History of Seaford Operatic Society by Pat Berry

SEAFORD MUSICAL THEATRE

A History of Seaford Operatic Society

by Pat Berry

See Also

A Brief History of Seaford Operatic Society

Memories of Seaford Operatic 1956 - 1960 by Graham Tubb

A Brief History of Seaford Children's Theatre by Graham Tubb

Copied from A Seaford Album (Seaford Gazette circa 2002)

From concert parties, via glee clubs and school bands, the people of Seaford have for centuries found pleasure in making music for their own enjoyment and that of their audiences. Seaford & District Amateur Operatic Society was founded over 75 years ago, their first offering being four performances of Gilbert & Sullivan's 'HMS Pinafore' in February 1927. Singers were supported by a 16-piece orchestra and seats were priced from on shilling and twopence (about 6p) to five shillings and ninepence (28-29p). A profit of £56 was made.

Concentrating on Gilbert & Sullivan, three years later 'The Gondoliers' was presented. Early rehearsals, I've read, took place in a hall in Dane Road, behind Telsemaure. Later, the society performed at a variety of venues including the Queen's Hall and Seaford Head School. Dressing room space at the Queen's Hall was limited, and it was not unusual for the adjoining Clinton Hall to be used for that purpose. The side doors of both halls (facing each other across a narrow alley) were left open for performers to enter and leave; a protective awning linking the buildings in the event of bad weather.

In 1958, 'The Maid of the Mountains' was produced by Donald Grant-White: our picture shows (left to right) Pat George and Colin Carthew in the foreground with Laurie Watts and Graham Tubb raising tankards.

Since 1983, the society's headquarters have been at The Barn, corner of Steyne Road and Saxon Lane. Previously the building had been the clubhouse for the Seaford branch of the Royal Air Forces Association; later a dealer in foam-rubber used it as a store. The first operatic production at The Barn was Gilbert & Sullivan's 'The Mikado' in quite basic surroundings. Three years later, aided by generous donations, supporters' fundraising and building work including assistance through the Manpower Service scheme, the society had its own showplace. Further additions and improvements have been made, and on November 6, 1999 a gala re-opening unveiled the theatre's new tiered seating (the tip-up seats available as the result of a refit at the Dome Theatre, Brighton) and other up-dating.

Society members presented a selection of songs, then after a break for pizza and wine, fellow-occupants Seaford Film Society - with the help of their giant silver screen - ran the latest version of Oscar Wilde's 'An Ideal Husband'. Tickets for the occasion included the message: Posh frocks for the ladies and dinner jackets for the gentlemen would be nice!

Lists of every show presented by the operatic society are on display in the theatre lobby (with much Gilbert & Sullivan in the early years), reflecting the widening scope of entertainment available over three-quarters of a century: a mighty step from 'HMS Pinafore' to 'Fings Ain't What They Used To Be'!