SS Simon and Jude's ADS

S.S. Simon & Jude's ADS has celebrated over 100 years of providing family entertainment in the local community.  The society was founded in 1909, when it produced the plays "The Cricket on the Hearth", closely followed by "East Lynn".  After a popular run at the primary school on Rishton Lane it toured other church schools, culminating on New Year's Day 1910, when the cast carrying all their own costumes and props marched through the snow to Walmsley Church School.  Later, in response to a town appeal in 1940, the society, though depleted in numbers due to the war effort, successfully performed at Bolton Little Theatre in order to raise funds for mobile canteens.

The mid 1960's saw a change of venue, to a newer more modern school on Newport Road, Great Lever.  The society made good use of this opportunity to increase its audience capacity and has been producing an annual pantomime, other musical shows and plays ever since.

One of our more notable players was cinema historian and Granada Television executive Leslie Halliwell, who played Widow Twankey in "Aladdin" in 1938.  Due to a steady influx of younger singers, dancers, actors and backstage staff, the society continues to thrive, with some members taking up acting as a professional career such as Nick Ramwell from Channel 5's "Hollyoaks".

The following is an extract from S. S. Simon & Jude’s 50 years parish commemoration booklet (1951).

 “Wherever Church organisations exist, there are to be found some who are interested in amateur theatricals. Our secular organisation has not been found wanting in this field.” quotes F. L. Meadows (December 1950).

A Dramatic Society was formed in 1909, and they produced Charles Dickens’ “The Cricket on the Hearth”, followed by “East Lynn”. Amusing though such titles now appear to the reader, they were produced with all the interest and vigour to be found in a growing social parish life. Dances in those days were forbidden and counter attractions of a commercial nature in the local town were considered outside the interests of church social life. 

In those seemingly far off days the production of “East Lynn” was considered a worthy local achievement. After a successful premiere at our own school (Rishton Lane) it toured other Church schools in the town including St Philip’s, St Matthew’s and the Bolton Lads club. On New Year’s Day 1910, the Cast, carrying all their own baggage and props, walked through the thick snow to Walmsley Church schools. In these days of easy transport one reads with amazement at such efforts but both the work and the entertainment brought pleasure to all those associated with the Church and real comradeship to the participants. 

Among the names connected with the early days of this society are Miss E. Bridge, E. Taylor, S. M. Baybut, L. Dutton, A. Isherwood, M. Woosey, A. Woosey, A. Thornley, A. Evans, Mr H. Martindale, F. Scholes, F. Jackson, W. Astley, W, Brooks, J, Coppell, E. Woosey, W. Knowles and H. Taylor. Mr J. Coppell was the successful producer of these early efforts in the field of amateur theatricals. 

Under the direction of the Rev. Justin Wenter, interest in Dramatic Work was revived and a new stage and fittings was added to the school (Rishton Lane) in the late 1930s. Many successful productions resulted. Amateurs from other parishes often visited our school to assist in raising parochial funds and also in support of National Appeals. During September 1940, Farnworth Auxiliary Fire Service Amateur Society staged a variety performance in aid of the Red Cross funds. In response to a town appeal during 1940, our Dramatics Society, though depleted in numbers, successfully played at the Bolton Little Theatre in order to raise funds for mobile canteens. During the later years of the War, however, it was impossible to continue, but in 1949 and 1950, the Society took on a new lease of life, first with a most successful presentation of a Passion play and later with other attractive productions. 

The following is an extract from S.S. Simon & Jude’s Centenary parish commemoration booklet (2001)

A change of venue was incurred when the new school buildings were opened in 1967. The Society made good use of this opportunity and transferred all its properties to set up the stage area and increase its audience capacity to 180 with extra seating in the school hall. From this time, the Chairmen of the Dramatic Society have been the Rev. Roland Hill (1966-1972), Albert Rushton (1973-1984), Chris Irish (1984-1990) and Stephen Leyland (1990-to date).

The production of a pantomime continued as an annual event. These went from strength to strength under a series of producers such as the Rev. Roland Hill, Albert Rushton and Zonya Marsh. Over the years all the traditional pantomimes such as “Aladdin” and “Cinderella” have been performed and also unconventional ones like “Hickory Dickory Dock” and “Puss in Boots”. In 1981 the Society commissioned Mr Frank Worsley to write “The Dancing Princesses”. Recently (Christmas 2000), Chris Irish has produced a lavish presentation of “Queen of Hearts” using more technical equipment and drawing cast members from other societies. 

The Society also diversified during the latter end of the 1980s with a series of variety shows and several one-act plays in the upper community room, all ably produced by Mrs Mary Mulraney. Visits out into the local community to provide musical entertainment in retirement homes and at cultural festivals were another agreeable addition. 

Membership has continued to thrive especially in our younger section. Many of these juniors have stayed on whilst others have joined other adult societies and some making acting their career.