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Celebrating 50 Years of Musical Productions
By Mick Jensen - Hundreds of people have been involved with Variety Theatre Ashburton productions over the years.
And all of them are invited to a party to celebrate 50 years of shows, rehearsals and curtain calls.
Known as the Ashburton Operatic Society since 1966, the local
theatrical group has touched the life of many amateur thespians and
musicians over the years.
“It’s great to be celebrating 50 years of bringing musical theatre to
the Ashburton public. The jubilee will be an occasion to catch up and
to reminisce about all of the great shows that have been performed over
the years,” said society life member Margaret Jackson.
Four hundred invites had been sent, but if anyone had been missed, now was the time to sing out, she said.
Mrs Jackson is a foundation member of the society and like a number of others is still actively involved today.
She, along with fellow foundation members Mona Reddecliffe and Alan
McQuarters, has been recognised by Musical Theatre New Zealand for
services to musical theatre.
Margaret’s son, Mike, appeared in a couple of productions in the 1970s
and now two of her grandchildren, Kelsey and Ryan Jackson, have also
caught the performing bug and have parts in the society’s latest
production, Salute to Broadway.
The latest offering will be something like show number 80 for the amateur performers.
The party planned to celebrate the society’s jubilee will be held over
the same weekend as Salute to Broadway kicks off at the Ashburton Trust
Events Centre.
Party revellers will catch up for drinks and nibbles in the operatic
rooms on the Friday, May 14 before a formal lunch at the Hotel
Ashburton and pre-show drinks in the events centre’s Bradford Room the
following day.
Sunday is reserved for morning tea and a tour of the Events Centre.
Salute to Broadway will then take centre stage from May 15-22.
The society’s first production in the old Regent Theatre was in May 1961 when it presented The Boyfriend.
These days the society’s quality productions are performed in a quality facility, the Ashburton Trust Events Centre.
Anyone interested in attending the birthday celebrations can contact
the chairman of the jubilee committee, Yvonne Harrison, on 308 3761.
Tickets for the latest production are now on sale as well.
Mike Jackson, Margaret Jackson with her two grandchildren Kelsey (17)
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and Ryan (10) Jackson in front of the society’s own Operatic Rooms on
Wills Street.
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