by Betty Halsall (Honorary Life Member , Chairperson 1982-88)
The society was formed in 1962 by the then Headmaster of Ashby Grammar School,
Dr Ronald Allison (aka Doc), and Mr. Len Matthews (aka Matt). Matt had been
responsible for the school productions of Gilbert and Sullivan Operettas.
These two got their heads together and decided to form an
adult society. The inaugural meeting of The Ashbeian Gilbert and Sullivan
Society took place in May 1962 and rehearsals started in September. ( At the
25th Anniversary Concert, we celebrated Matt's 92nd birthday! ) . Doc was
President, Chairman and Musical Director until 1982 and Matt was producer until
1971.
The first production of the newly formed society was "The
Mikado" at the Ashby de la Zouch Town Hall in May 1963 with Edna Robinson (Aunty
Edna) as pianist, Norman Massey as secretary, Harold Collier as treasurer and
John Theaker as Stage Manager. At that time there were old boys and masters of
the Grammar School in the cast. Indeed our present treasurer, Keith Youles, had
just joined the school staff!
Carole Youles joined her husband to sing in "The Gondoliers"
in 1964, and is indeed still a valued member of the society also serving on the
committee and as a principal. A further Grammar School master, Eric Redfearn (aka
Boris) joined that year.
Betty Halsall joined in 1965 for "The Yeoman of the Guard".
Harold Collier left the area and was replaced as Treasurer by Max Whitaker.
1966 was the year that June and Roy Anderson first joined the
society for "Ruddigore". They both then took part in every production up to the
Silver Jubilee in 1987 and beyond!
In May 1967, the society broke new ground with "Tom Jones"
which was produced for the Ashby Festival.
1968 was the year for "Iolanthe" and Charles Spare joined the
chorus. Howard Stokes became Stage Manager. In 1969 was "The Pirates of
Penzance".
With an augmented orchestra and pupils from the Ivanhoe
School, the 1970 production was the Grand Opera "Carmen".
Back to G&S in 1971 with "Trial by Jury" and "H.M.S.
Pinafore". Len (Matt) Matthews had decided to concentrate on the Dramatic
Society and became the society's first Life Time Member. John Welshman became
the producer.
Another attempt at Grand Opera was "The Bartered Bride" in
1972 with John Staples as producer.
1973 was the year the society was renamed "The Ashbeian
Operatic Society", the choice of opera? ...."The Yeomen of the Guard"!
In 1974 Gordon Head first became producer with "The Gondoliers". He has been
responsible for many of our successes (12 in total) and is an Honorary Life
Member . Andrew Cockayne became stage manager.
"The Merry Widow" and "Merrie England" followed in 1975 and
1976.
1977 saw a major change with the move from the Ashby Town
Hall to the Ivanhoe School for "Orpheus in the Underworld" and subsequent shows.
Facilities at the Town Hall became increasingly cramped with the growth of the
society. The Ivanhoe School has provided us with spacious dressing accommodation
and a sizeable stage.
The society publicly offers its thanks to the Ivanhoe staff
for their cooperation over the years.
"Patience" was chosen in 1978 and was the last production for Edna Robinson
who had been the pianist for fourteen years. Edna became the society's second
Honorary Life Member.
Gwyneth Rees took over in 1979 for "Die Fledermaus". The
producer was Roy Burton and Keith Dadley became the lighting technician.
Schubert's music used in "Lilac Time" followed in 1980 and
Offenbach's "La Belle Helene" in 1981. The treasurer Max Whitaker died and
Norman Massey took over his tasks. Jean Moreton became secretary and Andy Ball
stage manager.
Roy Johnson produced "The Pirates of Penzance" in 1982 and
Liz Fenton took over as secretary. During that year Mr. David Herbert, the new
headmaster of the Grammar School became President. "Doc" Allison was made an
Honorary Life Member after announcing this was his last show. Furthermore,
Norman Massey, a founder member died.
Stuart Wainwright took over as the new musical director and
with Betty Halsall as treasurer, the society did "The Count of Luxembourg" in
1983, Mrs. Whitaker and Mrs. Massey accepted Life Membership in honour of their
husbands.
1984-86 saw "The Mikado", "The Gypsy Baron" and "Iolanthe". 1987
saw Glen Smith take over "A Night in Venice".
Our Silver Jubilee show in 1988 was "The Gondoliers" with
Matt and Doc in charge as Producer and MD. A commemorative plate was made
specially by Della Allen .This show saw the departure of June and Roy Anderson,
Robin Laurie, Geoff Knight and Gwyneth Rees to other ventures.
Gordon Head (Honorary Life Member , Producer) and Eric Coxon.
1989 saw the return of Gordon Head as Producer of "La Vie Parisienne". The show
was notable for the 3 leading ladies, Shirley Bettison, Melanie Rees and the 17
year old Caroline Woolgrove. During the following year, Eric Brook departed from
the Society.
"The Merry Widow" followed in 1990 with Chris Head in the
lead part for the first time.
1991 was the year for "White Horse Inn" with the introduction
of Tony Broster and the twin comedy roles played by Gordon Fletcher and Roger
Muggleton.
"The Yeomen of the Guard" came in 1992 with Roger Muggleton
taking over as Producer for the first time and with John Stewart , Gordon Head
and Chris Head as male leads.
1993 was the year for the first of our "modern" musicals
"Fiddler on the Roof" with Shirley Bettison and Gordon Head leading. That year
saw Alex Gamble, Joanne Tyler-Fantom for the first time in AOS and also Keith
Reynolds ... as a Cossack dancer! Later that year the MD Glenn Smith left.
"Bless the Bride" followed in 1994 with a new MD, Ian
Earnshaw, Gordon Head back as Producer.
The American Musical "Calamity Jane" followed in 1995 with a
new MD, Rita Bakewell. Joanne Tyler-Fantom was the lead and Alex Gamble
prominent as Adelaide Adams. Keith Reynolds was in the anxious comedy role.
1996 saw the Edwardian Musical "The Quaker Girl" with
Lynn Jones and Keith Reynolds taking the lead supported by Shirley Bettison,
Carolyn Hobbs and Eric Coxon. Lynn Kelly and Roger Muggleton starred in the
comedy roles. This was the first AOS show to have a Saturday Matinee, now an
essential part of our show week.
Mr. Len Matthews, one of our two founder members who was
producer until 1971 died in 1997 at the age of 101 years.
"Desert Song" came in 1997 with the new and our existing
leading lady, Alison O'Brien and the return of Chris Head as the Red Shadow with
Keith Reynolds and Eric Coxon supporting. Terry Jones and Sandra Fletcher were
introduced as the comedy pair. Gordon Head was both Producer and the General.
Mr. Gordon Head finally retired as Producer in 1997 and was
awarded an Honorary Life Membership as were Mrs. Marjorie Canner (Performing and
Properties) and Mr. Charles Spare (Service to the Society).
"My Fair Lady" was a great success in 1998 with Ian Pratley
as Producer. Alison O'Brien (Eliza) and Keith Reynolds (Prof Higgins) took the
lead roles supported by Gordon Head (Doolittle), Shirley Bettison (Mrs. Higgins
) and Eric Coxon (Colonel Pickering).
Dr Ronald Allison, the other founder member and MD for 20
years, died in December 1998.
1999 brought the Scottish-American Fantasy "Brigadoon" with
Roger Muggleton back as Producer. Our two leads were supported in the twin
comedy parts by Wendy Richards and Terry Jones. Gordon Head was the Dominie.
2000 saw Alex Gamble in "Hello Dolly" with Dave Cook and
Keith Reynolds supporting. This marked the introduction of our first
Professional Producer, Richard Foster.
2001 saw the return of Ian Pratley, formerly Producer, now
the lead as Bill Snibson in "Me and My Girl!" Lynn Kelly, Alison O'Brien, Karen
Jamieson , Keith Reynolds , Gordon Head and Eric Coxon supporting. Julian Cound
made his "debut" as Producer. Record overall 98% audience levels were achieved.
2002 was "Carousel", a contrast in every way. Darryl Clarke
and Karen Jamieson took the lead parts, with Alex Gamble, Mel Barnes and James
Allen supported. Due to injury, Richard Daniels of Greasepaint, took over the
role of Jigger with great success. The company included, again a first for the
Society, 10 talented children in the chorus. Julian and Tania Cound Produced and
Choreographed the Show.
2003, was "Kiss Me Kate" with big changes all round. Rita Bakewell decided
to stand down as MD due to ill health and James Allen took up the challenge.
Adrian Dobson took over as Production Director with Fay Adkin as Choreographer.
Rita Bakewell, our Musical Director since 1995, sadly died
shortly after our 2003 Show.
2004, was "The Pajama Game", with Margaret Cound as
Production Director and Jeanette Patrick-Cooper as Choreographer. Karen Jamieson
and Darryl Clarke led the cast with Lynn Kelly, Hayley Smith ( her first lead
role as Gladys) , Dave Cook and Keith Reynolds supporting.
2004 also saw the passing away of life member Charles Spare and Cecil
Cockayne. Nick Head became our Stage Director for the first time.
2005 was "Anything Goes", with Samantha Marshall as
Production Director and Choreographer. Karen Jamieson, Alex Gamble, Chris Head ,
Keith Reynolds and Terry Jones were the leads.
2006 saw the retirement of Gordon Fletcher as Chairman,
replaced by Karen Jamieson. James Allen also decided this was his last show as
MD. The show was "Guys and Dolls", with Alison Sturla (O'Brien) returning as
female lead with Karen Jamieson, Chris Head and Keith Reynolds. Richard Craggs
had his first lead with AMTG as Nicely Nicely Johnson.
2007 was "Thoroughly Modern Millie". Alexandra Gamble was
Millie, with Richard Craggs, Karen Jamieson, Keith Reynolds and Hayley Smith
supporting. Jane Thomas joined us as Mrs Meers. Simon Locke joined us as
MD.
2008 was "Annie Get Your Gun". Karen Jamieson was
Annie Oakley with Chris Head, Keith Reynolds, Alexandra Gamble, Steve Cox and
Gordon Fletcher supporting. Sam Hutchinson and Emma McEnaney had their first
leads with AMTG. Andrew Goff joined us as MD.
2009 was "Oliver". We welcomed David McKnight as
Production Director, Howard Marriott as MD and our own Debs Wilson as
Choreographer. 86 children were auditioned for the parts of Oliver, Dodger and
the "Gang" which made up the children's chorus. Keith Reynolds and
welcomed newcomer Emily Watson lead the cast and a final Fagin's gang of 36
children!!. Tickets went on sale before Christmas and every ticket was sold by
February, in fact we had a "returns" list!! Certainly the only time we have had
100% sales.
2010 is "Oklahoma". We are fortunate in retaining the same
Production Team and Alan Hutchinson, our President, has taken on the mantle of
accompanist