About Bolton Premier Productions

The Society Officials | Joining the Society | The Award for Best Musicals 1995 & 2000 | In Memoriam  

B.P.A.O.S was formed in 1974/1975 by 13 founder members, a splinter group of the now disbanded Sweetloves A.O.S who were themselves at one time a very good and well known Society, renowned in the area.

The founder members, many of whom are still actively involved in the Society were of course without any funding of any description. Each contributed £5.00 to set up a working fund to enable the organisation to proceed, and with the magnificent sum of £65.00 the Society was born.

Officers were appointed, membership forms were circulated, and with no little urgency the founder members recruited all the skills necessary to become a viable Operatic (and at that time Dramatic) Society, although the Dramatic side of the Society was never fulfilled and in the 1980's it was decided to drop Dramatic from the title.

At the first meeting to organise the scenery for the production there were two founder members and one joining member present and remember the Society had at that moment £65.00 to spend on the whole production, it must be said there were many more present when the time came to commence construction of the scenery, the majority of which was fabricated from cardboard etc.

It had been decided to perform pantomimes at the then brand new Horwich Leisure Centre, and in 1976 Cinderella was chosen. These excellent pantomimes were such a success that they continued for many years until the time came to make changes, which resulted in the Society moving to Bolton Little Theatre in 1990 to perform The Wizard of Oz.

Five years later the group had grown too large for the small venue and the decision was made to move to The Albert Halls with the show 'La Cage aux Folles' which was its debut in Bolton.

This production was a tremendous success, it won the prestigious Bolton Evening News award for Best Musical 1995 and it was repeated the following year owing to great demand. The society has gone on from strength to strength producing many successful shows at The Albert Halls, including A Slice of Saturday Night, West Side Story, Little Shop of Horrors and Anything Goes. In 2000, Bolton Premier was once again celebrating when their production of West Side Story was presented with the Bolton Evening News award for Best Musical 1999 and also the award for Best Set. Bolton Premier decided to update their title for 2000, and will now be known as Bolton Premier Productions.  It still prides itself on the friendly, welcoming atmosphere that started back in 1974.

Would you like to join the society?

  We are always looking for new members, on stage, behind the scenes, costumes, make-up or just to put the kettle on during rehearsals. Just give our secretary (Lynda 07980067854)  for further details.    Back to Top