This is the report I delivered at the AGM on 29th June. I know most of you missed it, including those of you who were there and fell asleep. I hope those of you who were unable to attend had really good excuses. A note from your Mum saying that your kit was in the wash is not acceptable David Berry.

If success is measured by ticket sales then FLT has had another successful season, each of our 4 productions selling out. But in fairness it has not been all plain sailing. In one of our newsletters I posted a missing persons bulletin - the missing persons in question being actors, particularly of the male persuasion. The apparent dearth of male actors has caused us to review our casting policy and often to dictate the choice of play. I know we are not unique in this respect but it is still a cause for concern.

Our original choice of play to open the season was `A Woman Of No Importance' by Oscar Wilde to be directed by Carmel Waldron. For Carmel this was to be her directorial debut for FLT. This was an ambitious choice of play given the number of characters and although there was a good response for the female characters, male interest was disappointing. Consequently we opened with John Godber's 'Teechers' directed by George Gough, making a welcome return to FLT after a 10-year absence. The play was originally written for 3 actors to play about 22 parts but George reworked the play to enable several experienced actors to be joined by 3 relative newcomers and even gave himself a small cameo role [which got bigger every night].

One evening during the run a blocked drain caused the auditorium toilets to overflow. The chairman and stage manager, Bill Metcalfe, with torch in hand removed the drain cover and peered hopefully into the blackness, but as in Samuel Beckett's 'Waiting for Godot', nothing happened, twice. Following an urgent consultation a drain specialist was enlisted and for a fee of several hundred pounds plus VAT removed a quantity of paper towels that had erroneously been deposited down the toilets. You might say an unnecessary drain on resources.

The play selection committee provided Carmel with a short list of plays and asked her to find an alternative. The play selected was Emlyn Williams' 'Cuckoo', by no means a classic, but one which charmed our audiences and once more gave an opportunity for some new faces to display their talents. Nevertheless, the play was only fully cast by changing the gender of the hired help from male to female. Incidentally, at the first costing meeting with Carmel she indicated that for school productions she usually worked to a budget of £3,000. Oh how we laughed about that!

March's production was `Body language' by Alan Aykbourn directed by Derek Cooper. A bizarre comedy even by Aykbourn's standards, featuring head and personality transplants. The play was only castable by a guest appearance from a member of another society, Poppy Flanagan, who subsequently joined FLT, and by once again changing the gender of one of the male characters to female. Despite a strong cast everyone was upstaged by the magnificent set, surely one of our best, incorporating the ubiquitous water feature - a fully operational garden fountain. Well done to Bill and his team.

Given the casting difficulties we had already experienced during the season, I was not unduly optimistic about our choice for June, `Neville's Island' By Tim Firth which featured a cast of 4 men. This was to have been Deborah Bloom's directorial debut for FLT and it quickly became apparent that my pessimism was well founded and the play selection committee asked Deborah to consider an alternative play. The play chosen was `Haywire', a comedy by Eric Chappell. I have received a lot of positive feedback from audience members who thoroughly enjoyed the play, and especially for Alan Fraser who took on a mammoth role and who on the night I saw the play, when the temperature in the auditorium reached 27°, turned into a walking sauna.

For me, one of the highlights of last season was the surprise visit of our illustrious president - the renowned actress Lesley Sharp. During her visit Lesley paid homage to the debt she owed FLT, and particularly the encouragement she received from her experiences as a member of the youth section. Following the report of her visit in the Formby Times we were inundated with enquiries from young people asking about joining the youth section. It had been several years since we had an active youth section and although we had talked about resurrecting it the impetus seemed to be lacking. I am pleased to report therefore, that thanks to Carmel Waldron and her team, Formby Youth Theatre met for the first time in March, and with a membership of about 30, are in rehearsal for their first public performance on 14th and 15th July 2006. I hope you will all give them the support they deserve.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those members and officers who have given so much of their time and effort to support the club this season and while too numerous to mention you all by name I would like to mention a couple of specific contributions. To Brenda Nicholl for her dogged determination in continuing to organize the play reading nights despite the mixed attendances and the disastrous night when the bar was locked. To Bill Metcalfe and his team for the magnificent homeless shelter with en suite facilities. The word porch really does not do it justice. And finally to Gany Williams, Peter Rooney and Peter Driffield who supported me in my darkest hour as I wrestled with the labyrinthine bureaucracy that was the licensing Act 2003.

So let's look ahead to next season. We know we have a problem with casting, and it is no consolation that other societies are similarly placed. So how do we address it? As a management committee we have already discussed a strategy for open auditions, and a recruitment drive for new members using inserts in local papers and leaflet drops, and Stuart Norris has been instrumental in designing a suitable leaflet. But there will be a cost. I am open to any practical suggestions.

We are also aware that we need to progress some essential building and maintenance work. Work will commence on replacing the stage as soon as the youth production is over. I am sure that Bill would appreciate any help in that department. Other projects may include such things as air conditioning/ ventilation, additional storage space and repairs to the roof and we are looking to form a small sub-group to prioritise the essential tasks. If you have any expertise in any of the areas mentioned and would like to join the group, then I look forward to hearing from you.

I prefaced my report on the night with the poignant 'apologies for absence' received from Irene Carrick on behalf of Douglas who had passed away earlier in the week. I had received explicit instructions from Irene that on no account was I to be morose or maudlin as Doug would not have wanted that. I am not sure that I was able to comply fully with Irene's request but I did pay tribute to Doug's indefatigable sense of humour that was evident in the prolific e-mails he was still sending despite his condition. I was pleased that we had been able to do a rehearsed reading of one of Doug's plays earlier in the month with proceeds going to Motor Neurone Disease Association. I read a letter from the Association received the day before the AGM thanking Douglas, Irene family and friends from Formby Little Theatre for helping to raise £725, which will be used to help and support people with Motor Neurone Disease in Merseyside.

Congratulations are due to all our teams for their achievements last season. That's Everton, Liverpool and the excellent team that is Formby Little Theatre. Just one word of caution about next years AGM, well three words actually- World Cup 2006. Can I ask Kath to start liaising with FIFA now to ensure that there is no clash of fixtures.

For FLT this has been a season of tremendous variety. It makes you realise what a unique facility we have here, that is attractive as a venue for a wide range of events. Such events included a charity event in aid of Queens Court Hospice, combining the talents of members and friends of FLT raising a magnificent £1500, a rehearsed reading of a new play 'You Is My Big Love' in front of an invited audience, and a rehearsed reading of a Douglas Carrick play in the bar, which was well supported and raised funds for Motor Neurone disease. And the word is getting round. Next week we play host to Holy Trinity Ladies Group, on Saturday 9th July the theatre is being hired by a local poetry group, on 15th and 16th July, Deborah Bloom has hired the theatre for a concert and I have already received enquiries from other groups seeking to hire our facilities.

This is an area that is well worth promoting. It brings in revenue, it enhances our standing in the community and it's good publicity. But primarily this facility is ours and I feel that we should be maximising it, not just with socials, but with one-act plays, rehearsed readings and bar productions, etc. An opportunity for new members and directors to try something different, more avant-garde and risqué perhaps, for members and friends rather than the full-length plays we put on for the general public. This is the message we have been disseminating for some time through our newsletter but it needs someone other than the 'usual suspects' to grasp the nettle and have a go. I would welcome your views.

With regard to our productions it has been a classic season, certainly as far as audience approval goes. It was also unique in as much as the plays we had scheduled actually happened in the order we had planned them. We started off with a classic Ibsen's 'A Doll's House' directed by Val Davies with Claire "I don't like Fridays" Fraser in the lead role of Nora. We also had the added pathos of a couple of cherubic children whose presence also meant we had to negotiate our way around the tortuous legislation that prevents children of a certain age appearing on stage after a certain time, going down mines and sweeping chimneys and the like. The play was also on the GCSE syllabus, which meant an additional night to accommodate interest.

This was followed in January by 'Kindertransport' directed by Richard Woodward. A comparatively new play on the circuit it was a gripping absorbing story, splendid acting roles, a challenging set and interesting props. It proved to be a very thought provoking play.

'Last of the Red Hot Lovers' directed by Sally Williams with Tony Burke in the title role was a play resurrected from a previous season because of the difficulties of casting it at the time. Fortunately on this occasion Tony was available, although now I understand he is commuting up and down the M62 to Leeds.

Just before this production our lighting desk became rather poorly and when Dave Holland took it to be repaired it was pronounced dead on arrival. We managed with an on-loan desk and had to purchase a new one for the June production, 'Mr Wonderful' directed by David Spye. A quirky comedy in which Steve Emerson's codpiece grew exponentially and I realised the folly of entrusting one's wife with the only key to a set of handcuffs.

Looking forward to next season we have already `hit a snag'. The October production was to have been 'A Woman of No Importance' directed by Carmel Waldron a new director to FLT but a very experienced director of school and youth productions. I was extremely disappointed by the lack of support for this production particularly from the male fraternity. I feel I would have been frustrated had we not managed to cast all the male characters at first go but the fact that there was not one expression of interest from any male gave me some concern for productions for the rest of the season. George Gough has thankfully agreed to bring forward `Teechers' to October and the play selection committee is currently looking for an alternative production for January with a smaller cast.

I would like to echo the Treasurer's comments about the fund raising from various sources. From the bar, the social committee, the 100 club (run as efficiently as ever by Jan "I don't think my ball's in there" Bird), Hilda (not so) Young who donated half the proceeds from her 60th birthday - some £350(!) - and the Williams' for the magnificent piano, (anything to stop Sally singing at home!!). Special thanks to `Friends 'of FLT who gave us £1,500 towards the roof repairs, and more recently £729 for the front of house tabs.

And next - well the work continues apace during the summer as Bill Metcalfe and his motley crew dismember trees, clad the external walls, build a porch and replace the stage. Any help welcome.

And the issues that concern us for the future? Well first there is the minefield that is the new licensing laws as the responsibility moves from the courts to the Local Authority, and secondly we are keeping a watchful eye on developments as to the future use of the school field following the closure of Holy Trinity School.

And finally, thanks to the outgoing members of the management committee, John Aspinall, Brian Bentley and Gill Norris, with special thanks to Gill as she hands over the baton as subscriptions officer to Rob Gillions - it's a specially large baton with nails in it. Pause for commercial - Subs now at special offer price of £17, payable from 1st July.

Thanks also to Douglas Carrick for his ability to contain his frustration with the Formby Times and to Richard Woodward for his amusing and edifying newsletters. A final thank you to all the Management Committee and members for their continued support, as I said at the beginning, an excellent team. If there was a Champions league for amateur theatre I am sure we would gain automatic qualification.

This year has been dominated by the building of the extension to the bar and lounge. Around the close of 2002/2003 season, planning permission was granted and a local builder was engaged and work begun in earnest because of the summer holiday deadline imposed by Holy Trinity School and because of the need to complete the project before the October production. They said it would not be finished on time - and let's face it - they were right. The audience attending on the first night seemed oblivious to the fact that there was no carpet on the floor, bare plaster on the walls, no bar top or sink and last minute adjustments being made to the toilet roll holder and the doors in the ladies loo so they would close properly. But what a transformation! We now have a facility that meets stringent safety guidelines, that provides access for patrons with disabilities and is aesthetically pleasing. It is a credit to everyone involved through all the stages from conception to planning, through the efforts of the ubiquitous working parties and all the sheer hard work. A really tremendous achievement.

I must pay homage to the director, cast and crew of 'Quartet'. The rehearsals for the October production were reminiscent of the spirit of the Blitz with tales of austerity and deprivation, no heating, no lighting, access across planks over Somme like trenches and a builder with no sense of timing, making guest appearances on stage oblivious to the rehearsals going on around him.

January's production should have been D. H. Lawrence's 'The Daughter in Law' but it proved difficult to cast. In its place the director substituted 'Alarms and Excursions' which he euphemistically described as 'technically challenging'. With 90 lighting cues and 132 sound cues that proved to be an understatement but a challenge that was well met.

Springs production was 'Lettice and Lovage' and featured a demountable staircase and a band of extras who progressively upstaged the established actors.

'Day of Reckoning' featured an unscripted cameo role: 'man who walks across stage and kicks stuck stage door left' played by the stage manager.

A special mention for fund raising is the quiz, 'That's Entertainment 2' and for the aggressive 'pyramid' selling techniques employed by some of our more zealous 'Front of House'. Well done also for the Treasurers novel fund raising idea, it went something like, 'give us your money' - quite radical in its own way, and to our 'Friends of FLT' who continue to provide regular donations throughout the year and to the anonymous donor who generously purchased the carpet for the new bar lounge.

The building work disrupted quite a bit of our social calendar and several events literally 'bit the dust'. However, I applaud the efforts of the Social Committee for arranging a variety of events such as 'The Village Hall Fete', 'Classics in the Park', 'The Nutcracker Theatre trip', Dickensian Day', Christmas Down-Under', ' Poems and Puddings' 'African Mombassa' and the literacy pub-crawl that masqueraded as the '3 Day Dublin Trip'.

For some years now the position of President has been vacant. At a recent meeting we agreed to approach an established actress with a list of film and TV credits (including 'The Full Monty'). The actress Lesley Sharp, who has a strong Formby connection and was one of our Youth Section prodigies when we had one. I wrote to Lesley on behalf of FLT and she said she would be thrilled and honoured to accept the post.

Finally the out going Bar Manager, who has been in charge of the bar since before prohibition, to acknowledge formally in word and deed the contribution the family have made over the years. The bar manager wanted to see the new bar up and running before he relinquished his duties and has now realised that. A small token of FLTs gratitude (2 crystal whiskey glasses were presented at the AGM).

A new and rather splendid sign on the wall outside advertises 'Formby Little Theatre,' but inside you may be forgiven for thinking you had wandered into a war zone! Such is the state of our Little Theatre at the moment. However, all is self-inflicted and testimony to the amount of work currently under way.

Firstly and most importantly you may be pleased to learn that we have been given planning permission to extend the bar and lounge area. We have engaged a local builder, who has started work in earnest because of the deadline imposed by our neighbours at Holy Trinity School, who kindly granted us access across their playing field for the duration of the summer recess.

The periphery of the site resembles the set of 'Auf Wiedersehen Pet' complete with mechanical digger, concrete mixer and sundry equip you would associate with a building site, inc mud! Working budget is between £35,000 to £40,000 which includes an extension with brick facia to match existing Theatre brick, drains, plumbing & heating, new toilets, including disabled toilets (a mandatory requirement).

At the same time, essential electrical work is being undertaken to obtain our required safety cert for the forthcoming season. This has over-run. Meanwhile the backstage team, depleted due to holiday breaks, continue to refurbish the kitchen AND start to construct the set of the October production.

Management committee last met in the auditorium, difficult circumstances, several members had pick axes and Davey Lamps. Given the amount of work and the mess, I feel the need to call for a working party weekend, possibly early October to get the place straight for the October production.