WINCHESTER Operatic Society, which is celebrating its centenary later this year has announced some of its plans for the coming year.

The first show in the spring will be Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore at the Theatre Royal from Tuesday, May 1 to Saturday, May 5.

It will be directed by Christopher Milne, who took the helm for the society’s production of the Pirates Of Penzance in 2004.

The musical director will be newcomer Marcus Reeves.

Then in July the society will start a year of celebrations to mark its centenary.

The group was founded in the latter half of 1912 with its first show in 1913.

The first “centenary show” will be the much-loved Franz Lehar operetta The Merry Widow, with Liam Meggison directing and Derek Beck as musical director.

Spring 2013 brings a complete change with a musical based on Billy Liar with a script by Dick Clement and Ian la Frenais.

It will be directed by Suzanne Hall, while the musical director will be Martin Paterson, who are both Curtain Call award winners.

Further events to round off the celebration in June 2013 are currently being drawn up with more details to follow.