Sixty years on, the talented company is still entertaining audiences across the district.

The society started life with an advert placed in The Falkirk Herald of April 24, 1948, which simply stated that a new operatic society was
being formed, the first show would be 'Gipsy Love' and any interested parties should go along to a meeting in Mathiesons Hall.

Morag Wallace (68) joined the company nine years later – when her father, David Robertson, was president – as a late stand-in for a dancer in 'White Horse Inn'.

She enjoyed the experience so much that she has been a member ever since.

"I've made some great friendships,'' she said. ''In fact, I don't know what I would do with my Tuesday nights if I wasn't here!

"There have been quite a few presidents, musical directors and choreographers over that time, but it's run the same way as it always has been.

"However, there are fewer people in the shows now. We used to have about 70 people on stage in some of the earlier shows – and we had lots of men then!"

A shortage of men on stage is a common problem among amateur theatre groups.

The youngest member of the company, David Young, who is 22, was drafted in four years ago to fill in such a gap.

He said: "At the time, the choreographer here was also the choreographer at Falkirk Youth Theatre where I was a member.

"They needed a young male to play a part in 'Me and My Girl'. I was only in the show for a wee bit, but I liked it and decided to stay."

Over the past few years the society has welcomed a number of graduates from Falkirk Youth Theatre.

Current president Michael Chambers said: "It has been a nice feeder for us and is a great way of bringing fresh blood into the company."

Michael only joined the company in 2004 and climbed to the role of president very quickly.

He said: "I found myself becoming more and more involved, but I really enjoy it.

"In a short space of time I've realised how much the company means to members, and to the community as well.

"I am delighted to be asked to be president this year of all years – although I am a bit nervous about the responsibility!"

Amazingly, both Morag and David chose the same show as their favourite – only the productions were more than 20 years apart.

Morag played the lead in 'Hello Dolly' in 1983, while David played a principal part in the company's more recent production, in 2005.

A highlight for the whole company, however, was the 50th anniversary production of 'Singing in the Rain', which was sold out every night and
had to have an extra show date added to cope with the demand.

It was an expensive production, but Morag says it was worth every penny.

She recalled: "We even had a rain machine on the stage!

"Other companies said that they simply couldn't afford to do it, but we had the talent within the company to do it justice. It was fantastic."

Company archivist Elizabeth Gallacher has the tough task of keeping all the memorabilia from the shows together.

After collating the information for the 50th anniversary, she has continued to add to the collection, which includes photos from the very first show as well as tickets and programmes from productions throughout the years.

Elizabeth (60) said: "It took a lot of work, going through all the microfiche from old newspapers in the library, but I loved doing it."

The company's next production will be a three-night review during the Falkirk Tryst Festival.

'Showtune' runs from May 15-17 at FTH, with tickets available from the Steeple Box Office on (01324) 506850 or from company members.

The main show will be 'Brigadoon', which will run from October 28 to November 1.

Just to prove that it is not a case of all work and no play, the Bohemians will also be hosting a 60th anniversary bash in the Park Hotel on Saturday, October 4.