Exactly what it says on the tin
Revenge of Sherlock Holmes the Musical, at Arlington Arts from October 18 to 20, will be the last production under the name of Newbury Operatic Society, who were formed in 1922 and are the longest running amateur musical theatre group in the area. From then on, their name will be Newbury Musical Theatre Society and their first production will be the classic Rogers & Hammerstein musical The Sound of Music in April. The name change was brought about by shifting public taste and a more mobile membership which has reduced the number of operettas that have been performed in recent years. “The membership selects the main show each year and have not chosen an operetta since HMS Pinafore in 2004 and we have found that younger ticket buyers and potential members do not necessarily understand what an operatic society does. Individuals who don't like or think they don't like opera have been put off joining the society or coming to see our shows” said chairman Jeremy Mann. The new name was chosen by members after lengthy consultation and as they love to perform musical theatre it was natural that this be included in our new name Newbury Musical Theatre Society, which nowsends a clear message as to what we do. If you would like to find out more about the society or visit