Who?
Zodiac Amateur Operatic Society (ZAOS) is a long established society that was first formed in 1968.
A friendly, active society, who combine the efforts of producing a professional show, with keeping the social programme for members and patrons as packed as possible. See the company profiles pages for some introductions to our members.
"The Zodiac" perform two musical productions per year, Spring (April/May) and Autumn (Oct/Nov). Whilst attempting to vary the programme as much as possible, we like many societies have the usual challenge of maintaining variety for audience and members alike, whilst still producing a schedule of shows attractive enough to our local audiences to put bums on seats!
For examples of our previous shows see the show archive pages of the website.
'The Zodiac' are affiliated to the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA).
Where?
We are based at the Frodsham Community Centre (FCC), Fluin Lane, Frodsham, Cheshire, which has been our home since 1969. Click for map...
Our shows are performed at the Brindley Theatre, Runcorn.
When?
The Society meets every Thursday at 7:30 pm until 10:00 pm for general rehearsals. Principal rehearsals are typically Tuesdays at 7:30 pm until 10:00 pm. A more detailed rehearsal plan is available for each show for download from this website in the members area. If you are interesting in joining us as either a performer or backstage new members are more than welcome. See the join us pages for more details.
History
The first meeting of the society was in December 1968, but it was not until 1969 that we performed our first show "The Merry Widow" in the November of that year at FCC. The early days at FCC, were for the performers, quite spartan compared to the relative comfort nowadays. Access to the dressing rooms under the stage was via a side door from the stage and into the open air, down some make shift steps and, if wet and muddy, across wooden planks. There was only one entrance to the stage area and if an actor was required to enter stage right, he or she had to walk behind the backdrop to get to the other side of the stage. We have also done our share of holding up the scenery and speedily changing places when it was our turn to perform.
Our first treasurer, the late Graham Ferriday, was one of the people instrumental in the design of the original extensions to the FCC. This enabled us to convert the Centre more readily into a theatre and gave us dressing rooms within the building without having to dual with the elements outside.
Our shows have now become considerably more sophisticated as the years have rolled by and more and more improvements were made to the facilities at FCC. In 2007 the society moved it's performances from FCC to the Brindley Theatre in Runcorn with it's very successful production of Oklahoma!. Contributing the various factors that combine to produce a show to the standards we are now capable.
On our 30th anniversary the society recognised four members who had been active members and supported the society over those previous 30 years. Brenda Pearson, Gwenan Williams, Pat Nickson and John Corcoran.
Zodiac Amateur Operatic Society (ZAOS) is a long established society that was first formed in 1968.
A friendly, active society, who combine the efforts of producing a professional show, with keeping the social programme for members and patrons as packed as possible. See the company profiles pages for some introductions to our members.
"The Zodiac" perform two musical productions per year, Spring (April/May) and Autumn (Oct/Nov). Whilst attempting to vary the programme as much as possible, we like many societies have the usual challenge of maintaining variety for audience and members alike, whilst still producing a schedule of shows attractive enough to our local audiences to put bums on seats!
For examples of our previous shows see the show archive pages of the website.
'The Zodiac' are affiliated to the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA).
Where?
We are based at the Frodsham Community Centre (FCC), Fluin Lane, Frodsham, Cheshire, which has been our home since 1969. Click for map...
Our shows are performed at the Brindley Theatre, Runcorn.
When?
The Society meets every Thursday at 7:30 pm until 10:00 pm for general rehearsals. Principal rehearsals are typically Tuesdays at 7:30 pm until 10:00 pm. A more detailed rehearsal plan is available for each show for download from this website in the members area. If you are interesting in joining us as either a performer or backstage new members are more than welcome. See the join us pages for more details.
History
The first meeting of the society was in December 1968, but it was not until 1969 that we performed our first show "The Merry Widow" in the November of that year at FCC. The early days at FCC, were for the performers, quite spartan compared to the relative comfort nowadays. Access to the dressing rooms under the stage was via a side door from the stage and into the open air, down some make shift steps and, if wet and muddy, across wooden planks. There was only one entrance to the stage area and if an actor was required to enter stage right, he or she had to walk behind the backdrop to get to the other side of the stage. We have also done our share of holding up the scenery and speedily changing places when it was our turn to perform.
Our first treasurer, the late Graham Ferriday, was one of the people instrumental in the design of the original extensions to the FCC. This enabled us to convert the Centre more readily into a theatre and gave us dressing rooms within the building without having to dual with the elements outside.
Our shows have now become considerably more sophisticated as the years have rolled by and more and more improvements were made to the facilities at FCC. In 2007 the society moved it's performances from FCC to the Brindley Theatre in Runcorn with it's very successful production of Oklahoma!. Contributing the various factors that combine to produce a show to the standards we are now capable.
On our 30th anniversary the society recognised four members who had been active members and supported the society over those previous 30 years. Brenda Pearson, Gwenan Williams, Pat Nickson and John Corcoran.
