PMOS has been producing musical theatre since 1908 and throughout our long and illustrious history, our society has been influenced and shaped by numerous talented people, both on and off stage. Our Life Membership recognises a lifetime contribution to the society and is awarded to those individuals who have not only left their mark on the society, but have gained the admiration and respect of those who have worked and performed alongside them.
Arthur T M Brown – Honorary President
Arthur joined PMOS in 1948 and began his long association with the society as a chorus member in The Pirates of Penzance. As a talented musician, Arthur also took on the post of Assistant Musical Director. He continued with both these roles until he was appointed Musical Director of the society in 1961. He was a familiar figure in the orchestra pit until he retired from this position in 1985. Also an accomplished pianist, Arthur often delighted members with his impromptu piano duets with the late David Orr and has also acted as accompanist for the society at numerous concert performances. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to PMOS Arthur was appointed Honorary Vice-President in 1985. He is currently our Honorary President and has held this position since 1993. Arthur also received his 60 year long-service award from NODA in 2008 to commemorate his service to amateur theatre. Arthur’s input and support over the last 60 years has been invaluable to PMOS and he has played a major part in the history of our society.
Robert L Crawford – Honorary Vice-President
Bob joined PMOS in 1962 for our production of Merrie England and enjoyed being a member of the chorus until his last stage appearance in Summer Song in 1980. As well as his participation in our productions, Bob has also been very busy working for the club in a variety of ways. During his years on the management committee Bob has held 3 of the 4 office-bearers positions. He started as club secretary from 1971-1973. He then had a short break before becoming Vice-President for 5 years from 1975-1980 and then served as President of the society from 1980-1983. Bob has seen the club move through several stages in its history and has watched it progress from Gilbert & Sullivan to operetta, before moving on to the more modern musicals. Bob is a very well-known face to our regular audiences as he greets them as part of our Front of House team each year. In recognition of his service to PMOS, Bob was appointed an Honorary Vice-President of the society in 1984.
Doreen Kemp – Honorary Vice-President
Doreen joined PMOS in 1947 for our production of The Mikado in the Paisley Theatre. She was then ensnared by the bright lights and became a steadfast member of the chorus for over twenty years, taking part in many productions ranging from Gilbert and Sullivan to Viennese operettas. She then moved on to back-stage duties in the props and wardrobe departments before returning to her initial “job” in the prompt corner from 1978 to 1990. Well aware of the organisation required to ensure the smooth running of the society, Doreen served on the management committee for nine years, including a term as vice president from 1986-1989. As club archivist, Doreen has also kept the society’s records ship-shape over the years. She is a “weel-kent” face to many as she welcomed audiences front of house at our annual productions for many years and also regularly entertained guests in the Green Room. In recognition of Doreen’s contribution to PMOS she was firstly awarded life-membership of the society and was then appointed an honorary vice-president in 1989. Doreen also received a 60 year long service award from NODA in 2007 and will be the first member of our society to receive the 65 year award in 2012.
Jean Macmillan – Honorary Vice-President
Jean joined PMOS in 1963 in the days of good old Gilbert & Sullivan for our production of The Pirates of Penzance. She has taken part in many productions since then as a chorus member, dancer and principal. Not one to shirk her responsibilities, Jean has spent many years working very hard on the committee to ensure the smooth running of the society. She has also held 3 of the 4 office-bearer’s positions, namely Secretary, Vice-President and President. Jean also undertook the role of Production Co-ordinator, looking after the organisation of our annual productions for several years and was a member of the props team when not appearing on-stage. She has been an active member of the society’s concert group for over 30 years and also directed the group for much of that time. In addition to this she directed our contributions to the Paisley Festival and our cabaret at the Scottish and National NODA conference at Peebles Hydro. Jean also enjoyed helping to arrange the society’s Centenary celebrations in 2008. Jean was made a Life Member of the society in 2002 and then Honorary Vice-President in 2006.
Norman Macmillan – Honorary Vice-President
Norman joined PMOS in 1963 and took part in our productions of Trial by Jury and The Pirates of Penzance. He has played many minor and major principal roles over the years and will be remembered by many for his portrayal of Tevye in both our productions of Fiddler on the Roof. Norman’s musical talents are shown to full advantage in the Concert Group, where he has been Musical Director for over 25 years. He not only arranges and teaches the music, but also acts as accompanist for the group. His prowess at the keyboard is regularly commented on by members of the audience. Together with his wife, Jean, he also devised and directed cabaret performances for the Scottish and National NODA conferences, and also the Paisley Showcase concert. Norman has been heavily involved in the management of the society over the years, firstly spending many years on committee. He then became Vice-President and finally President from 1986 – 1990. Norman was made a life member in 1990 and then was appointed Honorary Vice-President in 2000. Norman was heavily involved with the organisation of our Centenary events as part of our Centenary Committee.
Jesmae Smith – Honorary Vice-President
Jesmae joined PMOS in 1959 in the Gilbert & Sullivan days and has appeared in most of the theatres we have played in over the years. Jesmae’s talent for comedy was apparent from the beginning and she soon began to take on the comic soubrette roles in our Viennese Operetta era. As a contralto, she eventually made the inevitable transition to the “more mature” parts, last appearing on stage with us in our 75th anniversary production of Showboat. She will always be remembered as a great comedienne with a perfect sense of timing. When she decided to hang up her performing boots, she quickly exited stage right and found a new home in the prompt corner. Although hard work, she found this a great place to view the performance from and Jesmae has watched with delight as the club has become more and more professional with every show. Jesmae made history in our society by becoming the first lady President in 1983 and brought her own humour and personality to this position, taking the club in a new and slightly less formal direction. She was also a member of our concert group for many years. Jesmae was made a life member in 1990 and then was appointed Honorary Vice-President in 2000.
Maureen McLachlan
Maureen joined PMOS in 1965 during our Viennese Operetta era and appeared in many of our productions as a chorus member and also as a member of our dance troupe. She has also taken an active part in the administration of the society over the years and has held many posts including Committee Member, Minute Secretary, Secretary & Vice-President before serving a term as President of the society from 1993-1996. Although she no longer appears on stage in our annual productions, Maureen still plays a very active part in the society and handles our ticket bookings, which is not an easy task. She was also heavily involved in the organisation of our Centenary celebrations in 2008. Maureen was awarded life membership of the society in 2002.
Joyce McMenemy
Joyce joined PMOS as a newcomer to amateur theatre in 1976 and has never looked back since. She joined in the days of operetta and has seen the club move through a wide variety of styles since then. Joyce has been a chorus member, a dancer, and has also played several principal parts. She seems to have a knack of being cast in “maternal” roles and has been “mother” on stage to many over the years. She has been an active member of the concert group for over 30 years and also directed the group for a period. Joyce was responsible for many social activities in the past, arranging after show parties and club weekends away. She was also a member of the management committee for 10 years before taking the reins as President of the society from 1996 – 1999. Joyce was awarded life membership of the society in 2006.
Moira Morrison
Moira joined PMOS in 1967 for our production of Gypsy Love and participated in a variety of shows from the days of the Viennese Operetta through to the modern musicals. Although she enjoyed all the shows she took part in, her 1st soprano singing voice was particularly well suited to the operettas. Moira also took an interest in the management of the society by taking her turn on committee. She was a member of the concert group for over 30 years, and has been responsible for arranging (and often making) the wardrobe for the concert group. Although no longer taking part in this group she continues to provide and oversee the costumes. Moira has also been part of the PMOS wardrobe team for our annual productions. Moira was made a Life Member of the society in 2006.
Joan Munro
Joan joined the society in 1981 and quickly became a stalwart member of the alto section before taking on the principal role of Queenie in Showboat. In addition to enjoying life in the chorus, Joan has also undertaken several minor principal roles over the years. When not appearing on stage, Joan worked back stage in the props and wardrobe teams before moving to the prompt corner. She has been a member of the concert group for the last 24 years and has also acted as Secretary to the group. Joan served on the management committee for many years and was President from 1991 – 1993. After returning to the stage for 5 years she then held the position of Secretary for a further 6 years. Joan was delighted to be made a Life Member of the society in 2011.
Nina Thorpe
Nina Thorpe joined PMOS in 1973. She was a member of the alto section of the chorus and has played a wide variety of principal parts over the years. When Nina decided to retire from her on stage activities it seemed a natural progression from her “day job” as a home economics teacher to become our wardrobe mistress, and she has carried out this job diligently since 1998. Nina has also been a member of our concert group for the last 38 years and was secretary of the group for 10 years. She served on the management committee of the society for 6 years and has also provided the catering at various social events over the years. Nina was awarded Life Membership of the society in 2002.
