PODS
Pershore Operatic and Dramatic Society
PODS is a member of NODA - National Operatic and Dramatic Association
PERSHORE OPERATIC AND DRAMATIC SOCIETY (PODS)
Pershore Operatic & Dramatic Society
c/o 8 The High Street
Pershore
WR10 1BG
Email: info@pershorepods.co.uk
Welcome to Pershore's Resident Musical Theatre Company based at Number 8 Community Arts Centre, High Street, Pershore.
PODS was founded in 1989 and is now in its 31st year of entertaining local audiences with musicals, pantomimes and variety performances of professional quality to suit all ages and tastes.
New members are always welcome, whether you want to join as a singer, dancer, actor or to help with costumes, backstage, or anything else!
You can also offer support by becoming a Patron of the Society, sponsoring a show or donating to our show raffles.
PODS FORTHCOMING SHOWS:
CHICAGO - CANCELLED
We are deeply disappointed to announce that we will not be performing Chicago this year. Our plan B was to request a licence change for December, however it has not been granted due to a professional tour. Even if the licence had been granted, given the current climate, it it seems increasingly unlikely that we will get back into the rehearsal room for September, nevertheless we are all very hopefully.
The cast and crew have worked with great enthusiasm and energy since early January, and had act one very much in the bag. So it is all the more sad that the fruits of their labour won’t be seen.
Number 8 are currently working through their ticket processes, and are themselves currently in lockdown, news on tickets will be announced in due course.
In relation to our future plans, if we can get back to the rehearsal room and onto the stage in time for Christmas we hope to be able to stage a celebration compilation performance (details to be determined). In June 2021 we are very excited to be bringing the vibrant and colourful “Pricilla Queen of the Desert” to the Number 8 stage. Later in the year, in December 2021, we will be putting on a pantomime; Snow White.
We hope our loyal audience members and social media followers will be understanding in these very odd and sad times, and that we can rely on your continued support until we return to the lime light in the not too distant future!
Keep safe and keep socially distanced!
Tickets are available from the Number 8 Box Office on 01386 555488
You can also book online:
OUR STORY
On 25th January 1989, Judy and Stuart Megarry held an inaugural meeting above Pershore’s Baptist Church, having posted leaflets around the town for anyone interested in forming a Musical Theatre Society.
They arrived on a freezing January evening and waited. There was lots of interest, with 74 people attending. This was no ordinary meeting, by the end of the evening everyone was up and singing "There’s no Business Like Show Business" and so PODS began.
PODS performed their first show 14 weeks later at Pershore High School and had to put out extra seats for all three performances in the school hall, which held 400 people.
Later shows were put on at Pershore Leisure Centre, where impressive sets were built from scratch by the blood, sweat and tears of society members over a four day "get in".
PODS have also put on shows at the Frank Parkinson Lecture Theatre at Pershore Horticultural College and the Swan Theatre in Worcester.
In 2004 Number 8 Community Arts Centre opened its doors and PODS became its resident theatre company.
Rehearsals throughout the years have been held in numerous venues including: the New Inn, Cherry Orchard House, The Almonry, various village halls, the Old Music Hall, then at the back of the derelict former Co-op which later became Number 8. Rehersals now take place at Number 8.
Costumes have also been stored in a variety of places, including: Special Occasions, Sue Clasen’s cellar, the back of Bradford and Bingley, the Old Music Hall, the Wilson’s property on the High Street, then round everyone again before finally into Number 8 with a dedicated wardrobe store.
Scenery for shows has been built in: the Old Magistrates’ Court Room where flats were painted on their side, then Jim Hutcheon’s factory, the Old Music Hall, a barn at Drakes Broughton and now at Steve Miller’s barn. Props have been stored in a trailer on Pershore’s former Aerodrome and are now in our trailer on Marshall’s yard.
Between performances, PODS have performed local cabarets for different organisations, entered floats in Pershore Carnival and took part in other community events.
Many people who have come through our Society have also gone on to be professional performers entertaining in: Disneyland, the West End, on Cruise Ships, for Birmingham Rep, Pantomimes on tour and in lighting for West End shows to name but a few.
PODS have always put on quality shows where a combination of great talent, hard work, productive rehearsals and great team spirit have given the public, in and around Pershore, some wonderful entertainment which we hope will continue for many more years to come.
OUR COMMITTEE 2019/20
President: Jim Hutcheon
Chair: David Hemming
Vice Chair: Matt Owens
Treasurer: Stuart Megarry
Assistant Treasurer and Membership Secretary: Paul Brooks
Secretary: Victoria Annis
Business Manager: Judy Megarry
Committee Members: Sally Steadman, Hannah Burton, Carole Brooks, Paul Turvey and Carol Dawson
GET IN TOUCH
If you would like to get in touch with PODS, please use our Contact Form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
We welcome hearing from any new members wanting to join (minimum age 16) and anyone interested in what we do.
We would love to hear any feedback from our audiences too, so please do send us a message.
You can also email us direct on: info@pershorepods.co.uk
FOR ENQUIRES REGARDING THE YOUTH SOCIETY - PODYS (Ages 10-18 years) PLEASE DIRECTLY EMAIL: podys@live.co.uk or visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/podysnew/
© 2020 - Web Design by H Bengough and V Annis Please ask permission before reproducing anything from this site
Number 8 Box Office: 01386 555488
