In 1913 The Winchester Amateur Operatic Society presented their first show, The Pirates of Penzance. The programme shows many members of the Winchester Dramatic Society, established 1863, were in the cast and backstage.  The close links have remained and now the two groups have joined forces to bring a Summer Festival in the beautiful gardens of Wolvesey Palace.

The Festival opens on July 14th with the Chesil Theatre, as Winchester Dramatic Society is now known, performing one of Shakespeare's best loved comedies, A Midsummer Night's Dream. It will be directed by Sarah Hawkins. As well as appearing on stage and directing at the Chesil, she brings a wealth of experience in outdoor productions and Shakespeare from her years as Head of English Literature at Peter Symonds College.

WMOS swing aboard on July 21st with their 2020 approach to the 1913 G&S operetta . Suzanne Hall, the chairman of the Society takes the helm. She has a fine reputation as actor, singer, dancer and choreographer and directed her first WMOS show in 2007. She has been in charge for several more productions including the stunning Singing in the Rain in 2018

Both directors have won much acclaim from audiences and NODA Awards for their high standards and are sure to bring fine entertainment to the gardens of Wolvesey Palace.

A Fine Bright Day Today by Philip Goulding

​Reading Friday February 21 7.45pm

Auditions Sunday February 23 7.45pm and Monday February 24 7.45pm

Performances May 16 - 23 7.45pm. Matinee Sunday 17 2.30pm

The Chesil Theatre has a fine record of bringing a wide range of drama of all genres to Winchester; classics, favourites but also of introducing new works.

The May production, A Fine Bright Day Today by Philip Goulding is a contemporary play which explores, with warmth, understanding and humour, the intertwining past and present lives of three very different people.

Set in a small English coastal town, where trawler men take their boats out in all weathers, this is a delicately constructed story of hope in later life.

Since her husband was lost at sea more than 30 years ago, Margaret has lived with her daughter, Rebecca. Now she is moving out to be with her boyfriend and Margaret faces a future alone. However, when Rebecca asks her mother to take in a lodger, on impulse she  agrees. It’s not long before he’s disturbing her calm routine, dripping rainwater on her clean floors and appearing for breakfast in his boxers.

Director, Caroline Helcke, said: "There are open auditions for these three fine parts in this entertaining, thoughtful play with a big heart. Philip Goulding makes us really care about these people and their hopes for the future."

There will be a reading on Friday February 21 with auditions on Sunday February 23 and Monday 24; all at the Theatre at 7.45pm.

New members are always welcome.