Glossop Operatic and Dramatic SocietyThe Society
Officially the basic reason for our existence is to provide entertainment and education in the arts to the Glossop public. This formal statement of our aims provides the framework resulting in thousands of hours of enjoyment for cast and audience alike.
North West Best Pantomime 2004/5
While the Victoria Hall was available we usually produced two shows a year - a traditional pantomime or similar family show a few weeks before Christmas, and a mainstream musical aimed at a wider audience each spring. For the wider Glossop community our shows form part of the local calendar, and typically 2,500 people saw our shows each year.
Recently our venue has been Glossopdale Community College where timetabling has limited us to pre-Christmas pantomimes.
For the cast, each show is culmination of three months of workshops covering acting, singing and dancing. All involve a mixture of training, rehearsal and hard work to build on the cast members' interest and develop it to performance standard.
Parts are usually available for principals and for chorus members (specialised dancers as well as general chorus) giving opportunities for various levels of ability, and with parts for primary school children being available in our Christmas shows. We are lucky to have a vast amount of local talent, and the cast for each show is selected by audition.
The auditions are advertised on this web site, in the local press and on the community notice boards at the entrance to the Market Hall. Although auditions are competitive, there are no Simon Cowells on our casting committee, and auditions are held in a supportive and friendly environment.
Recognition of the Society's work has included nominations and an award in the "Best of the North West" awards of the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA). The Society was awarded Best Pantomime for our production of A Christmas Carol (Dir. Ken Redfern), and was nominated for Best Musical Director for My Fair Lady (MD Simon Murray).
Our role in providing education in the arts took a step forward in 2010 when the Society became involved with Arts Award. This nationally recognised qualification for 11 - 25 year-olds is validated by Trinity Guildhall under the leadership of the Arts Council. To gain the award the student must undertake specified work and present evidence through an Adviser.
History:
Glossop Operatic and Dramatic Society was formed in 1976, growing from what was formerly the Glossop School PTA Choir when several choir members got together to discuss the possibility of putting on a show. A public appeal in the press led to a general gathering of interested parties, and after the usual formalities of forming a committee and consitution, it was decided to present Gilbert and Sullivan's Mikado in the October of 1976.
GODS has continued for the following thirty-five years as a membership-based voluntary organisation, registered as a charity, with the members choosing a committee and officers who run the affairs of the Society. The committee appoints a production team for each show, comprising a Director, Choreographer and Musical Director (who interpret and develop the artistic aspects of the work), the Stage Manager (who plans and executes the staging and realisation), and the Production Manager (who acts as producer on behalf of the Society, managing human and physical resources). Members and friends of the Society provide help ranging from set construction and painting, to Front of House staff and Dressing Room attendants.
Through the workshops of rehearsals, involvement of non-performing members, and audience experience, GODS is helping to build the Glossopdale community from which it draws much of its strength.
updated DPS 22/01/2010