The British Catholic Stage Guild, the main organisation for Roman Catholics in British entertainment, was founded in 1911. It was founded by former Anglican priest Mgr Robert Hugh Benson.^[2] The aim of the Guild, as laid out in the 1931 Year Book, was "to establish and encourage spiritual, artistic and social intercourse among [Roman] Catholics connected with the theatrical and allied professions". The Guild was renamed in 2009 and is now known as the Catholic Association of Performing Arts (CaAPA).^[3][4] The Guild is closely associated with Corpus Christi Church, Maiden Lane in London’s Covent Garden area.

Current membership includes such noted performers as Valerie Masterson and Simon Callow, as well as numerous less well-known performers, such as actor Martin O'Brien, who co-founded ACTS (Association of Catholics in Theatre and on Screen) in 2005, and is the current Artistic Director of the CaAPA-affiliated Ten Ten Theatre.

Deceased former members of the Guild include actors Sir Alec Guinness (a former Vice-President of the Guild), Patricia Hayes (who was a former Chair of the Guild, as was her son, actor Richard O'Callaghan), Danny La Rue, Michael Williams (a former Chair), Margaretta Scott, Moira Lister, Eamonn Andrews (a former Chair), Lionel Jeffries (a former Chair) and Frank Finlay. Guinness and Jeffries were both converts. Member Vince Powell was a noted television writer and producer. Last of the Summer Wine star Joe Gladwin was Northern representative before his death.^[5]

Organisation

CaAPA's mission is to "serve the needs of its members by providing a community in which they can apply their talents and skills in all areas encompassing the performing arts." Its vision is to "reach out to the wider community through a variety of events and projects produced by CaAPA members for charitable purposes."^[6]

CaAPA works for and with people of all faiths and no faith. It aims to perform a dual role of serving the needs of both CaAPA members and the wider community through the members. Its members consist of theatre professionals and non-professionals interested in the performing arts. Members would use their talents to help the community, such as "putting on theatre productions to help people in their spiritual journeys and to raise funds for good causes."^[7] The services that CaAPA provides include: services with general charitable purposes, religious activities, education/training, prevention or relief of poverty, and activities related to arts/culture/heritage/science.^[8]

Activities

Activities of the Guild since then have been numerous and varied, including links with other denominations in services and carols, play readings, Students' Evenings, AIDS awareness Masses, music halls, recitals, and concerts.

Past events have included a Memorial Mass for former Vice-President of the Guild, Michael Williams, which was attended by his widow, Dame Judi Dench, and their daughter, actress Finty Williams; a reception at the Garrick Club for Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, which was hosted by Frank Finlay. Members of the Catholic Stage Guild and the English National Opera provided the entertainment; a fund-raising Quiz Night at Holy Apostles Church, Pimlico and a talk at the CAA, 20 Bedford Street, by Piers Paul Read, the official biographer of the Guild's late Vice-President, Sir Alec Guinness.^[9]

CaAPA also hosts annual events such as the Annual General Meeting, the Annual Dinner, and the Sir Alec Guinness Award – Students’ Evening.^[10][11]