In 1933, inspired by the activities of the Minerva Club in Glasgow, a small group of enthusiasts gathered to review the possibility of setting up a society in Ayr to study and stage opera, in particular, the works of Gilbert and Sullivan (later extended to include ‘other approved works’). A constitution was prepared and interim officials appointed.

On Friday, 13th October, 1933 a public notice appeared in the Ayrshire Post -

AYRSHIRE PHILHARMONIC OPERA SOCIETY

The above society is being formed for the production of The Mikado in Ayr in March next and all interested are cordially invited in the first instance to communicate with the Secretary, Mr A A Lauder, 59 South Portland Street, Glasgow. Annual membership 5/- (25p). Mr J A Duncan will be musical director.’

Response was overwhelming and in the following week’s edition of the same paper a public meeting was announced to take place on 27th October, 1933 at the Carrick Street Halls, Ayr. In November the executive committee met for the first time and set about arranging the production.

Because of difficulties finding suitable facilities in Ayr the first performance took place in the New Concert Hall, Troon on Friday/Saturday the 20th and 21st April, 1934. The production was designated as being for the benefit of the Troon Unemployed Social Welfare Centre and it is pleasing to record that a donation of £25 was made to the Centre in May, 1934.

The search for production facilities in Ayr continued with approaches being made to the Gaiety, the Pavilion, the Orient cinema, Greens Playhouse and the Town Hall. Eventually the Town Hall was booked for the week commencing 5th November, 1934 and so the Society brought The Mikado to Ayr. Ticket prices were (in present day coinage) 25p, 18p, 13p and 6.5p and the production account revealed a loss of £4.92 after charitable donations of £60.

In 1938 an arrangement was reached with the Popplewell family for the use of the Gaiety Theatre and the theatre has been ‘home’ to the Society ever since.