Sunderland Amateur Operatic Society

The first mention of an Operatic Society occurs in an advertisement in September 1893 and is for " Mr. George F. Vincent's Operatic Society". A few days later there came the first mention of "Sunderland Amateur Operatic Society" in another advertisement. Mr Vincent belonged to a family who owned a Music Shop and Organ Factory as well as being the organist at St Thomas's Church. From mid October rehearsals were held in St Bede's Church hall, for HMS Pinafore to be performed in the Theatre Royal. Shows were performed here until 1901 and this venue was loaned free of charge as all proceeds were given to local charities. The 1900 performance of Erminie appears to be the last that Mr Vincent the original founder was involved with. From 1907 - 1910 productions took place at the King's Theatre. There now comes a break in the society's history , maybe part of the reason for this was World War One, until 1919 when it re-emerges and the main venues for shows were either the Empire Theatre or the Kings Theatre, Another lull in productions occurs until the 1930's when again the society reformed. From this date most of the shows have been performed at the Empire Theatre, with a few being produced at the Royalty Theatre. This History of the Society has been abridged from one in a booklet produce by the society several years ago.