This stagecoach is made of steel!

20 Feb 2008

The Deadwood Stage a-headin’ on over the hills in Port Talbot this April will be driven with support from Corus.

The company has awarded Port Talbot Amateur Operatic Society £1,000 towards helping the group stage the popular musical Calamity Jane at the Princess Royal Theatre from April 1 to 5.

This is the fourth consecutive year that Corus has invested in the Society as part of its annual programme to support charities and other good causes in the community in which it has plants.

The Operatic Society was founded in 1947 and has around 60 playing members and 40 non-playing members.  It also has a youth section, and the Corus grant helped its members put on a performance of Disney's High School Musical last autumn.

A western musical based on the Warner Brothers Film featuring Doris Day in the title role, Calamity Jane features such well known songs as Secret Love, Black Hills of Dakota and The Deadwood Stage.

“Calamity is one of those feel good shows where everyone knows at least one song,” said stage manager Paul Barnett, who also works as a Business Planning Analyst with Corus. “It was chosen as it contains a lot of chorus work and also has never been performed at the Princess Royal.

“The Society values the help and support it receives from Corus as it enables us to keep the ticket prices low, despite the escalating costs of the venue, scenery, and so on.”

Corus Community Spokesman Keith Farron said: “Corus has a long-standing relationship with the Operatic Society and is delighted to be able to support two popular annual productions that are eagerly anticipated in Port Talbot.”

Port Talbot Amateur Operatic Society’s Headquarters is at Taibach Community Centre, and weekly rehearsals are held on Tuesday evenings.  The Youth Theatre meets on Wednesdays.  For further information, please contact the Society's Secretary, Stuart Joseph, on 01639 896228.