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Formed in 1941 under the Chairmanship of
Arthur R. Fenner, a Director of Watmough�s
(which later became the United Biscuits Factory
at Great Coates) the Silhouettes Operatic
Society�s main aim was to bring a little light
relief to the people of Grimsby and Cleethorpes
during the Second World War. Dorothea
Campey was appointed Honorary Musical
Director. Because of the shortages imposed by the war, the society was unable to put on lavish stage shows and so for seven years they created and produced the Silhouettes Review which was performed at the Theatre Royal, Cleethorpes. With lots of local talent notably such names as Dorothy King, Mary Balders and Ivy Sleight who performed with the help of Florence Drapers Young Ladies, and Arthur Hewitt with Bill Sleight, the shows were a resounding success. Such names as George Cave, Bill Redshaw, Albert Hewson and Ron Wheatley cannot be forgotten. The society�s first stage musical, �The Student Prince� was produced in 1948 by Florence Lucas, the honorary producer from the formation of the society until 1953 when it was decided they should engage a professional producer. The company performed at the Theatre Royal until 1964, when they had to move to the ABC(Ritz) Cinema in Grimsby Road. In 1973 the Silhouettes moved again, back to the sea front and on to the Pier Pavilion where they opened with �Fiddler on the Roof� and there they stayed until the pier closed in 1983. From there the Silhouettes moved to the Ice House in Grimsby until the opening of the Grimsby Auditorium in 1996 where they have been ever since. The Silhouettes had several musical directors in the early days with Florence Lucas in the position from 1950 until 1964 when Mary Balders took over as Guest Conductor. She was followed by Leo Solomon and then William Redshaw. In 1968 Harold Thompson was persuaded to take up the appointment and has held the position ever since. |
| Scene from Oklahoma 1958 |