Ron Drew's Theatre Pages

Amateur Theatre

• Early Years of Amateur Theatre
  There are many Amateur Dramatic and Musical Societies in South Tyneside today. Here  you can read of the growth of  some of the Earlier Amateur theatrical groups.
  

• Local Amateur Societies today

• South Shields Amateur Operatic Society (SSAOS)
   Formed in 1917 it has flourished continuously (with the exception of the war years) and became one of the leading societies in the NE of England. Circumstances have determined the occupation of many varied venues for its productions and its history and details of the shows performed are given in great detail in this site.
  
• South Shields Gilbert & Sullivan Amateur Operatic Society (G & S) 
  Not as old as the SSAOS but just as popular with the musical-loving community in the area. Like the older society they encountered problems of accommodation for their productions. Read about these problems and how they were overcome.
  
• The Westovian Theatre Society (The Westovians)
  One of the leading groups in South Shields has grown from a small drama group in 1912 to now encompassing many forms of theatre including musicals and pantomime.
  
  Read of their growth and struggle to find a permanent   home for their productions. Also read of Ron's reminiscences of his six years performing with them
   
• The Cleadon Village Drama Group
  A long established group who normally present 4 plays each year in their small theatre in the village

• Local Amateur Theatres
  One or two of the local societies have their own Theatre where they produce their own style of entertainment.

• The Pier Pavilion, South Shields  
  After many moves to accommodate the growing strength and reputation of   their  Society, the Westovians have now moved to the their present home -  on the seafront at South Shields adjacent to the Pier Head

• The Little Theatre, Cleadon Village, South Tyneside
  The home of The Cleadon Village Drama Group
  

• Reminiscences of Amateur Theatre
  Ron recalls his Theatre Years.
  I’ve been a member of the SOUTH SHIELDS AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY (SSAOS) for 50 years, and this has been my main interest in the amateur theatre throughout my life. But it didn't start there..............

• Scouting around the Stage
  Scout Gang Shows before, during and after the war in South Tyneside
   

• The Westovians take me on board
  The 1950's saw me in the local Theatre Group - the "Westovians"
   

• Life as an Amateur Luvvie
  My early years in the SSAOS
   

• Treading the future
  Can Amateur Societies continue to survive?

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Copyright (c) 1998-2000 Ron Drew
Last revised: January 04, 2005.