The Story of the Lincolns
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.
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.
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Lincoln Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society. Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. By Chris Hayes All photos and original artwork are Copyright of LincolnAODS © 2006.
