Established in 1924
Following the latest government advice to reduce social contact wherever possible due the risk of spreading coronavirus, we regret to inform you that the scheduled CO2 audition session on Wednesday 18th March and previously advertised rehearsal and audition sessions on 25th and 29th March are now postponed.
We hope to continue with our production of Fame in due course and will update you as soon as possible.
Take care.
Ann Taylor
CO2 Chairperson
It’s nearly time for our concert auditions!
Do you love singing in a chorus and want the opportunity to learn and perform a range of different songs? Then our concert could be for you.
This year, our concert will take place in February 2020 in place of our usual show. Our concert is called “Dare to be Different” and is directed by Katie Cutmore with Musical direction by Richard Harrison. Richard is a new MD for us but not new to the Society, as you may have seen him tinkling the ivories in the orchestra for several of our COS/CO2 shows over the last few years, including most recently Oliver. Katie has directed the “Seasons with Swing” concert in 2017 and is of course the new Chair of the Society. Come along and meet them and find out more at our pre-audition rehearsal next Monday 21st October 7.30pm at Langenhoe Primary School, CO5 7PG.
Still not sure? Let us describe the concert theme for you:
This concert depicts how our society aspires for everyone to be “normal” and “perfect”, but that as individuals we are different, want to break the mould, be accepted for our individuality and difference and even stand out from the crowd! Katie plans to tell a story with her song choices, going between songs about conforming and songs that depict the desire to be and/or importance of being different before ending the show with a celebration of everyone’s individuality.
Now you are interested?
Fantastic! You need to audition.
To audition you must be a paid up member (please contact Paul, our membership secretary, on cos1theatre@hotmail.com for more information on this or to arrange paying your membership) and you must complete an audition form. Audition forms are available from our Secretary, Amanda. You can contact her by email at secretary@colchesteroperaticsociety.co.uk or you can pick a form up at the pre-audition rehearsal.
A concert audition is different to a show audition – you need to choose your own song to audition with. Choose something that shows off what your voice is capable of and how well you can perform. It can be anything you like but please provide music for Richard to accompany you with or bring a backing track. The downloadable set list might also give you a good idea of what you might like to sing for your audition. However, you don’t have to sing a song from the set list, even if you have your eye on one for a solo! The audition panel (consisting of Katie, Richard and Neil Somerville, the Society’s music liaison and treasurer) will allocate songs based on auditions. This concert has many chorus/group numbers that will have solo parts within them too, so there is plenty of opportunity for everyone to have their moment to shine.
Auditions will be on Thursday 24th October 7.30pm also at Langenhoe Primary School, CO5 7PG.
So what exactly is the commitment I hear you ask?
We rehearse Mondays (at Langenhoe Primary School, CO5 7PG) and Thursdays (at Stanway Secondary School, CO3 0QA ) (except in school holidays) with occasional Sundays (at Langenhoe Primary School, CO5 7PG). You will get given a rehearsal schedule at the pre-audition rehearsal or you can request one by email from cos1theatre@hotmail.com. Whilst we understand there will be some rehearsals people might not be able to make we would expect cast to attend a majority, if not all of them. You MUST be able to attend all performances and tech/dress rehearsals in the venues:
The Concert will be performed at The Headgate Theatre, Colchester.
‘Get In’ – Sunday 9th February 2020 from 1pm
Dress & Technical Rehearsals – Monday 10th, Tuesday 11th February 2020 6.30pm
Performance Dates & Times – Wednesday 12th, Thursday 13th, Friday 14th, Saturday 15th February 2020 at 7.45pm
Matinee – Saturday 15th February 2020 at 2.30pm
A second fundraising performance in aid of Lepra (who share their 95th Anniversary with the Society this year, 2019) will be performed at Lion Walk Church, Colchester.
Tech/Dress Rehearsal: Saturday 22nd February 2020 from 2pm
Performance: Saturday 22nd February 2020 at 7.30pm
If you have any queries about the rehearsal dates and/or performance dates please speak to Katie at the pre-audition rehearsal or you can email her at chair@colchesteroperaticsociety.co.uk.
We hope to see lots of you at rehearsal on Monday.
Colchester Operatic Society Executive Committee
The Mercury Theatre, in collaboration with Colchester Operatic Society and Colchester Operatic Society 2nd Edition, are preparing a grand production of Lionel Bart’s Oliver!, and we would love for you to be involved. Performance dates are 27th September to 12th October.
If you wish to play a Workhouse Kid, be in Fagin’s Gang orbe considered for the role of Oliver, Artful Dodger, Bet, or Nancy, you will need to apply in advance by preparing a video.
For your video, please state your name, age, hobbies, and explain briefly why you would like to be involved in this production. We would also like you to sing a song from your favourite musical.
You must be 11 years of age or over on the day of the audition, Sunday 5th May 2019. Applicants for Bet must be over 16, and for Nancy must be over 18.
The completed pre-audition form (downloadable from this website below and the Mercury website) and videos will need to be emailed to cos1theatre@hotmail.com by 5pm on Monday 8thApril, 2019 (Deadline extended from Friday 5th April). Please title your email: OLIVER/YOUR NAME
All applicants will be notified by email on April 24th 2019, if they are shortlisted to the next stage.
Successful video applicants for Oliver, Artful Dodger, Workhouse Kid or Fagin’s Gang will be invited to attend a pre-audition workshop on either Wed 1st or Thu 2nd May (7.30pm – 10pm) to prepare for an audition to be held on Sun 5th May (9.45am – 4pm), all to be held at the Abbey Field Centre (Circular Road South, Colchester, Essex, CO2 7UW).
Successful video applicants for the roles of Bet and Nancy will be invited to attend a pre-audition workshop on Wed 8th or Thu 9th May (7.30pm – 10pm), prior to an audition on Sun 12th May (9.45am – 4pm), at the Abbey Field Centre.
Exact timings for the audition days will depend on numbers and we will let everyone know prior to the day.
There is no need to prepare an audition piece but you will need to fill out an Audition Form (these will be emailed to you once you have registered interest to audition) and bring this with you.
ATTENDANCE AT ALL TECHNICAL REHEARSALS, DRESS REHEARSALS AND PERFORMANCES IS COMPULSORY.
ALL PERFORMANCES WILL TAKE PLACE AT ‘MERCURY AT THE ABBEY FIELD’
IF YOU WISH TO AUDITION PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU CAN COMMIT TOTALLY TO THIS SHOW
**Please note there has been a change in rehearsals from the information originally published – Principal and Adult Company rehearsal days have swapped.**
**Principals on Tuesdays at St Theresa’s School Clairmont Road, Colchester, Essex, CO3 9BE
|
Tuesday |
21-May |
Rehearsal |
7.30pm – 10pm |
|
Tuesday |
04-Jun |
Rehearsal |
7.30pm – 10pm |
|
Tuesday |
11-Jun |
Rehearsal |
7.30pm – 10pm |
|
Tuesday |
18-Jun |
Rehearsal |
7.30pm – 10pm |
|
Tuesday |
25-Jun |
Rehearsal |
7.30pm – 10pm |
|
Tuesday |
02-Jul |
Rehearsal |
7.30pm – 10pm |
|
Tuesday |
09-Jul |
Rehearsal |
7.30pm – 10pm |
|
Tuesday |
16-Jul |
Rehearsal |
7.30pm – 10pm |
|
Tuesday |
20-Aug |
Rehearsal |
7.30pm – 10pm |
|
Tuesday |
03-Sep |
Rehearsal |
7.30pm – 10pm |
|
Tuesday |
10-Sep |
Rehearsal |
7.30pm – 10pm |
|
|
|
|
|
Juniors and Fagin on Wednesdays at Abbey Field Centre, Circular Road South, Colchester, Essex CO2 7UW
|
Wednesday |
22 May |
Rehearsal |
7.30pm – 10pm |
|
Wednesday |
05-Jun |
Rehearsal |
7.30pm – 10pm |
|
Wednesday |
12-Jun |
Rehearsal |
7.30pm – 10pm |
|
Wednesday |
19-Jun |
Rehearsal |
7.30pm – 10pm |
|
Wednesday |
26-Jun |
Rehearsal |
7.30pm – 10pm |
|
Wednesday |
03-Jul |
Rehearsal |
7.30pm – 10pm |
|
Wednesday |
10-Jul |
Rehearsal |
7.30pm – 10pm |
|
Wednesday |
17-Jul |
Rehearsal |
7.30pm – 10pm |
|
Wednesday |
21-Aug |
Rehearsal |
7.30pm – 10pm |
|
Wednesday |
04-Sep |
Rehearsal |
7.30pm – 10pm |
|
Wednesday |
11-Sep |
Rehearsal |
7.30pm – 10pm |
|
|
|
|
|
**Adult Company on Thursdays at Abbey Field Centre, Circular Road South, Colchester, Essex, CO2 7UW
|
Thursday |
23-May |
Rehearsal |
7.30pm – 10pm |
|
Thursday |
06-Jun |
Rehearsal |
7.30pm – 10pm |
|
Thursday |
13-Jun |
Rehearsal |
7.30pm – 10pm |
|
20-Jun |
Rehearsal |
7.30pm – 10pm |
|
|
Thursday |
04-Jul |
Rehearsal |
7.30pm – 10pm |
|
Thursday |
11-Jul |
Rehearsal |
7.30pm – 10pm |
|
Thursday |
18-Jul |
Rehearsal |
7.30pm – 10pm |
|
Thursday |
22-Aug |
Rehearsal |
7.30pm – 10pm |
|
Thursday |
05-Sep |
Rehearsal |
7.30pm – 10pm |
|
Thursday |
12-Sep |
Rehearsal |
7.30pm – 10pm |
Full Company on Alternate Sundays at Abbey Field Centre, Circular Road South, Colchester, Essex, CO2 7UW
|
Sunday |
09-Jun |
Rehearsal |
10am – 4pm |
|
Sunday |
23-Jun |
Rehearsal |
10am – 4pm |
|
Sunday |
07-Jul |
Rehearsal |
10am – 4pm |
|
Sunday |
21-Jul |
Rehearsal |
10am – 4pm |
|
Sunday |
01-Sep |
Rehearsal |
10am – 4pm |
|
Sunday |
15-Sep |
Rehearsal + Band Call |
10am – 4pm |
|
Wednesday |
18-Sep |
Rehearsal (Full Company) |
7.30pm – 10pm |
|
Thursday |
19-Sep |
Rehearsal (Full Company) |
7.30pm – 10pm |
|
Friday |
20-Sep |
Tech |
6pm – 10pm |
|
Saturday |
21-Sep |
Tech |
10am – 10pm |
|
Sunday |
22-Sep |
Tech / Sitzprobe |
2pm – 6pm |
|
Wednesday |
25-Sep |
Tech + Band |
7pm — 11pm |
|
Thursday |
26-Sep |
Dress + Band |
7pm – 10pm |
|
Friday |
27-Sep |
1st Perf |
7:30pm |
|
Saturday |
28-Sep |
2nd Perf |
7:30pm |
|
Sunday |
29-Sep |
|
|
|
Monday |
30-Sep |
|
|
|
OCTOBER |
|
|
|
|
Tuesday |
01-Oct |
|
|
|
Wednesday |
02-Oct |
Evening Performance |
7:30pm |
|
Thursday |
03-Oct |
Evening Performance |
7:30pm |
|
Friday |
04-Oct |
Evening Performance |
7:30pm |
|
Saturday |
05-Oct |
Matinee and Evening Performance |
2:30pm / 7:30pm |
|
Sunday |
06-Oct |
Matinee Performance |
3pm |
|
Monday |
07-Oct |
|
|
|
Tuesday |
08-Oct |
|
|
|
Wednesday |
09-Oct |
Evening Performance |
7:30pm |
|
Thursday |
10-Oct |
Evening Performance |
7:30pm |
|
Friday |
11-Oct |
Evening Performance |
7:30pm |
|
Saturday |
12-Oct |
Matinee and Evening Performance |
2:30pm / 7:30pm |
NB There are no rehearsals between the 22nd July and the 19th August (School Holidays)
Please do not audition if you cannot commit to these dates. Should you miss three rehearsals without prior notification and approval, you will be asked to forfeit your place in the Oliver! company. Any fees paid are non–refundable.
The professional Creative Team – Directing the show will be Ryan McBryde who has had recent successes with Pieces of String and Moll Flanders. Charlie Morgan, regular choreographer of the Mercury pantomime will choreograph and assistant direct the show. Taking up the baton is James Cleeve who musically directed Liza Pulman sings Streisand, which visited the Mercury last year. Costumes and set will be designed by David Shields, known to the Mercury audiences for his extravagant pantomime designs (Jack and the Beanstalk, Snow and the Seven Dwarfs) and the John Cleese farce Bang Bang. The Sound Designer will be Chris Bogg who has designed the Mercury productions of Spamalot, Pieces of String and the last three pantomimes.
All participants will need to be a member of Colchester Operatic Society or Colchester Operatic Society 2nd Edition in order to audition. A membership fee of £10.00 will be collected at the pre-audition stage. Successful candidates will be required to pay a show fee of £75.00, payment to be made at the first rehearsal. Cash and cheques accepted (cheques made payable to Colchester Operatic Society), card payments also accepted with an additional fee to allow for admin costs. Cast members will be expected to provide their own stage footwear and some personal items (tights, etc.).
If you are concerned about this, we will be offering 5 Bursary places where your fees will be paid for you and all costumes provided. Please do let us know if you would like more information.
Colchester Operatic Society works closely with Essex County Council to ensure compliance with the various Child Protection Legislation. Colchester Operatic Society (COS/CO2) now have a “Child Protection Policy” available on the COS website. A copy to view will be available at all rehearsals and performances. Broadly speaking this affects all members aged 16 or under.
Registered chaperones will be responsible for the care of members until they are returned to parents or parent-nominated adults. We will endeavour to finish rehearsals and performances at the notified times and would respectfully request that parents collect their child promptly at that time. A chaperone will stay with members until they are collected. They will not be allowed to leave unsupervised.
Should you require any further information, please email Colchester Operatic Society at cos1theatre@hotmail.com.
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