Delighting faithful followers of society

So wrote The Worthing Herald (sister paper to the West Sussex Gazette) when it reported on the first-ever production from Worthing Musical Comedy Society, A Country Girl on April 28 1936.

The Worthing Herald got it exactly right - as did the fledgling company which has been delighting its faithful followers ever since.

This year's the Society is celebrating its 75th anniversary, marking the day in September 1935 when Fred and Maisie Hill realised their dream. A group of keen amateur performers gathered together to form WMCS.

The following three years saw Pier Pavilion productions of Floradora, The Quaker Girl and The Geisha. Sadly, the advent of World War Two brought things to a halt for the next seven years.

But when the group resumed in 1946, it gained one of the most significant new recruits in its history.

Sixty-four years later, Josie Feest is proud to serve as WMCS president, looking back on a proud record of participation in dozens and dozens of productions, many many memorable moments - plus the little matter of 20 years as treasurer.

"I joined in 1946 when they were reawakening after the war. It was through my sister who knew Maisie Hill. The first meeting was at the Albion (hotel/pub). I was 17 - and it was jolly nice."

Josie had studied ballet dancing and had performed in pantos. She was ready for the next step, the company's first post-war show, Mr Cinders: "It was about a rather down-trodden man of the family, a chap who was treated like Cinderella by the rest of the family. I was just in the chorus."

Josie made her debut in an era when going out really was something: "I worked in Westminster Bank in the town, and I could see from our window that when they started booking for the show, there would be a queue for tickets going right around the corner. It was just amazing.

"I was one of the dancers to start off with. The first part I had was the one I loved most, Laurie in Oklahoma! I had a jolly nice leading man! He has just died, not long ago, but he was super, and it was a lovely cast."

Other highlights have included two different roles in The Merry Widow; a great experience in The King And I with included singing the beautiful Something Wonderful; and the lead role in The Great Waltz.

"It was all something to do other than being a wife and mother and all the rest of it. It got you away from the kitchen sink, as they used to say.

"And I have a jolly nice husband Jimmy who has always allowed me to do it.

"He wouldn't dream of doing it himself. He just tells me that he is the most important part of the production - the audience!"

The company's next production is Singin' In The Rain, directed by Lee Payne, choreography by Terri Moore and musical direction by John Woodman, at the Connaught Theatre, Worthing from Monday April 26 - Saturday May 2.