The society was founded in The Fenton Hotel in October 1890. The first production, ‘H.M.S. Pinafore’ was performed at the Coliseum on Cookridge Street in the December of that year.
Our History
Our History
Our productions from 1890 to the present day
Please click on a date to see our shows for each year
1890
1937
Saw the society move to its current home at the Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House. That years’ production was the smash hit ‘La Fille de Madame Angot’.
1953
Merrie England, In celebration of the Queen’s Coronation, the society produced ‘Merrie England’. Merrie England has been performed six times over the years, all of which were at some point of historical celebration.
1960
Silverdales Swimming Pool
The society purchased a swimming pool for the Silverdales Holiday Camp for under-privileged children. After being open for more than 100 years the camp closed and was sold in 2016 to a neighbouring holiday camp.
1972
The Merry Widow
The Society were asked to put on ‘The Merry Widow’ in a tent in Roundhay Park, to celebrate the Park’s centenary.
1975
Showboat
1985
Carousel
1994
Chess
The society presented the Yorkshire Amateur Premiere of ‘Chess’, pre-empting the recent Abba revival.
1998
Crazy For You
2001
My Fair Lady
2003
42nd Street
2005
Jesus Christ Superstar
After great success with ‘Hello Dolly’ and ‘42nd Street’ at the Grand, the theatre had to close for major refurbishment. The Company became the first amateur society to play at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, and achieved 95% attendances for Jesus Christ Superstar. The Civic Theatre was taken over as a museum, and the autumn ‘Musical Years’ was performed firstly at the famous City Varieties and the following year at the new Carriageworks Theatre.
2007
Ragtime
LAOS produced Ragtime at West Yorkshire Playhouse, a very emotional and moving performance by all involved.
2009
The Producers & The King and I
Double performances of ‘The Producers’ and ‘King and I’.
2011
South Pacific
Just one show this year but a great one, ‘South Pacific’ at West Yorkshire Playhouse from 26 March 2011.
2013
The Sound of Music & Footloose
Another busy year with ‘The Sound of Music’ in March at Leeds Grand Theatre and ‘Footloose’ at The West Yorkshire Playhouse in September.
2015
Hairspray
A spectacular and highly acclaimed production of ‘Hairspray’ at Leeds Grand Theatre in May, attended on Gala night by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Major S M Hardy, rounded off our 125th Year in style.
2018
Cats
From cheeky comedic duos to acrobatic solos along with plenty of whole cast numbers in between. Amazing. see reviews
2020
My Fair Lady – The production that never was.
Unfortunately due to the Covid19 Pandemic this production had to be abandoned 2 weeks before opening night.
2023
Kinky Boots
Our return to the Leeds Grand Theatre & Opera House following 4 years of disruption due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
1893
This years’ production was ‘La Fille de Madame Angot’, an opéra comique in three acts by Charles Lecocq with words by Clairville, Paul Siraudin and Victor Koning.
1939
Glamorous Night
Following a successful performance of Ivor Novello’s ‘Glamorous Night’, the society ceased producing shows until after World War II. The society re-formed in 1948.
1955
Carousel and Oklahoma!
The society went on to produce a mix of old shows and new releases, similar to nowadays, with hits such as ‘Carousel’ and ‘Oklahoma!’.
1966
Waterford International Festival of Light Opera
It was decided to enter ‘Song of Norway’ into the Waterford International Festival of Light Opera. This involved the whole production moving to Ireland for the festival. The society was triumphant, sweeping the boards, which was then repeated the following year with ‘The Count of Luxembourg’, followed by a 3rd place with ‘The Vagabond King’ twelve months later.
1974
Oklahoma
1980
Brigadoon
1989
100 Musical Years
In its centenary year, the society went back to its roots and produced ‘100 Musical Years’ at the Civic Theatre. Due to it’s success this production became a regular addition to the LAOS calendar for many years.
1995
Cabaret
1999
Anything Goes
1999
Carousel
Also in 2002 LAOS produced the NODA cabaret performance in Bridlington.
2004
Hello Dolly
2006
West Side Story and Jazz it up
Sell out for ‘West Side Story’ at West Yorkshire Playhouse, and a ‘songs from the show’ performance named Jazz it up at The Carriageworks theatre.
2008
Sweeney Todd & Oliver
Sell out for ‘Sweeney Todd’ at West Yorkshire Playhouse. LAOS return to Leeds Grand Theatre to perform ‘Oliver!’, achieving 98% attendance and highly acclaimed reviews.
2010
Fiddler on the Roof & Beauty and the Beast
A busy year with ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast’.
2012
Chess and Guys & Dolls
LAOS performed ‘Chess’ at Leeds Grand Theatre from 13th to 17th March 2012 and ‘Guys and Dolls‘ at West Yorkshire Playhouse 22nd-29th September 2012.
2014
42nd Street & Aspects of Love
A return to ‘42nd Street’ kicked off 2014 in great style at Leeds Grand Theatre and was followed, at the start of our 125th Year, with a dramatic production of ‘Aspects of Love’ in The Courtyard Theatre at The West Yorkshire Playhouse.
2017
The Full Monty
After a year break, the society returned to Leeds, but this time the City Varieties theatre with a production of The Full Monty.
2019
West Side Story
If ever a musical had the ‘wow’ factor, then this is it. see reviews
2021
All Together Now
A cabaret production held to bridge the gap between main productions during the uncertain times of COVID-19.
2024
Following the success of Kinky Boots, LAOS returned to Leeds Grand Theatre with Legally Blonde. Legally Blonde received rave reviews from audiences and critics alike!
1890
The society was founded in The Fenton Hotel in October 1890. The first production, ‘H.M.S. Pinafore’ was performed at the Coliseum on Cookridge Street in the December of that year.
1893
This years’ production was ‘La Fille de Madame Angot’, an opéra comique in three acts by Charles Lecocq with words by Clairville, Paul Siraudin and Victor Koning.
1937
Saw the society move to its current home at the Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House. That years’ production was the smash hit ‘La Fille de Madame Angot’.
1939
Glamorous Night
Following a successful performance of Ivor Novello’s ‘Glamorous Night’, the society ceased producing shows until after World War II. The society re-formed in 1948.
1953
Merrie England, In celebration of the Queen’s Coronation, the society produced ‘Merrie England’. Merrie England has been performed six times over the years, all of which were at some point of historical celebration.
1955
Carousel and Oklahoma!
The society went on to produce a mix of old shows and new releases, similar to nowadays, with hits such as ‘Carousel’ and ‘Oklahoma!’.
1960
Silverdales Swimming Pool
The society purchased a swimming pool for the Silverdales Holiday Camp for under-privileged children. After being open for more than 100 years the camp closed and was sold in 2016 to a neighbouring holiday camp.
1966
Waterford International Festival of Light Opera
It was decided to enter ‘Song of Norway’ into the Waterford International Festival of Light Opera. This involved the whole production moving to Ireland for the festival. The society was triumphant, sweeping the boards, which was then repeated the following year with ‘The Count of Luxembourg’, followed by a 3rd place with ‘The Vagabond King’ twelve months later.
1972
The Merry Widow
The Society were asked to put on ‘The Merry Widow’ in a tent in Roundhay Park, to celebrate the Park’s centenary.
1974
Oklahoma
1975
Showboat
1980
Brigadoon
1985
Carousel
1989
100 Musical Years
In its centenary year, the society went back to its roots and produced ‘100 Musical Years’ at the Civic Theatre. Due to it’s success this production became a regular addition to the LAOS calendar for many years.
1994
Chess
The society presented the Yorkshire Amateur Premiere of ‘Chess’, pre-empting the recent Abba revival.
1995
Cabaret
1998
Crazy For You
1999
Carousel
Also in 2002 LAOS produced the NODA cabaret performance in Bridlington.
1999
Anything Goes
2001
My Fair Lady
2003
42nd Street
2004
Hello Dolly
2006
West Side Story and Jazz it up
Sell out for ‘West Side Story’ at West Yorkshire Playhouse, and a ‘songs from the show’ performance named Jazz it up at The Carriageworks theatre.
2008
Sweeney Todd & Oliver
Sell out for ‘Sweeney Todd’ at West Yorkshire Playhouse. LAOS return to Leeds Grand Theatre to perform ‘Oliver!’, achieving 98% attendance and highly acclaimed reviews.
2007
Ragtime
LAOS produced Ragtime at West Yorkshire Playhouse, a very emotional and moving performance by all involved.
2005
Jesus Christ Superstar
After great success with ‘Hello Dolly’ and ‘42nd Street’ at the Grand, the theatre had to close for major refurbishment. The Company became the first amateur society to play at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, and achieved 95% attendances for Jesus Christ Superstar. The Civic Theatre was taken over as a museum, and the autumn ‘Musical Years’ was performed firstly at the famous City Varieties and the following year at the new Carriageworks Theatre.
2009
The Producers & The King and I
Double performances of ‘The Producers’ and ‘King and I’.
2010
Fiddler on the Roof & Beauty and the Beast
A busy year with ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast’.
2011
South Pacific
Just one show this year but a great one, ‘South Pacific’ at West Yorkshire Playhouse from 26 March 2011.
2012
Chess and Guys & Dolls
LAOS performed ‘Chess’ at Leeds Grand Theatre from 13th to 17th March 2012 and ‘Guys and Dolls‘ at West Yorkshire Playhouse 22nd-29th September 2012.
2013
The Sound of Music & Footloose
Another busy year with ‘The Sound of Music’ in March at Leeds Grand Theatre and ‘Footloose’ at The West Yorkshire Playhouse in September.
2014
42nd Street & Aspects of Love
A return to ‘42nd Street’ kicked off 2014 in great style at Leeds Grand Theatre and was followed, at the start of our 125th Year, with a dramatic production of ‘Aspects of Love’ in The Courtyard Theatre at The West Yorkshire Playhouse.
2015
Hairspray
A spectacular and highly acclaimed production of ‘Hairspray’ at Leeds Grand Theatre in May, attended on Gala night by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Major S M Hardy, rounded off our 125th Year in style.
2017
The Full Monty
After a year break, the society returned to Leeds, but this time the City Varieties theatre with a production of The Full Monty.
2018
Cats
From cheeky comedic duos to acrobatic solos along with plenty of whole cast numbers in between. Amazing. see reviews
2019
West Side Story
If ever a musical had the ‘wow’ factor, then this is it. see reviews
2020
My Fair Lady – The production that never was.
Unfortunately due to the Covid19 Pandemic this production had to be abandoned 2 weeks before opening night.
2021
All together Now
A cabaret production held to bridge the gap between main productions during the uncertain times of Covid19.