Launceston Amateur Operatic Society and their December 1930 production of ‘Iolanthe.’
One of the main stays of the Town Hall over the years has been the Launceston Amateur Dramatics Society which can trace its history back to 1857 when a group of old boys from the Grammar school put on shows to raise funds for a new schoolroom at St. Thomas road which were opened in 1862. The society has been know by many names including Launceston Dramatic Society, Launceston Dramatic and Choral Society, Launceston Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society, Launceston Amateur Dramatic and Musical Society and today as the Launceston Amateur Dramatic Society (LADS). During the early 1920’s the society saw a slump in its membership and for a couple of years no productions were performed, however this changed in 1927, when Mr. F. Leslie Houghton revived the Society. He was to serve as Hon. Secretary and later as Hon. Treasurer. During the Second World War productions were halted after 1941 and did not reconvene until 1946 with the production of ‘Love from a stranger.’
In September 1960 the Society took over the old fire engine house by the Town Hall, which to this day is known as the ‘Green room’ (below right).
The society attempts to put on at least 2 shows a year with either a musical or pantomime at the beginning of the year and a play later on. It also runs a youth section to bring on budding actors.
1912 LOADS cast for the production of the ‘H. M. S. Pinafore.’1912 article on LOADS production of the ‘H. M. S. Pinafore.’1914 Cornish and Devon article on LOADS production of the ‘MIKADO.’Cornish and Devon Post article on L.A.D.S. 1961 production ‘The White Sheep.’
L.A.D.S. Gallery.
1937 production
Production of 'The Pirates of Penzance.' A young Charles Causley can be seen third from the right.
Hilda May and Donald Moore from December 1930.
1946 production of 'Love from a stranger' which was the first production for 5 years.
1936 production 'Journey's End.'
1949 production of 'No Medals.'
1952 production of 'See how they run.'
1952 production of 'This happy breed.'
1953 production of 'One wild oat.'
1954 production of 'Travellers Joy.'
1956 production of 'Busmans holiday.' The cast were Norman Daniel, Brenda Poore, Rowland Nott, Ron Beers, Bernard Pepper, Dorothy Daniel and Irene Warner.
1956 production of 'Will any gentleman.' The cast were Brenda Lugg, Bedford Daniel, Henry Kinsman, John Gardiner, Joan Howell, Ronnie Beer and Rowland Nott.
1959 production of 'Night was our friend.'
1959 production of 'Sailor beware.'
1960 advert for 'Reluctant Heroes.'
1960 production of 'The return of Peggy Atherton
1961 production of 'The white sheep of the family.'
1965 newspaper cutting
1967 production of 'Witch errant.'
1968 pantomime 'Cinderella' advert
1968 pantomime 'Cinderella.' Photo courtesy of Steve Lee.
