The Blood Wedding is fondly remembered

SEVENTY years of fun, friendship and finesse.

A drama society is celebrating a monumental anniversary this year and, in tribute, Looking Back has spoken with a founding member who is still part of the group today.

Kegworth Players Amateur Dramatic Society was launched in 1947 after the Second World War by a group of talented and enthusiastic villagers.

Among those with a passion for the stage, was Brenda Naomi Moore who committed herself to the society at the age of 15.

Mrs Moore, now aged 85, told the Echo: “In those days if you had an interest in drama, and I did through school, and there was a society in the area, it seemed like the natural thing to veer towards.

“I wasn’t the only founding member, there were many other people - much more important than me - such as president Margaret Wood, who passed a few years ago. She was the really brains behind the whole thing and the tour de force.

“Many important people have devoted their lives to the society in all sorts of ways.”

Mrs Moore, who was born in Keg- worth and has lived there all her life, has featured in many productions but she most fondly remembers playing ‘The Bride’ in Federico García Lorca’s Blood Wedding in 1965.

She said: “It was a break through play back then because it was so different.

“It was the most interesting play and I was not in a conventional bride costume because brides wore black in Victorian times. It was fascinating.”

Mrs Moore, who is now the group secretary, still takes to the stage today having starred as Florence in Florence Foster Jenkins in 2015.

Mrs Moore puts the longevity of the group down to the strong friendships within it.

She said: “Kegworth Players is most unusual because we’re a group of friends who happen to be interested in drama, I think that makes a difference.

“I imagine I will continue to be a member as I’m still as interested in the society and still as involved.

“I must emphasise that I’m not the most important member of the group - just told oldest member!

“Every member of the society has played their part and many have been here a long time.”

To mark the 70th anniversary, a Variety Evening, which will see past and current members perform, is to take place later in the year.

The society is also taking to the stage of Kegworth Village Hall from May 18-20 with comedy Pull the Other One - for a second time - as part of the celebrations.

• For more information on upcoming events or the society, visit: www.kegworthplayers.co.uk

Pictured are the full cast of Last Tango in Whitby, performed in 1996.

Pictured are the cast of Dear Octopus, the society’s 25th anniversary production. Brenda Naomi Moore (far right, nearest to the camera) was among the performers.

Pictured are the cast of Stepping Out which the society took to the stage with in 1995.

Pictured is chair Rita Pearson in costume for Ladies in Retirement which the society performed in 2000.

Pictured is Brenda Naomi Moore in costume for Cavalcade, the society’s 50th anniversary production.