Operatic group gets national honour

AN operatic society has scooped a national award for its production of a Disney classic.

The best musical award from the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (Noda) was given to the Bury St Edmunds Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society for its production of Beauty and the Beast.

It was also awarded Best Overall Production of 2011.

The society is moving into its 110th year in the Theatre Royal in Bury and is planning to perform Half a Sixpence between October 23 and 27, using the same musical director, Simon Pearce.

The acting of Megan Polston as Belle and Chris Strahm as The Beast were cited by Noda as contributing to an ‘marvellous’ performance.

Mel Barnes, president of the Bury operatic society, said: “We are over the moon with this recognition. I knew our show was good, but it’s great to have it acknowledged in this way.”

Ann Platen, of Noda, said: “The harmony singing was very tuneful with good diction well delivered, the sets spectacular, and the costumes, make-up and hair all looked so good.”