Better support - a smaller loss

Please would you convey my thanks to all the people who supported the recent Centre Stage production of 42nd Street.

As many people know, we were very concerned this was going to be our last production as we know it and, thanks to your article prior to the production, many more tickets were sold, which has resulted in a much smaller loss than we anticipated.

I received many kind words from lots of people, on behalf of the society, praising the talent that was on the stage and the work of all the many people involved in the back stage and unseen roles as committee members and volunteers who work so hard throughout the year.

I would, at this point, like to thank you, Mr Editor, and all of your staff who offer help throughout the year so readily and give us really good coverage in the editions close to our productions - it is really appreciated by us all

The cost of this production was just over �25,000, which comes as a surprise to most people. This is not an exuberant overspend on our part, this is just what it takes to put on the style of show we know our audiences want to see.

There may be scope to look at reducing some costs next year, which the committee will look at over the next few weeks. On top of all this, of course, we have taken the brunt of many price increases and have not passed these on to our members or to our audiences. We are aware everybody is cutting back in this current climate.

I am very proud of all the Centre Stage members and their achievements and 42nd Street adds to their list of great productions.

I am very pleased to say there will be many more, thanks to all of the members of the audiences, our friends, who love and hold the society close to their hearts.

I really hope people share in this pride of the society, even if you do not like musical theatre. These are a great bunch of kids, who rely on us all to give them our time and support them in all they do.

Mark Worsley,

Chairman.