Buttershaw St Paul's AODS

The inaugural meeting was held in April 1932.  Ronnie Sutcliffe (who was church choirmaster at St Paul’s Church) became Hon Musical Director, Earnest Hardwick (a church warden) became Hon. Secretary and members of the Choir and Parishioners formed the rest of the members with Lois Wilson (lead soprano in the choir) as the Society’s first leading lady.

 

Without enough money to put on an operetta, the Society formed a Black and White Concert Party to raise funds.

 

The concert party had around ten members, who wore black and white outfits as their costumes, and their concerts raised enough money to present H.M.S Pinafore in the school rooms for three nights in January 1934. The producer/director was Archie Connell who was assisted by, his daughter, Mary Connell (Akeroyd). The production cost £65 to stage, there were 32 people in the cast and they played to audiences of up to 295 people.

 

Forced to cancel the planned production of Rio Rita, and close during wartime, Wildflower in 1939 saw the last production by the society until 1947 when they once again pulled in the crowds with an adult version of Cinderella.

 

The society moved to the Library Theatre in 1978 where they gave Desert Song. However they were forced to find a new venue when the Library Theatre closed.  St George's Hall proved to be the best candidate and the Society opened their first show there in 1991 giving the fabulous Die Fledermaus.

 

Ronnie Sutcliffe was MD until his death in 1964, Lois Wilson became President, serving until 1983 and Mary Connell directed her last show for the Society in 1984.  The last founder member, Marion Birkenshaw, passed away in 2013.

 

Today Buttershaw St Paul's AODS is approximately 130 members strong including a very healthy Junior section.

A thriving Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society, Buttershaw St Paul's continues to wow audiences and support local charities year on year.