Whether “life begins at 40” is as true as many people think or hope, may well be confirmed before the end of October this year when the Rushden Amateur Operatic Society celebrates its own 40th birthday by presenting the ever popular musical “Oliver” at the Ritz, Rushden – which will be celebrating its own Golden Anniversary this year.
The R.A.O.S. evolved from an idea of Rushden florist, the late Bernard Palmer, in the Autumn of 1945, when everybody was trying to forget the war and bring the daily life of Britain back to some kind of norm.
Although it was realised that for obvious reasons there was a shortage of male voices, even at that first meeting specific shows, ‘Country Girl’, ‘Quaker Girl’, ‘Hook of Holland’ and Gilbert & Sullivan etc, were discussed – but nothing was confirmed until Mr. Palmer had been to London and reported back on the shows available.  Perhaps we could let Mr. Palmer’s own words set the scene:
In April 1947, “Blossom Time” turned all our labours into full fruit, and gave us a good harvest with which to start our second show.  How much had we learned? – not as much as we thought! but if enthusiasm counted for anything, we were the Stars of the Firmament.  “If you hadn’t such a good wife, your enthusiasm for this Operatic Society would ruin you”, said a member of my staff at this time.
It is theatrical tradition “That the show must go on”, and we still have our Society in Rushden.  All is not hard work, there are lots of laughs.  If it is in your mind to start a society, beware of the practical joker.  There was the very sole occasion when the heroine was being admonished for not taking her piano practice seriously enough.  Nearly in tears, she opens the lid, and all the audience could see a kipper which had been attached thereto!
Now back to the nuts and bolts and people of “Blossom Time” which in the Spring of 1947 was put on as the first live show at the cinematic pride of the area, The Rushden Ritz.
Ticket prices were: Ground Floor from 2/6d up to 7/6d and Gallery the same.  The newly introduced Entertainment Tax skimmed at least 25% of each and all for the government.  However, despite Entertainment Tax and such interesting expenditures as £4. 17. 6d for paint and powder and £1. 10s for “limelights”, the Society made a healthy profit, in excess of £600 on its first production.
An interesting socio-economic comment on the times in supplied by Mr. and Mrs. Percy House, who became members of the Society at its second “official” meeting.  The Houses bought 2 bottles of orange drink (at 1/3d per bottle) for ‘props’ in the show, however, it began to disappear so fast they were forced to water it down to make it last to the end of the run.
Perhaps a further snippet of interest connected with “Blossom Time” at the Ritz all those many years ago, was directed for the Society by Norman Edwards, who himself had played in the London production of the same show with the then enormously popular Richard Tauber in the lead.  Tauber is still a great favourite with many of the older generation through his records.
The Musical Director for “Blossom Time” was the man who remained the Society’s M.D. for 29 years after that first show, Oswald Lawrence, who for 7 years before the war had been the M.D. for the Kettering Operatic Society and who was one of the first ‘stage’ people approached by Bernard Palmer to help in forming the R.A.O.S.  In its 40 years’ history, the Society has only had 4 M.D.’s Oswald Lawrence, Joan Hart, Pauline Longland and the new present M.D. Janet Welsh.
The R.A.O.S. has a proud record of ‘keeping essential people involved’ and working, it seems.  For example, its well known Stage Manager, Len Gomm, has been working ‘behind-the-scenes’ as it were since 1952 and has done a total of 39 shows for the R.A.O.S., 35 of them at the Ritz.  Len has also served the R.A.T.S. since 1963, doing 30 shows with them, 26 of which were also at the Ritz: a total of 69 shows without a miss!  There are several members who have been with the Society for the 40 years of its existence, but only two still ‘tread the boards’, Rene Welsford who says she enjoys playing ‘character’ roles, and Christ Carter.  Both were on stage in “Blossom Time” and will be ‘on stage’ in ‘Oliver’.  Chris Carter was also the first person to audition to become a member of R.A.O.S.
For a successful operatic society, which has given so much pleasure to thousands of people over the past 40 years, and two thirds of whose members know little if anything about things like Entertainment Tax, post war shortages, and post war queues – yes, including those long ones for tickets for “Blossom Time” – but over 8,000 tickets were sold.
Perhaps a quote from our President will help to understand why we are still going strong.
My interest was in the acting aspect – my bell-like singing tones would ensure complete and utter disaster for any musical show.  Fortunately for me all musicals offer “meaty” non-singing roles.
Whatever our calling in life – hobbies are vital.  The amateur stage has provided me with necessary relaxation from the demands of the daily round, and the opportunity to recharge the batteries to face the daily changes with equanimity.

Bert Catlin
President R.A.O.S.