A   SHORT HISTORY OF THE AXMINSTER OPERATIC SOCIETY

Axminster Operatic Society was formed in 1926; the first production was HMS Pinafore.   Dr W Langran was President with Mrs F G Swan being both Hon Producer and Stage Manager.   The Musical Director was Mr W C Walton.    Performances took place at The Drill Hall , now The Thomas Whitty Centre. Early programmes show that the Society travelled to Chard, Lyme Regis and Seaton for one night at each venue to put on the same show.   Back then ‘show week’ was in May. It moved to November in 1954.    Shows moved to The Guildhall in 1935.

The Society flourished in the pre-war years with many Axminster worthies taking part on stage and behind the scenes.   You may remember the names of Tom Mayo, Emmie Sheppard, Lewis and Norman Cawley, Harold Trott, Don and Phyllis McNeil, Scott & Kath Rowe, Margaret Pike, E. G. Kirby and Marjorie Rowe.   In 1939 war prevented further productions.    Later, a few enthusiastic members made brave attempts to revive the Society.   The obstacles were many and it was not until 1954 that they were rewarded and the Society performed ‘The Quaker Girl’ at The Guildhall.    The President then was Emmie Sheppard with John Kent as Chairman.   The Producer was Scott Rowe and Harold Mearing Musical Director.    In 1956, Leonard Crump travelled from Exeter by train to be producer and continued until 1983; his wife Edythe was choreographer.   There was a short break between 1961 until 1965 when the Society did not perform due to major refurbishments at the Guildhall.    Since then there have been productions at The Guildhall every year.  

After the Second World War, the Society re-formed and re-opened at The Guildhall with 'The Quaker Girl' in 1954 . The Guildhall   was eventually sold and converted into the Plaza Cinema where many more shows were produced. However, the Society received a big setback when the cinema closed and no suitable hall could be found for the 1962 production and so the Society   lapsed. Fortunately, Axminster Parish Council bought and re-converted   the Plaza to The Guildhall once again and the Society was able to form again to produce 'No, No Nanette' in 1965.

Ivy Rowe started with the Society in 1926 as accompanist and was thrown in at the deep end by being appointed musical director when the Society re-formed after the war, retiring in 1983.   Her husband, Ralph, was a great support to her by babysitting and eventually joined the men's chorus, as did her son, John. Daughter Sylvia and her husband, Geoff Thresh, became active members of the Society too.   Another family link with the Society and stalwart of those post war years was Margaret Rowe, cousin and sister-in-law to Ivy, who took over as accompanist when ill-health forced Mrs Lucy Tonkins, who was then the accompanist, to retire.  

Margaret was associated   with the Society for eight years, starting with ‘The Vagabond’ King. At one stage her husband, Stanley, and sons, David and Bill were also involved.   Later, her daughter, Jean, appeared on stage many times and has been both Chairman and Secretary of the Society; she is now our prompt.   As in the song sung by Captain Andy in Show Boat - 'Just One Big Happy Family'!