News
Melbourne Operatic Society The First 100 Years
In 2025 Melbourne Operatic Society celebrated its centenary and Chairman Mike McGhee was inspired to get its history written and published to celebrate the event. For nearly 2 years, ably assisted by his wife Gill, sister-in-law Rachel Hallam and good friend John Pawlenko, the ideas were born and the hard work began. ‘If you want to know who we are’ is the opening men’s chorus of The Mikado, performed by the Society in 2025 so a perfect name for the title of the book.
Bunty Shaw, former president, had long ago written down her early memories of the Society in the 1920s and 1930s which was published into a leaflet outlining the history. Building on this foundation Rachel added more memories from her mother and David Bentley, a long-standing perfomer and member of the Society. Then, during the 77 long weeks of not being able to meet or perform due to Covid, Mike as Chairman asked current members to describe their memories of the Society and their connection with Gilbert and Sullivan. Finally, some older retired members from the Society in the 1960s and 1970s were asked for their recollections and the pivotal chapter of the book was in place.
Armed with a complete set of programmes from performances since 1954 and some earlier ones, the details of all performers and the years they were on stage formed the cast members directory, detailing which shows they were in and whether they played any principal part, another pivotal chapter.
Lists of past presidents, vice-presidents, Chairmen and many significant other people are listed in the book with thanks to all involved on and off stage.
Finally, photographic memories past and present were sifted through and polished up to produce 40 pages of top-quality photographic memories.
A lot of people’s heartfelt memories are contained in the book, and it is clear how much affection members of this Society have for their cause.
In 1936 an item in The Derby Evening Telegraph stated, ‘the Society has shown courage, determination and power of accomplishment and will, I am sure look back on this production (Ruddigore) with feelings of keen pleasure.’ The Society continues to perform annually, and the same quote could be said today of our latest production of The Pirates of Penzance. This Society intends to be around for many years to come.
Copies of the book are available for £20 plus £3.50 P&P unless collecting the book in person or by sending a message on the website
www.melbourneoperaticsociety.com
or contacting via our box office phone 07518 560162
Melbourne Operatic Society will next be performing their summer concerts of non-Gilbert and Sullivan music on July 24th and 25th 2026 in Melbourne and Castle Donington and their next Gibert and Sullivan Opera will be The Gondoliers at the Duchess Theatre Long Eaton 14th-17th April 2027. They rehearse at Melbourne Assembly Rooms on Tuesday evenings throughout the year and always welcome new members.
