A Brief History of the Society

The St. Ives Music and Drama Society was started in 1935 by Charles Cannon. The early programmes were concert versions of traditional English works such as  ‘Elijah’, ‘Merrie England’ and Gilbert and Sullivan Operas. Although they did not perform in the war years a copy of the minutes of the AGM of 1944 stated that the assets of the society stood at £43.8s.10d! It wasn’t much better in 1965 but in that year the society changed its direction with the introduction in 1966 of an American Musical – ‘Oklahoma’, stage plays, ‘Variety Shows’ and ‘Old Time Musicals’ followed and the acronym SIMADS appeared for the first time. The balance sheet became a little healthier and an old army hut, to serve as a scenery store and workshop, was acquired and erected in the early ‘70’s by the members themselves on leased land, subsequently purchased.

The society is affiliated to NODA (National Opera and Drama Association) and has, apart from 1940 – 1946, staged productions almost continually, usually two each year. The society is very fortunate to have a dedicated membership and of course such good support from our audiences.

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