User:Humberthernandez

In the second half of the 20th century the amateur theatre world in Gibraltar was dominated by two drama groups: Group '56 and St Joseph's Drama Group. These two groups eventually fused in the 1960's to form one single entity thus reinforcing one another's work and offering to the public a level of excellence in the productions rarely seen in town. The formation and evolution of each group was very different and so we shall now have a look at their separate existences and their track records before examining the impressive productions they presented to the public after their amalgamation.

GROUP '56. As its name implies the group was formed in 1956 by a group of 17-18 year-olds who had been introduced to amateur dramatics by the director of the Calpe Institute. The Calpe Institute was the local establishment subsidized by the British Council whose aims were to promote cultural pursuits in the community. After a couple of productions at the hands of the Calpe Institute, where most of these youngsters took part, they decided to form their own amateur group and go it alone. The founder members were: Elio Cruz (who later dedicated his time and energy to writing plays for the group), Luis Azzopardi and Cecil Gomez, under the expert guidance of Major Peter Dietz and his wife, Vivien, who at the time were stationed in Gibraltar and were keenly interested in amateur dramatics and helping young people, quite disinterestedly, to go it alone.

Their first serious production was presented in November 1956 at the Calpe Institute. This was 'Happiness Is My Goal', a play by Norman Holland produced by Elio Cruz. Their next production was an entry for the Gibraltar Drama Festival in December 1957; a play written by Elio Cruz and produced by Vivien Dietz. This proved to be a breath of fresh air in the rather stodgy atmosphere of this Festival traditionally organised by the British Forces stationed on the Rock. It won the Runners-up Cup and also the prize for the Best Original Play. This was their first resounding success.

Three months later, in March 1958, they were brave enough to present 'Antigone' by Sophocles at the Calpe Institute. This was the first production in Gibraltar presented in the round by Peter and Vivien Dietz and, once again, it received very pleasing write-ups in the local Press. From then on the group went from strength to strength and was nothing if not daring in its choice of material and experimental in its presentation.

Their success gave them the confidence to try their hand at a Spanish play and their choice fell on Federico García Lorca's 'Yerma', an intense drama in verse. This time the play was produced by Cecil Gomez at Ince's Hall in June 1958. The production created a sensation in town, not only for its high standard all round, but also because its content was a matter for disapproval by local conservative opinion. The Press led the way by declaring the play immoral and indecent. Needless to say, this gave the play and the group a most welcome publicity, so that every night it played to a full house.