by Teresa Hennessy… with special thanks to Elaine Lord for her help with David’s history at Spectacle.This article is reproduced with the kind permission of Teresa Hennessy, Drama Association of Wales I was recently privileged to be invited to attend a special performance by Spectacle Theatre to recognise and celebrate the contribution and commitment to their work by DAW’s good friend and Honorary Life Member, David Lawrence. Spectacle Theatre, formed in 1979 is based at Coleg Morgannwg (Glamorgan College) in the Rhondda Valley, and is a company that has always shown commitment to their community and brought innovative high quality theatre to areas where some people may even be surprised there's an audience. When you come, like I do, from an area that does not have a broad provision of theatre let alone the choice of buildings in which to be entertained, people like David and Steve Davis (Spectacle’s Director) are worth their weight in gold and are viewed with great fondness and admiration. You just thank your lucky stars that there are people who encourage and nurture a love of drama, and who give their time to areas of the community where they are truly needed…and greatly appreciated! I know both David and the good folks at Spectacle Theatre would not like me to eulogise their contribution to community theatre and in David’s case amateur theatre, but I for one am very happy to sing their praises! David’s interest in Drama started at an early age, when he became involved with the Abercerdin Youth Club productions from around 1946 and his interest has not waned since; he remains a fervent supporter to the present day. He has been involved in theatre in the Rhondda Valleys for over 60 years, and much of its development, particularly in Gilfach & Evanstown, is down to the man known as ‘Mr Drama’. To anyone who has frequented either the Glamorgan rounds or the Wales One Act Festival Final, the name David Lawrence is never far from people’s lips. I think it would be fair to say that David’s enthusiasm and ability to spot new work by talented writers has helped to take his group Gilfach Goch ADS to many a festival and wow audiences with superb direction, acting and an all round craft that makes them a sure fire winner throughout Wales and the rest of the UK. His involvement with Spectacle began in the early 1980’s and he became a member of the Board in 1985. Within a few years he became Chair, and only stepped down from that post in 1996, eventually retiring from the Board in December 2005. On the programme it was pointed out “without his leadership and personal support for members of the company and the Board, Spectacle would have ceased to exist many years ago. His knowledge of the area, and his interest and active commitment to theatre, has made him a valued and irreplaceable member of the Board”. You can’t have a greater accolade than that. David is a man of great warmth and sincerity. He has an endearing charm, a vast knowledge of theatre and a giving personality which has enhanced every festival which he has been involved with. David has always been a pleasure to spend time with, a person I know I can learn from; his productions have always entertained and it has been an evening to enjoy when Gilfach Goch ADS has graced the stage. I would like to add my own congratulations to Spectacle’s and wish David well. All my very best wishes to a true gentleman of the theatre and I look forward to Gilfach Goch ADS entertaining us once again in the not too distant future. |
| Spectacle Theatre web site: www.spectacletheatre.co.uk |
| Elaine Lord e-mail: elaine.lord@spectacletheatre.co.uk |
Tuesday, April 4, 2006 |
Older news
stories have been carefully archived.
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999