History

The Society's Name

The Citizens of Bath have always been keen in their efforts in support of charitable causes. Prior to 1894, local amateurs performed for two days the Theatre Royal, Bath, by kind permission of the Management there, to raise money for less fortunate folk.

Dr. Lionel Weatherly, one such enthusiastic and very capable local amateur, together with other talented amateurs, decided to embark on a much more ambitious undertaking, that of an Amateur Week at the Theatre Royal, with the intention of bolstering the funds of Bath Royal United Hospital. Hence, on 26th November 1894 the curtain first rose on 'BATH AMATEURS' and from this body 'BATH OPERATIC SOCIETY' was duly constituted in 1910. During this Amateur Week the Bath Amateurs performed Gilbert and Sullivan's early opera 'The Sorcerer', alternating it with the staging of 'She Stoops to Conquer'.

Interestingly, although it is evident that the Society did present dramatic performances ad hoc, the word 'Dramatic' did not appear in its title until 1923 when the Dramatic Section of the Bath Operatic Society began to function with regular performances, the first being 'If I Were King'. The programme presented this production as one by the Bath Operatic Society (Dramatic Section). It was not until the Annual General Meeting on 16th May 1939 that it was decided that the Society should be re-named 'BATH OPERATIC AND DRAMATIC SOCIETY' (B.O.D.S.)

The Society's Ethos

After the last performance of 'Princess Ida' in April 1926 the Chairman, Dr. Chas. Curd, gave a customary 'curtain speech'. He observed, "The question has often been asked, why we do not advertise our performances as being in aid of some charity? The answer to that is that, years ago we decided that when we had paid all our just debts, all surpluses would be devoted to worthy institutions." This captures the ethos of the Society and this policy has remained paramount in its activities, apart from specific performances through its history given in aid of a particular charity or concern.

In spite of enormous costs of productions, particularly at the Theatre Royal, the B.O.D.S. has donated thousands of pounds to worthy causes since its inauguration, and every year since 1947 the Society has sent a donation to a nominated charity.

The Society's Acievements

During its one hundred year history, the Society has presented no fewer than 217 productions, as well as numerous concerts, and the Centenary production of 'CHESS' in 1994 was its 201st at the Theatre Royal, Bath. Since its centenary year, Bath Operatic and Dramatic Society has continued its long association with the Theatre Royal Bath. It has presented there Gilbert and Sullivan Operas, the Ivor Novello musicals and many of the great American and British large-scale musicals.

From its beginning, the desire of the Society has been to please all tastes by offering the greatest possible variety of productions, including entirely original works. In 1908, 'Bladud' was the first original opera to be staged by the Bath Operatic Society. The scenes were laid in Bath and the opera was composed and written by residents of the city. The success of 'Bladud' inspired another wholly local creation - that of a comic opera named 'Dingley Dell', which was founded upon one of the most entertaining episodes of 'Pickwick Papers' by Charles Dickens.
The B.0.D.S.' support of creativity continued in 2002 with the original musical 'Houdini', with the score and lyrics composed by a current member of the Society and the script written by a local writer.
(Please see list of productions from 1894 to 2002)

In 1963, following an inspired idea of one member of the B.O.D.S., was 'born' the Junior Section of the Bath Operatic and Dramatic Society, the 'BODLETS'. It was intended as a training ground for up and coming youngsters who aspired to stage work, with a view, if they were able to reach the high standard required in the senior section, to becoming fully fledged members of the Society. Many members of Bodlets have done just that, and over the years the Bodlets have gone from strength to strength and are now self-supporting under their new name 'ZENITH'.

The Society's Ambitions

Bath Operatic and Dramatic Society was founded five years before the National Operatic and Dramatic Association and therefore must be one of the oldest societies in the world, which in itself is a record to cherish and sustain. The Society's intention, therefore, is to seek sponsorship, in order to maintain its charitable endeavours and continue its current high standard of productions each year, including a play, a smaller musical and the main musical at the Theatre Royal, Bath.