History

Originally formed as the Gravesend Co-operative Choir in 1930, although records date back to as early as 1915, the choir had performed many concert versions of operas. A performance of The Pirates of Penzance in 1954 was its first venture into the amateur operatic field.

Now known as the Gravesend Entertainment and Musical Society, the choir aimed to perform a Gilbert and Sullivan opera annually, although in later years their repertoire has broadened considerably into English and American musicals right up to the present day.

Along with their theatre productions, they now give many concerts throughout the year around the district in support of various charities including the Ellenor Lions Hospice and the Concern for Chenobyl Children Fund.

List of Productions

1953 Merry England
1954 Pirates of Penzance
1955 The Gondoliers
1956 Mikado
1957 Yeoman of the Guard
1958 Ruddigore
1959 Gipsy Baron
1960 Iolanthe
1961 Pirates of Penzance
1962 Gondoliers
1963 HMS Pinafore
1964 Mikado
1965 Yeoman of the Guard
1966 Penelope Anne
1967 Iolanthe
1968 Ruddigore (Woodville Halls)
1969 Gondoliers
1970 White Horse Inn
1971 The Merry Widow
1972 HMS Pinafore and Trial by Jury
1973 Gipsy Baron
1974 Mikado
1975 Kings Rhapsody
1976 Pirate of Penzance
1977 New Moon
1978 Night in Venice
1979 Iolanthe
1980 Merry England
1981 Orpheus in the Underworld
1982 White Horse Inn
1983 HMS Pinafore
1984 Gondoliers
1985 Land of Smiles
1986 Salad Days/Showboat
1987 Gipsy Baron
1988 Pirates of Penzance/Mikado
1989 La Belle Helene
1990 Ruddigore
1991 Merry Widow
1992 Iolanthe
1993 Oklahoma!
1994 Pyjama Game
1995 South Pacific/Cromwell
1996 Call Me Madam
1997 Me and My Girl
1998 Showboat
1999 Annie Get Your Gun
2000 Half a Sixpence
2001 HMS Pinafore/Anything Goes
2002 Wizard of Oz
2003 Calamity Jane
2004 Kiss Me Kate
2005 Oliver
2006 Murder Most Musical
2007 My Fair Lady
2008 Carousel
2009 Crazy For You