Fifty years ago a fledgling musical theatre society staged a production of The Pirates of Penzance in Maitland.
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Today, the Maitland Gilbert and Sullivan Musical Society has a membership of 80 who will celebrate the group’s anniversary next week by revisiting their inaugural production.
“It’s just pure rollicking good fun,” the show’s co-director Jeanette Massey said.
She’s been in the society almost 30 years and attributes its success to quality music and members.
“It’s been going for 50 years so we must be doing something right,” Ms Massey said.
“I think it’s because we know what we are; a good, high-class musical society, it’s what we do and what we do well.”
She said of the countless society productions, audiences preferred fun and frivolity over dark or dramatic shows.
“That’s what keeps you going - bums on seats,” Ms Massey said.
“They want to see something that takes them out of their real life and into fantasy.”
The society believes the classic tale of Frederic, a young man sentenced to a lifelong apprenticeship with a band of pirates shortly after meeting the love of his life, will be a favourite with audiences.
In the production that begins next Wednesday, the society will pay tribute to long-time member and pianist Anne Armstrong, who recently died of cancer.
A tombstone prop that features in the show has been painted with Ms Armstrong’s date of birth and a message: “Sadly missed, fondly remembered.”
The first of four Maitland shows will be held at St John’s Hall Maitland at 8pm on May 14.