Friends provide backbone for Opera House

Outgoing Friends President Fred Holmes is presented with life membership by new president, Margaret Johnson. PICTURE / SUPPLIED

Behind every show at the Royal Wanganui Opera House there is a team of people helping to make it happen.

The Friends of the Opera House have been part of the scenery since 1989, when a group got together to change the fortunes of the old theatre, "to preserve the historic building as a full working theatre for the use and enjoyment of the community".

They have been there ever since, and, under their guidance and untiring voluntary work, the Opera House has become an important part of the fabric of Whanganui.

At last month's AGM, Fred Holmes stepped down as president after five years, handing over the reins to former vice president Margaret Johnson.
Fred was presented with life membership in recognition of many years of voluntary work.
Margaret is the first woman president of the Friends.

As with all voluntary groups, they need new members to fill the inevitable gaps and ensure their work continues.
"We're always in need of more volunteers," says Margaret, "Particularly people who can usher upstairs.
"As years go by, some of our volunteers are looking at ushering downstairs."
Working upstairs requires a youthful stride and confidence on steep stairs and narrow walkways, especially in the dark.
There is an upside.
"Anyone who is able to usher upstairs will get to see more shows."

Volunteers are required an hour before the show starts and must be the last to leave.
"It can be a long night, but that's volunteering for you."
As well as in the upstairs circle, volunteers are also required for the sweet stall, the bar, as door people, ice-cream sellers and backstage crew.
They are happy to take on young people of intermediate or early secondary school age
to sell ice-creams.
"As long as they're confident dealing with the public and won't get flustered dealing with cash."
At the end of their volunteering they get something in writing to say they have had such experience.

Margaret says there will also be a warm welcome to any active, young volunteers who would be keen to assist with working bees held backstage from 7.30pm every Tuesday evening.
There are plenty of older members to teach them the ropes.

Backstage crew will soon have uniforms for a more professional look and to identify them to promoters when the Friends provide crew for touring professional shows.

Margaret's involvement in theatre began in Dunedin where she was a volunteer with the 1800-seat Regent Theatre and the 3000-seat Dunedin Town Hall.
After moving to Wanganui in 1995 she was introduced to the Royal Wanganui Opera House by the late Jean Hussey. She has been a member of Friends for more than 20 years, on the committee since 2010 and Vice President since 2013. She was awarded life membership in 2016.
Margaret works as an usher and sometimes sells ice-creams.
She interviews new front-of-house volunteers and she compiled and gave the presentation at the National Trustpower Community Volunteer Awards in Dunedin after Friends of the Opera House were named Supreme Winner of the Whanganui District Awards in 2015.
"That really put the Opera House out there," she says.
"The positive comments we got … it was a great experience and we got a lot of good feedback from our presentation."

Sandy Fage is vice president, Veronica Stevens and Shirna Matthews are secretary and treasurer respectively. Committee members are Eddie Frith, Nathan Brown, Rodney Brown, Hywel Davies, Sandra Clement and Debbie Adam. At the AGM Jim Ennis was awarded Volunteer of the Year and Shirna Matthews was recognised for 20 years continuous service.

To become a volunteer or to join the Friends of the Opera House, contact Margaret Johnson on 344 8494 (evenings), email bejae9@gmail.com, or call into the Opera House box office and chat to treasurer Shirna Matthews.