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Century for PADOS?

Ailsa Cranna
19/ 6/2008

AMATEUR dramatic stalwarts are celebrating their 90th anniversary even though they could be over 100 years old.

Evidence shows that the forerunners of Prestwich Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society (PADOS) were around as far back as 1885.

But in the interests of fair play - or musical - current members are taking their ‘birth’ from 1918 when two local churches, St Hilda’s in Heaton Park and St Margaret’s, in Prestwich, who had previously called themselves the Heaton Park Glee Club, changed their name to PADOS.

Life member of PADOS and its archivist Fred Plant said: "We have a programme of a concert organised by the Prestwich Amateur Dramatic Society in 1885 and we’re pretty certain they were the precursors of PADOS.

"I’m currently researching the actual dates but, in the meantime, we decided to take our anniversary as 90 years."

PADOS’ first production was in 1919, a production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Trial by Jury, with one of the founding members and performers being Evelyn Hinks the mother of Sheila Smith, a current member.

Sheila, 79, was recently awarded a diamond medal at the anniversary dinner dance and is, with 63 years in PADOS’s ranks, just one step ahead of Fred Plant, with 50 years service.

PADOS has had a variety of venues for their productions over the years, ranging from church halls to cinemas, many of which have now been demolished.

In the 1970s they moved in their permanent headquarters at PADOS house, on St Mary’s Road, in Prestwich.

They have staged a wide variety of musicals and plays, their most recent was Annie at Middleton Civic Hall.

The company, which has two thriving youth sections, will be back at Middleton next year to perform La Cage aux Folle.

But their next starring role will be in the annual north west am/dram theatre Showcase production at The Lowry arts centre’s Lyric Theatre on Sunday, June 29 where they will perform a medley of songs from Chicago.

Over the years PADOS has generously supported local charities and during their Lowry performance they hope to raise even more for the Genesis Appeal, which raises funds for breast cancer prevention, and When You Wish Upon a Star – which sends sick youngsters on dream holidays.

Tickets can be obtained from the Showcase hotline on: 01625 585037 or The Lowry box office on: 0870 111 2000.