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The Bromsgrove, Droitwich and Redditch Messenger – Saturday 1 November
1913

Opera Week at Redditch – 1913 continued

Opera Week at Redditch – “Les Cloches de Corneville” – In years past the Redditch Amateur
Operatic Society have confined their attention entirely to productions of English light opera.
Very successful representations have been given of the Gilbert and Sullivan series, while in
recent years “Dorothy” and “Tom Jones” were added to the repertoire. For their thirteenth
production the committee decided upon a departure from this rule in presenting
Planquette’s very tuneful and popular “Les Cloches de Corneville.” The experiment was this
week amply justified by the result. “Opera week” (as it is called in Redditch) commenced on
Monday night, while performances were given on each succeeding night and conclude to-
night (Saturday). For their presentation of the opera the Society this year had the advantage
of using the newly built Palace Theatre, which as regards both the stage and the auditorium
is much better fitted for the production of such a work than any hall that has been previously
available. Erected at a cost of about £7,000, the theatre is an important addition to the local
amusement places, seating accommodation being provided for about 700 people. The only
drawback in the performance this week was in the orchestral arrangements. The orchestra
being intended for a small band, it was rather awkward to find seating accommodation for
the full band necessary for the proper production of a work of this nature. The bookings
were exceptionally heavy for the performances. There were crowded and appreciative
audiences each night, so that the financial success is ensured.

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