Llangollen and District Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society choose The Likes of Us as next production

Sep 24 2009 by Lois York, Chester Chronicle

LLANGOLLEN and District Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society have chosen The Likes of Us as the first production to kick-start their bi-centenary.

It tells the remarkable story of Thomas Barnardo, born in Dublin in 1845, who was so concerned at the homeless children he saw roaming the streets in the East End of London that he went on to found numerous homes and orphanages. By the time of his death in 1905, there were 96 homes caring for around 8,500 children.

Society chairman and director, Chrissie Ashworth said: “This is a society that has never been frightened to diversify and take on new challenges and though we mulled over more ‘standard productions’ we decided to go for something fresh and with a background that is known worldwide.

“The production contains the first song written by Webber and Rice – Going, Going, Gone – and we have been offered the opportunity to stage it before it takes to the professional stage sometime in the near future.

“A number of the members have been to see the production and it was agreed by the committee that this would be an ideal show for the society as we go in to our 101st year.

“We are hoping to raise awareness of the charity during the staging of the production.”

The Likes of Us will be staged at Llangollen Town Hall in April 2010 and rehearsals will start on January 5.

Before then, the society plans to stage a Christmas fundraiser on December 15.

The Young Uns, the Society’s junior section, will be performing The Snow Queen on February 4, 5 and 6, 2010.

The society encourages new members to join.