THE Rose Theatre's Nonentities Society is set to celebrate their 80th anniversary, performing a play for every decade they have been performing.

The Nonentities have been performing plays since 1937 and have an exciting season ahead to celebrate their landmark anniversary.

Their 80th season opened on Monday (September 11) with Blithe Spirit - written in 1941 and a firm favourite with amateur dramatic societies. It has been performed many times by the Nonentities - at St Oswald's in 1975 and at the Rose Theatre in 1987 and 2007.

The Rose Theatre takes its name from Kenneth Rose - who was instrumental in forming the Nonentities Society. The band of friends, led by Mr Rose, performed one act plays at festivals.

After using various local halls as stages, the Opera House, in Comberton Hill, was purchased in 1946, which after renovation opened as the Playhouse.

In 1952, a young actor named John Osborne was part of the rep company at the time and was often seen busily typing his future masterpiece, when not on stage. The first offering in the studio this season, is that play - Look Back in Anger - which changed the face of modern British theatre as the first 'kitchen sink drama'. The Nonentities take runs between October 30, and November 4.

The society's offering from the 1960's is Lion in Winter, by James Goldman, running at the venue between November 27, and December 2.

A spokesman for the Nonentities said: "As many Kidderminster residents will know, the 1960's saw the massive redevelopment of their town centre. In 1968, the Playhouse closed its doors for the last time and was demolished to make room for a large traffic island - Kidderminster Corporation offered the theatre a mere £16,000 in compensation.

"St Oswald's Hall was purchased as a temporary measure. Kenneth Rose was not happy with the situation and took the Corporation to the Land Tribunal. He won his case and was awarded £167,000.

"The bulk of the funds were not used immediately and by 1981, they had gain interest and grown to a very useful £400,000. Work commenced on the new theatre at the current site in Broadwaters and was named the Rose in honour of Kenneth."

The Nonentities produce eight plays per season - six in the main house and two studio plays, plus the very popular Christmas entertainment.

This year, the theatre will welcome local amateur theatre companies, touring theatre groups, tribute bands, local writers and performers and Rose Theatre patron, John Challis.

For more information about the Nonentities' plays and other performers at the theatre, call 01562 743745 or visit rosetheatre.co.uk.