The Operetta Company
Based in Farnworth, the Operetta Company, under the direction of founder and director Allen Christey-Casson, aims at bringing neglected musicals and light operettas to a wider public. The shows presented are now somewhat out of favour with, and usually beyond the resources of, the average amateur musical society, but still attract full houses because of the beautiful music.
The company always puts a great deal of effort into making the sets on such a limited stage work to the advantage of the production. It also gives the company members to enjoy singing 4 (and more) part harmonies.
The Operetta Company was created by Allen Christey-Casson, who had the idea after seeing a "semi-staged" performance of Showboat by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. He said:
- "Opera is a form of entertainment which, despite having a considerable measure of support, is becoming somewhat neglected these days.
- "Full-scale operettas are increasingly expensive to stage and very off-putting for cautious society committees, let alone finding the principals and chorus with the necessary vocal abilities."
- Mr Christey says all forms of amateur entertainment should be presented to the public and would like people to join The Operetta Company.
- He said: "Anyone who no longer trips the light fantastic but likes to exercise the vocal chords is welcome to join.
- "The chorus sing as a choir from vocal scores, the principals use some of the libretto, there is a little acting required and a narrator links the storyline with an orchestra adding the final touch."
The company's first production was Die Fledermaus, by Johan Strauss.Other operettas such as The Student Prince, Summer Song, and The Land of Smiles have all been played to full houses proving the demand for this form of enetertainment.
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Pictured - some members of the company enjoying a reherasal.