Historical Society

100 Years of the Playgoers of Lethbridge

In the 13 January 1923 Lethbridge Daily Herald, E.G. Sterndale-Bennett argued it would be advisable to “commence with the organization of a playgoers’ club having a large membership composed of all lovers of the theatre.”

Sterndale-Bennett noted “the performance, by amateurs, of good plays and musical comedies, correctly staged, affords pleasure and entertainment to both the performers and the audience, and a society which is working for the improvement of amateur talent is a benefit to any community.” (Ibid).

The proposed aims for the Playgoers were to bring in the best traveling companies and to themselves perform simple one act plays and operettas.

Working with H.W. Church, SterndaleBennett made this hope come true

On 20 January 1923, the Playgoers Club was organized.

The original officers were

President – Mr. H.W. Church

Secretary – Mr. R.A. Thrall Treasurer – Miss Louise Smith

Director – Mr. E. Sterndale-Bennett

Musical Director – Mr. C.J. Ferguson

Membership Committee – Mrs. Ritchie, Miss Church, Mr. Raworth and Mr. Davies

Casting Committee – Mrs. SterndaleBennett, Miss Jones, Mr. McAlpin, Mr. Hincks, and Mr. Whitfield

Lethbridge Historical Society

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Photo: Cover of LHS publication on E.G. Sterndale -Bennett Did You Know?