Chapter 1.1- SAOS, It's History
The South Shields Amateur Operatic Society (SSAOS) was formed at a meeting in St. Oswin's Hall, Stanhope Road, South Shields on 22nd October, 1917. The intention of the founder, A. J. HUTCHINSON (a local and experienced vocalist), was to raise funds for the 'Interned Seamen's Fund' at that time being sponsored by the 'Shields Gazette' through the columns of 'Odd Man Out', the pen name of a well known local journalist, R. P. Fernandes.
The first show, in 1918, was produced at a time when the local St. Hilda Colliery Band (1867 - 1927) was the most successful in Britain. It was a time when you could buy a gents made-to-measure suit for 70 shillings (82 1/2p). This first production by the 'SSAOS' was Gilbert and Sullivan's "THE MIKADO" and was the beginning of a series of G. and S.
operattas which was to last until 1932.
The "MIKADO", ran for six nights from April 22nd 1918 at the Queen's Theatre in Mile End Road, South Shields. It was both an artistic and financial success, and raised £200 for the Trust Fund. Ticket prices at that time ranged from 3s 6d (17 1/2 p today) for a seat in the Grand Circle to 1s 3d (6p) in the Pit Stalls.
The first production was billed as "the event of the season" and received glowing praise to its merits from the local paper's theatre critic.
The Amateurs soon became established as a strong theatrical force in South Shields, while continuing to give money to charity and they distributed £550 among deserving causes in its first 3 years.The change to a broader range of productions came in 1933 with the musical comedy "THE DESERT SONG". The show was so popular that a matinee had to be arranged for the Saturday afternoon to meet public demand.
In 1940 the show was to have been "WILD VIOLETS" but was abandoned upon the outbreak of war. The Amateurs home until then had always been the Queen's Theatre but with its bombing in April 1941 a new home was required after the war ended. In 1949 "MERRIE ENGLAND" was the first of two concert versions of shows presented in St. Aidan's Church Hall. Two years later the venue for the Society moved to a cinema in Dean Road, South Shields - 'The Regent' where they remained for 30 years, the first production there being "ROSE MARIE". When the cinema changed its character to that of a Bingo Hall many obstacles had to be overcome at each production and, when a refurbishment took place it was not possible to continue at that venue. The outcome was a move out of town and from 1981 productions of the the SSAOS took place 8 miles south, at the Empire Theatre, Sunderland, and have continued there annually until 1999.
At the Annual General Meeting of the SSAOS held 28th February 2000, it was announced that because of the escalating cost of producing shows at the Sunderland Empire, the venue was to revert to their home town. In the year 2000 productions of both the major and Junior sections of the Society would be held at the Customs House, Mill Dam, SOUTH SHIELDS.
It was felt that whilst the spectacle in the shows may now be limited, neither the enjoyment of the members in their hobby nor the pleasure of the paying public will be diminished. It presents a challenge to all - the committee as well as both the acting members of the Society and stage staff.
It is unfortunate that because of rising costs the Juniors are to transfer their 2001 production of "Oklahoma" back to the Pier Pavillion in Pier Parade, SOUTH SHIELDS, their home from 1991-1995.
A full list of shows presented over the years together with programme notes for many of them can be found in Chapter 2 [Shows]
Officers of the Society since 1917 can be found in Chapter 1.5 [Officers]
Acknowledment is given for the research of Stewart Blenkinsop and Jim Grey in producing their programme notes for 1987 and 1992, extracts of which have been used in compiling this history.
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