Formed in 1937 and still going strong, the Society is one of Adelaide’s longest-lived community theatre groups. From modest beginnings with social evenings and soirees amongst members featuring excerpts from Gilbert & Sullivan, the Society’s confidence and aspiration grew and after a three year break commencing in 1943 “due to the serious state of the war” the Society mounted Trial By Jury as its first theatre production. The Society has put on productions every year since. From 1966, generally two a year.
In 1987 the Society started to broaden its repertoire and mounted Die Fledermaus, the first of its non Gilbert and Sullivan productions. Since then its regular program of Gilbert and Sullivan works has been interspersed with others from classic operetta (The Merry Widow) classic musical (Camelot, My Fair Lady, Oklahoma!), modern musicals (Les Misérables, Jesus Christ Superstar) and, most recently, The Secret Garden, Oliver! and The Sound of Music.
The Society is governed by a Board of Management with representative skills in management and theatre and operates under a rolling three-year strategic plan. Our vision is to be the music theatre company of choice for audiences and performers. We are proud of our ability to create opportunities for young and emerging artists and of our reputation that has seen national and international performers pass through our ranks and return.
The Society is self-funding, entirely voluntary and receives no government funding.