Under the headline ‘Swinging Irene is a hit’, The Mail featured Flookburgh Amateur Operatic Society’s latest production in March 1985.

Derek Roberts and Deborah Powell played the leads in the musical Irene, which was performed at the Lower Holker Club.

Deborah, as the temperamental Irene, sang well and had a good stage presence on the opening night, stated The Mail.

Derek played the masterful and demanding Donald Marshall III.

Denis Rowlandson was excellent as Madame Lucy and Pat Mikosz gave a perfect cameo as cheerful Irish widow Mrs O’Dare.

The two friends of Irene, Hel (Helen Rowlandson) and Jane (Ruth Airey), moved quickly from the clumsy to the refined under the guidance of Madame Lucy and brought many laughs.

Pat Anderson was perfect as the New York couturier, was beautifully dressed, and acted and sang with assurance, while Simon Frayne made a good impression as Ozzie, her nephew.

The show, produced by Joyce Warrington of Morecambe, swung along smoothly, stated The Mail’s reviewer, even though at times the stage seemed rather too small for the energetic chorus, particularly in the dance sequences.

Under the headline ‘Stage is set for romance’, The Mail previewed Flookburgh Amateur Operatic Society’s production of The Gypsy Princess on Tuesday, March 21, 1995.

It said that the show, which was due to open that night, had enough music, romance and colour to satisfy any audience.

The Gypsy Princess tells the story of a young prince, played in FAOS' production by Andrew Barrow, who is in live with an actress. His father, played by Arthur Wilson, disapproves of his son's romantic liaison.

The show, which originated in Eastern Europe, also included a cabaret performance.

The Gypsy Princess was on at the Lower Holker Club until the following Saturday.

In March 1989, The Mail was on hand to take photographs at dress rehearsals for Flookburgh Amateur Operatic Society's production of Half a Sixpence, which was staged at Lower Holker Village Hall.