How Are We Run?
The society has an active committee, made up of a cross section of the membership. This includes members who have been with the society almost since the beginning (sorry Chris, only joking!), and relatively new members. Committee members, including the Chairman, are all elected by the membership and vice presidents at our Annual General Meeting, which takes place in June/July each year. Committee members serve terms of up to 3 years, but there are usually vacancies each year. So if you interested in helping to run the society, there are always opportunities!
The main show each year (performed at the Newbury Corn Exchange around Easter) is selected by the membership at the AGM. A short list is drawn up by the committee, based on availability, member suggestions, and commercial/technical factors, and after a short presentation of the key points and highlights from each show, the membership votes. Because of difficulties in obtaining rights for shows, we decide on shows over 18 months before a show is performed, which gives members plenty of time to prepare their audition pieces!
The committee selects the director, producers, choreographer, musical director, stage manager based on interest, availability and track record. These roles are appointed on a show by show basis.
Our autumn production is smaller, and allows us greater artistic and commercial freedom to experiment and take risks. This gives us an opportunity to select shows that are outside of our normal repertoire, or might not be commercially viable at the Corn Exchange. It also allows less experienced members to direct, produce and take lead roles. The autumn show is chosen by the committee, but as always, suggestions from the membership at large are always welcome.
Our Previous Shows
Please see the shows we have performed in the past from our humble beginnings way back in 1923 (some of those members are still with us).
Pictures from some of the shows are available by clicking on the links below, but watch out for pop-up blockers!
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1923 The Gondoliers |
1977 Viva Mexico |
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1924 The Mikado |
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1925 Iolanthe |
1978 Oliver |
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1926 Pirates of Penzance |
1978 Kiss Me Kate |
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1926 Trial By Jury |
1979 Cinderella |
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1927 Yeomen Of The Guard |
1979 Die Fledermaus |
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1928 Ruddigore |
1980 The Wizard of Oz |
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1929 Patience |
1980 Oklahoma! |
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1930 The Gondoliers |
1981 Camelot |
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1931 HMS Pinafore |
1981 Trial By Jury |
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1931 Trial By Jury |
1981 HMS Pinafore |
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1932 Dorothy |
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1933 Les Cloches de Cornville |
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1934 The Mikado |
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1935 Merrie England |
1983 Desert Song |
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1936 The Vagabond King |
1984 Half a Sixpence |
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1937 Tom Jones |
1984 My Fair Lady |
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1938 The Pirates of Penzance |
1985 The King and I |
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1939 Ruddigore |
1985 The Merry Widow |
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1947 The Gondoliers |
1986 South Pacific |
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1948 Merrie England |
1986 Annie |
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1949 Miss Hook of Holland |
1987 Aladdin |
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1950 The Yeomen of The Guard |
1987 The Yeomen of The Guard |
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1952 The Gondoliers |
1988 Hans Andersen |
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1953 Desert Song |
1988 Guys and Dolls |
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1954 Rose Marie |
1989 Some Enchanted Evening |
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1955 Tom Jones |
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1956 The Vagabond King |
1990 Sullivan Supper and Song |
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1957 HMS Pinafore |
1990 The Pirates of Penzance |
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1957 Trial By Jury |
1991 Olde Tyme Music Hall |
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1958 Chu Chin Chow |
1991 Annie Get Your Gun |
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1958 Merrie England |
1992 Grand Night For Singing |
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1959 The Quaker Girl |
1992 The Dancing Years |
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1959 Faust |
1993 Thanks For The Memory |
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1960 The Gypsy Baron |
1993 Iolanthe |
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1960 Carmen |
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1961 South Pacific |
1994 Carousel |
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1961 The Gondoliers |
1995 The Sound of Music |
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1962 Carousel |
1995 Kiss Me Kate |
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1962 The Mikado |
1996 Annie |
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1963 Desert Song |
1996 Ruddigore |
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1963 Die Fledermaus |
1997 The Wizard of Oz |
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1964 The Merry Widow |
1997 Anything Goes! |
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1997 Die Fledermaus |
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1965 White Horse Inn |
1998 Me and My Girl |
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1965 La Belle Helene |
1998 The Gondoliers |
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1966 Annie Get Your Gun |
1999 Gilbert and Sullivan Concert |
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1966 Gilbert and Sullivan |
1999 Camelot |
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1967 Showboat |
2000 The Mikado |
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1967 An Evening With Franz Lehar |
2001 My Fair Lady |
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1968 The Merry Widow |
2002 Oklahoma! |
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1969 Cinderella |
2003 South Pacific |
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1969 My Fair Lady |
2004 HMS Pinafore and The Zoo |
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1970 Aladdin |
2004 Into The Woods |
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1970 The New Moon |
2005 Hello Dolly |
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1971 Dick Whittington |
2006 Calamity Jane |
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2006 Old Tyme Music Hall |
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1972 The Wizard of Oz |
2007 Thoroughly Modern Millie |
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1972 The Land Of Smiles |
2007 Pirates of Penzance |
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1973 The Sleeping Beauty |
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1973 The Gondoliers |
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1974 The Sound of Music |
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1974 Brigadoon |
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1975 Robinson Crusoe |
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1976 The King and I |
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1976 The Mikado |
Venues
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Our main venue is The Corn Exchange, Newbury.
It is a 330 seat, tiered auditorium, built (as the name suggests) inside the old exchange building in the Market Square, Newbury.
The Corn Exchange was completely refurbished and reopened as an arts centre in 1993, and has up to date sound and lighting, as well as excellent back stage and front of house facilities.
For more details click here.
Our autumn productions are performed at a variety of venues, including New Greenham Arts.
Rehearsals
Rehearsals for shows usually run for 4-5 months. Typically, chorus rehearsals take place on Tuesday evenings at Newbury Mencap Centre, with principal rehearsals on Thursday evenings at Newbury Baptist Hall (click for directions). In the weeks immediately before a show, the full cast may be required on both Tuesday and Thursday evenings. In show week, band call, technical and dress rehearsals are usually held at the venue.
Rehearsals schedules are provided during preparations for each show, and wherever practical we work around members holidays, work and other commitments. But if you cannot make a rehearsal, please contact the director or production team before hand.
We also run have a Concert Party group, usually made up of Members not in the current show. In this way we can take NOS out to new audiences or those who cannot get to our usual productions - Get in Touch below for further details. Otherwise DO pop down to a rehearsal night and see how tings are coming along over a cup of coffee.
Get In Touch
Looking forward to hearing from you!.
NODA
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Newbury Operatic Society is affiliated to the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA). Founded in 1899, NODA is the main representative body for amateur theatre in the UK. It has a membership of some 2500 amateur/community theatre groups and 3000 individual enthusiasts throughout the UK.
For more information on NODA, click here
Thanks
Our grateful thanks for ongoing support received from the following:
The Gerald Ward Charitable Trust
Englefield Trust
The Colefax Trust
Greenham Common Trust
Thanks also to Brian Burgess at Newbury Net for web hosting services.
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