Fraserburgh Photographic Society and the birth of FJAS
Fraserburgh Photographic Society was founded in 1951 by a few keen photographers and camera buffs who got talking and decided to form a club. Their ambition was to share their knowledge and love of photography with each other and encourage others to take it up as a hobby.
Their first meeting was on the 7th of October 1951, and they had ambitious plans for a small provincial photo club. They discussed how to raise some funds for the club and decided to stage a small musical concert in a hall along the lines of the army concerts which has proved so popular in World War 2. They approached Mr Charles Fraser who decided a more ambitious project was required – a Pantomime!
On Tuesday 13th May 1952 the Editor of the Fraserburgh Herald announced in his paper
“The Fraserburgh Photographic Society will be holding an audition for people with musical or vocal talent in the JIC on Wednesday the 21st of May 1952. They will be pleased to welcome all such persons on that night. Wheels are already moving under the supervision of Mr Charles Fraser for the pantomime “Humpty Dumpty” which is to be presented by the Fraserburgh Photographic Society around Christmas time. I can assure you that when Mr Fraser is at the helm of the production side there are no half measures and that the pantomime will be a huge success and attract a large amount of people. I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever.”
Back in the day Fraserburgh had two cinemas.
Two films would be showing at the other cinema, the Playhouse in High Street on the same nights as the panto and another play was on at the Dalrymple Hall by The Scottish Festival Players. The Fraserburgh public though were keen to see some of their own on stage.
Humpty Dumpty was shown at 6.15pm on Wednesday 24th December and Thursday 25th December, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 1952. It was declared a huge success!!
There was a lot of excited speculation as to what the Fraserburgh Photographic Society would choose as their next panto for the following Christmas and wondered if it would be revealed at the Humpty Dumpty reunion at the end of February. A dinner and dance for the cast, crew and friends of “Humpty Dumpty” was held at the Saltoun Hotel on Thursday the 26th of February 1953.
Fraserburgh Photographic Society secretary Mr David Gerard welcomed everyone and congratulated them all on having produced such a marvellous show. When the Photographic Society had been formed, the equipment costing £368 had to be procured. The pantomime gave a profit of £121 which meant that the society were be able to repay their debt. Mr Gerrard announced that there would be another pantomime and that it would be the “Sleeping Beauty”
In the following months it was clear that something special had been started. The photographers stepped away and the performers took charge of all arrangements for the next panto. The Fraserburgh Junior Arts Society was formed with David Gerard as their secretary and treasurer and it wasn’t long before he was placing adverts announcing auditions were being held for the 1953 pantomime “Sleeping Beauty”.
A brilliant Broch tradition had begun and has continued ever since with the Fraserburgh Junior Arts Society putting on a pantomime for the delight and entertainment of Brocher’s at Christmas time for over 70 years.
The Fraserburgh Photographic Society and the Fraserburgh Junior Arts Society are now entering their eighth decade in which time talented photographers and performers have shared, developed and encouraged their love of photography and performing with thousands. Many of the cast and crew of that very first pantomime remained with the Fraserburgh Junior Arts for years bringing on many talented youngsters and putting on many, many shows.
Humpty Dumpty 1951 Cast
Director - Charles Fraser
Assistant Director - Fred Smart
Musical Director - Charles Pressley
Music - Charles Pressley and his Broadcasting Band
Lighting & Effects - George Christie
Stage Manager - James Fraser
Wardrobe Mistress - Mrs Alex Benzie
Make Up - Alex Smith and assistants
Property Master - Douglas Duthie
Prompter - Kathleen Buchan
Stage Carpenters - William Shirran, A. Shirran, A. Cowe, George Duncan
Tap Dance & Minuet - Edna Shirran
Ballet Scene - Florence Law
Humpty Dumpty - George Craig
Principal Boy - Miss Jean Mowatt
Cast
David McDonald
Mrs David McDonald
Betty Strachan
Ray Beattie
Sheila Symon
Henry Duthie
John Cooper
James Crockett
James Dick
Robert Clarke
Robert Leslie
Vera Smart
Roberta Buchan
Fred Smart Jnr
Alex Burnett
Sheena Gauld
Christine Duthie
Edward McDonnell
Florence Law
Florence Grant
Georgie Law
Winifred Birnie
Margo Marshall
Norma Bisset
Betty May
Nessie Birnie
Lillian Thompson
Catherine Bruce
John Trail
Barbara Buchan
James Gauld
Edna Shirran
William Mutch
William McGregor
Peter Thompson
Ian Presley
William Simpson
John Trail
Robert Cruickshank
Their first meeting was on the 7th of October 1951, and they had ambitious plans for a small provincial photo club. They discussed how to raise some funds for the club and decided to stage a small musical concert in a hall along the lines of the army concerts which has proved so popular in World War 2. They approached Mr Charles Fraser who decided a more ambitious project was required – a Pantomime!
On Tuesday 13th May 1952 the Editor of the Fraserburgh Herald announced in his paper
“The Fraserburgh Photographic Society will be holding an audition for people with musical or vocal talent in the JIC on Wednesday the 21st of May 1952. They will be pleased to welcome all such persons on that night. Wheels are already moving under the supervision of Mr Charles Fraser for the pantomime “Humpty Dumpty” which is to be presented by the Fraserburgh Photographic Society around Christmas time. I can assure you that when Mr Fraser is at the helm of the production side there are no half measures and that the pantomime will be a huge success and attract a large amount of people. I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever.”
Back in the day Fraserburgh had two cinemas.
Two films would be showing at the other cinema, the Playhouse in High Street on the same nights as the panto and another play was on at the Dalrymple Hall by The Scottish Festival Players. The Fraserburgh public though were keen to see some of their own on stage.
Humpty Dumpty was shown at 6.15pm on Wednesday 24th December and Thursday 25th December, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 1952. It was declared a huge success!!
There was a lot of excited speculation as to what the Fraserburgh Photographic Society would choose as their next panto for the following Christmas and wondered if it would be revealed at the Humpty Dumpty reunion at the end of February. A dinner and dance for the cast, crew and friends of “Humpty Dumpty” was held at the Saltoun Hotel on Thursday the 26th of February 1953.
Fraserburgh Photographic Society secretary Mr David Gerard welcomed everyone and congratulated them all on having produced such a marvellous show. When the Photographic Society had been formed, the equipment costing £368 had to be procured. The pantomime gave a profit of £121 which meant that the society were be able to repay their debt. Mr Gerrard announced that there would be another pantomime and that it would be the “Sleeping Beauty”
In the following months it was clear that something special had been started. The photographers stepped away and the performers took charge of all arrangements for the next panto. The Fraserburgh Junior Arts Society was formed with David Gerard as their secretary and treasurer and it wasn’t long before he was placing adverts announcing auditions were being held for the 1953 pantomime “Sleeping Beauty”.
A brilliant Broch tradition had begun and has continued ever since with the Fraserburgh Junior Arts Society putting on a pantomime for the delight and entertainment of Brocher’s at Christmas time for over 70 years.
The Fraserburgh Photographic Society and the Fraserburgh Junior Arts Society are now entering their eighth decade in which time talented photographers and performers have shared, developed and encouraged their love of photography and performing with thousands. Many of the cast and crew of that very first pantomime remained with the Fraserburgh Junior Arts for years bringing on many talented youngsters and putting on many, many shows.
Humpty Dumpty 1951 Cast
Director - Charles Fraser
Assistant Director - Fred Smart
Musical Director - Charles Pressley
Music - Charles Pressley and his Broadcasting Band
Lighting & Effects - George Christie
Stage Manager - James Fraser
Wardrobe Mistress - Mrs Alex Benzie
Make Up - Alex Smith and assistants
Property Master - Douglas Duthie
Prompter - Kathleen Buchan
Stage Carpenters - William Shirran, A. Shirran, A. Cowe, George Duncan
Tap Dance & Minuet - Edna Shirran
Ballet Scene - Florence Law
Humpty Dumpty - George Craig
Principal Boy - Miss Jean Mowatt
Cast
David McDonald
Mrs David McDonald
Betty Strachan
Ray Beattie
Sheila Symon
Henry Duthie
John Cooper
James Crockett
James Dick
Robert Clarke
Robert Leslie
Vera Smart
Roberta Buchan
Fred Smart Jnr
Alex Burnett
Sheena Gauld
Christine Duthie
Edward McDonnell
Florence Law
Florence Grant
Georgie Law
Winifred Birnie
Margo Marshall
Norma Bisset
Betty May
Nessie Birnie
Lillian Thompson
Catherine Bruce
John Trail
Barbara Buchan
James Gauld
Edna Shirran
William Mutch
William McGregor
Peter Thompson
Ian Presley
William Simpson
John Trail
Robert Cruickshank
