On October 16th 1900 several people interested in amateur theatre formed the ‘Lincoln Amateur Operatic
Society’ and decided to produce the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, ‘The Yeoman of the Guard’. Over the next few
years many of the operettas were performed at various halls around the city. Eventually, The Theatre Royal
became their ‘home’. The rehearsal room was a small building in ‘Clarke’s Yard, Brayford’, now the Odeon
cinema.
In the 1930s the Musical Comedies became more popular and the type of shows such as ‘Rose Marie’ and
‘Show Boat’ took over. During the 1940-45 year’s many of the members, who still resided in Lincoln, made
entertainment for the HM Forces, their contribution towards keeping the spirits if these people high.
In 1946, to restart the society’s activities in the city, five plays were performed at the ‘South Bar Church’ in the High
Street and in 1947 the musical ‘The Arcadians’ was produced again at the Theatre Royal. In the 50th year, ‘The
Yeoman of the Guard’ was a second show with ‘Rainbow Inn’ being their annual production. More modern shows
took over and in 1957 ‘South Pacific’ was produced. This was greeted with enthusiasm by the American Army
Base at Sturgate who willingly loaned authentic props and taught the men the American accent. Luckily the
‘CREW CUTS’ were ‘IN’ that year! Time went on and old and new favourites took the place of Gilbert and Sullivan.
In the 1980s ‘Olde Time Music Hall’ were the rage and members took part in many of these shows for OAP
homes and various ‘Women’s Institutes’ all over the county.
But, in 1975, ‘Half a Sixpence’, heralded the way for the next type of production at the Theatre Royal. These have
gone from hits like ‘Hello Dolly’, ‘Oliver’, ‘Cabaret’ and ‘La Cage Aux Follies’ to ‘42nd Street’ (which was taken by
many of our members to Exeter for a weeks run) and ‘My Fair Lady’ the winner of our 1st NODA Shield for the best
performance in the Eastern Region. There have been two more shields for ‘South Pacific’ and ‘The Boyfriend’.
Four our centenary we produced ‘Mack and Mabel’, we also held a reunion day, which was attended by many ex-
members (even from Canada and the U.S.A.) and a celebration ball at Lincoln Assembly Rooms. A the present
time there are 4 members holding the NODA stars for 55 years, with 50 years service gold bars and numerous
25, 15 and 10 year badges.
Society’ and decided to produce the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, ‘The Yeoman of the Guard’. Over the next few
years many of the operettas were performed at various halls around the city. Eventually, The Theatre Royal
became their ‘home’. The rehearsal room was a small building in ‘Clarke’s Yard, Brayford’, now the Odeon
cinema.
In the 1930s the Musical Comedies became more popular and the type of shows such as ‘Rose Marie’ and
‘Show Boat’ took over. During the 1940-45 year’s many of the members, who still resided in Lincoln, made
entertainment for the HM Forces, their contribution towards keeping the spirits if these people high.
In 1946, to restart the society’s activities in the city, five plays were performed at the ‘South Bar Church’ in the High
Street and in 1947 the musical ‘The Arcadians’ was produced again at the Theatre Royal. In the 50th year, ‘The
Yeoman of the Guard’ was a second show with ‘Rainbow Inn’ being their annual production. More modern shows
took over and in 1957 ‘South Pacific’ was produced. This was greeted with enthusiasm by the American Army
Base at Sturgate who willingly loaned authentic props and taught the men the American accent. Luckily the
‘CREW CUTS’ were ‘IN’ that year! Time went on and old and new favourites took the place of Gilbert and Sullivan.
In the 1980s ‘Olde Time Music Hall’ were the rage and members took part in many of these shows for OAP
homes and various ‘Women’s Institutes’ all over the county.
But, in 1975, ‘Half a Sixpence’, heralded the way for the next type of production at the Theatre Royal. These have
gone from hits like ‘Hello Dolly’, ‘Oliver’, ‘Cabaret’ and ‘La Cage Aux Follies’ to ‘42nd Street’ (which was taken by
many of our members to Exeter for a weeks run) and ‘My Fair Lady’ the winner of our 1st NODA Shield for the best
performance in the Eastern Region. There have been two more shields for ‘South Pacific’ and ‘The Boyfriend’.
Four our centenary we produced ‘Mack and Mabel’, we also held a reunion day, which was attended by many ex-
members (even from Canada and the U.S.A.) and a celebration ball at Lincoln Assembly Rooms. A the present
time there are 4 members holding the NODA stars for 55 years, with 50 years service gold bars and numerous
25, 15 and 10 year badges.
| Lincoln Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society |
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