Matlock Operatic Society

2007 - Centenary Year

The poster for the first show of Matlock Operatic Society.

An article written for the 50th anniversary of the Society:

1907-

In 1906 a small group of enthusiasts, Arthur Bond, Lew Dickinson, Franklyn Thomas, James Sinclair and George W. Johnstone banded together and formed the Matlock and District Amateur Operatic Society.

Erminie, a comic opera, was staged at the old Victoria Hall (now Patons and Baldwins in February, 1907. G. W. Johnstone, that grand old man of Matlock music, was Musical Director and continued in this office until 1939. It is interesting to note that the business manager, William Basquil. a local tailor, later emigrated to Australia and called his house “Erminie.”

The Mikado (1908), H.M.S. Pinafore (1909), Tom Jones (1910) followed, all staged at the ‘Victoria Hall. Local celebrities whose names are still well remembered included Blanche Newton, Jessie Dickinson (now Mrs. Bradahaw and a life member), Lew Dickinson and Edmund Ashley who later acted as producer. In 1911 The Belle of Brittany, 1912 Los Cloche de Cornville and 1913 The Yeoman of the Guard, our productions were staged for three nights at the Victoria Hall and two nights at the “New” Grand Pavilion, Matlock Bath. Two new stars appeared at this stage - Lottie Housley and William Robson. The Pirates of Penzance (1914) ended this era of our history for the Great War brought production to a standstill. The advertisements in the old programmes, now on view in the Foyer, will bring back memories to many friends who remember William Hand’s Landaus and Victorias - char-a-bancs to carry 200 - the Four-Horse Stage Coach “Dorothy Vernon” or the “new” “Papier Poudre” for the ladies. Where too was the Cromford Brewery Co.? and what of the repeated request to the ladies to remove their hats.

Informal meetings between Miss J. Dickinson, G. W. Johnstone. Warren Jones and W. Robson led to a revival of the society in 1927 with a. production of The Yeoman of the Guard. The venue for this and all subsequent presentations, except one, was the Cinema House, Matlock. New names appeared, Stanley Moreton, Eric Simms, H. Boden, H. D.
Wildgoose, R. Tinti and Inez Tinti and many more, all of whom added lustre to our history.

Iolanthe (1928), The Mikado (1929), The Gondoliers (1930) and Ruddigore (1931) saw more remembered friends - Henry Askew (our present producer), Sam Fowkes, Vincent Hobbs, Clarice Lill, Clare Smith, Myfanwy Willes and Bernice Stoddart all joined the society at this period.

The Yeoman of the Guard (1932), The Chocolate Soldier (1934), The Quaker Girl (1935). The Desert Song (1936), The Rebel Maid (1931), The Arcadians (1938), and The Gondoliers (1939) brings us to the Second War and a further list of stalwarts - Agnes Jackson, Jessica
Hazlewood, Evie Gentle, Vida Frith, Eileen Griffiths, George and Marjorie Dickens, Eric Beardow, Arthur Tibbs, Laurie Lingard and so many more.

The society was quickly revived after the enforced break and The Geisha (1947). Good-night Vienna (1948). Merrie England (1949), and The Mikado (1950) saw many more new faces - Joyce Loverock, Cora Oliver, Sybil Young, Alistair Storey, Harry Bridden to name a few.

The Country Girl (1951), Tom Jones (1952), The Street Singer (1953), Bless the Bride (1954), Night in Venice (1955) - the first time we have staged an amateur premiere, and The Gondoliers (1958) brings us through fifty years of amateur theatre.

Hundreds of names have been omitted; names every one of which has helped the society to this its Golden Jubilee. Many more will, we hope, be added. Names come and go, a few stay with us, a very few have come all the way - Mrs. Bradshaw, Miss Mabel Walker and Mr. W. G. “Bill” Housley. Our thanks to them and our thanks to you, the people of MatlocIc, past and present, for without your patronage our story could not have been told.

A.S.

 - 1957