History of the Society
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1910-2007

Early Years

AAO & DS have a long and proud history, going back to the beginning of this century.
Known 90 years ago as the "Abergavenny Operatic Society", it's had a virtually non stop run ever since.
The first production, in 1911, was "A Nautical Knot". Among the cast were Mr L Evans, Mr C Marsh, Mr J Morgan, Mr W Shackleton. All were prominent figures in the town, and early stalwarts of the society.
In the early days the Marquis of Abergavenny was the societys patron (who incidentally gave Abergavenny Cricket Club the ground they play on today) and Mr H Gethin the president. 		Thanks to Tony Paton for writing this brief history of the society.

Tony has amassed a large collection of AAODS memorabilia, and since the 1939 production of 'Tom Jones' is only missing five programmes - the 1949 production of 'Belle of New York', the 1952 'Quaker Girl', the 'Magyar Melody' of 1953, the 1964 production of 'Kismet', and 'Perchance to Dream' from 1966.

If anybody is able to help him with the missing items, or has anything of interest from prior to 1939 please contact us by email.

Post War

Many new names came to the fore in those post war years, Reg Williams, Dilys Sayce, Betty Rice, Ron Ball, Tom Richards, Harry Giles, Cyril Walters and Archie Leonard. A couple of years later they were joined by maureen McCormack, Geoff Allen, Percy Fraser and Edith Northway. In 1950 Major A Bull became president, an association which lasted 24 years.

60's

Times were changing. In 1961 the society became the "Abergavenny Operatic and Dramatic Society", and staged a number of plays. Some 34 years ago a breakaway group formed the "Abergavenny Light Opera Company". This caused a huge upheaval for AAODS. A new committee had to be formed, and with many places to be filled, including Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer it was remarkable to find so many people ready and willing to step into these positions.
In the true spirit of the theatre a show was produced, "White Horse Inn" featured forty nine members on stage, and a well behaved goat called Heidi!
Leading to the societys 60th year we produced "Desert Song" (1968), "Lilac Domino" (1969), and "Finians Rainbow" (1970), but it was regret that we learned that one of the life members, Mr C Scott had passed away. This period was charged by Major Garret, who joined in 1960.

Diamond Jubilee & the 70's

To celebrate the societys Diamond Jubilee we produced "The Student Prince". Babs Emptage was Producer, Anne Howarth Musical Director, and Christine Paton Choreographer. The total on stage was 63, of which 29 were men, surprising by todays standards, when you are lucky to have 10. We really pulled out all the stops, our leading lady Anne Taurins had a baby a few weeks before Christmas, and Anne Howarth had hers a few weeks after. You can imagine the anxiety around that time. Pauline Knight had been our accompanist for 24 years, and Major Garrett paid tribute to her, saying she was one of the foundations of the society. The show was a sell out, with people even standing in the aisles (not allowed now). The seating capacity at that time was 419 including two "in the gods". A letter was sent to the Queen, explaining it was our 60th anniversary, and we were fortunate enough to receive a reply, which I have in my society history files today. Prior to the show we traced Miss Madelene Price, who was in the 1911 production, and invited her to the theatre and to meet the cast.
During the seventies our leads and shows changed considerably. 1973 saw "Charlie Girl", and 1975 the Welsh premiere of "The King And I" which was a great success. Anne Leonowens was played by well known singer Anne Smith MBE, and opposite her as king was Hubert Cornelius. The local press called them the perfect partners. We were lucky to hire the actual props and costumes from the west end production. Visitors from the Abergavenny twin town of Ostringen sat through the dress rehearsal. Mrs Fay Monaghan was our new accompanist.
In 1979 a new Musical Director was found.Robert Garrity was from Cwrt-Y-Gollen camp. "My Fair Lady" included in it's cast one of our current life members Pat Martin, who played Alfred Doolittle. Mike Evered was Henry Higgins. The Ascot scene stole the show.

80's

For our 70th birthday in 1981 we produced "Camelot".
During 1982/83 the society lost its ex-President and life member Major Bull, and after a long illness our choreographer Christine Paton. The Chairman Mrs Anne Howarth remarked "She would always be remembered for the loyalty shown to the society".
1983, and our junior section produced their first musical, "Joseph". If I remember correctly there were some much deserved standing ovations.
Moving to our 75th anniversary, and we had a special concert called "Our Heritage" produced by Mrs Rae Davies. Rae worked hard to obtain the services of past members, and Ralph Dowdeswell, the Musical Director for a number of years prior to the split. "Brigadoon" was the show for that year, with Vaughan Bennett as Musical Directorr, Cynthia Tagg Producer, and as Production Assistant newcomer Gwyneth Hatahaway.

90-91

The society has continued with two shows a year, with the production and management teams changing for one reason or another. The Junior section goes from strength to strength.
In 1990 we decided to produce "Annie", a more modern show, with a cast of juniors and seniors. Abergavenny was celebrating its' 900th birthday, and the Borough Theatre was being refurbished. During this year we lost our Stage Manager Chris Whitehead, and past Treaurer Peter Phillips. Our President Mrs Audrey Fletcher moved away. the position was taken by Pat Martin. Well known on and off the stage, Pat was President until 1994, when he decided it was time for a change.
1991 marked the societys 80th birthday, with "Annie Get Your Gun" the production. The junior section entered into the pop world, with a show "Miranda", written by the Producer Chris Grey, music by Dean Applegate.

92-93

In 1992 our production was to be "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas". Rehearsals began, but members voted with their absence, making it impossible to cast the 47 parts. Realising the problem Chairman Tony Paton called an emergency meeting. It was decided that the show should be cancelled and replaced with "Kiss Me Kate". It proved to be a wise decision, as old members returned and new members joined. Margaret Martin was the new producer for the junior section when they performed "Heidi", written and orchestrated by two gentlemen from Cwmbran. This was only the second time this show had been performed on stage. Margaret went on to produce another three shows with the juniors.
1993, and a classic musical - "Happy Fella". A new venture for AAODS, with expansive and challenging music. A success due to the efforts of the members, Producer Gwyneth Hathaway-Evans and Musical Director Marian Copp.

94-95

The popular musical "Fiddler On The Roof" was chosen for 1994. Rob Jenkins made his debut as Producer and likewise Sarah Griffin as Choreographer. During this year the society donated £200 to the Borough Theatre P A System fund.
1995 saw the society stretch itself by producing "Carmen The Musical", Bizet's music should not be taken lightly, but judging by the remarks from the public we did it justice.
We continued to stage concerts for various charities, one in particular for St Teilo's Church Bells, with Mary Morris as our accompanist. Members of the society were chosen to act as extras during the filming of a BBC Wales service "Ystafell Ddirgel".

96 onwards

"Charlie Girl" was staged for a second time in 1996. Pat Martin who had played Nicholas Wainwright in the first production took the same role this time around. During the year we gave a concert for Mind named "Showstoppers and Smiles". Ably compered by our Treasurer Barrie Jackson we managed to raise £600.
Our current Musical director Mrs Marian Copp joined AAODS in 1987. She accompanied our production of "Hello Dolly". In 1988 she became our MD, and has been ever since, an accomplished musician, and a stalwart of the society.
From 1997 to 1999 the society saw some change. Our show for 1997 was "Orpheus In The Underworld". Most of the public would choose another show if they had the choice, as it can be dull and frustrating, but under the leadership of Producer Jean Cave, who was determined to bring out as much comedy as possible, the show was a success. It has even more reason to be remembered, however, as with ten minutes to go in the final act during a midweek performance the fire alarms went off. Cast, theatre staff and audience alike were evacuated into "Red Square", where undeterred, and undefeated by the abrupt halt to the show the company staged the finale in front of the audience and passers-by. Some of the audience went on to book seats for later productions to see the stage version of the finale. On a sad note, however, our stage manager Bob Woodford died later that year after a short illness.

"Peter Pan" was the junior show for 1997. The society decided to introduce personal microphones for the principals following criticism from past audiences that they were unable to hear the voices over the orchestra. The show saw a first for both AAODS and the Borough Theatre with the principals "flying" above the stage. Producer Colin Lewis and Musical Director Ieuan Jones deserve credit for another successful show. Colin, in fact, was to go on to produce both junior and senior shows in 1998 & 1999.

"Me & My Girl" was a gamble that paid off, with two relative newcomers in the leads, Stephen Clark and Samantha Davies proving themselves to be talented and skilfull performers. Another donation was made to the Borough Theatre in the form of a triple A wipe track to provide easier scene changes.

Griegs "Snow Queen" was the next challenge for our juniors. A Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale, some of the wonderful scenes showed the Sue Vaters costumes to perfection.

Finally 1999. Cole Porters "Anything Goes" was our spring production. This proved to be successful, and provided most of the cast with parts. Our most recent production was the juniors "Sleeping Beauty". Once more "flying" was used, this time to provide the audience with fairies and wicked trolls.


Unfortunately the cost of putting on a production has increased dramatically. Fourteen years ago a typical production cost the society £4,000, today it is £12,000. Without the continued support of the public live performances will, unfortunately, quickly disappear.

The committee had decided in 1998 on something special for the millennium year.   We commissioned Liz Davies (Arts reporter for the Abergavenny Chronicle) to write a story around which could be woven some music of the century.   The end result was "Can't Sing Can't Dance", the title of which was rather unusual and no reflection on the abilities of our members !

The original budget was £19,000, and with the expertise of the producer Colin Lewis, Musical Director Marian Copp, and Costume Director Sue Vater, we produced a show that was a spectacular. In the autumn of that year the Junior section produced "Honk", an adaptation of The Ugly Duckling.

In 2001 the society produced "Kismet" which was a demanding show musically. The Junior Section produced "Dazzle", a Star Trek type show with Jaci Brickley-Clark as Musical Director, Colin Lewis as Producer, and Sue Vater designing and making all the costumes.

2002 saw the society producing the Welsh premiere of "The Melody Lingers On" - an Irving Berlin classic. It was a dazzling revue which had the cas changing costumes at an alarming rate. The JUnior section decided to produce many peoples favourite, "The Wizard of Oz" for the fourth time.

In 2003 our production team changed. The Producer was Gwyneth Hathaway-Evans and Carol Paton the Choreographer. The show "Oklahoma" is an old favourite and inevitably sold out a week before opening night.
In November the Junior Section produced "Bugsy Malone", with Colin Lewis as Producer and Jaci Brickley-Clark Musical Director.
"South Pacific" was the production for 2004, with Richard Stephens being welcomed as our new Musical Director, taking over from Marian Copp who had performed the role for 15 years, but had decided to move to Scotland to be nearer her family. Carol Paton was Choreographer, and Ken Williams Stage Manager. What no-one knew at the time was that Richard would also take a starring role in the production, taking over from Leading Man Michael Evered half way through the week when he lost his singing voice! A fact so well concelaed tht even the audience didn't know until it was announced after the show.
Another management change at the start of the financial year was the election of Bernard Zavishlock as Treasurer. A staunch member for 50 years, he took over from Barrie Jackson who had held the post for 15 years before deciding deciding to venture into production. The Junior Section's "Oliver" was hist first as PRoducer, ably assisted by Musical Director Jaci Brickley-Clark and Choreographer Carol Paton.
The poster for "Oliver" designed by Chris Davies of Dover & Co. in conjunction with the society's Publicity Team won the NODA poster competition for the western area, and is now entered in the national competition.

2005's show was "Guys and Dolls", produced by RIchard Williams who performed in our first production of this show in 1988. A change of Choreographer saw the role being performed jointly by Sarah Griffin and Claire Sobik.
The loss of two well - loved members made this a sad year for the society, with September seeing the passing of Anne Howarth following a long illness, and Gwyneth Hathaway-Evans passing away in October. They will both be fondly remembered.
November saw the Junior Sections production of "The King & I".   Both Catrina (simpson (Anna) and Harvey Daniell (King) giving superb performances in a spectacular show, with terrific on-stage chemistry.

The 2006 show was "Irene", first produced in 1919. The production team was made up of Producer Rob Jenkins, Jaci Brickley-Clark as Musical Directorand Claire Sobick and Sarah Meadows as Choreographers.
For a variety of reasons the Society was faced with reduced membership, but still maintained it's high performance rate.
At the Annual Ball three new awards were presented:
Best Male Performer : Stephen Clarke
Best Female Performer : Jane Lewis
and an award in memory of Gwyneth Hathaway-Evans received by Jane Griffiths for her work during 2005-2006.
Awards were also presented to Pat Martin and Anna Walker for 50 and 40 yrs service respectively.
The Juniors made a very well received performance of "West Side Story", despite it being an adult show.

The shortage of members, particularly men, has continued, but 2007 saw the production of "Kiss Me Kate", for the third time.
On this occasion both the score and librettoo had been drastically altered, and Producer Barrie Jackson and new Musical Director Stephen David had their work cut out to revamp original ideas. The dances were pages longer & music far harder meaning the accompanist was unable to play the score.  Choreographer Carol Paton had to rely on taped music up to the dress rehearsal.
After a disasterous week before the show everything came together and it was a great success.   Even the local arts critic gave the company a good review!
It was disappointing to only play to 70% full houses, however, as this means the society will have lost money.
The after show ball was another memorable evening, with awards going to Gareth Davies for Best Male Performer, and Helen O'Sullivan as Best Female Performer in her first principal role with the society.
This year the Gwyneth Hathaway-Evans award went to Choreographer Carol Paton for her services to the society, and she was grinning like a Cheshire Cat for weeks, after also being presented a Life Membership award.

The 2007 Junior Show was My Fair Lady. There was a complete change of officers, namely Musical Director - Sarah Fowler, Jaci Brinkley-Clark - Producer & Choreographer, although Robert Wade remained the accompanist
One would say it is not easy for juniors to pull off an adult show, but they did it with some memorable performances. Well Done!


The junior AGM was held early in the year, after which the committee proposed Jaci Brinkley-Clark as Producer and Choreographer, with Sarah Fowler as M.D.
The committee decided to produce Les Miserables (School Edition), a real test for everyone
The society managed to find an excellent M.D. in Ross Leadbetter and Andrew Thornton as accompanist for the production of Annie Get Your Gun. The Producer was Barrie Jackson, and Choreographer Carol Paton. An excellent show, but it did not, however, receive the audiences it deserved, only playing to 75% of capacity
The society awards for Best Performing Artists went to Jacki Darnell and John Benjamin who played the parts of Annie and Frank Butler respectively. The Member of the Year award went to Carol Paton for the second time.

After the annual production the society decided to perform a concert to raise funds for the forthcoming junior production of Les Miserables. Under the musical direction of Ross Leadbetter, the company tackled numbers from past productions with great success. A standing ovation from a packed audience at the Gateway Centre a fitting reward for the efforts of those involved.

Page updated : 02 October 2008 Site created & hosted by e-celtic.co.uk