St. Mary’s school had a long tradition of classical stage shows, which were memorable occasions particularly for the youngsters taking part. I still recall fondly a couple from my schooldays. But on Tuesday 01 and Sunday 06 May 1951, St. Mary’s Boys’ School put on their most ambitious show to date, the opera Maritana.
Composed by Irishman William Vincent Wallace, and based on the 1844 French play Don César de Bazan, the opera – which included spoken parts – was first performed in 1845.
Set in Spain, the complex love story’s plot involved the married King Charles II of Spain’s enamourment for a gypsy street singer named Maritana. His devious minister Don José encouraged this infatuation, hoping it would help further the fulfilment of his own desire for the Queen. In order to raise her status to facilitate the King’s pursuit of her, Don José tricked a heavily disguised Maritana into marrying nobleman Don Cæsar de Bazan on the day of his execution. However, at the last minute Don Cæsar managed to cheat death, and escaped without realising he had in fact been pardoned by the King (information Don José deliberately withheld). Ultimately Don José’s deceit was uncovered, Don Cæsar killed him, and the grateful King relinquished his designs on Maritana, who by this stage was in love with Don Cæsar. The King elevated Don Cæsar to be Governor of Valencia, and gave his blessing for his new Governor’s match with Maritana.
Lack of girls for the opera’s female roles proved no handicap to the talented St. Mary’s schoolboys, who put their hearts and souls into the show, which also included a programme of other songs and sketches. Their enthusiasm, combined with the production skills of visiting music master Elijah Beaumont, ensured the evening was a triumph.
Born in Liversedge in 1898, Mr. Beaumont was a locally renowned music teacher who specialised in the piano, organ and singing. In 1944 he founded the Heckmondwike and Millbridge Choral Society, also being their conductor. He clearly inspired the group of raw-talented St. Mary’s schoolboys.
The boys involved were John Breslin, Peter Jones, Alexander Roper, John Lyons, Terence Mann and Brian Pickering. They were ably backed by a large supporting cast, with a chorus comprising of D. King, M. Bloomfield, B. Colleran, J. Cafferty, B. Kilroy, J. Foley, B. Carney, B. Mullins, P. Lemon, J. Lloyd, D. McGuire, C. Tomlinson, B. Duggan, A. Wild, M. Roberts, C. Brannan, F. Burton, M. Gavaghan and G. Sheard.
Other participants were P. Mann, J. Callaghan, T. Grogan, P. Carney, T. Gavaghan, G. Northgate, W. Heaton, J. Brennan, B. Fox, G. Wilson, P. Senior, A. Curley, P. Whitehead and B. Maloney.
The assistant producer was Miss L. Scanlon, with make-up by Mrs. Brennan.
After the Sunday evening performance, a presentation of a music case was made by John Breslin to Elijah Beaumont, on behalf of the appreciative pupils and staff who had learned so much under his professional tutelage.
The show proved so successful that a third performance was held on Wednesday 09 May.
Then, on Tuesday 05 June 1951, the boys were called on for one more repeat performance. This preceded the presentation made to former St. Mary’s junior curate Thomas Kevin O’Brien, who had recently left Batley to take up an appointment at St. Anne’s Cathedral, Leeds. It was a fitting finale to his time in Batley, as his first event at St. Mary’s was attending the final performance of the St. Mary’s Operatic Society’s production of Our Miss Gibbs. This was on 12 September 1948, the day after the newly ordained rugby-playing Cork priest’s arrival in Batley.
He quickly settled into his new parish stating “Although I have only just arrived I am feeling at home already. Everyone is so friendly and I think I am going to like Batley very much.”
Another of his early parish duties was the 18 October 1948 unveiling of the Memorial Plaque in Batley’s Irish Democratic League Club commemorating the five club members killed in World War Two, an occasion depicted here.
During his brief time in Batley, he established the Batley branch of the Union of Catholic Mothers. Given his love of rugby, albeit the other code, his support for the St. Mary’s rugby football team was inevitable. He also served as chaplain for the Young Christian Workers.
Following the special performance of Maritana marking his departure, the parish further showed their appreciation for all his work whilst with them, by presenting him with various gifts, topped off by a cheque of £175 from the congregation. At today’s values (2026), this equated to something in the region of a staggering £7,500. After the presentation a dance was held.
Another Cork man, Fr. Dennis Tagney, replaced Fr. O’Brien at St. Mary’s. Fr. O’Brien eventually went on to become the Auxiliary Bishop of Middlesbrough in 1981, and died on 27 December 2004, aged 81.
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