It is well known that WADAOS have an extensive archive of images and artefacts from its entire history, this of course includes the Souvenir programmes from our productions. That however does not mean that coming across such items elsewhere does not cause excitement.
While browsing in Michael Moons Book shop in Whitehaven last year I had such a moment. I found a beautifully kept souvenir programme from Whitehaven and District Amateur Operatic Society's production of 'The Mikado' in 1955.
A modest programme not like such peaces of art we have in today's modern and technical world but an elegant piece all the same. We are lucky to have our current President Ripley Steele who can give me such a wealth of knowledge about these pieces of history.
WADAOS have as of now has performed 'The Mikado' four times. It is one of Gilbert and Sullivans most well known Comedy Operas and one that could with the right people be produced with ease by amateur groups.
Such a find makes me think about how it ended up in Michael's Shop in the first place? Where did it come from? Who did it belong to? Was it once a treasured possession? Did it belong to someone who performed in the Opera? There are so many questions that I could ask but alas I am never to know the answers. It is up to me to use my imagination, and yours too?
In 2014 WADAOS produced and performed 'Up Pompeii' directed by the late Elizabeth Simpson.
In May 2014, just before the Rosehill Theatre closed for renovation the group again proved how versatile it is by deciding to give a version of Frankie Howard’s classic T.V, show from the 1970’s “Up Pompeii” which was directed by Elizabeth Simpson with great enthusiasm and the cast certainly rose to the challenge.
Elizabeth herself took the role of Senna, the Soothsayer, ‘Woe, woe, and thrice woe’ came to be anticipated by the audience and we know they thoroughly enjoyed the performance. Ian Quirk was a brilliant Lurcio who had an astounding amount of script to learn and he played the camp character to perfection. Ann Simpson was a joy as Suspenda, ‘the well-known nymphomaniac and beauty’ and her scenes with Gavin Dodd as Ludicrus Sextus were hilarious.
The cast also included Greta Gregg as Ammonia, Alistair Jones as Captain Treacherus and Ripley Steele as Treacherus’ sidekick, Kretinus.
