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The Redditch Operatic Society, also known as ROS, was formed in 1960 and has staged at least one major musical theatrical production each year since that date. We are affiliated to the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA), and we are supported by Redditch Borough Council through the Redditch Arts Council. The Society is currently made up of over 70 acting and non-acting members, making it the largest (and we like to think, most professional) performing society in the area. We usually meet on Tuesday evenings for full company rehearsals, and principal rehearsals are generally on Thursdays. In our Constitution, we have two main objectives: a) To educate the public in the operatic and dramatic arts, to further the development of public appreciation and taste in the said arts and to assist and further such charitable institutions or charitable purposes as the Society shall from time to time determine. b) In furtherance of the above objects, to promote the production of operatic and dramatic works having an educative value and also to do all such other lawful things as shall be conducive to the attainment of the said objects. Theatrical ProductionsSince 1971 our major theatrical productions have been staged at the delightfully refurbished Edwardian-built Palace Theatre in Redditch. In more recent years we have tended towards the American type of musical comedy, although the occasional foray into operetta is not unknown. Each year we stage a major Autumn production at the theatre, usually in the second or third week of November. The budget for these shows is rising towards the £25,000 mark - not an inconsiderable amount, especially when the maximum audience for a six-performance run is just over 2,400 people. Nevertheless, we always aim for the highest possible standards in terms of acting, scenery, costumes and music. In particular, we never compromise on our orchestras - bringing together professional musicians to play for us under the direction of Norma Kift, our Musical Director since 1989. The Society is lucky to have many talented performers of all ages. Indeed, most roles in a show, especially the female parts, could be cast many times over. We are also known for the quality of our chorus, which often numbers thirty or more for a show. We are also blessed with a number of talented younger performers - something we are particularly keen to encourage. Spring Concert ToursFrom 1994 onwards we performed a Concert Tour most years, during the Spring. These popular events were held at different venues in towns in our area. Redditch, Alcester, Cookhill, Studley, Bromsgrove, Droitwich, Henley in Arden, Hanbury and Rubery were amongst the places we have visited. The concerts were usually performed on two or three consecutive weekends in May. The venues, often local churches or other organisations, hosted the concerts by providing the room, selling the tickets and finding an audience. The Society organised everything else. The profits from the concerts went to the fund-raising appeals of the hosting venues. In May 1994 we tested the water by performing our first concert at four venues. The show didn't have a name (just being called 'A Spring Concert') and featured songs from operetta favourites, west end shows and songs of the season. In 1996 we staged our second tour, at three venues, called 'A Grand Night For Singing', this time based on the music of Richard Rogers. In 1997 our tours truly got into their stride, with a six-performance formula that was followed for the next five years. 'The Wonderful West End' was an evening of songs from British hit shows, and was an extremely popular concert, both in terms of musical content and audience numbers.
In 1998 we followed up with 'Broadway Melodies' which featured songs from American musicals. The concert for 1999 was called 'Hooray For Hollywood', and featured music from the movies. Our concert tour in 2000 was entitled 'Songs Of The Century", and was a musical journey through the decades of the 20th Century - this became our biggest and most popular concert tour ever. Our 2001 tour was called 'Legends', and featured the music from some of the best loved performers of the past fifty years. We then had a break for three years, but came back with a bang in May 2004 with 'The Magic of the Night' based on the musicals of Cameron Mackintosh. As a departure from the norm, this tour featured our first Sunday 'tea time' concert, an idea which seemed to be very popular with our audience, and which we will probably continue in future years. The concert itself went down a storm! Our 2005 show was called 'A Night At The Movies', which featured a selection of favourites from the silver screen including Disney, James Bond, Sister Act, Forrest Gump and MGM Golden Oldies amongst many others. Our last tour was in May 2007, with a show called 'Our Favourite Sings', which was full of our own favourite songs from concerts and shows over the years, plus one or two new pieces. This was one of the strongest programmes of any concert, with so many audience-pleasers! Charity DonationsOne of the Society's objectives is 'to assist and further such charitable institutions or charitable purposes as the Society shall from time to time determine', and we are extremely proud of our support of local good causes. In fact, in the past fifteen years alone, the Society has generated over £20,000 in donations to individual appeals or from the profits of our concert tours. Specific donations include the following:
The ROS Concert PartyThe Society is often asked to perform at social events, weddings, or other similar functions, which we are delighted to do, and charge extremely reasonable rates since we enjoy performing so much! We have a range of set pieces suitable for any occasion, and will be happy to discuss any of your own requirements, whether it be secular or popular musical songs. If you would like more information, please contact Mrs Jean Leadbeater
on 01789 762800. |
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