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| Cast of Iolanthe. 1895 |
During the latter years of 1879-1880, a group of enthusiasts, notably Edmund Handby, FC Stanley and CE Bygrave rehearsed
a comedy, Paul Pry to be presented in January 1880. Because of the instant success of the show, the society concerned itself
with drama. In thge 1880s following the success of Paul Pry, the plays given were Post Boy, Castle, The Private Secretary,
The Governor, Upper Crust and The Magistrate. Then, for no particular reason, the society graduated from comedy to comic opera,
and since that time, a Gilbert and Sullivan series of shows were produced. The transition from play to light opera seems
to have come in December 1898, when the society produced various G & S productions.
After HMS Pinafore in 1891, the society produced Pirates of Penzance. Following the curtain call of Pirates, the usual
bouquets and other gifts were handed out, but the Sergeant of Police received a gift that looked like a meat and potato
pie!!. The last performance of any note during the early years was Olivette in 1897 which was satisfying but not financially
successful. In the following year the society was content to stage a minor production and a concert.
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| Dr. Buck |
In 1900 there were repeat performances of The Geisha. Dr. Charles William Buck, who became a celebrity as a
friend of the composer Elgar was the conductor. In 1906 because of this, hundreds were turned away on the last evening.
Some brave soul suggested in 1933 that the society might present The Vagabond King, breaking the well-entrenched Gilbert
and Sullivan tradition.The long and successful run of the famous Savoy operas had to end. There followed some "golden oldies"
- Student Prince, Desert Song and Arcadians until the second world war arrived. "When the Lights went on again all over the
world" (to use the song from our 2005 show!), the society returned with yet more G & S, with Iolanthe and Merrie
England. Then came the American Invasion which with the exception of a few english productions has continued to this very
day.
During the two world war years there were no productions.
For 26 years, the producer was Mrs. Barbara Baliley of Bingley. She came to us with a considerable reputation for stagecraft.
Under her each show was meticulously produced. She cherished the old values, Idle chatter was discouraged by a stamping of
the foot. No hangers on were permitted in the wings during the show and she was beside the stage watching every movement for
every performance.
Rehersals up until 1966 were held in various venues around the town. Then in 1966, due to a genorous bequest from the
member Mr J Batty, the society was able to purchase The Old Courthouse in Station Road. This is a great asset to the society,
since we are able to rehearse there, make and paint scenery, store our own stock of costumes and have social events there.
The Old Courthouse came complete with the dock and the magistrates seating!
Today the musical direcor is Freda Hargreaves , whose association with the society began in 1948. The contribution as
musical director has been a job that she enjoys. She remarks that " The conducor has the easiest job, all she does is
stand and wave her arms around!". Freda has had a long parnership with our current producer Stephanie Phillip, who having
done the job for over 20 years, she like Mrs Bailey sings and acts out every line from the wings during show week. Good accompanists
are hard to come by and the society are very lucky to have two, John Lewis and David Butcher.
| The 2007 Production Team |
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| John Lewis, Stephanie Phillip, Freda Hargreaves and David Butcher |
Of course the society is reliant on new members joining. We hope the younger members we have with us will continue their
membership and maintain the long history and tradition the society has.
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