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

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

Review published in the EDP 28th December 2004

Show goes on despite illness - and it's a good all-rounder.

by IAN CLARKE (Chief Reporter)

It was no laughing matter for Dereham Operatic Society when one of the leading characters in the end-of-year slapstick panto was taken ill on the eve of the curtain going up.

Chris Carroll - who plays Jack's brother Simple Simon - went down with the dreaded bug.

But the show had to go on - and it did in fine style to the delight of a very healthy first-day audience as experienced Fakenham actor Nick Bird stood in at the last minute to fill Simple Simon's boots.

The well-known and well-loved show has been updated this year and in true panto style had all the bad jokes, madcap antics and audience participation that we expect.

No local production would be the same without some good local gags - and even Breckland Council leader Cliff Jordan and his large allowances budget got a mention.

Nick Bird quite rightly got a rousing ovation and the evergreen Dereham dame Tony Wilds produced his usual top-rate performance.

Piccalli the wicked witch (Marea Smithson) was excellently portrayed as an Anne Robinson figure.

With clever special effects, colourful costumes and scenery, and a range of well-known songs such as Money Makes the World Go Round, Bring Me Sunshine and Reach for the Stars, it was a good all-round production.

Cast List

Producer/Director

Jill Jarman

Musical Director

Ian Futers

Choreographer

Heather Millan

Jack

Joan Syrett

Dame Dotty Dibble

Tony Wilds

Simple Simon