10:23am Thursday 26th August 2010
By Graham Moody
Croydon Stagers return with the annual music hall next week, but don't go looking for it at Stanley Halls.
After 34 years at the listed venue in South Norwood, the amateur dramatics company has decided to up sticks and moved themselves to Wickham Hall in West Wickham.
The dilapidated state of the halls (see page ... for more on this) may have forced the Stagers to move outside of Croydon but don't think for a minute it is going to change anything when it comes to their performances.
Expect the usual mix of songs selected from the Victorian and Edwardian era performed by the whole company plus solos and quarters.
There will also be a melodrama, a ventriloquist, a juggler, magic and lots of jokes.
"Our Music Hall began in the late 70s," says member Dawn Lambert.
"It was a joint venture between the drama and musical sides of the company and over the years has become an essential means of raising funds for our yearly productions at the Ashcroft.
"We loved the Stanley Halls as it gave a great Victorian atmosphere to the whole event but unfortunately they are in dire need of money being spent on them.
"We were totally fed up with the situation and when we found an alternative venue, newly decorated with a brand new lighting system, half the price, plus the added bonus of a large adjacent car park - there was no choice."
Croydon Stagers Annual Music Hall, Wickham Hall, Sussex Road, West Wickham, August 31 to September 4, 7pm, £14. Call 020 8776 1064 or visit croydonstagers.co.uk.
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