‘Laughter and longevity’: How Garforth Musical Society reached its 80th year ahead of milestone celebration

In 1946, as the dust settled on the Second World War, a small group of local men in Garforth gathered to lift their voices in song; they couldn't have known that 80 years later, that small choir would have evolved into one of the region’s most beloved musical theatre societies.

This year, Garforth Musical Society (GMS) officially hits its 80th anniversary milestone.

To celebrate eight decades of greasepaint, pantomimes, and show tunes, the society is preparing for a grand anniversary concert that serves as a love letter to their history and the community that has sustained them.

"We are incredibly proud of the longevity of Garforth Musical Society," says chairperson Erin Ocsko ahead of next month’s huge celebration.

"At a time when many local groups find it increasingly difficult to survive and thrive, reaching our 80th anniversary is a real achievement and a testament to the dedication, resilience, and community spirit of our members."

The GMS story began in 1946 as the Garforth Male Voice Choir under the leadership of the late Max Westerman, with their debut, ‘A Grand Concert,’ followed in February 1947 at the Garforth Country Club.

The society as we know it today was truly born in 1959; during a performance of Merrie England, a ladies' chorus was introduced, with the experiment proving so successful that the women stayed on for the 1960 pantomime, Cinderella, and GMS transitioned into a fully inclusive musical theatre group.

Since then, it has evolved into a family affair in the truest sense.

"Family connections run deep within GMS," Erin explains. "Over the years, we have seen parents and children performing together, as well as grandparents sharing the joy of theatre with their grandchildren.

“This shared commitment and sense of togetherness is at the heart of GMS."

‘Tena Lady’ and the fun of musical theatre

While the history is prestigious, the atmosphere behind the scenes is what keeps members coming back decade after decade. Erin attributes much of their success to a culture of fun and a non-judgmental environment.

"Of course, with so many years of shows comes a wealth of funny moments," Erin remarks.

"One particularly memorable backstage moment took place during show week, when there was so much laughter in the ladies’ changing room that one of the members jokingly bought everyone a pack of Tena Lady as a gift."

The fun often spills onto the stage during the final Saturday night of a production, where cast members try to ‘corpse’ one another.

"Someone in the cast will usually try to put another performer off by doing something unexpected or silly, all while the unsuspecting person has to keep a straight face. It never fails to end the week on a high."

Next month’s anniversary concert was curated by the members themselves, who voted on their favourite numbers from every production the society has ever staged.

For Erin, the concert is as much about the town as it is the performers. "Our continued success is deeply rooted in the support of the local Garforth community. We simply couldn’t do what we do without audiences who return year after year. For the community, GMS provides a reassuring sense of continuity."

As for the future? Erin believes that the message remains open to all: "Whether you’ve been performing for years or have never stepped on a stage before, GMS is a friendly, supportive society.

“Friendships formed here often last a lifetime."

Garforth Musical Society celebrates its 80th anniversary with ‘The Sound of Musicals,’ running at Garforth Miners’ Welfare Hall from April 29 to May 2. Tickets are priced at £12 and available from the SPT Uniform Shop on Garforth Main Street. For more performance details, visit Garforth Musical Society’s Facebook page.