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| l 928 Pocahontas 1929 Highwayman Love 1930 Merry England 1931 The Mikado 1932 Yeoman of the Guard 1933 Miss Hook of Holland 1934 The Gondoliers 1935 The Pirates of Penzance 1936 Iolanthe 1937 The Student Prince Dual Role 1938 The Arcadians 1939 No, No, Nanette 1940 Pygmalion 1941 Billeted Mystery at Greenfingers 1943 Forced Landing Girl in Question 1944 Love from a Stranger 1945 The Blue Goose 1946 Burning Gold 1947 Rose of Araby 1948 Merry England | 1949 The Gondoliers 1950 The Quaker Girl 1951 The Waltz Dream Once Bitten Twice Shy 1952 A Country Girl 1953 Tulip Time 1954 Me and My Girl 1955 The Girl Friend 1956 Bless the Bride 1957 No, No, Nanette 1958 The lilac Domino 1959 Maid of the Mountains 1960 Rose Marie 1961 Rio Rita 1962 The White Horse Inn 1963 Oklahoma! 1964 The Gypsy Princess 1965 Calamity Jane 1966 Sunny Goodnight Mrs. Puffin 1967 The Desert Song Arsenic and Old Lace | 1968 South Pacific Friends and Neighbours 1969 Wild Violets 1970 Annie Get Your Gun It's a Record 1971 Brigadoon Autumn Revue 1972 The Merry Widow Autumn Revue 1973 Carousel Autumn Revue 1974 Vagabond King Cinderella 1975 Oklahoma! ! Village Capers 1976 Viva Mexico Sinbad the Sailor 1977 Rose Marie Jack and Jill 1978 The King and I 1979 The Card Mother Hubbard |
The St Thomas' Amateur and Dramatic Society, as the Society was then known, was founded on February 25th 1928, at a meeting in St Thomas' Hall. A leading member of the local gentry, Mr James Bairstow had taken the office as the first president at the meeting attended by 30 interested people. Membership subscriptions were 2s.6d (12½p) per annum and were not increased until 1961.
The first production was "Pocahontas" which immediately received encouraging support from the villagers. The second production "Highwayman Love" in 1929 attracted good houses and yielded a profit of £52.12s.9d. (£52.64p)
In the early days the Society continued to make a profit on each of its shows, the profits of which were given towards the upkeep of St. Thomas' Hall. Costumes and scenery were hired, though the use of the hall was free. In the 1930's the price of seats was 3s (15p), 2s. (10p), 1s (5p), and schoolchildren were admitted to watch the dress rehearsal for 6d (2½p).
As the 30's progressed depression in the country grew and in 1936-37 the society fell into financial difficulties. With only £38 in hand the Society faced an estimated £150 bill by performing "the Student Prince" in 1937. Several guarantors offered momentary assistance should the Society find itself in difficulties. "The Student Prince" made a loss of only £14.3s.3d (£14.16p) with the Society remaining solvent.
On September 4th 1939, when the first rehearsal of "Goodnight Vienna" should have been held, the members decided that activities should be suspended due to the outbreak of the Second World War.
In March 1944 it was agreed that the Society was no longer considered a church organisation and that they should adopt their present title. Musicals resumed in 1947 with the production of "Rose of Araby".
In 1957 the production of "No, No, Nanette" was in jeopardy due to the lack of girls. After much searching the required number was obtained and the production went ahead.
In 1974 the Society decided to perform its first pantomime, and so "Cinderella" was performed, and was an immediate success.
In 1976, after much sweat and toil, the members erected their own wooden sectional headquarters on a plot of land off Bridge Street, Sutton. The building had been bought from a Bradford Mill at a cost of £250. The gestures of local business people in allowing the Society to have equipment at cost, reflects the esteem in which it was held.
In the early 90's unbeknown to the Society, the plot of land off Bridge Street which was owned by Silent Night was sold. When our existence was made known to Silent Night they kindly gave us a plot of land on the same site. This meant that with more sweat and toil the wooden hut had to be dismantled and turned round into its current position.
In 1998 the roof at St Thomas' Hall collapsed and the Society moved productions to South Craven School. The first production there was "Brigadoon". Performances continued at South Craven until the Society went back to St Thomas' to perform a musical review in September of 2002. It was then that the Society realised that St Thomas' Hall was where the Society belonged and so it was in April 2003 that the Society moved back to its original home.
Since its return Sutton Amateurs have gone from strength to strength, performing not only musicals and pantomimes but musical reviews and in September 2005 it''s first play for many years; the popular TV sitcom 'Allo 'Allo and the Hall was packed for both shows.
Sutton Amateurs welcome anyone who wants to be involved in the theatre whether it be performing on stage or helping back stage or front of House
If you are interested in becoming a member please contact the Secretary David Boddy on 01535 662944 for further details.
 Sutton-in-Craven Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society is affiliated to the National Operatic & Dramatic Association | More History
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