OLIVE Hart, Horwich RMI AODS's popular Vice-president and Chairman, this year celebrates her half century in amateur theatre.

She first trod the boards in Horwich Girl Guides' pantomime, Dick Whittington, in the 1940s, when she took the part of Alice.

Later, she joined the now defunct Brunswick Operatic Society and at the age of 15 had her first leading role.

One of her memories from that period is of visiting the La Boheme shop on St Georges Road to choose a costume. She stayed with Brunswick until its last production, but had already become a member of Adlington AODS. In 1950, Olive joined Bolton Amateur Operatic Society and performed in productions for five years. In 1952 she took the leading role in St Philip's AODS's production of Sybil.

This was a particularly memorable production because during its run King George VI died and everything in the country was cancelled for a day.

With friends, Olive decided to to re-form Horwich RMI Operatic Society and she played the leading role in Goodnight Vienna.

After that Olive decided to make Horwich "her society" and has remained a loyal member playing numerous parts. She has produced 25 shows for Horwich, the first of them being Summer Song.

Olive describes that stint as: "Twenty-five very happy years."

In 1972, she was presented with her 25-year Silver Medal and the company honoured her with a "This is Your Life production.

One of the highlights of Olive's amateur theatre career was in 1975 when she was introduced to Princess Anne, who was watching rehearsals for the society's production of The Merry Widow. The Princess was in Horwich officially to open the Leisure Centre.

In 1994 Olive became Vice-president of the society and a year later was elected Chairman.

Olive is delighted that the society is presenting her favourite show, Fiddler on the Roof, at Horwich Leisure Centre from March 17 to 22. Tickets from 01204 573450.

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