Society marks 50 shows in spotlight

2:21pm Saturday 5th April 2008

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ANDOVER Musical and Operatic Society (AMOS) is preparing to blow audiences away with their 50th show.

Rehearsals are in full swing as members rehearse their performance of Thoroughly Modern Millie which starts on 13 May at The Lights, Andover and runs for six days.

There are 26 performers in the show including 28-year-old butcher James Quinn from Upper Clatford who leads for the first time.

"It was by chance that I joined the society, I'm only here because someone walked into my shop and asked me to appear in Oliver, so I thought why not? I've been a member for three or four years now."

Leading lady Louise Ellison, aged 27, from Andover, has been a member of AMOS since 2006 and has a long history of performing.

She started dancing at the age of five and attended the Suzanne School of Dancing in Andover for over 10 years.

"I was actively involved in performing arts and took part in a number of school productions such as Oliver!, The Wizard of Oz and A Midsummer Nights Dream," she said.

Keen to dispel misconceptions about the society, marketing and society development officer Paul Marsh, aged 29, said: "We really need more men.

"People get the impression it is full of old people, but as the membership grows the age range continues to develop."

The society had in recent years struggled following the closure of the Cricklade Theatre, but with the re-opening of The Lights Paul says that it is bigger and better than before.

"We are looking to continue to build it up to put AMOS back on the radar for the people of Andover," said Paul.

As well as the upcoming production in May, the society will be performing the Pajama Game in October, and next year The King and I and Scrooge.

For more information about the society go to www.amos-info.co.uk