since then the Carillon Theatrical Society has gone onto thrill and entertain Bathurst audiences of all ages with well-thought out and imaginative productions. |
Information extracted from
'The Carillon Theatrical Society: The First Twenty-Five Years'.
Published by Robert Brown & Associates, Bathurst
© Carillon Theatrical Society 1983
'The Carillon Theatrical Society: The First Twenty-Five Years'.
Published by Robert Brown & Associates, Bathurst
© Carillon Theatrical Society 1983