THE CANTERBURY PLAYERS AND THE BUILDING OF THE CANTERBURY BANDSTAND

The Canterbury Brass Sextet, under the direction of Bill Mears, had given a performance on the town green. Bob Lockwood passed “the hat” and collected $80.00. When Bob asked what should be done with the money, Olie Fifield suggested, “The town needs a bandstand”. Thus, a Bandstand committee was formed. 

The town meeting of 1982 unanimously approved of the building of a privately funded bandstand on the green. After several fundraisers had been held, more funds were needed. “I know what we’ll do,” said Bob Scarponi, Let’s put on a show”! As a result, the Canterbury Players was formed to perform Gilbert & Sullivan operettas, with Bill Mears director and his wife Jackie Producer. The cast members were almost predominantly Canterbury residents. Everyone was welcome with no tryouts or screening for talent required. Their first production was of H.M.S. Pinafore and it was presented on May 24, 1983. The Players performed annually for 10 years in 9 Gilbert & Sullivan shows always performed to sold out audiences in the town hall. 

Scrap books were made for each show and the photos here are samplings from each. Our archives contain recordings of each on the shows. 

The Canterbury town report of 1984 tells the story of the building of the Bandstand. 

CLICK ON THESE LINKS BELOW TO SEE EACH SHOW…