Beaconsfield Operatic Society Centenary 1924 – 2024

A major source of reference has been Jim Harland’s books on The History of Blyth and, specifically, Trevor W Harder’s article on Beaconsfield Operatic Society.

In the early 1920s, an enthusiastic band of singers in Blyth formed a musical group with possibly the longest title for such an organisation: The Beaconsfield Street Primitive Methodist Church Amateur Operatic Society. The singers, all practising Methodists at the church, staged a number of small productions before embarking on an ambitious operetta, The Rebel Maid, but it was a decision to perform one of Gilbert & Sullivan’s Savoy Operas in the town, every year, which established the society’s reputation.

Early shows were performed on the stage of the upstairs hall of Blyth Miners’ Welfare, but in the mid-1930s the producer left the area. The society continued, but only performed concert versions of the shows. Towards the end of the decade, things were looking up when a young teacher, Mrs Renee Gallon, offered to direct another version of The Rebel Maid. Sadly, the outbreak of war dashed all hopes of a resumption.

Beaconsfield Street Primitive Methodist Church Amateur Operatic Society returned in 1962, with a school production of Iolanthe.

At the inaugural meeting, held in Beaconsfield Street Church Hall, on 1st May 1963, it was decided to shorten the pre-war name to Beaconsfield Operatic Society and to present The Mikado in Newlands School Hall. This was very successful, despite a few mishaps which almost called a halt to the show. Some of that cast are still involved with Beaconsfield to this day.

This was followed by The Gondoliers, a much happier show, plain sailing and devoid of mishaps. The society went on to stage the rarely seen Emerald Isle. Chappell, the rights holders found, however, that all the band parts had been destroyed in a fire and had not been replaced as no one had wanted to do the show for years. They discovered that their warehouse in Sydney, Australia, still had a set which were airmailed to Blyth, fortunately at their own expense. Apparently, neither the cast nor the public thought the show the least bit memorable.

Normal service was resumed with The Pirates of Penzance and then Yeomen of the Guard. The society then moved away from G & S with The Gypsy Baron.

By 1974, the society moved from Newlands School into the Wallaw Cinema, now Wetherspoons, which was a great challenge because of the enormous number of seats to fill, difficult stage and poor dressing room facilities.

Beaconsfield Street Church buildings were sold to Blyth Arts & Community Association, and is now the Phoenix Theatre. We were able to sail back home with HMS Pinafore in 1976. This was the first of 14 annual spring presentations of the Savoy Operas at The Phoenix, which, alongside the October musicals at the Wallaw, seem to represent Beaconsfield’s hey-day.

Our Centenary Concert in April 2024, gave us an opportunity to remember all of those who are no longer with us but whose contribution to Beaconsfield Operatic Society over very many years, is immense. We also had the opportunity to express our thanks to everyone still supporting us who has helped us in so many ways over the years. Thank you. We were particularly pleased that our NODA Representative, and former member, Ken Allan, was able to join us for our Centenary Concert, accompanied by Pauleen Gilbert, another former member and, together with her husband, Bill, all are great friends of Beaconsfield Operatic Society.

We look forward to our centenary production of Disney’s Beauty & the Beast at The Phoenix Theatre from 8th to 12th October 2024. It is the future, another exciting challenge for our society and one we are looking forward to very much.

Michael Douglas