Gilbert. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and opinions on this message board.
I have been associated with the amateur theatre in all capacities for a very long time and therefore feel more than able to comment on your post.
I note with some amusement your comment on the "awful and sactimonious demeanour of the amateur dramatist". This I believe says more about the troubled writer of such inane statements than that of the innocent intended reader.
Am I, and others like me, seriously to be categorised as sanctimonious (Webster's definition - hypocritically pious) simply by enjoying the WOS rehearsal and production experiences?

Webster's definition of Operatic is - grand, dramatic or romantic in style or effect. If you were to study the varied list of WOS previous productions you will see that each production fully met the Webster criteria.

Much of your post is critical of our members for actually enjoying their chosen hobby and for "doing it for themselves and living out a fantasy." I rather expect that people who take part in all sorts of hobbies do it initially for their own benefit and enjoyment. I suspect also that amateur golfers and footballers have fantasies about a hole in one or a Wembley goal. No different to amateur theatre performers dreaming of taking the lead in a West End production etc etc.Nothing wrong with that I suggest.

As for not performing a service, I seriously and genuinely believe that we ( like thousands of other like minded people) most certainly DO perfom a service to local theatre. And yes, the excitement of receiving a good review is important in our continued development. No different I suggest to a successful student receiving a reward after hours of study.
I believe we are performing another and more important service here in Rotherham by involving many local youngsters in amateur theatre thus giving them a new direction, a sense of achievement and fulfillment. This aspect of WOS is constantly recognised by the local authority who continue to provide much needed and welcome funding.
Our next production, Annie, will see 40 or so young people on stage. Try telling me Gilbert that this is not providing a service!

Gilbert, you clearly have a talent - a writer maybe? Why not do something positive in life by writing a new musical. We might even perform it if it's good enough! Oh, and I promise that I would never level your own criticism at you should someone have the audacity to ever congratulate you.

I am fast losing patience with some of the members here. All criticism should be taken on board...albeit positive or negative. But that wont happen as those taking part want nothing but praise. The awful and sanctimonious demeanour of the amateur dramatist. I would probably have more respect for the WOS if they didn't promote themselves as somehow having anything to do with opera. Since when has the company staged an opera? The WOS stage musicals...Annie, spend spend spend, Oklahoma and Oliver are NOT operas. They are musicals. Describe yourselves as amateur dramatists, musical amateurs, but dont include the wording of opera, as you could not possibly stage an opera.,

Rather like Sunday League footballers, amateur dramatists are doing it for themselves. They are living out a fantasy. They are not providing a service. People contribute wether they are an audience or a critic out of kind. The audeience is genrally made up of relatives, local councillors and those that have nothing better to do.

The players and the producers, directors are in it for themselves. They wany adulation and their ten minutes of fame. Even though it will never be forthcoming.

They are fantasists and they wish their lives to be given some vindication.

That is what drives the amateur dramatist.

It is primarily about their own lack of self esteem.

The character info for our 2009 production of Annie can be seen by clicking on the "Current Productions" tab.

Dear "Member"

Please don't be afraid to leave your name along with your comment.

Everyone welcomes informed criticism but it is no shame to put your name alongside your view.

Bob

Jon / Charlotte / all

I find it more upsetting that people are attacking someone on here for leaving a perfectly fair and articulate message.

If 'John' didn't like the show, then that's fair enough. He wasn't nasty, he just passed his opinion.

Perhaps we all need to realise, that despite whatever Dee and co tell us, we AREN'T the best in the world and not everyone will like the shows we put on.

That's life ! Grow UP !

John

What ever possessed you post such a badly written, pointless message ? One of the worst comments I have seen on the message board in a long time. Things really seem to have gone downhill for you this last couple of years.

Hopefully next year you will be a little more tasteful.

Spend Spend Spend, well what can i say, it was a Blast Blast Blast, from the first rehersal to the last bow it was a truly amazing experience, fantastic people, fantastic story, fantastic play. looking forward to Annie, although Spend will take some beating... It would be great to hearing from any of the cast and look forwrad to working with you all in the future... regards, respect, be safe x
Jon.Faben@sheffieldhomes.org.uk

Hi Guys

Thank you for inviting us to a Fabulous Version of 'Spend' myself and my manager Neill really enjoyed the evening, You really did my story proud.

Love to you all

Viv Nicholson

hey evreyone i am ok now had my appendix removed on tuesday but i'm making recovering well, they dicharged me this morning i will see you wednesday at dinner and dance although i dont think i will be doing much dancing but am looking forward to it.
thankyou for a fantastic week in spend and it was fantastic when i saw it on friday well done evreyone x
claire x

John,
What on earth are you protesting about?! That was the most heart-felt, fantastic production I've ever seen! I'm sorry, but you either don't have a life and write these comments to wind people up, or you've got no taste. HA! Nobody cares what you have to say because everyone did a tremendous job, PERIOD. I suggest you crawl back under the rock you came from, and stop putting others down.
It's people like you that ruin our society.
Stick that in your juice box and suck on it!

...Luv you all xxxx

P.S; sorry for spelling your name wrong Naomi

Congratulations to everyone involved in last week's production. Spend Spend Spend is one of my all time favourite musicals and it was great to see it performed on stage again. I still haven't been able to get the tunes out of my head.

If any of you have the post show blues maybe a night out at the theatre could be the cure?

Croft House Operatic Society are producing
"The Scarlet Pimpernel"
at The Lyceum Theatre in Sheffield
from 11 to 15 March.

This is a new musical, very much in the style of Les Mis and written by the same people who wrote Jekyll and Hyde.

Tickets cost from £8.00 to £18.00 and are available from The Sheffield Theatres Box Office in person, by phone - 0114 249 6000 or on line - www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

Hope you all enjoyed Spend as much as I did when I was in it. Best of luck for Annie.

Fiona

Dear John & Sarah,
I was dissappointed to read your comments about Spend Spend Spend but, of course, fully accept your right of opinion.
The message(s) I have witnessed both during and since the show ended on Saturday have been very supportive. Modesty forbids me to make actual quotes but they can be seen in the local press and on this message board.
It is really difficult (impossible?) to please all our audiences for a given production and therefore the very best we can hope for is to please more than we upset. To this end I have no hesitation in declaring that "Spend" has been a resounding success.

Absoloutley Fantastic.

A really good show indeed, i was really impressed with the level of professionalism throughout the cast, and i was amazed at Rachel (the older viv) at how she sustained the character on stage at all times. (and i think ur a fabulous singer) as well as the Younger Viv too.
I really enjoyed this show, it was the first time i have seen 'Spend' and it definately made me want to see it again.
I also enjoyed the show, because i knew some of the cast, and i recognised most of the cast from other local productions, such as Rachel and Scott who both were in 'Hot Mikado' (Produced by Rotherham Teachers Operatic Society).

Overall a fantastic show.....Well done to all who was involved, im sure you made Viv Nicholson proud by telling her story on stage with such professionalism and delightfulness - which was definately seen in the faces of the cast throughout.

John

Did you really come and see Spend Spend Spend - I am sure you didnt, if you did then you must have terrible taste and no idea of a good night out.

Did you hear the audience reaction, did you read the review, did you see the talent on stage particularly our leads Rachel and Amy.

Many people have said that this is one of the best musicals they have seen in a long time. The show may not be to your taste but you have to admit that the society is trying to bring new things for our patrons to enjoy - you cant please everyone John and we have please more people this week than we have dissappointed.

When was the last time you heard audiences at the Civic laughing heartilly and crying from the soul in the same musical.

Think about it John this may not have been to your tast but Wickersly did a bloody good job with probably 2 of the best performances from Rachel and Amy that our theatre has seen this decade.

What ever possessed you to do such a badly written, tuneless show ? One of the worst shows I have seen at the Civic in a long time. Things really seem to have gone downhill this last couple of years.

Hopefully next years will be a little more enjoyable !

John and Sarah Howells

i hear it was good and my auntie and uncle and cousin was in it


from lucy

WOW - what an amazing week we have just had at the Civic - I have had the opportunity to play THE most amazing role ever. Thank you to every one on the management committee for sticking with Spend Spend Spend and believing in it - I hope we have done you proud. I have never seen Wickersley Operatics so "together" as they were this week - like one big happy family - here's to Annie

It was also a delight last night to meet with the "real" Viv Nicholson.

Thanks again everyone - Viv has certainly been the highligt of my operatic career.

Really, Really Well Done To Everyone Involved In Spend Spend Spend!

The Music Was Brilliant, The Lighting Was Perfect, Some Amazingly Talented Actors And Singers...

Just.. Wow!

I Saw It On Thursday And Couldn't Resist Going Again Last Night ( 23rd )

Everyone Was So Brilliant!

Will Never Forget It..


x

What a fantastic show!! Wasn't sure I was going to enjoy it, but really did! I would urge anyone to go if not been already been.

Well done to Amy & Rachel who were brillient & also
Simon & Scott, but the whole cast good.

Also well done to my boys, Jake & Joe & also to Jade.

We saw the show last night (22nd). What a brilliant production, a couple of times I forgot i was in the civic theatre and actually thought I was in the west end. Thank You and good luck for your last night.

Well done all the team who managed to put together the most amazing play I have seen to this date, "Spend spend spend". The script, music, acting and lighting worked brilliantly to pull off a production which was so realistic, I cried. Big thanks to Niaomi Robinson who informed me about the play and the whole team. That really made my week! Hope I'll be seeing more of that standard. Special "WOOP WOOP" to Mr Johnson, MULTI-TALENTED!!!! Good luck for the future.
God bless. xxxxxx

The critics review and the congratulatory messages on this site say so much. It's been an honour to work with such a talented group of dedicated guys 'n gals. Special mention to Rache, Amy, Scott and Simon who, I believe, have excelled themselves beyond belief.
To my fellow director, Dee my thanks and appreciation for all the hard work.
To Heather for putting together a fabulous band which lifted the Company to new heights.
Thank you all SO much.

Bob
X

I just want to congratulate all the cast involved in 'Spend Spend Spend', I organised a trip with 8 others, and we absolutely loved it. I hope your previous performances were a success, and good luck for the next two. I hadn't heard of this company before, but after the amazing performance everyone gave last night, I will definitely look out for future productions. Well done everyone! And of course, I can't forget to mention the amazing Mr Johnson. You rock Sir!

Vivienne & I thoroughly enjoyed your performance of
"Spend,Spend,Spend"
Well done to all concerned!

PS Do Trevor & Christine Topham have an email address??

I would like to thank all the cast for there hard work and
dedication for SPEND SPEND SPEND the excellent review
is what you deserved, well done, I am proud of you all,
to the Production Team DEE BOB HEATHER THE
SPECTACULAR SHOW TELLS IT ALL YOU ARE THE BEST
to everyone who has been involved in anyway with the production a massive THANK YOU for all your help.

Please note our next production is ANNIE Feb 2009 at the Civic Theatre Rotherham.

please check our Web Site for further information.

Keith (Chairman)

Well done to everyone involved with "Spend" fantastic review which you all deserve! i'm very proud of you all

Love Dee x

All the very very best for this week- will see you on Sat.

Just back from Zurich today where we saw a former member
dance( with Zurich Ballet) in Peer Gynt.

Janet finished t.... and is doing well.

hey evreyone best of luck for tonight you will all be fab x

hi guys am away at moment just wanna wish the whole company the best of luck. i will be ther one night next week. all the best especially to rache, simon, scott. i know you will be fab. good luck and see you soon.