At the beginning of the nineteenth century Chelmsford was, according to historians, considered to be one of the most enthusiastic theatre-going towns in England. It had its own theatre, built on the site at present occupied by Marks and Spencer, with boxes, pit and galleries. Famous actors of the day appeared here, including Edmund Keane, Miss Foote of Drury Lane and Covent Garden and Mrs Sarah Siddons. Nearby there were beautiful gardens leading down to the riverside which, when lit by many coloured lamps, gave the appearance of a miniature Vauxhall. It all sounds very elegant and civilised but, as often seems to be the case, the planners decided to improve the town. The theatre was demolished and New London Road was built - a familiar story.

The end of the century saw the advent of the amateur theatre movement. It soon grew in popularity and before long Gilbert and Sullivan and other similar operas were being performed by enthusiastic amateurs all over the country. It took us, in Chelmsford, some thirty years to decide that we should form an Operatic Society of our own - we were always quick to recognise a good thing when we saw it. A public meeting was called, at the Corn Exchange in Tindal Square in November 1920 and the Chelmsford Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society was born. The first production was staged at the Empire Theatre (long since demolished) in Springfield Road, it was H.M.S. Pinafore and was, by all accounts, a great success receiving ecstatic reviews from the local press. Following that first production, the Society went on to stage musicals annually, the event soon becoming one of the highlights of the social calendar.
In 1939 however, following the production of The Belle of New York, advance preparations for the next production, Virginia, had to be halted due to the outbreak of war. During the next six years the committee met, periodically, to discuss the possibility of resuming activities, but wartime conditions made it impossible and it was not until 1947 that the next production could be staged. It was The Desert Song, directed by Madge Macklin at the Regent Theatre. It was a great success and CAODS was back in business.

It was at this time that the Society decided to exercise the 'Dramatic' side of its function, Some great plays were presented at the Regent Theatre, either side of the annual musical production. This continued for some years until it finally became too financially hazardous to continue. The Regent seated around one thousand and whilst
there were often queues for the musical productions, filling it for a straight play was not so easy

I think it is fair to say that in those early years, being a member of the Operatic Society was considered to be a rather 'middle class' activity attracting members from the local gentry and people with business interests in the town. Today it is much more democratic and members are drawn from all walks of life.

The immediate post-war years were great ones for the theatre. Shows such as Annie Get Your Gun, Oklahoma, Carousel and South Pacific had crossed the Atlantic and were now available for amateur production. We engaged a new director, Phyl Payne,
a busy theatrical agent and ex-dancer who brought with her and air of great professionalism and a string of successful productions. During one of these, Oliver!,in 1968, it was decided to form a Junior section of the Society to provide a theatrical outlet for the many young people who had presented themselves at auditions for that show. By that Christmas we had formed a junior society, one of the very first in the country, and were presenting Robinson Crusoe at the Great Baddow School. Directed by Phyl Payne they soon achieved considerable success and , in 1972, became independent of the adult society, adopting the name Chelmsford Young Generation, but still retaining very close ties with the parent company. Phyl Payne died in 1994 but is remembered with great affection by all who worked with her.

The Operatic Society did not always ride on the crest of a wave, Like most similar groups there have been peaks and troughs in our history. Our production of Pickwick, for instance, caused one critic, who incidentally gave me one of my best reviews, to write " A genteel Edwardian air pervades the whole society with its 'Hon' this and 'Hon' that and its programme request for ladies to remove their hats. A injection of new talent and new management might well rescue the group from the doldrums in which they apparently find themselves" Soon afterwards we engaged a new young director, Ray Jeffery, who, to quote the same critic "caused a wind of change to blow through the Society" We had, by that time, moved from the beautiful
Wedgewood Blue, White and Gold decorated Regent Theatre, with its gilt cherubs, to the modern Civic Theatre. Many of us still mourn the passing of that highly atmospheric theatre, initially to Bingo and latterly to a Rock Café, but we are happy to be firmly settled in our present home.

Ray joined us for Kismet in 1974, and has been responsible for a succession of hit musicals. He has an infectious enthusiasm for everything he undertakes, demands absolute commitment and takes no prisoners. In spite of this I am still pleased to have been responsible for introducing him to the Society.

For as long as I can remember, it had always been our dream to have a home of our own so when, in 1985, the Young Generation acquired their own spacious headquarters building we were delighted and when, like all dutiful children, they invited their aging parents to move in with them, we were more than happy to accept.
We now share a magnificent building, in parkland, with a large Rehearsal Room, Green Room, Kitchen, Dressing Rooms and, in addition, a large workshop, wardrobe and props area and, no longer have to search for rehearsal accommodation making us the envy of all who visit us.

In 2003 we welcomed a new director to our organisation. Jeremy Tustin (Cowell) joined the Young Generation at the age of seven. He trained, professionally, at Mountview Theatre School and, since graduating, has appeared in numerous West End, touring and rep. seasons and has been responsible for a number of Caods and Young Gen successes.

This year we have, so far, presented a Rollicking 'Broadway' Pirates of Penzance with Ray Jeffery at his very best and John Trent Wallace wielding the M.D's baton We are now to introduce a new director, Sallie Warrington, who will be directing Chess for us at the Civic Theatre in the autumn with our own Patrick Tucker as Musical Director

2010 will be the society's 90th anniversary year and, recession permitting, amongst our celebrations we will be presenting the wonderful Fiddler on the Roof ,once again under the direction of Ray Jeffery but this time with the versatile Stuart Woolner, Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar and Billy Bigelow in Carousel, acting as Musical Director.

Finally are proud to have been chosen to stage one of the first amateur productions of Disney's fabulous 'Beauty and the Beast' a great challenge and a fitting finale to our anniversary year.

Peter Smith
Life Member and President of Chelmsford Young generation

For more information on Young Gen please click below.

www.young-gen.co.uk