Where it all beganST. PAUL'S (Astley Bridge) A.O.S. A Brief History of the Society The Society began in a modest way when a number of members of the "Musical and Dramatic Society" became dissatisfied with the existing society because it failed to live up to its name and stage musical works. In the summer of 1930 John Leyland agreed to produce the pantomime "Robinson Crusoe" while his brother Harm Harry agreed to accompany the singing. (There was no orchestra or musical director until 1935). Other founding officers were J.S. Harper (chairman), Doris Brookes (secretary), Adam Howarth (treasurer), and Mrs Duxbury (wardrobe). Robinson Crusoe" was given only two performances but was successful enough to encourage the members to continue so that in succeeding years the Society presented "Dick Whittington", "Cinderella", and "Queen of Hearts". None of these shows ran for more than three performances and the total income each year never exceeded £46. Out of this income the Society had to pay £11 to the Parochial Hall, £6-6s-0d. royalties and had also to pay for costumes, printing. lighting and stage expenses. No wonder the bank balance after "Queen of Hearts" was only £3 bus this was by no means bad when it is remembered that tickets cost as little 1/6d The 1934/5 season saw the first true musical comedy with orchestra and musical Director. This "A Country Girl” again produced by John Leyland who was also in chatge of the next two show “A Street Singer” and “Hit the Deck”. The Chairman was now Norman Duckworth who held the office until the war , he was subsequently stage manager from 1947 το 1960. During the next few years, income from the sale of tickets increased by leaps and bounds and in 1938,the five performances of “Going Up” netted £166. This shpe was produced by Elsie Dakin who also produced the next two shows, "Mr Cinders” (1939), and "A Country Girl” having its second airing in 1940. Leading ladies in these early years included Molly Ashley, Jean Pearce, Marjorie Jones , while Molly’s husband Alf and Jean’s husband Teddy were often the leading men. Molly and Marjorie later became joint wardrobe mistresses with Elle Drinnan and Mona Kay. Molly held this post 1947 to 1970 white Marjorie held in 1947 to 1976. In the same year of 1947 Alf Ashley was elected Chairman of the societyand was re-elected to that offices every year for thirty-one years until death. Teddy Pearce became lighting manager for many years, and also joined the make-up team along with such veterans a Harry Bent and Harry Winward Because of the war, no shows were produced between 1940 and 1948 but the interest in music and drama in Astley Bridge was kept alive through concerts instigated by Eric Mew to help the Forces. In 1948 the pantomime "Sleeping Beauty" was given two performances. The income of £112 suggests a near sell-out but, nevertheless, the Society was never again to present a pantomime nor put on a show for less than six performances. Henceforth every show was to be a well-known musical from the world's finest stages. The 1950 show, "Rainbow Inn" was a milestone in the history of the Society because It was the first to be produced by Jean Pearce who went on to produce twenty-one of the next twenty-three shows. She missed only "Wedding in Paris", in which she was the the leading lady, and "Summer Song", when she was indisposed. Of Jean's productions, two are particularly memorable in that they were "firsts". "Orpheus in the Underworld" (1967) was the world amateur premiere and the costumers, Mays, created costumes specially for our cast. "La Perichole" (1971) was also a world amateur premiere that of the version used by the New York "Met". For the greater part of her "reign", Jean had the invaluable help of Jim Carinon as her musical director. Jim was an excellent musician and, despite being small of stature, was able to control both the cast and the orchestra with a single look. In fact, Jim continued in this office until 1975 when ill-health forced his retirement a total of nineteen years. Jean's Iast solo production was "Die Fledermaus" (1973), for in 1974 and 1975 she shared the responsibility with Kath Thornley when we presented "Song of Norway" and "Gypsy Love". The following three shows were all produced by Ernest Dawson. Between 1973 and the present there have been many directors and MDs for
the shows of St. Paul's AOS and we continue to thrive. Directors have included:
Mike Rodgers, Steve Eckersley, Louise Cohen, Paul Cohen and Eileen Powell. MDs
have included: Rev. Peter Barnett, Nicola Worral, Lesley Hampson and Catherine
Hilton. 1990-2010: Michael Rodgers 2010-2012: Stephen Brennan 2012-2013: Leonard Powell 2013-2022: Stephen Brennan In 2012 the society took the decision to change the constitution to include drama so we are now known as St Paul's AODS.
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