50th anniversary production

They are staging Guys And Dolls from April 11-14.

As chairman Doreen Noon explains, Guys And Dolls was the show for which they won a NODA (National Operatic and Dramatic Association) award nine years ago.

“That’s the reason we have done the show for our 50th anniversary,” says Doreen, a member of the company for the past 22 years and chairman for the past 12.

“It’s a very friendly company, and it has got a lot of talent. In the past we have always given very good shows. Everyone always comes away very happy.”

As for Guys And Dolls, part of the attraction is that the men’s chorus is so good: “And it is a more up-to-date show to do than Oklahoma! or Carousel or some of the others. It probably also appeals to more younger people - although our audiences are nicely mixed.

“Selsey does have quite a lot of older people, and we have got quite a lot of people that come year after year to see us, whatever the show is we are doing.

“We have also got a very good orchestra each year. It is usually 14 or 15-piece which makes the show. A lot of societies just have a piano. Having an orchestra makes it very professional. People have said that we are always very professional.

“We started rehearsing in September once a week for the show and we did a Christmas concert in December. After Christmas, we have been doing two rehearsals a week.”

Doreen is delighted at the way it is coming together.

Evening performances are at 7.30pm with a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. The show will be at The Academy, School Lane, Selsey. Tickets on 01243 604875.