AFTER being on the scene for more than half a century the Eastleigh Operatic and Musical Society is entitled to sing its own praises.

The curtain has gone up at the town's High Street museum on an exhibition which plots the society's history.

The showcase runs until January and is a fascinating insight into how the society has developed after being formed in 1936.

Its first show in the following year was Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado and the current production, Jacques Offenbach's Orpheus in the Underworld takes to the stage of The Point Dance and Arts Centre tomorrow.

The Eastleigh Operatic and Musical Society was originally formed solely to perform Gilbert and Sullivan operattas. It was not until 1952 that the society put on a non-G & S production.

It has now broadened its horizons and tackles a wide variety of shows from operettas to Broadway musicals.

The society stages two shows a year at The Point and recent productions include the Viennese splendour of Die Fledermaus to the Hollywood favourite, The Wizard of Oz.

The society is making sure that it remains centre stage on the Eastleigh scene. It has recently launched a junior section which aims to give the town's under-18s their first opportunity to tread the boards.

Visitors to the exhibition will get a taste of what the society has to offer and what it has offered over the past 50 years.

There will also be an opportunity to wander down memory lane with snapshots from years gone by.