The Regency Theatre in 1978—already at the heart of Freeport’s theatrical community.

Long before the Regency Theatre opened its doors, the Freeport Players Guild was already bringing live theatre to the young community of Freeport. Performances were staged in the old Seacraft building near the airport—a makeshift venue with a tin roof. Whenever heavy rain fell or an aircraft passed overhead, the actors simply had to stop and wait until they could be heard again.

The old Seacraft building in later years, long after the Freeport Players Guild staged its earliest productions there. With its tin roof—and its location close to the airport—performances sometimes had to pause for rain or passing aircraft!

THE BIRTH OF THE REGENCY THEATRE

From those decidedly makeshift beginnings, an ambitious plan emerged: to build a permanent 400-seat theatre. The Regency was made possible largely through the generosity of Sir Jack Hayward, who loved the theatre and delighted in performing himself, but it was also an enormous community undertaking. Members and supporters rallied around the project, giving their time and talents to help create a cultural home for the rapidly growing city.The Guild eventually gained a permanent home when the Regency Theatre was built in 1971. Today, the Freeport Players Guild celebrates 65 years at the heart of Freeport’s cultural life.

The pioneers of the Freeport Players Guild and the Regency Theatre gather at the site of their future 400-seat theatre. Sir Jack Hayward is seated in front, with Betty McConville standing behind him. Her husband, Joe McConville, is in the check shirt at centre. Peter Aston is holding the post on the right, and Patti Bloom stands at the far right.

The grand opening outside the brand new Regency Theatre on 29 May, 1971. What an achievement! Seen in this historic photo are some of the people who helped make this possible: Peter Aston, Jack Dredge, Ailsa Donkin, Betty McConville, Terry Stokes, Malcolm Goodyear, Bert Sinden, Maureen Huddlestone, Jane Stratford, Judy Jenkins, Norma Sheeran, Margo Brooks among many others.

The programme for the Regency’s first production captured the excitement—and relief—of finally having a proper theatre. The Guild’s president, Jack Dredge, welcomed audiences to “a real theatre with air conditioning and comfortable seats,” while thanking the many Freeporters whose support had made the new building possible. He expressed the hope that the Regency would make “a substantial contribution to the social and cultural life of Freeport in the years to come.” More than half a century later, those words seem remarkably prophetic.

THE CURTAIN RISES

The Guild’s first production in the new theatre was The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy of manners about two young men who lead double lives to win the hearts of two women. It was directed by Jean Younce and produced by Russ Younce.

From its makeshift beginnings in the Seacraft building to the opening of a permanent theatre of its own, the Freeport Players’ Guild had travelled an extraordinary road in just ten years. Sixty-five years after its founding, the Guild’s story continues—and there are many more productions, personalities and memories still to be celebrated.

Do you have memories or photographs of the Freeport Players’ Guild and the Regency Theatre? We would love to hear from you at memories@freeportfriends.com.