A scene from West Side Story, 1992 (2)

West Side Story is a musical by Laurents, Bernstein and Sondheim set in the mid 1950s in New York City’s Upper West Side. Inspired by Shakespear’s Romeo and Juliet, it follows the unfolding rivalry between two teenage street gangs, the Jets and the Sharks. The original 1957 production of the musical was Sondheim’s Broadway debut. Running for 732 performances before touring, the production was nominated for six Tony Awards including Best Musical in 1958. The musical’s London production ran for even longer before it was eventually adapted into film in 1961. This photograph captures a scene from the T.A.O.D.S production of the musical at City Hall in 1992.

A scene from Blondel, 2000

Written by Tim Rice and Stephen Oliver, Blondel is a rock opera musical set in the period of the Third Crusade. It tells the story of the medieval entertainer Blondel who travels across Europe to stop Prince John from taking King Richards throne, although Blondel himself is being pursued by an assassin. Blondel opened in London in 1983 and played across two West End theatres. Although eventually closing less than two years after opening, community amateur dramatic society’s still produced their own performances of the musical at local theatres across the country for decades after. This photograph was taken at the T.A.O.D.S performance of Blondel at Hall for Cornwall in 2000.

Blondel, 2000

Written by Tim Rice and Stephen Oliver, Blondel is a rock opera musical set in the period of the Third Crusade. It tells the story of the medieval entertainer Blondel who travels across Europe to stop Prince John from taking King Richards throne, although Blondel himself is being pursued by an assassin. Blondel opened in London in 1983 and played across two West End theatres. Although eventually closing less than two years after opening, community amateur dramatic society’s still produced their own performances of the musical at local theatres across the country for decades after. This photograph was taken at the T.A.O.D.S performance of Blondel at Hall for Cornwall in 2000.

A scene from Hot Mikado, 2009

Hot Mikado is a musical comedy based on Gilbert and Sullivan’s 1885 comic opera ‘The Mikado’. In the 1980s, Bell and Bowman readapted the musical from its original 1939 incarnation. It was then produced in its new form in 1987 before again being revived in London’s West End in 1995. The story is set in 1940s Japan where flirting is punishable by death. The 2009 T.A.O.D.S production of Hot Mikado ran between the 22nd and 26th of September and was directed by Trevor Hitchens, who is well known for his original twists on well established shows.

Backstage at Hot Mikado, 2009 (1)

Hot Mikado is a musical comedy based on Gilbert and Sullivan’s 1885 comic opera ‘The Mikado’. In the 1980s, Bell and Bowman readapted the musical from its original 1939 incarnation. It was then produced in its new form in 1987 before again being revived in London’s West End in 1995. The story is set in 1940s Japan where flirting is punishable by death. The 2009 T.A.O.D.S production of Hot Mikado ran between the 22nd and 26th of September and was directed by Trevor Hitchens, who is well known for his original twists on well established shows.

Backstage at Hot Mikado, 2009 (2)

Hot Mikado is a musical comedy based on Gilbert and Sullivan’s 1885 comic opera ‘The Mikado’. In the 1980s, Bell and Bowman readapted the musical from its original 1939 incarnation. It was then produced in its new form in 1987 before again being revived in London’s West End in 1995. The story is set in 1940s Japan where flirting is punishable by death. The 2009 T.A.O.D.S production of Hot Mikado ran between the 22nd and 26th of September and was directed by Trevor Hitchens, who is well known for his original twists on well established shows.

Backstage at Pirates of Penzance, 2003 (1)

A Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera in two acts, Pirates of Penzance first premiered in New York City in 1879 before debuting in London in 1880. It is one of the most frequently performed Gilbert and Sullivan operas and tells the story of Frederic, who upon turning 21, is released from his apprenticeship to a band of pirates. The T.A.O.D.S staged their own production of the opera at Hall for Cornwall in 2003. This photograph is taken in the men’s dressing room at Hall for Cornwall and features the cast of pirates who acted in the show.

Backstage at Pirates of Penzance, 2003 (2)

A Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera in two acts, Pirates of Penzance first premiered in New York City in 1879 before debuting in London in 1880. It is one of the most frequently performed Gilbert and Sullivan operas and tells the story of Frederic, who upon turning 21, is released from his apprenticeship to a band of pirates. The T.A.O.D.S staged their own production of the opera at Hall for Cornwall in 2003. This photograph is taken in the women’s dressing room at Hall for Cornwall and features the female ensemble who participated in the show.

Backstage at Pirates of Penzance, 2003 (3)

A Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera in two acts, Pirates of Penzance first premiered in New York City in 1879 before debuting in London in 1880. It is one of the most frequently performed Gilbert and Sullivan operas and tells the story of Frederic, who upon turning 21, is released from his apprenticeship to a band of pirates. The T.A.O.D.S staged their own production of the opera at Hall for Cornwall in 2003. This photograph is taken in the men’s dressing room at Hall for Cornwall and features the cast of police who acted in the show.

A scene from the Witches of Eastwick, 2007

First produced in London’s West End in 2000, the Witches of Eastwick is a musical based on John Updike’s 1984 novel of the same name. The story centres around the 3 female protagonists, the ‘Witches’, and the events that take place in the aftermath of the miraculous arrival of the man of their dreams. The T.A.O.D.S production of the musical was staged at Hall for Cornwall in 2007.