About us

Learn more about what what makes PADOS unique.

Early beginnings

In 1918, St. Hilda's Glee Club of Heaton Park, located in Prestwich, rejoiced as the Great War ended, welcoming back men from the Western Front.

Throughout World War II, this exceptional society continued to entertain with all-female casts. Evidence suggests the existence of the Prestwich Amateur Dramatic Society (PADS) since November 1887, possibly merging with the Glee Club to form the Prestwich and District Operatic Society (PADOS). In 1919, PADOS presented their first full-length Operetta, "Trial by Jury," leaving a lasting artistic legacy in the community.

A big step forward

Over the past century, our society has graced numerous prestigious venues, from local church halls and schools to cinemas and distinguished locations like The Houldsworth Hall in Deansgate, Manchester. We've had the pleasure of performing at notable establishments such as The Dancehouse Theatre, The Police College, and civic halls, each one adding to our rich tapestry of experiences.

One particularly enchanting era unfolded at The Victoria Theatre in Salford, where for an incredible 13 years, we staged captivating plays and musicals that left audiences spellbound. Regrettably, this magnificent theater now stands dormant, patiently awaiting a touch of magic to breathe life into its grand halls once more.

A significant milestone in our journey took place in 1976, when we secured a lease on the former Prestwich Library. This space would soon become our cherished haven, known as PADOS House — a rehearsal headquarters, social hub, and workshop. However, in 1991, vandals breached our sanctuary, igniting a devastating fire that ravaged the premises. Despite the severity of the damage caused by both fire and water, the indomitable spirit of our members prevailed.

United in purpose, we rallied to the cause and, within a mere six months, transformed the ashes into what we proudly call PADOS Studio Theatre. With its intimate tiered seating, accommodating an audience of 64, our theater now showcases captivating week-long productions, while the joyous spirit of our pantomimes lingers a little longer each season. We extend our deepest gratitude to the multitude of members who selflessly contributed to this remarkable transformation, and we are especially indebted to our esteemed counterparts at Whitefield Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society, whose generous support and collaborative efforts, including a celebratory fundraising dinner, played a pivotal role in restoring our cherished abode.

Where we are now

The society now proudly features an Adult group, consistently showcasing two or three captivating plays each season, a grand musical production (held at the prestigious Bury Met Theatre), a vibrant Junior group (ages 7-11 years), and an exciting Youth group (ages 12 to 18 years).

All of these groups have risen to the challenge of emulating the success of West End hit shows and groundbreaking new-wave theatre.

Our committee now includes individuals who began their journey in the Youth Group. As those of us who once faced the initial hurdle of acquiring our own venue, we find solace in the fact that PADOS is in safe hands with people who still keep the spirit alive for future audiences and members to come.

Main Committee

Chair

Lauren Livesey

Role

To preside over meetings and provide leadership and direction to the members. Our chair is responsible for ensuring that PADOS operates effectively and efficiently, and that the objectives and goals of the society are achieved.

Secretary

Carole Taylor

Role

Handles administrative tasks, maintaining records, and facilitating communication within the group. Our secretary is responsible for ensuring smooth operations and supporting effective decision-making processes.

Treasurer

Tina Mathews

Role

Manages the financial aspects and resources of the group. Our treasurer is responsible for maintaining accurate financial records, overseeing budgeting and financial planning, and ensuring the organization's financial stability.

Marketing Manager

Claire Heywood

Role

Responsible for developing and implementing effective marketing and publicity strategies to promote and raise awareness of PADOS and the productions we showcase to audiences.

Website & Ticketing

Ben Forrest

Role

Optimise the PADOS website and ticketing platform to enhance the user experience, whilst coordinating with marketing to advertise the PADOS line up effectively.

Youth & Juniors

Helen Wilkinson

Role

Oversees and manages the activities and operations of a youth and junior theatre programme. Also responsible for creating a positive and engaging environment for young participants to learn and grow in various aspects of performing arts.

Membership Secretary

Christine Livesey

Role

Manages member records, processes applications and renewals, handles inquiries, and ensures communication with members. They also prepare reports and support membership growth efforts.

Play Production Secretary

Carol Halstead

Role

Supports the production of PADOS play productions across the year. This includes managing paperwork, scheduling, communication, and logistics.

Pantomime Production Secretary

Vacant

Role

Supports the production of the annual PADOS pantomime. This includes managing paperwork, scheduling, communication, and logistics.

Musical Production Secretary

Vacant

Role

Supports the production of PADOS musical productions across the year. This includes managing paperwork, scheduling, communication, and logistics.

Social Secretary

Suzi Cleary

Role

Responsible for planning, organizing, and coordinating social events and activities for PADOS to create enjoyable and memorable experiences for our members and participants.

General Committee Members

Sara Brockway

Deborah Lewis

Non-Committee (but important contact roles)

Volunteer Coordinator

Louise Livesey

Role

Recruits, trains, and manages volunteers, ensuring they are effectively matched to roles and supported. They oversee scheduling, and communication, and ensure volunteers are aligned with our goals.

Child Protection Officer

Sarah Osmond

Role

Ensures children's safety throughout their time with PADOS both in rehearsals and during performances. They work with families and implement safeguarding measures to protect children.