SOUTHEY OPERATIC SOCIETY

This year celebrates the 70th anniversary for Southey Operatic Society, a Sheffield group who have performed many shows in the past from ‘Cupid and the Ogre’ (most of us are probably too young to remember that one!), to last years performance of the Lerner and Lowe classic ‘Brigadoon’. To celebrate this special occasion, they will be performing a concert consisting of songs from shows they have performed in the past 70 years. The concert ‘Southey Sing’s 70’ promises to be an evening packed with music, dance, and nostalgia, featuring songs from your favourite shows such as ‘Oklahoma!’, ‘Camelot’ and ‘The King and I’. It will be performed at the Montgomery Theatre, Surrey Street, Sheffield, from May 5th to 7th with a Saturday matinee. For tickets please call 01246 415993 or 01246 417263.

Returning just for the occasion is Brian Hirst from Norton Lees, Brian's last production with Southey was in 1983 and he played Curly in the 1979 performance of 'Oklahoma!'. He will sing alongside Nikki Frost who played Laurie in the 2002 performance of the same show.

The concert will see Claire Sanderson from Coal Aston, and daughter Lauren together on stage for the first time. Claire has been a member of the society for many years, and played the role of ‘Nellie Forebush’ in the 1991 production of ever-popular ‘South Pacific’. Alan Thompson, who played her leading man is also returning for the celebrations.

Ten of the society members are still at school, and weren't even born for most of the past shows, but they are also preparing to celebrate the big event. 'Food, Glorious Food' from the popular show 'Oliver!' is just one of the songs our younger members will be performing, as they help take us on a journey through the past seventy years the society.

Some Southey Facts

In 1933 a choral society were formed as a section of Southey-Norwood community association. In 1935 members were looking to expand and were introduced to amateur dramatics by Mr Charlie Wallace, who was the first director, and Southey Operatic Society was born.

During the war year’s concerts were performed, including one at Shirecliffe gun site The costumes for these shows were hired at 6D each (2 ½ p).

Thanks to the efforts of councillor John Worrall the authorities of Montgomery Hall were persuaded to make the hall available for amateur societies and Southey had the honour of being the first society to perform at the Montgomery Hall.

One of Southey’s well-known members was Audrey Graham, who appeared with Hughie Green on Opportunity Knocks.

In 1965 the society’s president, Ald J Worrall, was made Lord Mayer of Sheffield and society members were invited to a reception in the Lord Mayer’s parlour at the Town Hall.

Over the years the society has had-

5 Presidents
8 Chairmen
8 Secretaries
8 Directors
16 Musical Directors

Southey Firsts

1949 First Amateur to perform at Montgomery
1952 Magyar Melody - Sheffield Amateur Premier
1970 Hello Dolly - Sheffield Amateur Premier
1972 Oliver - First adult amateur society to present this show in Sheffield
1977 Pickwick - First society to win the Keith White trophy for best musical