Melody Makers Benllech - About Us / Membership

Group History

In Early 1972 notices appeared in several shops and prominent positions in Benllech to the effect that it was proposed to form a Concert Party group. The objective was to put on a ‘Show’ in Benllech to raise money for a defibrillator for the local doctor. Anyone interested who had a talent to offer was invited to a meeting, and so Melody Makers was formed. For the first couple of years, rehearsals were held at Hafod Wyn and shows were put on in the Goronwy Owen Hall.

The defibrillator was soon purchased and over the next ten years or so many performances were given and much money raised for various charities. In the early days shows were taken ‘on the road’ to locations in Holyhead, Llangefni, Llanfaethlu, Bangor, Rhyl and once to St. Georges Hall in Liverpool.

Also Christmas shows were produced and in 1983 the first Melody Makers pantomime was presented. In 1984 the group moved its rehearsals and shows to the Community and Ex-Servicemen’s Hall, and this has been its home ever since.

Over the years Melody Makers have been noted for our fast moving, well dressed, musical shows. We have now produced several well known musical shows from stage and screen. A full list of our productions year by year, photos & NODA reviews of our shows can be found on our past shows page.

We always look forward to our next challenge. If you'd like to join us on stage or behind the scenes for our shows drop us a line via the contact us page.

Organisation

We are a small amateur dramatics group based in Benllech, on the beautiful isle of Anglesey, North West Wales. We operate as a non-profit organisation & profit left over after shows is donated back to charities & good causes. Our aim is to try and "produce professional quality shows from an amateur company".

The group is run by a Committee of Officers who are appointed by ballot at the A.G.M. They attend to the business of the Club and must offer themselves for re-election annually. Membership of the Committee is open to all adult members.

The current committee consists of: -

Chairperson	Vice Chairman	Technical Director	Treasurer	Secretary

Val Bamber	Ralph Peters	Suzanna Blakeley	John Bamber	Lesley Tyler

REHEARSAL NIGHTS

The group meets at 7.30pm on Thursday nights in the hall. Some members arrive early to help put chairs out and set up the piano and stage ready for the start of rehearsals. The producers try and ensure everybody has something to do at all times during rehearsals but it is not always possible. If members are busy rehearsing on stage, cast members not in a scene can either watch or read over the script etc and have the option to do read throughs in the hall committee room to practice ready for when they are then needed.

There is a break for refreshments(which also allows the voice to rest) after which rehearsals continue until approximately 10pm. The chairs are then put away and the hall and stage tidied before leaving.

Nearer the shows we sometimes have additional rehearsals as required in order to polish the show but these are arranged as needed and worked around member availability as best as possible. They usually take place on Tuesdays and Sundays when needed. Sometimes to ensure chorus members don't get bored in Thursday evening rehearsals and are kept busy at all times, the producers choose to have seperate rehearsals on Tuesday evenings with the principals.

Meetings are intended for members to have fun, a laugh and enjoy performing but at the same time a certain level of seriousness is required to ensure we meet show dates. If you'd like to join us why not drop us an e-mail or use the contact form on our contact page. Current membership options and fees are shown below.

Maybe you don't like being on stage? Why not join us as an "off-stage" member. This type of membership allows help behind the scenes, refreshments, sound and lighting or technical and costumes etc. Unfortunately, it is necessary for us to charge for all membership types in order to ensure that all persons are covered by our liability insurance whilst in rehearsals.

MEMBERSHIP

Membership is invited under two main categories:

"On Stage" and "Off Stage" members

Applications are welcomed from anybody but all applications are forwarded to the committee who must then approve them.

For those wishing to join us on stage

The committee will arrange auditions as necessary with the applicant at an agreed date/time, following which a decision will be made as to whether to approve their application for On Stage membership. Approval will depend on our requirements for the current show and a satisfactory performance during the audition. If unsuccessful the applicant will be told why it has not been possible to approve their membership.

If the committee are not able to offer On Stage membership

It may still be possible for the applicant to join us as an Off Stage member (allowing Backstage work, set building, refreshments, sound/lighting etc) until an opportunity arises to be able to offer On Stage membership.

How do I go about joining?

If you wish to join us, you can either simply turn up on a Thursday night at the hall just before 7.30pm (see the contact us page for location) to introduce yourself to the group & ask to speak to a member of the committee then tell them you are interested in joining. Alternatively, you can either drop us an e-mail with a little detail about previous experience, who you are, why you'd like to join & type of membership you are interested in, or fill in the same details on the contact form on our contact page. We will then be in touch to invite you along at a time convenient for both us and you. You will then usually be invited along to a rehearsal to see how you find it before considering whether you definitely wish to join. As stated above all membership will be subject to committee approval.

CURRENT MEMBERSHIP FEES

ADULT MEMBERS

£18 PER ANNUM + 50p PER WEEK WE REHEARSE

INTERMEDIATE MEMBERS - (Minimum age 14, up to 16)

(or older if still undertaking full time education)

*** EVIDENCE YOU ARE STILL IN FULL TIME EDUCATION MAY BE REQUESTED ***

£15 PER ANNUM - NO WEEKLY FEE

CHILD MEMBERS -(under 14 years)

£6 PER ANNUM - NO WEEKLY FEE

TEMPORARY MEMBER (i.e. PART TERM ONLY)

£P.O.A. - PLEASE NOTE TEMPORARY MEMBERSHIP IS ONLY POSSIBLE WHEN REQUIREMENTS EXIST FOR THE CURRENT SHOW WE ARE PRODUCING

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