For the first time since 1958, when Brynmawr Amateur Operatic Society staged its first show The Quaker Girl, the company will not be performing at The Market Hall this year.

Secretary Chris Richards explained, “We’re really sad to be leaving our natural home at the heart of Brynmawr but unfortunately for us, the prospect of a second cinema screen being installed in what, until recently, was The Library has left us without dressing rooms or other facilities.

“The society has such a lot of history in the Market Hall and there are so many memorable shows and so much fun to look back on.

“I remember the days when there were stalls as well as what became known as ’the plush’ and the seating capacity was then about 640.

“On Saturdays, those stalls became the indoor market during the day and we all had to arrive early to sweep up the cabbages etc before the evening performance!”

The company’s new venue is the Beaufort Theatre, Beaufort Hill, and Chris and colleagues are grateful for the warm welcome they have received there.

“We sincerely hope our loyal followers of so many years will feel able to make the short journey to join us there,” he said.

“With the change of venue comes an exciting change of direction in show choice too, as this year’s offering is ‘Bad Girls The Musical’ which, as its title suggests, is the musical based on the long running and highly popular TV series.

“Lots of the original characters such as Nikki Wade, Denny Blood, Shell Dockley, Jim Fenner, Sylvia ’Bodybag’ Hollamby and the Two Julies are all there.

“It’s a bit raunchy in places, so we have imposed an advisory age limit of 14 and over for our audience, but it’s all done with lots of humour and a really powerful and diverse music score with a live band so we are confident of a highly entertaining and enjoyable evening for visitors at Larkhall Women’s Prison.”

The show will run from Wednesday March 16 to Saturday March 19 (curtain up 7pm) with a Saturday matinee starting at 2.30pm. Tickets cost £10, with concessions available for the matinee and can be obtained from the box office at the Beaufort (01495 355800) or by booking on line. The best link to on line booking can be found on the home page of the society’s website: brynmawr-operatic.btck.co.uk