I have
not been a member of the Gloucester
Operatic & Dramatic Society for 20 years but for 12 formative years it
was a prominent aspect of my life. It provided me with a likeminded social
group and lifelong friends. It has not been practical for me to remain a member,
having left the city for good in 1996. I liked to think I was still a keen
supporter of the GODS and occasionally caught their shows over the years.
The
society had suffered some ups and downs over the years, including the loss of
the theatre so many of us worked hard to make a success. Being homeless was a
new experience for most members of the GODS but one that they faced
head-on, mounting shows at other venues around Gloucester and the centenary of
the Society should have been a huge cause for celebration.
When I saw the line-up of productions for the
2013-14 season, I felt that they were possibly punching above their weight. Jerry
Lane had decided to 'join forces' adding his own producing company to the
advertising material and overspending on his production of Cinderella, including professional fees
in excess of £5,000, plus Costume expenses of nearly £7,000 and a Sound
expenses of over £10,000. The show lost in excess of £36,000. The major musical
- Jesus Christ Superstar - incorporated professional fees in excess of £15,000,
with the production losing nearly £20,000. This included a fee to Lane of £5000
plus expenses.
The GODS is an amateur company but somehow the idea
of paying members to take part in shows was being approved by The Board. You might
argue that JCS requires professional leads to sing its complex rock score. I
would argue - do a different show - one that members can sing! Cut your suit
according to your cloth.
With these two shows, the
society has lost in excess of £56,000 on two productions.
Further losses in excess of £20,000 were
incurred on productions which didn't even happen.
Understandably , efforts were put in place to halt
the haemorrhaging of money from the
Societies coffers, resulting in the ignominious dismissal of both Trustees and
the longstanding Accountant by The Board. It also became apparent that the new
Chairman of the Board David Hart, was the person putting in all these bills for cancelled sound
equipment.
The rest of the story is not a pretty one, resulting
in the calling the most important AGM in the history of the GODS.
It was apparent that out of a disheartening 56
paid-up members of this once thriving society, only 15 attended - and these included the Life and Honorary Members. Of the 'new'
board members, the Chairman couldn't attend and of course, Lane was nowhere to
be seen to answer any of the many questions arising from the floor regarding
the overspending. The three new Trustees also failed to attend and the meeting
was being run by a new Board, albeit consisting of members of the old Board
that had allowed this problems to escalate.
The first useful part to this meeting was the
dismissal of the absent Hart as Chairman.
Quite why this new board had not already implemented this was not made clear -
a further example of how the current operating
system is no longer viable.
Julian Chapman, has very rightly brought into
question the current practices of the society and has called an EGM to vote on amendments
to the constitution with the idea of establishing a GODS bursary, kept in order
by a selection of trustees. Its aim is to support young people wishing to
further their careers in the performing arts. This would include allowing funds
from the bursary for properly budgeted amateur productions for young people.
Whilst I understand and applaud Julian's initiative
over these important changes , I do not actually agree with them. As it stands,
the GODS - as both Julian and I knew it - is no longer fit for purpose. The much reduced
membership appears mostly apathetic as to what happens to the money and who is
'hired' and 'fired'. This was proved most eloquently by the number of people
who bothered to turn up. There are not enough qualified or committed members
willing to devote time and necessary energy to the maintenance of an amateur
society.
As the constitution stands, if the Society is
dissolved, the resulting money should be distributed between like-minded registered
charities in the area. I feel that there is no reason to oppose this and I
would like to see the money go to other drama groups in the area, who cater to
all ages and not just young people. The GODS always encouraged young performers
but it was an inclusive group - not a youth group.
Of course whatever I think, it will be up to the
majority of members - or at least the ones who can be bothered to attend - to
decide what happens. Julian's idea might be a sound one, but it is NOT the only
option. Either way, I should hope that NONE of the Board, who allowed these
gross acts of negligence to take place, be allowed anywhere near the management
of any GODS Memorial Bursary.
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