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Birkdale Orpheus Society turns 50

By Laura Jones on Apr 27, 09 02:08 PM

zzsvis230409Abos-7.jpg Formed in 1959 on February 28, the first meeting took place at St John's Hall in Wright Street, Southport.
Since then some of the society's members have gone on to bigger and better things.
Jenna Boyd joined the society in 1994, taking the role of Lorraine Fleming in 42nd Street and other roles before leaving to star in Victoria Wood's "Acorn Antiques the Musical" at Haymarket Theatre alongside Julie Walters, Neil Morrissey and Josie Lawrence.
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Alison Crowther starred as Reno Sweeney in the BOS production of "Anything Goes" before winning West End roles in shows such as Les Miserables and Martin Guerre.
Liz Clarke, who is directing the society's current production of South Pacific said: "There were some real characters in the early days, for example Doris Martlew, who must have been in her 70s, always sat in the same spot in the dressing room.
"She had all this costume jewellery that she would lend to the younger girls on the strict condition that she got it back."

Since the society first formed back in 1959 with its production of Oklahoma! the drama hasn't stopped with world premiers, on-stage injuries and acclaimed productions.
Doreen Bridson joined the group in 1974 and has starred in leading roles, and served BOS as musical director and chairman, but one night she went a step, or a spring, too far in the name of art.
Leap-frogging over another cast member in the "Sound of Music" Doreen injured herself.
"I landed awkwardly and I broke my foot, but I didn't know it at the time," she said.
Doreen continued to recite her speech, turning slowly white until the curtain was dropped, her foot was strapped up, and then she carried on with the show.
"I went to hospital and they gave me pain killers and I had it strapped up because I didn't want it plastered - I was on stage the next day for the last night!"
But the show has always gone on, often in front of rapt audiences, notably in 1968 when BOS performed the world premier of "My Fair Lady".
Darren Walker remembers auditioning in 1995 to be a Kit Kat Club dancer in Cabaret.
He said: "I had to wear some very 'different' if not revealing clothing - at my audition I was on stage did my audition routine then was asked to drop my pants because they had to see and make sure the shape of my legs were right for the part!"

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