GALLERY: Cradley Heath Operatic Society member celebrates 50 years of performing and costume making

Mrs Faulkner, aged 83, from Surfeit Hill Road, first got involved with the theatre society in 1965 after hearing about a show through a co-worker.

Little did she know that decades on she would be looking back on an illustrious amateur acting career having starred as the lead in numerous shows, while also making her name as the wardrobe mistress.

"It has been a labour of love," she laughed. "But it has been worth every minute. I first got involved when I was working in tailoring in Old Hill and the foreman was a member of another operatic society but his brother was part of the Cradley Heath one so I was invited along.

"I was 33 years old at the time and my family thought I would not go – but I did.

"I initially started playing parts in the chorus and then eventually became lead."

Over the years Mrs Faulkner has taken part in shows ranging from Showboat, The King & I, Oklahoma and Carousel, taking on older parts as the decades passed.

In 1979 she played the lead, Julie LaVerne, in Showboat, wearing a purple velvet dress with matching hat. Then, in 1995, she played Queenie, the hardworking ship's cook, in the same show.

"It was about 10 years after I started I got involved with the costumes. And because I worked in tailoring I became wardrobe mistress," said Mrs Faulkner.

"My forte is men's clothing. I used to make my husband's suits and when we got married, for the wedding, I made both my mother and father's suits, my husband's and the two small bridesmaids' dresses.

"For the operatic society, we hire in costumes for the big shows but I worked with the costumier to make them fit. You can imagine, with people coming in all shapes and sizes, the costumes would need altering. I couldn't cut them because they had to go back but I had to make them fit.

"Whenever anybody asks what my favourite one to make has been I can't say because they have all been special and unique in their own way. I loved playing Julie in Showboat. That was one of my favourite shows."

Mrs Faulkner has also been chair of the society for around 28 years. It even became a family affair too her daughter, Kay Woodhouse, became secretary. Her two granddaughters are also both involved with Sally Gage, 36, becoming a choreographer and director, and Liz Compton, 32, a leading actress.

"We're very close and being involved in the society together has been wonderful, said Mrs Faulkner.

"Looking back over 50 years has brought some wonderful moments and lots of friends. It has been very special and still a big part of my life."

The group, formed in 1908 as Cradley Heath, Old Hill and District Amateur Operatic Society, changed its name in 1964 after moving to the Civic Hall in Brierley Hill. Its production of Fiddler on the Roof in 2003 won the inaugural NODA Best Production Award for the Black Country area.