A MEMBER of a Leigh-based operatic society has received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication and commitment to amateur theatre.

Allen Christey-Casson, who joined The Three Towns Operatic Society in 2004, was honoured at the annual Bolton Amateur Theatre Society (BATS) awards.

The 61-year-old has been a key cog in many operettas and musical shows over the years, acting, singing, directing and choreographing.

Allen said: “The pinnacle of my amateur career is being given the Lifetime Achievement Award.

“It was a very humbling experience to be honoured by my fellow actors.”

Allen was born into a theatrical family. His mum was a professional operetta singer and his dad was an amateur violinist.

He first trod the boards at the age of three-and-a-half, winning a talent show at the Queen’s Theatre, Cleveleys.

Allen went on to perform in pantomimes and variety shows at all the big theatres in Manchester.

He trained as a dancer until the age of 15.

A year later he started taking singing and drama lessons and worked at the Victoria Theatre, Salford, both professionally and in amateur productions until its closure in 1972.

During this time he was a Saturday pupil at the embryonic Royal Northern College of Music – then known as the Northern School of Music – studying singing.

Allen first performed for The Three Towns Operatic Society as a guest, playing Cyril in Princess Ida.

This was followed by Danilo in The Merry Widow, Samuel in The Pirates of Penzance, Count Kareska in The Gypsy Baron and Nanki Poo in The Mikado.

In 2009 he stepped into the director’s shoes for the White Horse Inn and then sang in The Gondoliers.

Allen spent two years in the chorus for The Sorcerer and Die Fledermaus before directing The Merry Widow.

He returning to the chorus for The Pirates of Penzance and went back to directing for Waltzes from Vienna.

Last year he was back into the chorus for Trial by Jury and HMS Pinafore.

He has also taken part in all the concert seasons in between.

Allen, from Little Lever, is now looking forward to the society’s next production of Orpheus in the Underworld, which he first appeared in way back in 1969.

The society is currently rehearsing for its Autumn Concert on November 17 and 18.

Staged at St Joseph's Concert Hall in Leigh, it will feature a variety of West End and Broadway songs as well as popular and classical music.

Tickets priced £10 are available by calling 01942 605369 and 676594. They can also be bought at The Baby Centre on Queen Street, Leigh. The phone number is 01942 665615.