DADS Our Theatre

The Winn Memorial Hall.
Set in the rural Surrey Countryside, in the ancient village of Dunsfold, the Winn Memorial Hall (known locally as 'The Winn Hall') has been the main site of DADS activities since soon after its inauguration on the 8th November 1916.
Due mainly to the determination of the Reverend William Winn, Rector of Dunsfold from 1888 - 1913 after whom the hall is named, the facility was built originally as a community centre for the parish, a role which it continues to serve to this day.

The first record of a DADS production in the Winn Hall was in January 1921 when A Visit to Toyland was presented. Over the years DADS has been one of the main contributors to the upkeep of and improvements to the hall by hiring the facility for rehearsals and productions, by fund raising or donations and by help of a more practical nature. In return DADS has received, and is enormously grateful for the help and support of the Trustees and the Hall Management Committee by making available such an excellent playhouse.

Using the Winn Hall as a Theatre
A few words from our Stage Manager Anne (She Who Must be Obayed) Cannings...

The transformation from village hall to theatre begins several weeks before the show when a dedicated team start to produce scenery to fit our bijou stage. Cramming in a country house, the village common, a seaside cottage, ancient Peking, or the waiting room for heaven (to recall just some of our more recent sets), is no mean feat on a stage with approximately 4 by 3 metres performing area. When required this can be extended by a metre by use of an apron extension, bringing actor and front row into very cosy contact.

Since we try to inconvenience other hall users at little as possible set construction only commences in the weekend preceding a production. It usually starts with the fitting of a purpose-cut carpet (very kindly donated by Manns of Cranleigh) to deaden the sound of walking on a hollow wooden stage and give the audience some chance of hearing the actors. Then the scenery flats go up, perhaps as a box set, or to cover the wing entrances, or some combination with for example fireplaces or space ships that descend from the flies. We try to do something a little different each show. From Friday evening to Sunday afternoon a gradual transformation takes place. Then we let the actors in.

No exploration of our stage would be complete without a mention of the auditorium (or village hall as it is known most of the year). For every show this space is transformed by a dedicated team, usually in line with a theme adopted from the show.

Thus it is not unusual to see, in addition to the bar and the obligatory raffle, posters of murderers, a dinghy, a noose, seagulls, balloons, cast biographies, or even a coffin adorning the walls and ceiling. For a least two nights, we operate 'cabaret style', with supper and a show, and table decorations follow suit. And front of house staff may be wearing dinner suits, dressed as flapper girls, sailors, or undertakers…….

Anne Cannings 2008

Until recently, we were constrained to using flats or moveable scenery, and just one set of front tabs (curtains). Heavy to move and bulky to store, it restricted our ability to perform quick, complex or varied scene changes then, in 2006, the DADS Committee secured an 'Awards for All' grant to improve the stage furnishings, just in time for that year's production of Aladdin the pantomime. We had 2 scenery backdrops on rollers, a set of rear and a set of half tabs in black fitted. This has transformed how we can use the precious space on stage, and allows us to be more ambitious in our plays, as we are able to move swiftly between different scenes.

This is often the first time the actors have really seen the set, and now they realise why we have been sticking bits of masking tape to the floor to symbolise walls and doors. It is also at this point where the stage manager's and set designer's discussions with the director about just how much furniture we can't have on stage really come to fruition. Suffice to say, we usually decide to lose one or two bits of scenery at this time!

With a stage monitor and audio, so those not on stage can follow the action (or become so engrossed that forget they should be 'on'), a little light refreshment and on occasions the odd glass of wine, it is dressing/green room heaven. Of course you have to remember not to use the toilets unless the audience are clapping or laughing. We've managed to handle a cast of 25 with several costume changes with relative ease, in the dressing room if not on the tiny stage.

Once built, the set remains in place. Over the next two or three days the actors will rehearse exhaustively, and we do our technical rehearsal, in preparation for a dress rehearsal on the Monday or Tuesday before opening night later that week. During this time the set becomes more elaborate as little finishing touches are added, like cobwebs, ornaments and backstage lights so we can see in the wings. The final touch is to add a black curtain along the front of the stage, just to hide the glare of the cream paint.
In the old days, the actors were expected to use the toilets situated either side of the stage as dressing rooms (what did the audience use?), sometimes sitting at the side of the hall to await their entrance (we've only 1 metre space in the wings). These days we operate in a bit more luxury, with the adjoining Nugent Room (mostly used as a small hall or committee room) fulfilling this role in style. Added in 1997, it was designed for just this purpose, with two basins with hot water, dividing screens, access to both sides of the stage, a scenery dock door, and even a shower should we need it (useful when the plot calls for a damp actor).

During a performance the lighting, sound and some special effects are orchestrated from the 'Lighting Desk' situated at the rear of the hall. This is the province of the lighting manager and sound manager (often the same person). House lighting and performance run times are co-ordinated from here via a radio link to the stage manager backstage.