Dumbarton People’s Theatre (DPT) will present The Cripple of Inishmaan, marking the beginning of a landmark 70th season.

The group first began entertaining the town in 1945 and have been putting on a variety of shows ever since.

Ron Black has been a member of the group since 1960 and has filled just about every role there is from director to actor over the years.

Speaking to the Reporter last week, he says the fact DPT has its own rehearsal space in the town has helped them endure. Ron said: “We’re not subject to any time constraints when we’re rehearsing because we own the room.

“It’s only in the last stage when we begin rehearsing in the Denny Civic Theatre that this happens but by that point you’re just putting the finishing touches to the production.

“Having the theatre there as well is a big part of it — the pantomime wouldn’t be possible without the large stage there.” Ron joined the theatre group just after he left school and joined the world of work and he says he is not unique in that respect. He continued: “People have come and gone over the years, even I have not always been involved due to work and family commitments.

“Ronnie Armstrong, who sadly passed away about 18 months ago, was a friend who started around the same time as me and remained a member.

“Even my son got involved with the lighting side of things and now works for the Royal Court Theatre in London.

“A number of people who have been members have been bitten by the theatre bug and gone onto professional work.” The latest production is a dark comedy set in the 1930s which centres around “cripple” Billy Craven who lives on the small Aran Islands community of Inis Meáin off the Western Coast of Ireland.

A Hollywood crew arrives in neighbouring Inis Mór to make a documentary about life on the islands and Billy, eager to escape life there vies for a part in the film.

Ron added: “This new season just opened and we had five new members come along and audition for the production, that was great.

“It goes up and down, there’s people that move into the town and then for whatever reason leave again.

“We’ll be celebrating the end of the season when it comes and I expect lots of old members will come along and reminisce about their time in the group.” The Cripple of Inishmaan runs from October 1-4 and starts each night at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from DPT members, the Keystore on Dumbarton High Street and from the theatre box office.