THE shows produced by the district’s amateur societies have been a social and entertainment highlight for decades.

Many of the musical shows and their songs were familiar to theatre-goers who had seen the big screen version at the movies or had bought the sheet music to play at home.

Now the history of amateur musical theatre in the South Lakes peninsulas has been collected together in a new book called The Sound of Musicals by Graham Whalan.

There will be a special launch event for the book on Wednesday, November 9, from 7pm at Cumbria Archive and Local Studies Centre in Barrow Library.

As part of the event Barrow archivist Susan Benson has been sorting through some of the vintage programmes, photographs and archive for musical shows staged in South Cumbria.

Today’s Memories Page features a selection of the colourful programme covers.

In October 1936 the Furness Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society had The Rebel Maid at the Royalty Theatre, Barrow. Programmes were sixpence (2p).

Barrow Amateur Operatic Society had Viktoria and her Hussar as its December 1935 show.

It was at the Coliseum Theatre in Rawlinson Street.

In February 1937 Walney Amatuer Operatic Society was in its sixth season and presented the musical comedy The Girlfriend at Walney Theatre.

Top priced tickets in the front circle were three shillings and sixpence (17p).

The December 1930 show by Barrow Amateur Operatic Society was Miss Hook of Holland at the Royalty Theatre.

And in November 1930 Ulverston Amateur Operatic Society had A Chinese Honeymoon at the Coronation Hall.

Places at the November 9 book launch event are free but need to be booked by calling 01229 407377 or by sending an email to barrow.archives@cumbria.gov.uk