Mary Parker Mary’s childhood she said “was filled with music and drama, piano lessons, choirs and visits to the theatre”. Her singing career really took off at sixteen after her debut as Elise Maynard in “The Yeoman of the Guard” with a local G&S Society. In 1055, Mary was accepted at London University on a pilot scheme, specialising in music with a final year at the Royal College of Music. Here she met aspiring composers, sang jazz, learned to extemporise and study opera. Mary also had the enormous privilege of being accompanied in two solos by Sir Benjamin Britten. On returning home, she continued her studies with Elise Thornton at the Manchester College of Music. Mary then auditioned successfully for Sadler’s Wells Opera Company but circumstances prevented her from following a professional career. The professional stages loss was the amateur stage gain. Mary played over 30 principal roles and many other parts from Sigmund Romberg to Steven Sondheim with Dukinfield AODS, Hyde Musical Theatre but principally with Stockport AOS, New Mills AODS and the North Cheshire AODS. Her favourite roles include Julie Jordan (Carousel), Anna (The King & I), Rosabella (Most Happy Fella), Guinevere (Camelot), Lalume (Kismet), Anna (The Merry Widow) and all the Novellos. After retiring from the stage in 1981 Mary spent 11 years as a region rep for NODA North West, Mary was consulted about the development of a new performing arts association. She agreed with the concept and aims of ACT and wanted to be involved. Unfortunately ill health intervened restricting her involvement. Mary’s last role with the amateur theatre movement was as President of Stockport AOS.
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