Whitchurch Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society are an amateur group who produce mainly Musical stage shows ranging from the classics such as ‘Iolanthe’, ‘The Mikado, ‘Me and My Girl’, ‘Fiddler on the Roof’, ‘Anything Goes’ to ‘Godspell’ to name a few, as well as our latest production of ‘Acorn Antiques’. In addition to these we also perform Pantomimes, our most recent being ‘The Sleeping Beauty’ in January 2014.
Early in 1924 Mr Leonard Lee, a local business man, had the idea of forming an Operatic Society for the people of Whitchurch and the surrounding area. He called a few friends to a meeting and subsequently Whitchurch AODS was formed. In March of that year applications were invited for membership and in late 1924 Gilbert and Sullivan’s ‘The Gondoliers’ was performed in the then Town Hall. In 2014 members were delighted to be celebrating the 90th birthday of the society with a Summer Ball held at a local hotel last July.
The Society is mainly an adult society but does welcome children when the production calls for it.
New members are always welcome whether it be to be on stage or to take part in the all important off stage duties. We rehearse usually on Tuesday for Principals and Thursday for Chorus with some Sunday Rehearsals when opening night is fast approaching.
Our shows are performed mainly in the Civic Centre on the High street but we also use the Talbot Theatre at Sir John Talbots Academy on the outskirts of town.
The Society is itself a Charity but members always try to work and help other Charities both local and National. We are also affiliated to the National Operatic and Dramatic Association and have been delighted to receive awards and nominations for our shows.
