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The Society was founded in 1920 and gave its first production in 1921 - The Mikado. An original programme and press reviews of the show survive together with some publicity photographs. Some members of The Lyme Regis Choral Society decided that a wider audience could be reached if contemporary operatic performances were presented. The result was a change of name to the Lyme Regis Choral and Operatic Society and The Mikado, which was so popular that more performances followed. Today the Lyme Regis Operatic Society presents a major production each May and carries on the traditions founded in 1920. The Society is renowned for the strength of its chorus, which is founded upon the good works of today's President Mr. Brian Manners, who, as Head of Music for many years at the local Woodroffe School trained a good proportion of the current members. Brian was Musical Director of the Society for a considerable period and even today acts as our repetiteur. In 1971 the Society presented "Golden Revenge" written by Roy Deasy with music by Brian. This show was written to celebrate the Golden Anniversary of the Society and the Revenge comes from a small fishing boat "The Revenge of Lyme" known to have sailed from Plymouth to engage the Spanish Armada. This show deserves to be heard again. Aspects of the history of the Society continue to emerge and this page will be updated from time to time to fill in gaps and add new information. |
