Clifton Hospital Amateur Operatic Society

Programmes, photographs , news-cuttings and memoirs of Clifton Hospital Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society 's productions. The memoirs are written by Janet Benson nee McEwan, who starred in many of the Society's productions. Also includes two programmes for performances by the Society - Iolanthe (1950) and The Pirates of Penzance (1957).

Since 1948 the main aim of the Clifton Hospital Amateur Operatic Society has been to put on Gilbert and Sullivan operas, plays and pantomimes for the benefit of patients at Clifton hospital and other hospitals in the York B Group Hospital Management Committee. A concert, gymnastic display and country dancing was organised in 1953 as a special event for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The Society also entertained patients at the fancy dress ball.
Arthur Taylor directed the Society's productions until his death in 1969; his wife then produced 'The Mikado' in 1970, which was the last opera to be staged at Clifton Hospital. The Society's productions were staged at the Recreation Hall in Clifton Hospital until 1970, with 'Ruddigore' later being staged at the new Memorial Hall at St Peter's School, York. It is not known whether the Society continued until the closure of Clifton Hospital in 1994.
The Society was largely independent but received a small allowance from the hospital authorities. Any additional expenses were covered by the Society's fundraising activities.

The creator's original arrangement has been retained.

Records are open to the public, subject to the overriding provisions of relevant legislation, including data protection laws.

The archive was transferred from York City Archives to the Borthwick Institute on 7 October 2016 and a further addition was received direct from the donor on 28 November 2016.
The archive was gifted to the Borthwick Institute in October 2016 by Janet Benson. A further addition was made to the archive in November 2016.

Since 1948 the main aim of the Clifton Hospital Amateur Operatic Society has been to put on Gilbert and Sullivan operas, plays and pantomimes for the benefit of patients at Clifton hospital and other hospitals in the York B Group Hospital Management Committee. A concert, gymnastic display and country dancing was organised in 1953 as a special event for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The Society also entertained patients at the fancy dress ball.
Arthur Taylor directed the Society's productions until his death in 1969; his wife then produced 'The Mikado' in 1970, which was the last opera to be staged at Clifton Hospital. The Society's productions were staged at the Recreation Hall in Clifton Hospital until 1970, with 'Ruddigore' later being staged at the new Memorial Hall at St Peter's School, York. It is not known whether the Society continued until the closure of Clifton Hospital in 1994.
The Society was largely independent but received a small allowance from the hospital authorities. Any additional expenses were covered by the Society's fundraising activities.

The archive has not yet been catalogued.

Created by Dr Amanda Jones, 07.12.16.

A reprographics service is available to researchers. Copying will not be undertaken if there is any risk of damage to the document. Copies are supplied in accordance with the Borthwick Institute for Archives' terms and conditions for the supply of copies, and under provisions of any relevant copyright legislation. Permission to reproduce images of documents in the custody of the Borthwick Institute must be sought.

This material was deposited in York City Archives as a temporary deposit on 4 August 2016.

Further accruals are not expected

The Clifton Hospital Archive is also held at the Borthwick Institute for Archives (Reference: NHS/CLF).

Published

Minimal

Final

GB 193