Staveley Amateur Operatic Society celebrating 70 years

In a village just outside Kendal, Cumbria a group of enthusiastic performers are beginning rehearsals for Gilbert & Sullivan’s Iolanthe.

Staveley Amateur Operatic Society are celebrating their 70th Anniversary this year, and what better way than giving a comical nod to the election, by proving that fairies can influence parliament!

In 1953, a group of local, enthusiastic music lovers formed Staveley Amateur Operatic Society and it was proposed by Mr D Long that they produced The Gilbert & Sullivan operetta, The Mikado. Rehearsals began and the society was led by Miss Elsie Storey as the first chair. A social committee was quickly formed, and Mr Hayton was appointed the society’s first musical director. In October 1954, The Mikado was performed at Staveley Village Hall and was well received by the village, so the society proposed to put on The Gondoliers the following year.

Thus, Staveley Amateur Operatic Society was fully formed and, since then, it has put on a show every year, except 1964, and during Covid.

To date over 500 people have appeared on the stage at Staveley Village Hall, with many more helping out behind the scenes and some of our current members have been with the society for many years, performing in numerous shows. Our current membership ranges from ages 8 to over 80 and all have a wonderful time, learning from each other.

As with all societies, producers and musical directors have come and gone with 18 previous producers and 8 musical directors. David Tattersall took over as musical director in 2007, missing only 2010 and, in 2023, Jo and Chris Worton took on the producer role for their first time. They were delighted to win District 11 best Gilbert & Sullivan for their production of The Pirates of Penzance. This year’s Iolanthe will be just as much fun for all concerned.

As we all know, amateur theatre is full of incredibly talented people from all walks of life. But, let’s be honest, it’s the funny stories that make everything so much more memorable: the wig getting caught on the tree; the trousers dropping to the floor when least expected; the look of terror on the MD’s face when the principal starts singing the wrong verse; the wonderful ad-libbing from chorus members whilst awaiting the late arrival of a principal who is playing cards in the dressing room, the list is endless and wonderfully funny (although maybe not at the time for those concerned!).

SAOS has gone from strength to strength since coming back from the awful period that was Covid, with numbers increasing all the time and new members swelling our ranks, bringing new ideas and forging new friendships. We will always welcome new members if you would like to come and join us, either on stage or behind the scenes.