Grostenquin France

Extracts from 2 Wing Historical Reports Pertaining to the Station Theatre

27 Feb 53

Mr. J Goldsmith, RCAF Cinema Corporation visited the unit and discussed cinema matters with the CO and the CAdO.

30 Jun 53

Representatives of the RAF Cinema Corporation visited F/L McInnes,Deputy CAdO on theatre and film problems. Expected date of theatre opening is 15 Jul.

13 Jul 53

Representatives of the RAF Cinema Corporation visited the unit to install cameras and photographic material in the Station Theatre.

13 Aug 53

A social evening convened by Mrs. W Weiser was held in the unit theatre. the wives of officers and airmen were invited as well as airwomen.

26 Aug 53

A male choral group from Boudoin College, Brunswick Maine, performed in the Station Theatre.

21 Sep 53

The RCAF Training Command Band of 47 members, under F/O C Hunt, reported in from Canada. They gave an excellent concert in the Station Theatre.

27 Oct 53

A live stage show was flown in by USAF from Chateroux. It was an all Canadian show and performed at the unit on a previous occasion. A large assembly of personnel were present to enjoy the show which was held in the Station Theatre.

29 Oct 53

A live show of performers visited the unit from Paris and put on a one hour show for the unit personnel in the Station Theatre.

6 Nov 53

Mr. W Lunn, District Superintendent of the RAF Cinema Corporation and stationed in Germany, visited the unit and conferred with the CO on problems re the theatre.

4 Dec53

A live show was held in the Unit Theatre for personnel.

7 Dec 53

Mr. J Goldsmith, Area Representative of the RAF Cinema Corporation (Europe), visited the unit and paid a courtesy call on the CO.

9 Dec 53

The CO attended an informal Christmas party in the Station Theatre given by personnel of SP, FF and Ground Defence sections.

10 Dec 53

The first Station Variety Show, comprising unit personnel, was held in the Station Theatre. It was well attended and received by all present.

14 Dec 53

A live show from US Army sources in Germany performed in the Station Theatre before a large and enthusiastic audience.

20 Jan 54

Messrs. Goldsmith and Izod from Buckeberg, Germany, and representatives of the RAF Cinema Corp., UK, paid a visit to the unit and conferred with the CO on Unit Theatre problems.

24 Mar 54

Mr. J Izod of RAF Cinema Corporation at Beckeberg reported in on an inspection of unit cinema facilities.

31 Mar 54

A German live show performed in the Astra Theatre and was well received by all in attendance. A very good show was the general opinion.

5 Apr 54

Mr. Goldsmith, Area Representative of the RAF Cinema Corporation and Mr. Hambrough, Deputy General Manager, civilian representative, from London visited the unit.

11 May 54

A live show performed in the Station Theatre. A large and appreciative audience was present.

22 Jun 54

Members of the 30 AMB Dramatic Club, Langar, presented "Arsenic and Old Lace" in the Station Theatre before a keen and enthusiastic audience. It was an excellent performance and the actors and actresses were thanked by the CO.

11 Aug 54

Members of the Kamloops High School band from Kamloops, BC, gave a splendid concert in the Station Theatre before a large and enthusiastic audience.

24 Aug 54

Mr. Goldsmith of RAF Cinema Corporation at 2 ATAF HQ, Buckeberg, Germany, visited the unit on a routine inspection of the cinema centre. He conferred with the CO and later departed.

26 Aug 54

A live show sponsored by an American Army Entertainment Group put on a show in the Astra Theatre for all personnel.

9 Sep 54

A live show was held in the Station Theatre which was largely attended and appreciated by unit personnel.

21 Sep 54

Messrs. A Goldsmith and T Johnson of the RAF Cinema Corporation visited the unit and conferred with the CO.

28 Sep 54

A live show was held in the Station Theatre. Very well attended.

18 Oct 54

A lecture for all personnel was held in the Station Theatre at 1600 hours given by Dr. Ernest Newman and the topic was "France's Opposition to a Re-Armed Germany, Good or Not?"

19 Oct 54

Visitors to the unit were Dr. E Mewman of the University of London, England, who delivered a lecture in current events in the Astra Theatre to all unit personnel.

28 Oct 54

A live show was held in the Station Theatre.

16 Dec 54

A very successful party, organized by F/O Belliveau, was held in the Station theatre for the orphans of the local area. Presents were distributed to all the children by "St. Nicholas".

17 Dec 54

The younger children were seen to leave the Station Theatre this afternoon with many dolls, trains, etc. The Annual Childrens' Christmas Party, this year in two parts, was started under the direction of F/O Belliveau, 430 (F) Squadron.

21 Dec 54

Another first for GT tonight when we had our first Cinemascope movie. The patrons seem very impressed with the quality of cinemascope although the picture left much to be desired.

23 Dec 54

An American live show played in the Astra Theatre tonight.

15 Feb 55

The premier of Stereophonic Sound at the Station Theatre took place at 2030 hours.

25 Jan 56

The Show "Red, Hot and New" from Wiesbaden played to capacity crowds in the Station Theatre.

8 Mar 56

A normal bingo was held in the Astra Theatre.

12 Mar 56

The 4 (F) Wing Follies, an amateur talent show from that unit, played for two nights running in the Astra Theatre to capacity houses. It was light, fast, humorous and the audience came away feeling they had seen a show worthwhile the evening spent at a show of this kind.

24 May 56

Another Live Stage Show was presented at the Astra Theatre by the Special Services Branch from Kaiserslautern with ten big acts. The show was well received by a packed house and many were turned away at the door.

28 Jun 56

The Training Command Band provided a concert at the PMQ School for the dependents in afternoon and an evening concert in the theatre for living-in personnel, which was also broadcast by CFGT.

12 Jul 56

30 Aug 56

A live stage show was imported from Special Services in Kaiserslautern and was a huge success with ten fine acts in the variety show. The theatre was sold out in advance and we well received at the unit.

1 Nov 56

There was a live show in the theatre tonight playing to a capacity crowd of 375 persons who thoroughly enjoyed the efforts of the group.

15 Nov 56

There was another live show held in the station theatre playing to a capacity crowd for one performance. The audience were very pleased with the show as shown by their hearty applause throughout.

29 Nov 56

There was another Live Show in the Station Theatre with a stellar cast of variety talent playing to a capacity crowd of 360. The show was very well received and enjoyed by all.

15 Dec 56

The Annual Christmas Party for the Dependents was held on the station. The 7 to 12 year olds were in the Theatre seeing two hours of cartoons prior to the arrival of Santa Claus who had presents for all.

14 Feb 57

A Live Show was held in the Theatre with a capacity crowd enjoying the variety of acts.

14 Mar 57

Another live stage show was put on in the Station Theatre with the sponsorship of the Station Entertainment Committee in conjunction with US Army Special Services Branch in Kaiserslautern. A capacity house were entertained by this professional group and applauded long and loud in appreciation of the talent and acts on the program.

14 Apr 57

The Boys Choir of Nancy put on a concert in the Theatre on Sunday afternoon. This choir is one of the best in Europe and although only 150 people turned out to hear them, many more wished they had come after hearing the wonderful reports of those who had been present and witnessed this recital.

24 Apr 57

All aircrew personnel assembled in the station theatre to attend a briefing on the forthcoming Escape and Evasion exercise by F/L Davies, Air Div IntO.

25 Apr 57

Another live show was held in the Theatre to a capacity crowd of 350. The show lasted for two and a half hours and was studded with wonderful talent from all over Europe and USA.

9 May 57

The Station Entertainment Committee sponsored another Liver Stage Show in the Astra Theatre for the enjoyment of the unit personnel. The Troupe played to a capacity house of 400.

6 Jun 57

Another Live Show was held in the Station Theatre sponsored by the Entertainment Committee and played to a capacity crowd of over 400 people. The show, although an hour and a half long, was well received by the audience.

27 Jun 57

The High School Graduation Exercises were held in the Astra Theatre followed by a dance in the Rec. Hall for the grads and their parents.

5 Sep 57

The first live show on the fall and winter season was held in the Theatre.

17 Oct 57

Another live show was held in the Station theatre. Good weather today.