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The society was founded in 1937 by Rev Fr.
Bernard Lyons and the Gilbert and Sullivan Opera was performed on the stage at the
Armoury. The "Gondoliers" was performed in 1938 in the newly opened parish
Memorial Hall in Flint Street (where our shows are still presented). In 1939 rehearsals
were in progress for the "Mikado" but sadly it had to be disbanded due to
hostilities. Many of the cast served in H. M. Forces and a number made the supreme
sacrifice. 1948 saw the re-formation of the Society and Fr Lyons again produced and
directed the show, "The Yeoman of the Guard". Between 1950 - 1970 shows
performed included "The Pirates of Penzance, Mikado, The Gondoliers, Iolanthe, Cox
and Box, H. M. S Pinafore and Princess Ida".
The first non-Gilbert and Sullivan show to be performed was "Merrie
England" in 1971.
Various shows were performed over the the next two decades, including;- "The
Gondoliers, Princess Ida, The Arcadians, La Belle Helene, The Gypsy Baron, La Vie
Parisienne, Ruddigore, The Merry Widow, The Mikado, Die Fledermaus, H. M. S.
Pinafore, Trial by Jury, Viva Mexico and White Horse Inn".
Shows from the nineties onwards have been;- 1991 "The Pirates of Penzance
and Cavalcade of Song", 1992 "A Musical Extravaganza and Oliver", 1993
"Music For All and A Christmas Cracker", 1994 "Magic of the Musicals
and Calamity Jane", 1995 "We'll Meet Again and South Pacific", 1996
"Lullaby on Broadway and The Sound of Music", 1997 "60 Glorious Years and
Fiddler On the Roof", 1998 "The Rhythm of Life and Oklahoma", 1999 "A
Century of Song and Brigadoon", 2000 "A Musical Millennium"...Auditions
were held for the main show "Carousel", however, the number of applicants could
not be reached. The Committee called an emergency meeting and came to the decision to
stage a show involving a significant amount of children. The show which was chosen was
"The Wizard of Oz" and was a huge success. The 2001 shows were "A Life On
the Ocean Wave and Oliver". The 2002 spring show was "2002 A Musical
Review", followed by the main November show "A Christmas Carol".
Then just 6 weeks before the 2003 spring show "From Beatles to Broadway" we
were hit with a major bombshell; new regulations following the Nolan Report were to be
enforced by the Child Protection Agency...The most pressing was the ruling that the
Presbytery could not be used as a male changing room. (others are
outlined in the Aims of the Society Section)... The Society held a Grand Prize draw which
raised over £800 and with a generous grant from Manchester Airport we purchased and
positioned a Portacabin. The latter we now use as a male changing room, committee room and
for other functions.
Our next production in November 2003 was"Annie",
and our 2004 spring show was "The Best of
British". The November show was "Finian's Rainbow" and the spring 2005 show
was "We'll Meet Again". Our presentation in November was "A Christmas
Wonderland" and our spring 2006 show was "Mad About Musicals". The
November 2006 show (for the first time ever) was the pantomime "Red Riding
Hood".Our spring 2007 show was "70 Glorious Years" and the November show
was "The Wizard of Oz". The spring 2008 show was "Hooray For
Hollywood" and the November show will be "Oliver".
During the Society's 71 year history, there have been many hard working members, unsung
heroes. "Back stage, Front of House, Lighting and Sound, Ushers, Kitchen, Programme
and Raffle ticket sellers, Make-Up, Performers etc" to these and any we may have
missed...."THANK YOU !!"....
And finally, a sincere hope that "Our Lady's Operatic
Society", which means so much to so many, will endure and prosper for many years to
come....... |