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Little Shop of Horrors
28 September – 2 October 2010
Evenings 7:45pm Sat. matinee 2:30pm
Winston Churchill Theatre, Pinn Way, Ruislip HA4 7QL
Director: Sarah Stanton Musical Director: Robert Wicks
Box Office: 07905 932 366
COME AND JOIN US!
Either performing or behind the scenes!
About us
- Who we are
- History
- News
- Membership
- Committee
- Helping
- NODA
- Sponsors
- Views
- Who we are
- History
- News
- Membership
- Committee
- Helping
- NODA
- Sponsors
- Views
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We are a lively and enthusiastic society who welcome all into our ‘family’. If you enjoy live theatre, have an interest in singing, dancing or acting come along and join us. Apart from staging some fabulous shows, we have a brilliant social calendar, providing something of interest for everyone!
If you’d like to get involved with the society and play some part in our future, onstage or off, give Membership Secretary Alison a call on 07919 276515.
Or go to the Contact Us page and send us an email. Tell us what you think of our shows or which ones you’d like to see. We’d love to hear from you.
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The Ruislip Musical Society came about as a result of a public meeting held on 17th December 1923. For many months the Society concentrated its efforts on rehearsals, building up a repertoire and adding willing volunteers to the list of members. The first public performance by the Society was a concert version of Merrie England given in April 1925. The handbills advertising the event politely stated that the Society “had spared no pains to do justice to the Opera and hopes it will be the first of many successes.” It was.
The Society decided to change its name to Ruislip Operatic Society in 1935.
In 1939, despite the outbreak of World War II, ROS made the decision to carry on – as far as possible – presenting at least one production each year. The Society is proud that it has maintained an unbroken run since 1925.
During the early war years the fear of imminent invasion led to the introduction of some imaginative schemes designed to confound an invading army. The Society played its part in the war effort by allowing the deletion of part of the word Ruislip from the front page of the programme for each show. Confusing enough for the locals, let alone an enemy force.
ROS continued to thrive in spite of the demands of the war. Tom Jones was performed in June to avoid as much of the blackout as possible and the 1943 show Blossom Time featured a male chorus chiefly comprised of Air Raid Wardens and Home Guards. On a more sinister note, the 1944 presentation of Katinka was performed to a finish despite the sound of the first “doodlebugs” passing overhead, during the finale of Act II.
The programme for the 1961 production of The Gypsy Baron observed that the show cost more than £500 to produce. Those were the days. The budget for each of today’s shows comes in at well over twenty thousand pounds and every seat must sell to make even a modest profit.
1972 was the year of the power crisis and the chorus regularly arrived at Thursday rehearsals for The Grand Duchess with candles and paraffin lamps, in case of power cuts.
ROS chose to celebrate its 75th anniversary in 1998 by presenting “the musical of the century”, My Fair Lady. Its appeal was confirmed when the show was sold out weeks before opening night. Since then, ROS has welcomed audiences to a range of productions; each designed to showcase the Society’s talents. From the swashbuckling fun of The Pirates of Penzance – Broadway Version to the dark complexities of Sweeney Todd, ROS does its best to make an impact on the audience.
NEWS 2010
- 19 Jul Society Wins Awards
- 03 Jun ROS AGM – Thurs 24 June
- 26 May NO REHEARSALS 27 MAY
- 12 May New website launches
- 05 May ROS at the Medieval festival
- 05 May Rehearsals for Little Shop of Horrors begin
19 July Society Wins Awards
At the recent NODA AGM ROS was proud to win the Shinfield Trophy for best set design for Blitz! This award is made to the society which designs and builds the best set in the London area in 2009/2010. Alan Bailey received the award and dedicated it to the late John Edwards who had been instrumental in the set’s construction.
The society was also nominated for the Kathleen Oyler award for best chorus work for Blitz and Sheila Rawles was nominated for Best Female Character for Mrs. Blitzstein.
ROS was also awarded Highly Commended for the Poster Design for The Farndale Mikado.
03 June ROS AGM – Thurs 24 June
Come to the ROS Annual General Meeting at St Martin’s Church Hall, Ruislip. The formal part of the meeting begins at 8pm and will finish at approx 9.15pm with drinks served both before and afterwards.
An opportunity to meet a wide range of ROS members, some you may know some you may not, but it is one big family so you will be very welcome – and perhaps you may wish to get more involved…
26 May NO REHEARSALS 27 MAY
There are no rehearsals this Thursday, 27 May.
The next and final of the audition rehearsals will take place at St Martins, Thursday 3 June at 7.30pm.
12 May New website launches
During May 2010 we launched our new websites for ROS, ROS StageWorks and the ROS StageWorks Summer School. An exciting new venture enabling us to reach our audience and members quickly and efficiently, providing up to date information about shows and social events. An opportunity to show photos, tell our history, membership details, committee members(who to contact), how to help, NODA details, Sponsors and views from our members and audience!
05 May ROS at the Medieval festival
ROS will be attending the Medieval festival at the Manor Farm in Ruislip on the 14 and 15 August 2010. Come and meet us and join in the exciting festivities…
05 May Rehearsals for Little Shop of Horrors begin
Rehearsals for Little Shop of Horrors begin on Thursday the 20th May, 7.30pm at St. Martin’s Church Hall, Ruislip – all members, new and old are welcome – bring a friend!
Membership
As a Performing Member – you are entitled to participate in some or all of our various productions throughout the year and also enjoy the wide range of social activities.
As a Non-Performing Member – you are invited to take part in and enjoy the wide range of social activities organised during the year.
As a Friend of ROS – you are invited to take part in and enjoy the wide range of social activities organised during the year.
2009/2010 Rates
Membership of ROS requires payment of an annual subscription. For the 2009/2010 season, subscription rates are:
Full Performing Membership – £50.00 per annum
Non-Performing Membership – £50.00 per annum
Student Membership – £20.00 per annum
Friend of ROS Membership – £15.00 per annum
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Chairman – Susan Maycraft
Vice Chairman – Andrew Jones
Secretary – Eric Martin
Treasurer - Ian Green
Membership Secretary – (Vacant)
Social Secretary – Andrea Bright
Publicity Manager – Oliver Spinks
Business Manager - Jackie Quaif
Committee Members - Sue Brown, Beckie Miles and Nazilia Priedon
Friends of ROS Secretary – Sheila Rawles
Mailing List Secretary – Heather Darby
Librarian - Sue Brown
Facts you may or may not wish to know about some of our committee:
Chairman – Susan Maycraft
Susan has been a performing member since featuring in Fiddler on the Roof in 1992.
Business Manager - Jackie Quaif
Jackie joined ROS in 1994 for Chorus of Disapproval and never left. She is lucky enough to be married to a society member who understands…
Helping
Please come and help us…
- Committee members
- Painting
- Set building
- Refreshments
- Chaperones
- Props
- Costumes
- Stage crew
- Publicity and leaflet distribution
Upcoming events to help with
Ruislip has talent…
We require help with our next production. Do you have a flair for sewing? Would you like to make some costumes? Talent with a hammer? Help our set builders! Send us your details...
Medieval Festival – Weekend 14/15 August
Help is required to 'man our stall' and hand out leaflets…
Members and non members welcome
Contact: Susan Maycraft
Noda
The National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) was founded in 1899 ‘to protect and advance the interests of Operatic and Dramatic Art, and of Societies engaged therein’. ROS is an active and enthusiastic member, one of 2,500 amateur societies and 3000 individual members throughout the UK.
The aims are…
• To give a shared voice to the amateur theatre sector
• To help amateur societies and individuals achieve the highest standards of best practice and performance
• To provide leadership and advice to enable the amateur theatre sector to tackle the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century
Stockists of all leading makes of dancewear.
We stock all your
dancewear needs.
Pointe shoe fitting, Teletone taps fitted, Character skirts in stock or made to measure, costumes made to your design, Irish dance shoes and socks, ballroom shoes, wedding shoes and Holy Communion shoes.
16 Long Drive, South Ruislip. 020 8845 7270
Projecting a powerful message to the right audience
at the right time…
Business cards, brochures, logos, flyers, adverts, exhibitions, marketing, html emails, presentations
and much more…
+44 20 8868 3737
contact@kineticmcd.co.uk
www.kineticmcd.co.uk
New look for us!
Maybe a new haircut for you?
Have a complimentary cup of tea or coffee and enjoy one of our treatments!
Very friendly atmosphere -
all are welcome.
5 Black Horse Parade, High Road, Eastcote
T: 020 8868 0796
Joel Veterinary Clinic
Consultations by appointment.
Monday to Friday
9-11.30am • 3-4pm • 5-7pm
Joel Street Farm, Eastcote,
Pinner HA5 2PD
T: 020 8868 3311
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Dance Partners - Stockists of dancewear
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Nazilia - Professional makeup artist
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Kinetic - Design Consultancy
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First Impressions - Hair Stylists
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Joel Veterinary Clinic - Vets
Just a few things people have said...
Past Productions
- 2010 Blitz!
- 2009 ‘Farndale’ Mikado
- 2009 Chess
VIEW ARCHIVE »
- 2010 Blitz!
- 2009 ‘Farndale’ Mikado
- 2009 Chess
2010 Blitz!
Full of feisty characters and appealing songs, Lionel Bart’s Blitz! tells the story of an East End community fighting the battle of the home front in between the air raids, early in WWII.
Sending soldiers off to war and evacuees to a safer life in the country, those who are left to face Hitler’s bombs struggle to maintain some sort of normality, day to day.
2009 ‘Farndale’ Mikado
The ladies of The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Operatic Society brought their own special brand of musical theatre to Ruislip. Their show featured all The Mikado’s best bits, including quite a few of its most famous songs, but added a certain something. In fact, those who saw it wonder why anyone still bothers with the traditional version…
2009 Chess
The World Chess Championships are taking place against a Cold War backdrop. American faces Russian and feelings run high. Rivals in love as in chess, who will win the game? Away from the spotlight, political intriguers add to the atmosphere of mistrust and manipulation. Chess – lyrics by Tim Rice, music by Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson – sets the eternal love-triangle to song in a classic rock opera.
2008 ‘Forum’
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, by Stephen Sondheim, tells the story of Pseudolus, a Roman slave obsessed with gaining his freedom. His romantic young master Hero promises to grant that freedom if Pseudolus will help him win the heart of the girl he loves. Unfortunately, she is a courtesan promised to a military hero. Comical misunderstandings abound. Songs include Comedy Tonight.
2008 The Gypsy Baron
Sandor Barinkay returns from political exile to find a band of gypsies camped on land near his ruined castle. Falling in love with the gypsy princess, Sandor incurs the wrath of the local mayor, who had hoped to marry his own daughter off to the returning hero and benefit from the fortune believed to be buried in the castle grounds. Laughter and skulduggery, with music by Johann Strauss.
2007 BOB 5
The 5th in our ‘Best of Broadway’ series – featuring a fabulous selection of solo, group and choral showstoppers from a wide variety of musicals – something for everyone.
2007 Half a Sixpence
Based on H.G. Wells novel Kipps, Half a Sixpence tells the story of a shop boy who inherits money and climbs the social ladder, almost losing his childhood sweetheart along the way. It takes the loss of his fortune to make him see that cash can’t buy you happiness. The show features many rousing numbers, like Money to Burn, Flash Bang Wallop and Party on the House.
2006 Oliver!
Lionel Bart set Charles Dickens’ tale of orphan boy Oliver Twist to song and produced one of the world’s best-loved musicals. “It’s a Fine Life”, “Food Glorious, Food”, “Who Will Buy?”, “Oom Pah Pah” and “As Long as He Needs Me” help to chart the progress of the innocent who fell among thieves but eventually found love and security with his long-lost family.
2006 Fiddler on the Roof
In pre-revolutionary Russia, with the Jewish community living under constant threat of persecution, Tevye the milkman is trying to uphold the traditions of family and community while marrying off his three eldest daughters. But the times they are a-changing and his girls want to make their own choices, evading the clutches of the elderly matchmaker and rejecting many of the hidebound customs of life in Anatevka.
2005 Sweeney Todd
This black comedy concerns the homicidal career of the Demon Barber, falsely imprisoned by a Judge who coveted Sweeney’s wife. Determined to settle the score, Sweeney returns home and – with the aid of his cut-throat razor – exacts a terrible and bloody revenge, cheerfully assisted by his landlady, Mrs Lovett, who is delighted to give new life to her flavourless meat pies.
Gallery
- Shows
- Social
VIEW ARCHIVE »
- Shows
- Social
2008 A Funny Thing Happened…
2008 The Gypsy Baron
2007 The Best of Broadway 5
2007 Half a Sixpence
2006 Oliver!ROS StageWorks / ROS StageWorks Summer School
Theatre workshops for young people
An introduction – for anyone aged 7 to 17 – to the art of performing. Learn to act, sing and dance, regardless of any previous experience, in a safe, supportive environment.
Meeting every Saturday morning in Ruislip, contact Malcolm Unwin on 020 8866 3110 or click on the link below for more details.
Summer School for young people
An opportunity for young performers to take part in a specially adapted (junior) version of a well known musical, after a week of rehearsals and workshops. Audition for the chance to play a leading role or be an all-important member of the chorus.
Click on the link below for more details.
Contact us
We would appreciate your comments
If you have a query, comment or enquiry, please contact the relevant person listed in the box to the right. If you are unsure who to contact please email the general address and your enquiry will be forwarded to the correct person.
Advertising
Oliver Spinks
publicity@ruislipos.org
07746 384899
Box Office
07905 932366
boxoffice@ruislipos.org
Members
Alison Coe
members@ruislipos.org
07919 276515
General Enquiries
Production Secretary
Lynn Jackson
production@ruislipos.org
07722 502444
