WHO ARE WE?

Founded in 1933, Denmead Operatic Society is now one of the leading amateur operatic societies in the South of Hampshire, dedicated to promoting the operatic and dramatic arts in the region, through performances and workshops.

We specialise in the works of W.S. Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan, but also encompass some of the less frequently performed operettas and musicals of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. We have performed works by Offenbach and Noel Coward.

Today, Denmead Operatic Society continues to flourish with some 25 members, many of long-standing and considerable experience, and others of the younger generation who we hope will continue the high standards which have been established and maintained over the years.

We are a friendly group and always extend a warm welcome to new members. We rehearse once a week in Purbrook (see REHEARSALS below), and generally put on one costumed production a year, with orchestra or band, plus a number of concerts, often to raise money for other charities. We generally perform at smaller venues, such as schools and village halls, but are always pleased to return to the Denmead War Memorial Hall, which we regard as our home.

Take a look at our Archives page to see what we have done in the past. Look at the Next Production page to see what we are planning next. If you like what you see, why not come along and Join Us?

Click here to see a map of how to find us.

A 1950s production of The Pirates of Penzance

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

Although founded as "Denmead Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society" (as can just be seen in the banner over the stage in the picture on the left), somehow over the years the words "Amateur" and "Dramatic" were dropped. Our records do not indicate why or when this change took place, but for many years, the society concentrated on operetta and did not perform any plays. In the Spring of 2002, the Society returned to its roots and, for the first time in many decades, a two-part programme was presented comprising a Victorian Melodrama (Constance Cox's Murder at the Red Barn) and a Victorian Music Hall, which was taken on tour to various village locations.

In 2001, the Society extended its musical repertoire and has ventured further afield with performance venues in the professional theatre. In addition, we have sought, and acquired, some commercial sponsorship. Because of this it was necessary to establish a commercial trading name and we have now registered Noteworthy Productions with the National Operatic and Dramatic Association. We continue to be Denmead Operatic Society and will use this title as before, but whenever we feel it might be more commercially prudent to do so, we may use the alternative title of Noteworthy Productions.

Denmead Operatic Society's slogan is "Worthy of Note" and we therefore thought it appropriate to name the commercial arm of the Society Noteworthy Productions. Please be reassured that Denmead Operatic Society will continue to operate as before, in both name, type and quality of performance.

2001 production of La Vie Parisienne

AIMS OF THE SOCIETY

• To promote the dramatic, operatic and musical arts through performances, concerts and workshops.
• To develop the skills of the members of the Society.

... but above all, to enjoy what we do!

REHEARSALS

We meet for rehearsals every Tuesday evening at:

St Faith's Church Hall

East Pallant

Havant  PO9 1EA

Rehearsals start at 7.30pm and finish at 10pm, with a break for tea or coffee at about 9pm.

We occasionally rehearse on Thursday evenings, when the show date approaches, and usually hold the dress rehearsal on the Sunday before the week of the show.

Click here for a map of where to find us.

STRUCTURE OF THE SOCIETY
2007 - 2008

A BRIEF HISTORY OF DENMEAD OPERATIC SOCIETY

The Society was suspended during the war years but re-opened in December 1945 with a succession of performances including plays, pantomimes, nativity plays and musical evenings.

In 1952, it was decided to alter the style of performance and to concentrate in the future on full stage productions of Gilbert and Sullivan Operas. This change of policy resulted in the production of HMS Pinafore in November 1952. The Society is s now one of the few societies in the region which performs these masterpieces of comic opera.

By 1972 the society had outgrown the facilities and the physical size of its "home", the Denmead War Memorial Hall, and for the following 20 years the venue for its productions was Purbrook Park School.

Encouraged by the quality of its membership, the decision was taken in 1991 to move to the New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth, for its annual production. This move was another landmark in a long and distinguished existence. The opera chosen for this memorable occasion was "Patience", which ran from October 22nd to October 26th, with full traditional chorus and orchestra to enhance the splendid music.

In May 1993, Denmead Operatic Society became a Registered Charity, and the 60th anniversary of the formation of the society was celebrated in October 1993

We have established links with an amateur operatic society in Eindhoven, Holland, and several exchange visits have taken place. In 1985 the Society was honoured to be invited by the National Trust to take its production of The Mikado to the Open Air Festival at Polesden Lacey, to mark the centenary of the opera. More than 2000 people attended the performances. Another cause for pride in the Society has been the award of seven prizes by the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) for the design and content of our programmes, culminating  in a National First Prize.

The Society spent many happy years at the New Theatre Royal, but found it increasingly difficult to attract our traditional audience to the theatre, through the sometimes intimidating crowds of revellers that invariably fill Guildhall Walk. In 2001, with our production of Cowardy Custard (a revue-style show based on the words and music of Noel Coward) it was decided to try taking our productions to the people by using some different, smaller, venues, including halls in Purbrook, Meonstoke, Horndean and Denmead and the Alexandra Theatre in Bognor Regis. This approach was very successful and has been adopted ever since.

Although we will never desert them completely, the Society has extended its repertoire away from Gilbert and Sullivan, to take in other light operas, such as Offenbach's La Vie Parisienne, revue style shows like Cowardy Custard and old time music halls. We have also gone back to our roots by performing plays again, with the production in 2002 of Constance Cox's Murder at the Red Barn.

Find out more about past performances, visit the Archives page.

HOW TO CONTACT US

For further information about the Society, please contact us in any of the following ways:

MEMBERS AND PATRONS

Denmead Operatic Society has a number of different categories of membership: full Performing members, Concert members, Junior and Student members, Life and Honorary members and Guests.

For people who want to support the Society without becoming involved in the performances, becoming a Patron is a cost-effective way of keeping in touch and giving the society your support.

Find out how you could become more involved with the society on the Join Us page.

AFFILIATIONS

Denmead Operatic Society is affiliated to the National Operatic and Dramatic Association - NODA.

We are also founder members of the International Gilbert and Sullivan Association.

Maps courtesy of Multimap