The Bedford Marianettes has been established for over 50 years and evolved from a church group in St Mary's, Bedford, and is still commonly mis-spelt as Marionettes.
Traditionally the Marianettes produce two musicals a year as well as a pantomime, many concerts and old time music halls.
The Society exists to support musical education and to provide high quality classical music performed by musicians from the locality. There are two orchestras: the Bedfordshire Symphony Orchestra concentrates on the larger symphonic works of the 19th and 20th centuries while the Bedford Sinfonia is a smaller orchestra specialising in chamber works.
We are a community theatre group that exists to produce affordable, family Pantomime in Bedford at Christmas time.
By concentrating on pantomime and nothing else, we can put together a show that is of really high quality but without losing sight of what panto is all about.
Felici is an experienced company of musicians bringing high quality and creative musical and operatic events to audiences.
The Wandering Minstrels is a highly accomplished group of six singers and a pianist who specialise in staging songs and scenes from the immortal Gilbert and Sullivan operas. Their concerts of Savoy classics, presented in period costume and performed in traditional style, are events to remember.
Online information for amateur dramatic groups including forthcoming shows, groups nationwide and advice, articles and reviews.
Discover the unique village of Stewartby, the dream of the Stewart family and once home to the largest brickworks in the world.
Britain's "What's On" events guide: a comprehensive guide to what's on throughout the country - ranging from the smallest village show or sale to events of national prominence. All are listed closest first to potentially cut down on wasted travel.
The current church was built by the Stewart family in the early 1950's as a place of worship for all Christians, regardless of denomination.
Whatever background you come from, and whether you have been a Christian for years or are just looking into Christianity you are assured of a very warm welcome.
If you have any messages for or memories of the Society or photos of past productions please send them to website@saods.org.uk. If you send a message or a photo it will be assumed that you agree to its publication on this web site and to the message or photo being credited with your name, unless you state otherwise. There is no guarantee that all messages or photos will be published on this web site.
So glad to hear that the society is still going strong. I and my sister Judith were in the chorus in the early 1960s, and Mum and Dad were involved in the Pirates of Penzance and the Gondoliers in the 1950s (Doc Whiting and Mrs E A Whiting). Between those dates I thought your society put on the Sorcerer with Trial by Jury, but I can't see it on your list, so I must have got it wrong!
I have many more memories - my mother as stage manager flat on her front in the wings struggling to pull a wheeled gondola bearing the gondolier etc across the stage by a rope (it got stuck and she had to wriggle on to the stage to free it), and my mousachio'd father in the 'Pirates' dressed in a three cornered hat and a skirt with rows of rick rack binding round the hem, slapping his thigh and brandishing his cutlass, making us four sisters guffaw with a mixture of embarrassment and admiration; - the fast talking ?Vic? singing "my name is John Wellington Wells, I'm a dealer in magic and spells.....' . - Also a lovely mature lady whose name I've forgotten who sang so beautifully 'sing hey lack a day let the tears fall free.. etc'; - The day the costumes arrived from the theatrical hire company in London and none of the skirts being long enough and all the bodices being far too large. I could go on and on - sorry!
I am the chorus girl on the extreme right of the picture on both photos [of Ruddigore, 1961].
If you would like more information on any aspect of the society
• to perform
• to help out
• to see a show
please contact Hazel
phone: 01908 616213
email: information@saods.org.uk
We rehearse and perform in Stewartby. Early rehearsals are held at the church hall, later rehearsals and the performances are at Stewartby Village Hall.
Stewartby United Church Hall
Park Crescent. MK43 9NJ
Stewartby Village Hall
Stewartby Way. MK43 9LX
for comments or questions about this web site please contact
for information about tickets please contact: boxoffice@saods.org.uk
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