RESIDENTS have been left laughing, crying and captivated by productions at a South Reading venue for decades.
This week, we’re taking readers back to the 1940s and 50s, when Whitley Community Centre put on performances which raised the roof.
Shows ranged from plays, comedies, pantomimes, musicals and operas, and included Count your Blessings, Aladdin, Cinderella, Flare Path, Miss Hook of Holland, Dick Whittington, Oliver, Dorothy and Les Cloches.
Whitley resident Annette Paris reminisced about George Jennings, an actor who used to perform pantomimes in drag. She remembered his comedic talents and that he appeared on numerous productions with her late husband.
The museum’s curator, David Turner, was full of praise for the array of performances held, which brought the best out of the ward.
He said: “In my recent research of documents held at the Whitley Community Museum it became very clear that Whitley was very lucky to have such talented residents.”
“The museum is lucky to have programmes for all the shows listed here.”
With over 4,600 followers on Facebook, the Whitley Community Museum is an accessible online and in-person resource.
The group serves as a platform for residents past and present to share memories through photographs and comments.
It also allows group members to reconnect, with members reacquainting themselves with friends and schoolmates from decades ago.
The museum held a Whitley Way Back When event at the Community Cafe on Northumberland Avenue earlier this year to showcase its photographs and exhibits in-person.
For more information, search: Whitley Community Museum on www.facebook.com
