PORTADOWN PHOENIX PLAYERS TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT 2023-2024
As is the case with most societies, Portadown Phoenix Players relies on meetings, with the Executive Committee and the whole committee both meeting at least once a month, more frequently from May to September. The pace of activities, and of meetings quickens considerably after May each year as auditions are planned for, scheduled and held and rehearsals begin, and then quickens further as the performance dates approach.
2024-2025 followed the pattern established over many years, with the Executive Committee planning and overseeing, and the whole team sharing responsibility for fund-raising, supervision of the Juniors (at all times) at rehearsals, on stage, in the wings, backstage and generally anywhere on site within St. Mark’s Parish Hall and Portadown Town Hall, both of which were used for rehearsals. St. Mark’s Parish Hall was used in July, as it was seen as being marginally less expensive. Rotas were developed and operated for front of house, booking office, interval tea/coffee etc and for the sale of programmes and of those most important raffle tickets. A sub-committee was set up to explore and develop an online booking system, which was, eventually, successful.
Prior to beginning work on preparing the Junior show for 2024, the Committee decided to organise a concert (with the theme of “A Night at the Musicals”) as a way to supplement the usual fund-raising activities organised by various dedicated, hard-working parents. The intention was to gather a cast of current Juniors, together with some recent “alumni” and as many senior members as could be coaxed to return to the stage.
After weeks of rehearsal, the very successful concert was performed for a packed Portadown Town Hall on Sunday 21 April (2024).
The show chosen for 2024 was “Back to the Eighties”. As we began preparations for the Summer show we realised that our former rehearsal premises, a long decommissioned local Primary School, which perfectly suited our needs had deteriorated further and that its use was not possible. A combination of St. Mark’s Parish Hall and Portadown Town Hall, as detailed above, was decided upon.
“Back to the Eighties” had its technical and dress rehearsals Monday 19 and Tuesday 20 August 2024, with performances on Wednesday 21, Thursday 22, Friday 23 and Saturday 24 August. All involved (committee, cast, parents, director, choreographer, musical director and, most especially, our audiences) agreed that it was a great success, emulating the achievements of previous years.
Portadown Phoenix Players continues to advance its purposes of “educating the public in the dramatic and operatic arts” and “furthering the development of public appreciation and taste in said arts”. This intention, together with an aim to find an affordable and suitable permanent base, should become the focus for the coming year.