MEMORIES has featured magnificent musical plays which took place in Worsbrough Park's open-air theatre in the 1950s.

They included 'The Desert Song' the 'Vagabond King' and the 'White Horse Inn'.

We have received information regarding another show, 'Rose Marie', from July 9 to July 16, 1955. Several thousand people packed into the park to witness the show, one of the most spectacular and outstanding performances ever staged in the area.

With a cast in the region of 100 and scenery of incredible reality, and the colourful costumes which added to the magic of the performances, the show is still remembered by many locals. Principal roles were taken by Sylvia Hulley (Rose Marie); John C Stanley (Jim Kenyon); Sheila Willis and Harold Jones (Jane and Herman); Fred Briggs (Sergent Malone); Peggy Ruddleston (Wanda); Jack Lindsey (Emile la Flamme); Cyril Noble (Edward Hawley) and Enoch O Baxter (Black Eagle).

'Rose Marie' was performed by members of the Coal Indusry Social Welfare Organisation (North Eastern Division No 5 Area) Amateur Operatic Society. The splendid scenery was designed, constructed and painted by Arthur Newton of Ward Green. He had also constructed the lavish scenary for other open-air shows which took place in Worsbrough Park's Open-Air theatre.