Bollington Light Opera Group (BLOG), Bollington's resident musical theatre group is celebrating 50 years entertaining its audiences.

The last half-century has seen a major change in the kind of shows BLOG produces. The group was formed as part of the 1974 Bollington Festival and staged 'The Gondoliers' in the Civic Hall.

In its early years light opera was its staple diet, producing most of the popular Gilbert and Sullivan shows along with other light opera favourites.

But times changed. West End classics became more attractive to both audiences and society members, and the likes of 'South Pacific', 'Anything Goes', 'Oliver' and 'My Fair Lady' attracted packed audiences.

Some snaps from over the years. (Image - BLOG)

The last few years have seen BLOG move with the times to tackle more modern shows. Hairspray, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (the modern show is a far cry from the original school production!) and The Little Mermaid tested BLOG's capabilities and attracted new audiences.

Joseph in particular sold out six performances, with a waiting list – maybe there was a special reason to celebrate as it took two years from starting rehearsals to performing it, thanks to the Covid pandemic!

BLOG's 50th anniversary show was Return to the Forbidden Planet which featured a lavish set incorporating audio-visual input, another innovation for BLOG.

BLOG was formed by a group of people who wanted to bring music and theatre together. When it was established, Bollington Civic Hall was newly-built, big enough to accommodate a large cast and as big an audience to fund the kind of shows they wanted to produce and stage as they hoped, as well as build up funds to carry on from year to year.

Bollington Civic Hall. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

Those early shows, believe it or not, featured a full traditional orchestra, nowhere the size of the Halle but based on the same format, and in its 'proper' place in front of the stage.

Rehearsals, however, were in the more modest environment of the Dog and Partridge across the road. Harry Ellison who ran the pub with his wife Marge, offered an upstairs room free of charge (although no doubt the cast enjoyed a glass or two at the bar after rehearsals!). Harry and Marge's generous support was shown in many other ways, however.

Pat Penney, a founder member of BLOG, and Dr. John Coope, the driving forces behind the formation of Bollington Arts Centre, persuaded BLOG to move its rehearsals there, until a slot became available at the Civic Hall and it made sense for the society to rehearse in its performance space.

BLOG went through a phase where it took some of its shows to Buxton Opera House (with the cast using a coach funded by the Ellisons), but ambition gave way to economic reality, and BLOG realised there was no place like home and thankfully settled back into the Civic Hall, where it has remained.

And they have four shows on next month! (Image - BLOG)

Over the last ten years, BLOG has made great strides to improve its facilities at the Civic Hall, first of all working with Bollington Town Council to share the cost of retractable seating, and then upgrading its lighting capabilities to give the society the chance to be more adventurous in the production of its more recent shows.

At least one member of the founding committee still watches most shows. Countless members have contributed in so many ways to BLOG's journey, many of whom are sadly not around to enjoy the society's major milestone. But without their energy and commitment, BLOG would not have made it this far and they are all due a huge 'thank you'.

BLOG's next show will be Strictly Showtime, which will mark the return of the legendary BLOG hot pot.

The delicious feature beyond the performing, is set to make its return. BLOG's tasty locally-produced interval meal (complete with red cabbage) was a standard part of the ticket price for many years until it was discontinued. However, popular demand from society members and audiences has led BLOG to re-introduce it. Vegetarian and vegan alternatives will also be available.

Click the red link below to book 'Strictly Showtime'. (Image - Eventbrite)

Four performances of Strictly Showtime are set for this November.

Tickets, £15, are available from THIS LINK.