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Since its inception many people have contributed greatly to make Neath Amateur Operatic Society a success.
It would be an almost impossible task to name everyone involved over the years but three men in particular have to be
mentioned - namely Matthew Davies, Tom Dummer and Evan Lewis.
In 1911 the three went to see a performance of 'Princess ida" by Swansea Amateur Operatic Society and as a result of this
visit the seed was sown to start a society in Neath. Matthew Davies a very well known musician discussed this new venture with members
of his male voice choir and it was decided that a society should be formed. There was an enthusiastic response and subsequently a motif was held
at Gnoll Road Chapel schoolroom. Matthew Davies was appointed musical director and in 1912 the society staged "The Mikado" at Vints HippoDrome (now
the site of the general post office). Ninety one years on and the society performed 'The Hot Mikado' at the Gwyn Hall in May 2003.
In 1913 Neath Amateurs chose 'The Gondoliers' as their show at the Gnoll Hall. Activities were suspended during "The Great War" of
1913-18 but 1919 saw a performance of 'The Yeomen of the Guard' at the Gwyn Hall. Shows continued to be staged at the Gwyn Hall unlike
1926 when the Gilbert and Sullivan opera 'Ruddigore' was performed at the Gnoll Hall.
In 1927 the Society entered the world of musical comedy with 'The Country Girl' and shows such as 'Sibyl', 'Miss Hook of Holland',
'Princess Charming', 'Desert Song', 'A Waltz Dream', 'Nina Resa' and in 1938 'The Maid of the Mountains'. This was the last show
before the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939.
The society once again resumed activities in 1947 and rehearsals took place at a room above The Angel Hotel. 'Katinka' was performed
in November 1946 and hundreds of people failed to gain admission with queues stretching from the Gwyn Hall to Bekania Baptist Chapel!!.
How wonderful it would be if this was the case today.
In November 1949 Jerome Keris 'Show Boat' was staged at The Gnoll Hall. This proved to be a most ambitious project and was a great
'hit' with the public. This old favourite was staged again in 1975 and delighted people with its beautiful music.
It was fitting that a Neath Society should perform 'The Lisbon Story' with music by Harry Parr Davies - Neath's own composer and in 1950 they
held the Welsh Premiere with the composer himself making a visit.
It was by now essential that the Society should find its own headquarters and in 1954 'The Old Mechanics Institute was purchased. Here there were
better facilities for rehearsing and storage.
During the years Neath Amateurs has always prided itself on staging shows newly released for amateurs. As soon as 'The Dancing Years' by Ivor Novells
was released the society made it their choice for their November 1953 productions. In 1955 another Novells show 'Kings Rhapsody' was performed.
1956 saw the first excursion into American musicals when 'Annie Get your Gun' proved a big box office success. After fifty years of waiting "The Merry Widow"
was released for amateur production and Neath was among the first to stage it in 1959.
From 1958 until the present time all shows have been staged at The Gwyn Hall. It was a sad time for the towns 'amateurs' when the Gnoll Hall was demolished and a garage built on the site
1960 Neath staged their first Rodger and Stammerstein show with a wonderful production of 'The King and I". The public response to this show was overwhelming in its praise and this was the same reaction to the 1972 production
We in Neath have been very fortunate in being granted permission to stage shows when they are newly released for 'amateurs' the musical 'My Fair Lady' was chosen for the 1968 production and then with the 1970 production of 'The Sound of Music'
enthralled the capacity audiences. The Society progressed from strength to strength with the production of 'Oliver', 'Mame', 'Irene', 'Funny Girl', 'La Belle', 'Hello Dolly', 'South Pacific', 'Guys and Dolls' and many more.
Having stayed at their headquarters at the Old Mechanics Institute since 1954, it was now obvious that they had to move to larger headquarters and in 1983 the Society moved itself to Lombard Street. The building was transformed by many members into an
excellent place for rehearsing, building scenery and social activities.
In 1988 The Broadway version of 'The Pirates of Penzance' was staged. Many loyal Gilbert and Sullivan fans were very dubious about this 'new version' but to everyone's delight their fears were unfounded and it proved a great box office hit.
Over the years productions have become more and more ambitious not only for the players but for the hard working back stage crew. Imagination, hard work, time and great deal of thought has gone into making scenery and 'props'. Lighting plots have become
far more sophisticated, radio microphones are used and the wardrobe department is always kept busy.
Without their dedication the staging of musicals would be very difficult indeed. Who will forget the transformations of the Gwyn Hall Stage into a chessboard for the staging of the Abba musical 'Chess' in 1994. Wonderful scenery and special effects added to
the success of 'Scrooge' in 2001.
Dancing has always played a large role in many productions. In 1991 many people believed that the big social dance scene with 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' would be impossible to stage. However the twenty one young leads who took part in this wonderful show
proved to the public how talented and dedicated they were.
Many American musicals even chosen by the society in recent years '42nd Street', 'George M', the Welsh Premiere of 'Meet me in St Louis' 'Crazy for You' etc. In 2003 Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Jesus Christ Superstar' was the choice for the November production.
Yet again it proved to be a big success.
In 2000 a Neath Youth Group was formed. They have presented concerts and have taken part in a major production with the Society. They seem to be going from strength to strength and it looks like a good omen for the future of the Society, with the hard work and dedication of youth
director Zoe Richards and musical director Anthony Argyle.
The enthusiasm of its members and the continual support of the people of Neath and District has made the society an institution. Neath, as all amateur operatic societies are indebted to the loyalty and hard work of their excellent musical directors and accompanists over the
years without who much of their success would not have been possible.
Friendships have been formed and even marriages taken place when couples meet through a mutual interest - amateur operatics!
Hopefully we as a society will continue to deserve the support of the public and that Neath Amateur Operatic Society will flourish for the next one hundred years or more!
"Things Past Belong to Memory Alone"
"Things Future are the property of Hope"
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