Wick Players take a walk down memory lane with Kathlyn Harper
Wick Players stalwart Kathlyn Harper presented a much-anticipated talk on the history of the local amateur dramatic group this month.
Club secretary Jayden Alexander explained: "It was intended to host the talk two years ago, however, due to Covid in amongst other things, we were unable to do so but the long wait certainly made it worthwhile.
"The event was well attended by both club members and supporters with a turnout of about 35 people."
Held last Tuesday (June 14), the talk was enjoyed by all as was the slideshow of photos which took people back in time and lots of stories and reminiscing were shared afterwards over a cup of tea.
Vintage clothing was also on show along with folders of programmes and photos of many past productions along with some of the club’s scrapbooks.
The whole event was recorded by Colin Stewart of Caithness Print Solutions and it is hoped that a recording can be made available to people in the future.
Kathlyn first got involved with Wick Players in 1947 and joined the committee when she succeeded Miss Linda Stamp as secretary when she turned 18.
Commenting on her time with the club, she said: "I mingled with some wonderful characters and made lifelong friends with so many who are no longer with us.
"So, on looking back, I realised I was the only one left of that group of stalwarts and I thought before I go senile, I should put my memories on paper."
She told the audience that a group called The Players was started by Wick librarian Kennedy Stewart back in 1932, their first show was a "shambles" but the following year a challenging three-act play –The Ghost Town – was a resounding success with packed houses.
Kathlyn pointed out that once World War II was over in 1945 it took some time for the players to revive themselves, but they did it in style. During the talk she was able to provide the audience with the names of the cast from a number of productions.
She spoke about the Scottish Community Drama Association (SCDA) and the drama festival which quickly became popular after being organised in the early 1950s. In 1956 a total of 96 teams took part in the Highland area.
Wick had a number of successes, the first was with Campbell of Kilmhor in 1952 which made it through to the Scottish final. The club also regularly took part in the town's gala with many floats winning prizes.
Ending her trip down memory lane in 1980, Kathlyn said: "Several of our former players went on to become successful professionals such as Aileen Mowat, Kenneth MacDonald, Glena Morrison, Margo Fraser and to this day each of them are all still working – so we must have done something right."
Club vice-chair Allan Bruce said: "Kathlyn really managed to bring to life the history of the club, detailing the first 50 years or so of the club so magnificently and we have a record of this to pass onto future generations. What us younger members of the club have to do now is document and record the last 40 years!"
Prior to the event, Pulteneytown People’s Project made the generous donation of a number of plush chairs which they no longer required.
The club's base in Moray Street is currently undergoing some renovation work and the new seating made a very comfortable welcome to everyone attending the talk and will make a great addition to the newly refurbished premises.
Jayden said: "The club would like to thank PPP for handing the chairs over, as well as club members, Marney Bruce and Mick Storton for transporting the chairs."
Meanwhile the cast and crew of Womberang, the club's recent winning production, were delighted to welcome Ian Hamilton, his guide dog, and some of the crew from the BBC into the club premises during the filming of My Kind of Town recently.
The club secretary said: "This was a great opportunity for the club and indeed Wick as a whole."
