Old Stagers at the Gulbenkian

Picnic outside the Gulbenkian Theatre

On Friday 7th August, eight Rotarians and their wives enjoyed 'The Happiest Days of your Life' at the Gulbenkian Theatre, University of Kent. The play is an English farce performed by the Old Stagers, a Canterbury acting group, founded in 1842 by members of the Kent County Cricket Club, and which claims to be the oldest surviving amateur dramatic society in the world.

President Richard Kemball-Cook organised the tickets but sadly, at the last minute, was unable to attend.

The storyline is of a boys’ boarding school just after the war, which without warning has to accept the staff and pupils of an evacuated girls’ boarding school and continue to keep the appearance of two single-sex schools when parents visit.

Before the performance it has for many years been a tradition to picnic on the lawns outside the theatre, and the attending Rotarians set up their tables and enjoyed an excellent meal.

Since photography is not permitted during the show, the photographs are of the pre-performance picnic.  Click any photo to enlarge.

Setting up: Ladies work while Gents chat!

Now we're getting somewhere! 

Serving time: Ladies work while Gents feed

All seated for a delicious Summer Picnic

   
   

 

Thursday 1st January 1970

Published by: The Rotary Club of Canterbury

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