Our beginnings (1917–1922)
Leigh Operatic & Dramatic Society was formed in 1917. Our first home was Clarke’s College in London Road. However, within just two years, our success and growing membership meant we needed more space, so we moved to Elm Hall.
In 1922, after many sleepless nights and committee meetings, LODS made an ambitious move to the Ambassador’s Theatre in Tylers Avenue. We opened there with Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Gondoliers.
The Hippodrome and the Palace (1932–1938)
In 1932, we moved to the first-class facilities at the Southend Hippodrome. This led to our 1934 production of The New Moon. The show caused a sensation, and it was widely hailed as the finest amateur production ever staged in the town.
Then the arrival of the “talkies” forced another move, this time to the New Palace Theatre. We returned to the Ambassador’s in 1936, before settling back at the Palace in 1938.
The war years and beyond
During the Second World War, the Society scaled down its productions. Even so, we kept performing, regularly giving first-rate revue-style entertainment to troops around the county.
Our first post-war production was Wild Violets at the Palace in 1946. Since then, we have presented everything from grand opera to the avant-garde, including three world amateur premieres. We have also staged countless entertainments for charitable organisations.
LODS today
It’s a record we are rightly proud of. Today, LODS continues that tradition. We are always ready to take a risk to offer something new and exciting – but above all, something entertaining.
To explore our full history, visit the archive below.
