IT was a modest production but with far reaching effects.

In 1924 Edith Ashdown took part in a musical play entitled Princess Juju for the Above Bar Guild.

But the occasion made such an impression on her that she persuaded friends – including one who ran a local ladies’ choir – to establish the Above Bar Musical Choir and Dramatic Society.

Their first offering was Merrie England, which was staged at the old Watts Hall and ran for three nights on a specially constructed stage.

They didn’t realise it but that performance led to the founding of the Southampton Operatic Society and now its chairman and archivist Terry O’Farrell has written a fascinating book for the company’s 90th anniversary.

It chronicles its highs and lows with a look back at the 120 shows it has put on.

A more in depth look at the book will appear in Saturday’s Daily Echo.