Our Past Musical Theatre Productions

Wondering what to expect from Erewash Musical Society? Well here’s a list of our past musical theatre productions since 1895! Productions are listed from newest to oldest. For more information about our unique history, why not read about us?

Me and My Girl an Erewash Musical Society past production

A huge thanks to EMS member Chrissie Oakden for providing us with many of the photos and history of these Erewash Musical Society productions.

The 2020s Past Musical Productions – Lockdown and a Decade of Firsts.

The 2020s started with a blow to the world of musical theatre. The Covid-19 pandemic hit the world and caused a nationwide lockdown in the United Kingdom. This resulted in the closure of the Duchess Theatre as well as a hiatus on rehearsals and social events. Erewash Musical Society held remote meet-ups and rehearsals, before returning to socially distanced rehearsing in order to put on our Quarantined Edition of The Addams Family. We also had the honour of performing the final production at The Duchess Theatre before lockdown, Godspell. This musical theatre production won us the NODA Lockdown Hero Award. The decade is by no means over yet, but we’ve since experimented with first-to-EMS productions including Sunset Boulevard, Calendar Girls, Bad Girls, Little Shop of Horrors, and Hot Mikado, making it a decade of firsts.

Calendar Girls the Musical
The women of the WI. Photographed by Ali Langton

The 2010s Past Productions – When Classic Met Contemporary

The 2010s were an innovative decade for Erewash Musical Society’s musical theatre productions, in which we started to mix contemporary productions like Made in Dagenham and Sister Act with more traditional productions such as South Pacific and Carousel. In 2012 we received our very first NODA review for our standout production of Chess.

Our past musical theatre production of Chess

  • 2019 – Aida
  • 2019 – Miracle on 34th Street
  • 2018 – Made in Dagenham
  • 2018 – Annie Get Your Gun
  • 2017 – Crazy For You
  • 2017 – Hello Dolly
  • 2016 – Copacabana
  • 2016 – Sister Act
  • 2015 – Aspects of Love
  • 2015 – South Pacific
  • 2014 – The Witches of Eastwick
  • 2014 – The Drowsy Chaperone
  • 2013 – A Christmas Carol
  • 2013 – The Best of EMS
  • 2013 – Carousel
  • 2012 – Our House
  • 2012 – Chess
  • 2011 – Jekyll & Hyde
  • 2011 – Half a Sixpence
  • 2010 – 42nd Street
  • 2010 – Gypsy

The 2000s Past Musical Theatre Productions – The Duchess Theatre Fire

In the early hours of Sunday 16th November 2003, The Duchess Theatre in Long Eaton was sadly engulfed in flames following a performance of HMS Pinafore by another local society. Despite this, we managed to put on some outstanding productions (in May Hall at Trent College), including The Full Monty which had only been created at the start of the decade. In 2009 members Chrissie and Adrian were instrumental in the founding of our youth society EMUS, which provides a platform for young performers.

Erewash Musical Society in the 90s
Erewash Musical Society Godspell 2005
  • 2009 – The Full Monty
  • 2009 – Anything Goes
  • 2008 – Oklahoma!
  • 2008 – HMS Pinafore
  • 2007 – Thoroughly Modern Millie
  • 2007 – Oliver
  • 2006 – The King & I
  • 2006 – The End of the Pier Show
  • 2005 – Godspell
  • 2005 – Singin’ in the Rain
  • 2004 – Sweet Charity
  • 2004 – Song & Dance
  • 2003 – South Pacific
  • 2003 – Mame
  • 2002 – Brigadoon
  • 2002 – The Pirates of Penzance
  • 2001 – Guys and Dolls
  • 2001 – Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
  • 2000 – The Merry Widow
  • 2000 – Me and My Girl

The 1990s Past Productions – Celebrating 100 years of EMS and more

In 1995 we were proud to celebrate our 100th birthday. We appointed a new chairman, John Blackwell, Martin Briggs was appointed vice chair, and Laurie Trott got her first spot on the committee as a social committee member. Our Centenary musical production was White Horse Inn, and it was received with rave reviews.

Review of past production White Horse Inn

  • 1999 – Kiss Me Kate
  • 1999 – My Fair Lady
  • 1998 – Fiddler on the Roof
  • 1998 – Hello Dolly
  • 1997 – Calamity Jane
  • 1997 – Cabaret
  • 1996 – Carousel
  • 1996 – Half a Sixpence
  • 1995 – Anything Goes
  • 1995 – White Horse Inn
  • 1994 – Finian’s Rainbow
  • 1994 – The Pyjama Game
  • 1993 – The Desert Song
  • 1993 – The Music Man
  • 1992 – Charlie Girl
  • 1992 – South Pacific
  • 1991 – Oklahoma!
  • 1991 – Showboat
  • 1990 – The Gondoliers
  • 1990 – Brigadoon

The 1980s Past Productions –  A Love for My Fair Lady

In the 1980s we performed My Fair Lady for the first time. And again for the second time! We were still performing choral concerts alongside our musical theatre productions and we were actively advertising for male performers. Performances were held at The Friesland School in Sandiacre.

Past Musical Theatre Production Oklahoma
Oklahoma! in 1982
  • 1989 – Annie Get Your Gun
  • 1989 – My Fair Lady
  • 1988 – No No Nanette
  • 1988 – The New Moon
  • 1987 – The Merry Widow
  • 1987 – The Sound of Music
  • 1987 – White Horse Inn
  • 1986 – The King & I
  • 1986 – The Mikado
  • 1984 – My Fair Lady
  • 1984 – Half a Sixpence
  • 1983 – South Pacific
  • 1982 – Flower Drum Song
  • 1982 – Oklahoma!
  • 1981 – The Boyfriend
  • 1981 – Calamity Jane
  • 1980 – Viva Mexico
  • 1980 – Showtime/Batsman’s Bride

The 1970s Past Productions – Welcome Chrissie, Erewash Musical Society, and Fiddler on the Roof!

The 1970s gave us long-time member Chrissie Oakden, who remains our longest-acting member. Admission to our productions was just 50p a ticket and we first started using the name Erewash Musical Society. This came with a move to Friesland School for performances after the closure of the People’s Hall. Our first production as Erewash Musical Society was Fiddler on the Roof. The Cooperative Grocery Store also closed, however, the rehearsal space shared with Arcade Players remained open for us to use.

  • 1979 – Wedding in Paris
  • 1979 – Fiddler on the Roof
  • 1977 – The Pyjama Game
  • 1976 – The Arcadians
  • 1976 – The Great Waltz
  • 1975 – Kiss Me Kate
  • 1974 – The Student Prince
  • 1974 – Charlie Girl
  • 1973 – Free As Air
  • 1973 – The Sound of Music
  • 1972 – Finian’s Rainbow
  • 1972 – The Dancing Year
  • 1971 – Land of Smiles
  • 1971 – La Belle Helene
  • 1970 – Lilac Time
  • 1970 – Brigadoon

The 1960s Past Productions – Edacra Operatic Society is born and brings with it the book musical

In 1965 we made our first name change to Edacra Operatic Society, which is Arcade spelled backwards. This is likely due to our close relationship with the theatre society Arcade Players. Erewash and Arcade continue to have a close relationship sharing both rehearsal space and many of our members. The sixties also welcomed the book musical to our repertoire moving away from solely performing operettas.

Edacra Musical Society article

The 1950s Past Productions – Operettas Galore

The 1950s represented an era of growth, both economically and socially. Erewash Musical Society grew too, still under the name of The Cooperative Senior Choir. We found our footing in operettas, performing regularly. Still entering choral competitions, we became proud recipients of the coveted Robert Loake Shield in 1958, cementing our reputation as a talented society.

Melbourne festival article

  • 1958 – Iolanthe
  • 1955 – The Gondaliers
  • 1954 – HMS Pinafore
  • 1953 – The Mikado
  • 1952 – Yeoman of the Guard
  • 1951 – Merrie England
  • 1950 – Pirates of Penzance

The 1940s Past Productions – The Wartime Choral Concerts

As the 2020 pandemic showed, Erewash Musical Society is committed to supporting the arts, no matter how challenging it might be. The Cooperative Senior Choir was no different. Throughout WWII the group performed Choral Concerts, when fully staged operettas were simply not an option. We are proud to see the dedication the society has given to maintaining arts and culture throughout the decades.

An article for a wartime choral concert
An advert for a concert held in West Park, 1940
  • 1949 – Ruddigore
  • 1948 – The Gondaliers
  • 1947 – The Mikado
  • 1938-1946 – Choral Concerts (Wartime Years)

The 1930s Past Productions – A Move to Fully Staged Productions

The 1930s was a pinnacle decade for the society as we staged our very first full production, Merrie England. Whilst choral concerts and competitions would still continue through the earlier part of the century, this move to theatrical operettas was fundamental in making Erewash Musical Society the established theatre group it is today. We also have a review of our premiere theatrical production Merrie England in 1931, which was incredibly well received and a sign of things to come.

Review of Merrie England - 1931

The 1890s – 1920s Past Productions – Choral Concerts and Competitions

Choral concert in 1897

During our formative years, we performed choral concerts and competitions under resident musical directors. Mr C. Marshall was our first known MD. Our first female MD was Mrs B Cobb. Much is still to be discovered about these early years, but in 2025 we aim to share our journey as we celebrate 130 years of EMS

We’d love to hear from you. If you have any information about Erewash Musical Society’s history including photos, articles, or anecdotes please email Nicola Tuxford who will be in touch.