NEW Rosemere AOS will be bringing the hits of the West End to Bolton in a one night only concert.

Society members will perform a 'A Night of Music from Stage and Screen' at St Paul's Church, Astley Bridge.

Audiences will enjoy everything from the Phantom of the Opera to Mary Poppins.

Press officer for the operatic society, Katherine Seager said: "New Rosemere have been performing an annual production for 90 years and since 2017, we have been branching out to help us attract different audiences by providing a wider genre of music and to raise additional income for the society.

"We decided to look at venues that could help us sell tickets, whilst serving the community; helping them enjoy music and to raise income for both groups through splitting the profits 50/50. The other advantage of St Paul’s church is that there is no cost to hire it; a valuable opportunity for the society.

"St Paul’s has strong links with the society. It is a big venue and a welcoming church, lending itself well to a good concert with popular music."

This will be the society's third one-night concert since October 2017 and, during that time it has raised more than £1,000 for other community organisations.

Katherine said: "Our last concert was performed on armistice day and included well-known wartime music from WWI and WWII, along with a mixture of popular songs from the shows.

"This year, we have widened our repertoire and will continue to do so, delighting our audiences with something different every time.

"For our ‘evening of stage and screen’, audiences can expect a variety of well-known, music from popular musicals, such as Les Miserables, South Pacific, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, My Fair Lady, Phantom of the Opera, The Sound of Music, Mary Poppins, Oliver, and many more!

"With such a varied programme, the concert will appeal to people of all ages — there really is something for everyone.

"We wanted music that is popular and will appeal to a wider audience, and that will sound fantastic with a choir of 30 people: bringing the church to life with the sound of music! For just £7, this is fantastic value for money. What better way to spend a Saturday night?

"Concert rehearsals are going very well, in between rehearsals for The Pirates of Penzance, which runs from 20th – 24th March at Walmsley Theatre."

The society is preparing for a busy season.

"We are particularly looking forward to July 14, when we are working with an Edgworth-based group to perform a semi-staged production of Oliver at The Barlow, in the hope that we can attract younger members to join the society for future productions in Bolton.

"We have a jam-packed programme for 2018, with eight more concerts scheduled so far," said Katherine,"feedback has been resoundingly positive, with one audience member stating that our music had her 'laughing, crying and singing all the way through'."

A Night of Music from Stage and Screen on Saturday, February 17, starts at 7.30pm and there will a wine bar and soft drinks will also be available. Tickets can be bought by ringing 01204 300666, 01257 263053, or by email newrosemere@yahoo.co.uk. Tickets are also available at the door.

Find out more about the society by visiting www.newrosemere.com, find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NRAOS90/, or check out our blog at www.newrosemere.wordpress.com.