MEMBERS of Richmond Operatic Society are basking in the glory of several awards presented to them at the recent National Operatic and Dramatic Society annual ceremony for 2019 in Newcastle.

A group of ROS representatives attended the event held at the Gosforth Park Hotel and were delighted to bring home several prestigious awards including both the Individual and Councillor’s Performance Award for Gail Barlow who delivered "a first class and emotional performance of the Mother Superior in Sister Act, which was key to the production, with beautifully sung numbers".

The ROS November production last year was Nativity Saga, written and directed by John Holliday, with music directed by John Hunter, which in the words of the NODA representative was "a very entertaining premier", winning the District Drama Award.

This year’s Sister Act, directed and choreographed by Jordan Leighton-Hamilton with music again supervised by John Hunter, was "a magnificent example of the art of musical – great vocals, believable characterisation, superb choreography and fine direction". Sister Act was awarded the Councillor’s Performance Prize for Best Production.

The same team is putting the finishing touches to the latest ROS offering, Movies and Musicals, which is to premier at the Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond, from Wednesday, November 13, to Saturday, November 16. Once again penned by John Holliday, the musical is set at an awards ceremony, with prizes being won and lost by an array of varied nominees who sing an eclectic range of sings from shows such as 'Wicked', 'Chicago', 'Spamalot' and 'The Producers'.

The show sees a cast of more than 25 people recreating classical scenes from awards ceremonies through the use of 24 huge hits from the big screen and stage.

Chairman and director John Holliday said: “It is amazing to have such a talented group of members on stage for the whole production taking on huge songs from chorus numbers from Abba, Disney and Chicago to individual performances pushing themselves to new heights with songs from modern shows including Wicked and The Book of Mormon."

Tickets, which start from £6.50, can be booked online at Georgian Theatre Royal or on 01748 818666 or from the theatre box office; all performances start at 7.30pm.