The Ayrshire Philharmonic Opera Society is an amateur opera and theatre group based in Ayr, Scotland and was established in 1933. Initially, the company specialised in Gilbert and Sullivan operettas but, more recently, has performed musicals such as Carousel and Oklahoma! Since 1934, the company has produced some seventy shows, the most recent being Music Man, in November 2009.

Strictly Showtime!

This year the Ayrshire Philharmonic Opera Society will present a new and exciting show in Ayr Town Hall – ‘Strictly Showtime!’ With the Gaiety Theatre still closed for refurbishment, the Society is presenting a follow up show to the highly successful ‘Musical Stages’ it presented at the theatre two years ago.

This new show boasts a sixty strong cast including for the first time twenty four children and young people as well as some new faces joining the adult company.

The show has been devised by Musical Director Andrew Nicol who is working alongside Linda Ormiston - the same team who produced ‘The Music Man’ for the company last year.

Asked about the current cast Andrew comments, “We are delighted with the company for this show. It is particularly exciting to have so many new faces joining the company this season both in the adult cast and also with the inclusion this time of the junior ensemble. We have a very strong team of young people joining the company and I’m very much looking forward to working with them over the next few months”

The show itself is a whirlwind trip around the world of the musical. It includes songs by Rodgers and Hammerstein, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and George Gershwin as well as many more up to date hits with songs from Chicago, The Lion King, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and many others.

It also explores the relationship between musicals and the popularity they gain through film again from the classics such as ‘The Sound Of Music’ through to the modern film musicals which have become popular over the last few years with shows including ‘Chicago’ and most recently ‘Nine’ receiving the filmic treatment.

Andrew comments “Overall the show will be great fun with lots of songs you will know and love with hopefully a few new ones thrown in along the way! The Philharmonic has always had a reputation for being a great ‘singing’ society so we have chosen material that really plays to this strength. The programme of music is an exciting and challenging one which I think we are all looking forward to rehearsing and performing! Having the young people on board this year also adds a brand new dimension from our last review show.”

All in all this is a show not to be missed so grab your tickets when they go on sale in October – watch this space!

The dates for ‘Strictly Showtime’ are from Tuesday 16th to Saturday 20th November with a matinee performance on the Saturday. Tickets are priced at £15 each with concessionary prices of £12 on the Tuesday evening and Saturday Matinee. If you would like to pre-order tickets or are interested in becoming a Patron of the Society, which would entitle you to first priority booking, please forward your details to the Treasurer via the contact us page.

Join Us!

The Philharmonic could not do what it does without the commitment of its members so we were also delighted to welcome many new faces on to the stage for the first time this year. If you would like to join, or to find out more about the company, then please contact us.

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