Cowes Amateur Operatic Society on the Isle of Wight was formed 125 years ago in 1897 — the year of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. 

Queen Victoria was a great lover of the arts and the newly formed society benefited from the Queen’s youngest daughter, Princess Beatrice, who brought friends and royal relatives from Europe to see productions in the various halls where the society performed.

Scroll through the gallery of pictures above to see some of the shows...

In those times it was generally only the upper classes who attended or belonged to entertainment groups.

Isle of Wight County Press: The cast of Salad Days, performed by CAODS at Trinity Theatre, Cowes, in 1995.The cast of Salad Days, performed by CAODS at Trinity Theatre, Cowes, in 1995. (Image: CAODS)

Prices ranged from 2/- at the back of the venue to 3/- in the front rows. 

Gilbert and Sullivan were often on the bill and very popular for their melodic music and witty remarks about the news of the day!

In 1913 — following a yearly treat of a musical operettas from Cowes Amateur Operatic Society — the group decided to stage a play called A Single Man and so the society became CAODS — Cowes Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society.

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In 1914 Trinity Church Hall was built and used regularly by the society, so in 1978 the group purchased the hall and it and became Trinity Theatre, the current home of CAODS.

Other shows over the years have included the world amateur premier of ‘Allo ‘Allo in 1989, Terry Pratchett's Mort in 1997 and a poignant performance of First World War drama Journey’s End in 1995, which was attended by writer RC Sherriff’s cousin, who lived in Cowes.

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