January 2020

🎭 Guys and Dolls – Congratulations!

A huge congratulations to everyone involved in Guys and Dolls!
We received a fantastic adjudication from GMDF (Greater Manchester Drama Federation), with praise across the board β€” costumes, orchestra, sound, and our innovative use of screens.

While we have not yet received a review from NODA District 1, we are thrilled to announce we received ten nominations.
Special congratulations to Gary Jones-McCaw, who won the award for Best Leading Man in a Musical!


✨ Next Production: Top Hat

Production Team:

  • Claire Sweeney – Musical Director
  • Sebastian (Seb) Lassandro – Director
  • Georgie Smales – Choreographer

Seb will be familiar to some, having performed with Stockport, Ashton, and Dukinfield societies β€” most recently playing MoonFace Martin in β€œAnything Goes.” He also directs for several groups, including the Carver Theatre in Marple and is currently acting at Guide Bridge Theatre. He will be supported technically by Roger Browne, our Society President.

Georgie Smales is a talented choreographer with training in Jazz, Tap, Lyrical Jazz, Musical Theatre, and Commercial. She has an impressive CV including panto work, dancing at the Olympia Grand-Main Stage, and performing in Maleficent at Disneyland Paris. She is currently rehearsing for Saturday Night Fever with South Manchester.

We know both Seb and Georgie will receive a warm welcome from Stockport Operatic Society.


πŸ—“ Key Dates for Top Hat

πŸ“ Venue

St. Andrews Community Church
Gorsey Mount Street (off Webb Lane / off Hall Street)
Stockport, SK1 4DU

πŸŽ‰ Get-Together

  • Wednesday 26th February at 8:15 PM
    Following the Members-Only AGM

🎀 Auditions

  • Wednesday 25th March – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
  • Sunday 29th March – Evening (Times TBC)
  • Monday 30th March – 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM (Movement Workshop for dancers)

🎭 Rehearsals

  • Wednesdays: 6th May – 21st October | 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
  • Mondays: 1st June – 19th October | 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
  • Sundays: 13th September – 18th October | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

🎟 Show Dates

  • Tuesday 27th – Saturday 31st October 2020
    At The Stockport Plaza

πŸ’· Membership Fees (Unchanged from 2019)

  • Annual Fee: Β£30.00
  • Under 18s & Non-Acting Members: Β£20.00
  • Costume Fee: Β£20.00
  • Libretto/Score Hire: Β£25.00 (refundable)
  • Door Admission: Β£1.00 per rehearsal

πŸ’‘ Notes from the Treasurer

The accounts for the year ending 31st December are complete, and we’re pleased to report the Society is in good financial shape. That said, we must continue to spend carefully and focus on ticket sales and fundraising.

Please support us by selling as many tickets as possible β€” family, friends, work colleagues, anyone! Every bit of income helps offset the rising costs of putting on high-quality shows.

Special thanks to those who volunteered last year β€” selling programmes and raffle tickets. More help is always welcome! If you can spare an evening or two, let us know.


πŸ“£ Help Us with Social Media

We’re looking for volunteers to help manage and grow our social media presence.

If you enjoy being active on platforms like Facebook or Instagram and want to help promote our shows, please get in touch. It doesn’t require a huge time commitment β€” the more voices we have, the better!

Contact Claire
πŸ“ž 07967 110017
πŸ“§ clairekeegand@gmail.com


❓ Got Questions?

For any queries about the Society or the upcoming show, please contact:

Mrs Pat Marney – Chairman
πŸ“ž 0161 427 7121 / 07770 772310
πŸ“§ patbrimarn@aol.com