Welcome to the Dereham Operatic Society Website

Box Office :

Tel: 01362 694222

Hallmark,
12 Nelson Pl
Dereham, NR19 1EA

Dereham Memorial Hall, where most of our productions are performed

Dereham Operatic Society is a charitable Trust and was formed in 1948 to offer the local community education and enlightenment in amateur dramatic arts. A very grand way of saying that DOS was formed to entertain the people of Dereham and Norfolk!

Our Shakespearian motto "Mere folk who give distraction are we" comes from Cole Porter's musical "Kiss Me Kate", which we first performed in 1970, and is based upon one of William Shakespeare's most famous plays "The Taming of the Shrew".

We at Dereham Operatic Society, or DOS as we are affectionately known, stage three productions a year including a major musical in the autumn, a pantomime over the Christmas period and a play in the spring. So, as you can see, there is something for everyone.

If you are looking to join one of the premier operatic and dramatic societies in Norfolk as either a performer (we actively encourage all whatever your ability or experience, whether you are a singer, an actor, dancer, or just enjoy being on stage), backstage helper, front of house staff or just looking to purchase some tickets for our next show ........ you need look no further than the Dereham Operatic Society.

Welcome to our website

Quick Contacts

Tickets: 01362 694222

Info: 01362 691667

Chairman
Martyn Rolfe

37 School Ln
Sprowston
Norwich NR7 8TG

martyn dot rolfe at ntlworld dot com
Tel : 01603 408017

Secretary

Julia Havis

email: julia dot havis at btinternet dot com
Tel : 07919 031598

Bookings
Hallmark,
12 Nelson Pl
Dereham, NR19 1EA
Tel : 01362 694222

Rehearsal Studio
The Studio
Rear of Dereham Memorial Hall
61 Norwich Street
East Dereham
Norfolk, NR19 1AD
Tel : 01362 693832

Dereham Operatic Society - Mack & Mabel 2008

Anything Goes at Dereham Memorial Hall

Click on an image to see a larger version

Dereham Times Review
Oct 2008

Life may begin at 40. Well, it is certainly thriving at 60 for Dereham Operatic Society.

Forget the idea of taking things easy and settling for a comfortable existence when reaching a diamond anniversary.

DOS has used the landmark date to prove it is more determined than ever to strive for excellence - and mix vibrant new talent to a team of long-serving performers who continue to turn on the style.

Mack and Mabel - a fast-moving romantic and comedy musical set in the golden age of the silver screen - is technically a very tough show but the gala night audience was given a real 60th birthday treat.

Tracey Gwynne - who joined DOS to make new friends after moving to Mid Norfolk - made a dazzling debut as leading lady Mabel Normand. She wowed the crowd with her fabulous voice and blended in to the group as if she had been with them for years.

New was also the watchword for Trevor Thurston, who directed his first musical for DOS, and for ex-army bandmaster Matt Brown, who was musical director for the first time, and for Kelly Woods, who took the great choreography skills she has developed through the youth company into the adult group.

All three deserve huge credit for their part in such a great show.

The emergence of youth company members such as Annie McCourt, Eleanor Buckingham and Chloe Bailey into the musical also shows the society has a rosy future ahead.

While Tracey trod the boards with DOS for the first time, leading man David Rees (silent movie director Mack Sennett) is in his 26th year with the company but his voice and stage presence are as impressive as ever.

Linda Campbell (Lottie Ames), Martyn Rolfe (Fatty Arbuckle) and Colin and Colleen Harris (Bauman and Ella) are among the other members who have many years of entertaining Dereham crowds behind them and still obviously love to perform.

The one disappointing aspect is the ticket sales for the week.

Yes, money is tight. But there is nothing better to lift the financial doom and gloom than enjoying well-loved music, specially-made film clips cleverly blended into the production and some comedy slapstick moments featuring the Keystone Cops and custard pie fights.

Ian Clarke

Cast List

Mack Sennet	David Rees
Mabel Normand	Tracey Gwynne
Lottie Ames	Linda Campbell
Frank	Nick Bird
Fatty	Martyn Rolfe
Bauman	Colin Harris
Kessel	Kevin Reeve
Mack's Secretary	Julie Hewitt
William Desmond Taylor	Alan Syder
Ella	Colleen Harris

Dancers: Sarah Browne, Julie Hewitt, Jeanie Woods, Eleanor Buckingham, Katie Wicks, Annie McCourt, Pat Tabor

Company: Barry Thorley, Lucy Chandler, Nick King, Heather Neave, Jackie Buckingham, Jenny Medlock, Helen Bailey, Chloe Bailey, Skye Robinson, Arthur Tribe