Hinckley Concordia AOS

The History of the Society by Nanette Goodman
The Hinckley Concordia Amateur Operatic Society has been in our town for over 100 years, but started life as a Chapel Society, called The Hinckley Baptist Operatic Society. The operas and operettas they performed were rehearsed and staged in the school room of the Baptist Chapel, Hinckley, and some very fine work was done there, beautiful voices, beautifully trained voices.

The Society wished to improve themselves both artistically and technically, but this was not possible on the small stage in the school room. It was decided by the committee, to maintain rehearsals in the Chapel, but find an alternative venue to perform the shows. This they did, moving firstly to The Working Men’s Club, Hinckley, situated just down the road from the Chapel. Unfortunately, this did not last long, as the Brewery made changes to the Club, which did not incorporate the staging of shows. The last show performed there was “Carousel” in 1964.

The next venue was the St. George’s Ballroom, in the Horse Fair Hinckley. This was a nightmare for all concerned. A stage had to be erected, along with seating for the auditorium, scenery, lighting, sound, props, make shift dressing rooms, and costumes. Everything had to be taken to the Ballroom after midnight, when the Saturday dance had finished. Work continued all through the night, to enable the respective technicians to set up their equipment the following day. The cast then arrived around 7.00pm to begin dress rehearsal, rehearsing into the early hours, as they opened to a live audience the following night.

Despite the difficulties, the society was prepared to continue at the Ballroom. However, they were informed the Ballroom had been sold and was to become a Night Club. The last show staged there was “My Fair Lady” in 1967. This was produced by Mr David Goodman, who went on to produce the society’s shows, until his untimely death in 1997. Again the company were without a home. Mr Fred Robottom, the then Chairman of the society, called the committee together, and said “We cannot continue like this”, and he suggested that the society should look for premises to purchase. He said “Somewhere of our own, where we could improve in all areas as we intended to do.”

An Extraordinary General Meeting was called and members were informed of Fred’s proposal. After much debate, the members agreed. Then the whole of the Hinckley area was scoured for somewhere suitable to purchase, and after much searching, the disused hosiery factory of Moore, Eady and Murcott Goode, was found to be suitable, the factory being situated and the bottom of Stockwell Head Hill Hinckley.

The owners offered to sell just half of the building, and this Fred purchased for the Society with his own funding. This was in 1969. The Committee arranged with Fred the repayment, which was to be, ‘as and when’ funds were available.

A public meeting was also called, to inform the town of our plans and to ask for any help we could get. This was Chaired by Mr George Baxter, the then Headmaster of Hasting High School.

Fund raising began and work on the premises commenced renovating the factory into a Theatre. Many people gave freely of their time, particularly those with building skills and those who had no building skills laboured for those who had. Mr Gordon Paul, who owned a building company in Burbage, contributed greatly, to the construction of transforming the factory, and he delayed payment for his work for years, thus enable the society to accumulate funds.

Fund raising and working on the project was hard, but rewarding, however, a bitter blow was to come. Fred and his wife Edith went to their holiday home in Skegness for a few days break. While they were there Fred suffered a severe heart attack and died.

The Society was devastated, but determined that Fred’s dream of giving his Society a home and the town a place of entertainment must be accomplished and completed.

As the Society now had a home, they could no longer call themselves The Baptist Operatic Society, so a new name had to be found. It was decided to retain just a little of the Baptist days, by taking the name “Concordia” a name which hung over the proscenium arch of that tiny stage in the Baptist School Room, not only did the society adopt this name, they also gave it to the Theatre.

Eventually what was owing to Fred was repaid, and upon doing so, Edith Robottom, Fred’s Widow, gave back enough money to tarmac the front of the Theatre. Much is owed to Fred and Edith.

After three years work, all was now in place for the first show, “The Sound of Music” which opened November, 1972. The official opening of the Theatre was on 27th.April, 1973 with a Gala Opening, Produced by Mr Tony Howkins “The Seven Ages of Man”

Other societies joined and the other half of the factory was purchased. Many have given much of themselves and still do, making the Theatre what it is today, a unique place of entertainment