To quote Shrek: 'This is our Story'...

"A very good place to start" 

In December 1967, six friends decided to try to form an Operatic Society. Between them, there was enough expertise to fill essential roles i.e. Musical Director, Producer, Pianist and Scenery creator. It was then advertised that a new society was to be formed by delivering handouts all over Orrell which were asking if anyone was interested in taking part in a production of Gilbert & Sullivan's 'The Pirates of Penzance'. 

The first meeting was one Monday evening in Jan 1968 at Trinity Methodist in Pemberton. Approximately 15 people attended and Orrell and District Gilbert and Sullivan Society was formed. On subsequent Monday evenings, more and more people came and it was decided to stage the show in June of that year. After a successful debut production and increased membership, the society moved to Winstanley College for the next production.

In 1974, the members decided they wanted to widen the scope of musical productions by introducing operettas and shows written by other composers and, as a result, the society was renamed Orrell and District Operatic Society. The first production of this nature was 'The Merry Widow'.

Over a period of time, members decided that we would like to move away from operatic shows and to move to producing more modern theatrical musicals as well as putting on plays. In 2001 our name was changed again, this time to Orrell Musical and Dramatic Society, OMADS, to reflect our change in direction and this is the name by which we are known today. Our first musical with our new name was 'Hello Dolly' in 2002. 

Rehearsals are held on Wednesday evenings from 7:30pm to 10pm with a break for tea and a chat half way through. Additional principal rehearsals are held during the week. Extra rehearsals for the full cast are held on the occasional Sunday afternoon in the run up to the show or concert.

Our main rehearsal venue is Living Faith Church, Church Street, Orrell, WN5 8TG, but leading up to a performance we will rehearse in the performance venue. 

In addition to our concerts and shows, we love to be out and about in the community. We are often to be found singing in care homes, putting on murder mystery nights, signing at Christmas markets or at church services.

We are affiliated to the National Operatic and Dramatic Association and are proud to say that we have been nominated and won a number of association awards over the years.  Nominations are usually released early December. You can find out more here: https://www.noda.org.uk/