Walsall society makes a song and dance about 50th anniversary

To mark its golden milestone, the group is performing two of the duo's best loved pieces, The Pirates of Penzance and Trial by Jury – the first two operas performed by the group when it first started out.

The society was formed following a newspaper advert for what was then named the Gilbert and Sullivan Club Walsall and District in 1962. Those who expressed an interest were sent a letter telling them the first rehearsal would be at the Butts School on January 2 1963.

One of the first members Dylys Bradbury said: "At this time I had no idea what I was letting myself in for as I had never heard of Gilbert and Sullivan or their operas but my father and I and duly arrived at the first rehearsal and the rest, as they say, is history."

Shows were performed at Tynings Lane School in Aldridge before moving to TP Riley School in Bloxwich and later to Darlaston Town Hall in 1967.

The group later moved to Shire Oak School in Brownhills in 1984 and 1989 at Brownhills Comprehensive School, when it changed its name to Walsall Gilbert and Sullivan Society. Last year, the society moved to the Forest Arts Centre in Hawbush Road, Leamore.

Chairman Ken Rhodes said: "It costs about £10,000 to put on a show and people probably don't realise the effort that goes into each one.

"We have to plan around 12 months in advance for each show and members have to commit themselves to many weeks of rehearsals. But we obviously all think it's worth it because the buzz that we get from seeing another successful show is tremendous."

Pirates of Penzance and Trial by Jury will be performed at the Forest Arts Centre from tomorrow until Saturday.

Tickets cost £12 with £10 for concessions or Saturday matinee performances.

Call 01922 452970 for tickets or to find out more about the society call Doreen Yates on 01543 573818.