West End Operatic and Dramatic Society was the brain child of the late Mr Wilf Lambert, following the dissolution of Newburn Operatic Society. His interest in amateur operatics caused him, some 51 years ago, to gather round him a few friends who were similarly interested in order to form a new amateur society in the West End of the City.
With Wilf as its first President, and later Chairman, in 1949 the Society produced its first show A
Country Girl at the Majestic Cinema, Condercum Road in the West End of Newcastle. Three musicals were produced there, and in 1952 a move was made to the Grand Theatre in Byker, where after two productions another venue had to be found, as the Grand was closing down. In 1954 the Society moved to the Plaza Cinema, West Road, Newcastle with a production of The
Lilac Domino.
Following four very successful years it was agreed by a forward-looking Governing Committee that their ambition to present bigger and better productions required a much larger stage.
Following negotiations with Howard & Wyndam in London, the Society performed its 1958 production of Ivor Novellos Kings
Rhapsody at the Theatre Royal, Grey Street, Newcastle, where this year its 42nd subsequent show will be presented. The only exception was in 1987 when the Societys
production of Gigi was performed at the Tyne Theatre
because of refurbishment at the Theatre Royal.
Under the Chairmanship of Wilf Lambert the Society
grew in stature, and on his death in November 1972,
the reins were handed onto the following Chairmen,
Eddie Patterson (1972-1991); Brian Francis (1991-1998);
Derek Smith (1998-1999); Derek Coleman(1999-2006).
In 1997/98, because of the ever increasing cost liability,
the Committee decided to convert the Society to a Limited
Company. Derek Coleman then undertook this task and
the company was registered in May 1999. Since then
Charitable Trust Status has also been achieved.
The Board of Management are continually striving to
make sure productions are performed to the highest
standard possible for a number one theatre.
Our current President is Mr Adam Fenwick who was appointed
in 2004. Although presently based in Kingston on Thames
he regularly keeps in touch and is very interested
in what is happening.