Matlock Operatic Society has survived a century of highs and lows, covering all the top shows from Oliver to Gigi, My Fair Lady to Kiss Me Kate.

The society started in 1907 and has lead a nomadic lifestyle moving from venue to venue including Victoria Hall, St Elphins and the John Turner house theatre in Darley Dale.

Its first ever production was Erminie at Victoria Hall in Smedley Street.

Steve Clements is producer of the latest show My Fair Lady. He has been with the society since 1975.

Steve said: "It is all about confidence not marvellous singing ability. Anyone can hold a tune. You just have to listen. I was told I was tone deaf at 12 by a music teacher and spent years miming!

"When I joined the society I started off just doing acting roles but then I plucked up the courage to have a go at singing and went on from there.

"The difficulty we have is getting young men to join. It is not something they would usually consider doing but the few that do join stay with us.

"There seems to be a resurrgance in interest in musicals at the moment with all the tv shows such as Joseph and Grease."

John Kersey is society treasurer and has been a member since 1990. He had been watching shows since 1949 before being encouraged to join.

John said: "I got bitten by the bug and have been on the stage ever since. You get the opportunity to be someone completely different, to say and do things you would never do.

"I have had a few villainous roles such as Fagin and Bill Skyes in Oliver. In fact I killed Steve's wife a few times!

"You get a real buzz from performing and that is why people come back to take part time and time again."

Choosing which shows to perform can be a real headache as everyone has an opinion and shows have to be chosen to suit the audience. Perennial favourites include Oliver and My Fair Lady.

Choosing people to play principle roles can be fraught as everyone wants a bite at the plum parts.


John said: "Often people have particular strengths, be it acting, dancing or singing and we need to strike the right balance.

"It is a trade off and we have to pick the right person for the part."

Once the cast is chosen and the rehearsals are underway it seems that it is anything but smooth running as scenery has to be hired, lines have to be learnt and tickets have to be sold.

John said: "Every year we ask ourselves why are we doing this but after every show we are sad that it is over."

The pair helped form Action for Community Theatre in the 1990s as a response to the dwindling number of performance venus in Derbyshire.

The society has to struggle to find a home each year and they are actively campaigning for a community theatre in the Matlock area.


Steve said: "At the minute we are at the Pomegranate in Chesterfield but there have been question marks over its future. If that theatre was to close then there would be a huge hole left as the nearest theatres would be Sheffield and Derby.

"St Elfins was a wonderful site but that has gone now, as has the John Turner House in Darley Dale which was a great place. "The only stage left in Matlock now is at Highfields School."

The reunion will be held on Saturday July 14 at the Imperial Rooms from 7.30pm to 11pm.

There will be displays and exhibitions of old programmes, memorabilia and backstage videos. a quiz on past performances and a pie and pea supper.

Entry is £6. Anyone who would like to attend or contribute items should contact Steve on 01629 760778 or 01629 760780.

For more information on the group visit www.matlock-operatic-society.org.uk