History of the Society

Founded in 1962 as Cockett Church Gilbert and Sullivan Society by the incumbent, Fred Secombe, this group went on to complete the canon of 13 G & S operettas plus the Sullivan & Burnand "Cox and Box" by 1979. During this period, the Society competed successfully three times at the Waterford International Festival of Light Opera, winning the Mark Cannon Award for best G & S Production, the Swift Choral Shield and numerous pieces of crystal glass and certificates of merit.

In 1981, the Society ventured away from G & S with Offenbach's "La Belle Helene" and became Cockett Amateur Operatic Society (C.A.O.S). Since then, the repertory has become quite diverse, illustrating a remarkable degree of versatility.

In 1994, C.A.O.S. claimed the Welsh Premier of "Chess", following on from the Swansea City Premier of "Pickwick" the year before. The complete repertory is included in this website.

This year's presentation of "Oklahoma!" clocked up the 45th production over what has been a happy and rewarding period of years. C.A.O.S has the enviable reputation of being a most friendly organisation where associations tend to be long term. Several founding families have remained active into the second generation, but, of course, newcomers are always made very welcome.

Although the Society is now a registered charity, over the past forty odd years, total contributions to deserving causes from this group have run well into five figures.

The Society performs each year, usually in March, at the Taliesin Arts Centre, University of Wales, Swansea and tickets are always at a premium.

Key Posts (2007-08)

President - Menna Trussler

Chairman - Jonathan Williams

Vice Chairman - Linda Drew

General Secretary - Mary Isaac

Treasurer - Paul Roach

Ticket Secretary - Ann Grinter

Publicity Officer - Peter. L. Howard

Minute Secretary - Helen Roach

Stage Manager - Paul Barnett

Committee Members (2007-08) - Gareth Huxtable, Beverley Harris, Peter. L. Howard, Denise Vaughan, Judith Phillips, Gareth P Griffiths

Casting Committee (2007-08) - Menna Trussler, Kathryn Rice, Christopher Waring Davies, Jonathan Williams, Julie George, Ken Thomas, Gwyn Lewis

Society Historians - Jim Trussler, Julie George, Gwyn Lewis, Gaynor Williams

Artistic Director - Kathryn Rice

Kathryn is a freelance director working in the fields of both drama and musical theatre. She initially trained alongside her father, the well known director David Thomas M.B.E. and then undertook training at Warwick and Loughborough universities, continuing to develop her skills working alongside various professional directors.

Kathryn directs the Sir Harry Secombe Youth Musical Theatre Company, based at the Grand Theatre and recent productions with this company include Fame, Bugsy Malone, My Fair Lady and the Sound of Music.

Her recent credits as the director of Cockett Operatic Society include Broadway version of Penzance, Me and My Girl, Honk, Summer Holiday and Jekyll and Hyde. Kathryn has extensive experience as a Drama/Musical Theatre teacher and is employed as a peripatetic teacher in primary schools for Swansea City Council and Neath and Port Talbot Borough Council.

Kathryn's forthcoming productions include The Wizard of Oz, We Will Rock You and a production of the Boyfriend in memory of her father.

Musical Director -

Christopher Waring Davies

Born in Neath Christopher initially studied piano, flute, and pipe organ gaining a Licentiate diploma from the London College of Music, his vocal studies began whilst at University and most recently studying under Janette Masochi.

Christopher has performed widely including opera, oratorio, lieder and music theatre. He recently gave a recital at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff performing a Spanish song cycle written especially for him by the welsh composer Lisa Mears. Chris has toured France, Brittany and Ireland and was the soloist for the Victoria Male Choir from Australia on their recent tour of Wales.

Christopher is also an experienced conductor and choral trainer. He has worked with the National Chamber Orchestra of Wales and is the founder of the Gower Chorale. Chris has conducted performances of most of the major choral works ranging from J. S. Bach to Benjamin Britten. He has conducted performances at Notre Dame de Paris, the Madellaine and Chartres Cathedral and has recorded for BBC Radio and television and also for Chandos Recoding Company. Chris has also worked extensively in music theatre as music director for such shows as Chicago, Cabaret, Godspel, Sound of Music, King & I, A Chorus Line and Anything Goes to name but a few.

Currently Director of Music at St.Teilo’s Church Bishopston and principal of the Gower School of Music Chris is delighted to be Music Director for Cockett Operatic Society.