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• South Shields Amateur Operatic Society (SSAOS)

  There will be no future additions to the web pages of " South Shields Amateur Operatic Society". After April 2004 the SSAOS will cease to exist. The Society is being renamed  "South Shields Musical Productions". (See page Chorus Lines Issue No 26 for information and comment on the change of name.) The following is an extract from Ron Drew's Theatre Reminisces where there is a fuller story. This final addition to my SSAOS web pages, written in April 2004, makes me very sad. It would appear that my previously recorded advice has not been heeded. Advice from someone who has been a member of the South Shields Amateur Operatic Society for over 50 years: from someone who has been working for the Society with experience on the stage, back stage, in the committee room, and front of house. These words are written, not out of conceit nor boasting: they are written to give the reader the background of my experience. I speak from the position of someone who has seen this happen before. I have seen other organisations with which I was connected rise and fall because they were not prepared to face reality and make difficult decisions to avoid a pending catastrophe. Every member of an organisation must be prepared to work for the group; giving of time and energy and, within their capacity, their money. If all this fails then, as in our Society's case, no matter how much we all wish to emulate a West End production, though on a smaller scale, we must bite the bullet and cut our cloth  according to our means or find the means to provide for our wishes. The Junior Section had returned to The Customs House in 2002 yet both the Junior and Senior productions are still showing a loss on their shows. Recent productions have continued to bleed heavily the contingency fund built up in earlier years as a buffer against emergencies. However, it does not take long to dissipate even the largest of funds. This year, at the 2004 AGM of the Society, the 26 members present were informed that the committee's answer to these serious problems was to propose that in order to rejuvenate the interest in the Society its name should be changed  as from the summer of  2004. These members present acquiesced to the motion and the Society is no longer to be known as the Amateurs or the SSAOS - the names by which The South Shields Amateur Operatic Society has been known in the North-East for 87 years. It is now South Shields Musical Productions. No change of name can remove a cancer. Words fail me except to say that I honestly hope the South Shields Amateurs and the organisation which follows it under a different name will still be remembered in the future with as much affection as The Amateurs had in the past.

Chapter 1 - The Society   An overview of its structure. Chapter 2 - Shows 1918-(Date) A full list with details and photos of most productions of the Senior and Junior Sections Chapter 3 - Highlights, News and Gossip  Find out what's going on in the Society Chapter 4 - Personalities A brief biography of many of its sons and daughters. Chapter 5 - Chorus Lines  Extracts from the Society's House magazine

Founded in 1917, the SSAOS (known locally as the 'Amateurs') has produced a musical performance every year with the exception of 10 years covering the war period, 1939-49. It is one of the leading Societies in the North-East of England and shares honours with the South Shields Gilbert and Sullivan Society, founded in 1948, of being two leading first class groups bringing musical theatre to the area. It was in 1951 that Ron successfully took his audition with the 'Amateurs' and has been either a Full Member or an Associate Member ever since. In the year 2001 he was given the honour of Life Membership after 50 years on active service in the Society either on stage, behind the scenes or front of house.

NODA

The SSAOS is affiliated to The National Operatic and Dramatic Association (N.O.D.A.). founded in 1899 "for the express purpose of bringing together members of amateur operatic and dramatic societies for their mutual assistance and combined benefit. and to protect and advance the interests of these societies engaged therein." - Current Membership (year 2000) is approximately 2,450 individual enthusiasts and 2,300 amateur companies staging musicals, operas, plays, concerts, and pantomimes in venues ranging from 2000 seat, No.1 theatres to100 seat village halls.

There is a broad spectrum of ages involved nation-wide.Youth groups stage all theatrical and dance arts from improvised drama to full-scale Musicals and Opera. Adult companies have to meet the needs of all performers whether dramatic or musical together with enthusiasts who are involved in a variety of ways on stage, front of house, backstage or in administration.

Whatever the age of the participants, whatever the onstage or offstage talents they have to offer, they are involved in Amateur Theatre for the love of it

The NODA Operatic Summer School and the NODA Theatre Course, held each year provide first-class training under highly-qualified professional instructors. Bursaries and scholarships are available particularly for young people. Weekend Workshops on such diverse diverse subjects as tap dancing, pantomimes, lighting and make-up are staged at NODA headquarters and at regional centres.]
(These notes are based on extracts from programme notes of the 1987 and 1998 SSAOS productions of "GIGI". and "WEST SIDE STORY")

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Copyright (c) 1999 - 2000 Ron Drew.
Last revised: April 18, 2004.