Colchester Operatic Society

Established in 1924

CO2 do it again!

Colchester Operatic Society Second Edition (CO2) do it again, with a “very talented cast” at the Mercury Theatre with their show “Musical Hits Through Time”.  Don’t believe us?  Well below is the NODA report….

 

COLCHESTER OPERATIC SOCIETY SECOND EDITION (CO2) Musical Hits Through Time Musical

Director Richard Harrison

Movement Director Diane Emberton

Choreographer Lorna Perrin

Performed at The Mercury Theatre, Colchester on Friday 17th September 2021

I was warmly welcomed by the CO2 Chairperson when I arrived at this splendid newly refurbished theatre. Second Edition is the Youth Group of Colchester Operatic Society with an age range of 12-20 years. Due to rehearsal restrictions caused by Covid 19 this concert was staged instead of a full musical with rehearsals taking place both via Zoom and socially distanced outdoor rehearsals. The choice of songs through the ages, from biblical to the future created variety and fully engaged the audience.

The musical arrangements were excellent and played to the very strong voices of the cast especially in solos and duets. All 30 of the cast were on stage throughout seated at the back of the stage with soloists and small groups moving to the front when required. I noticed how very well disciplined and rehearsed the cast were and all were confident, committed and mature. I found it impossible to highlight specific singers as every one of this very talented cast had a strong voice and projected exceptionally well. I particularly enjoyed the excerpts from two of my favourite musicals, Les Miserables and The Sound of Music but it was good to hear songs from less popular and more recent shows as well.

Musical Director Richard Harrison proved highly energetic, exuberant and enthusiastic, both whilst conducting and on keyboard. He was ably assisted by Daniel Law, (keyboard), Ellis Hynd, (guitar) and Mike Cutmore, (drums).This small and talented band provided just the right level of support to the singers.  The sound throughout was good as was the lighting, especially the use of spots. The only backdrop was a starry curtain and there were no props other than the seats on stage for the cast. Costumes remained the same throughout ie T shirts and black trousers.

Movement Director, Diane Emberton and Choreographer, Lorna Perrin injected just enough movement to reflect the songs and all movements were completely co-ordinated. Not a step out of place especially noticeable in Fame and Queen medleys.

This was a hugely enjoyable evening and I congratulate this very talented cast of young people and all those involved in the production in any way.

Hazel Hole MBE

Regional Representative

NODA East District 11

Colchester Operatic Society to Return to The Mercury Theatre with The Hunchback of Notre Dame

We’re Back!

After a long period out of the spotlight, Colchester Operatic Society are thrilled to announce that we will be performing again for audiences at the revamped Colchester Mercury Theatre .  We are well known for producing professional quality shows and are excited to be back on the Mercury stage after performing Oliver! in collaboration with the Mercury in Autumn 2019 at The Mercury at Abbey Fields.

We are so excited to announce our next show, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, from 27th January – 6th February 2022 at the Colchester Mercury Theatre.

The Bells of Notre Dame

The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a musical based on the Victor Hugo novel and including the songs and Academy Award-nominated score from the Disney animated feature, along with new songs by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz.

The musical tells the story of Quasimodo, the bell-ringer of Notre Dame, who longs to be Out There with all of fifteenth-century Paris. Held captive by his devious caretaker, the archdeacon Dom Claude Frollo, he escapes for the day and joins the boisterous crowd at the Feast of Fools, only to be treated cruelly by all but the beautiful gypsy, Esmeralda. Quasimodo isn’t the only one captivated by her free spirit, though – the handsome Captain Phoebus and Frollo are equally enthralled. As the three vie for her attention, Frollo embarks on a mission to destroy the gypsies – and it’s up to Quasimodo to save them all!

 – Director & Choreographer: Adam Woodhouse  –  Musical Director: Neil Somerville  – Assistant Director: Laura Hicks –

Let Colchester Operatic Society sweep you away with the magic of this truly unforgettable musical as they perform this powerful story and fill the stage with beautiful choral harmonies.

It Takes Two…

Quasimodo is a big hearted but shy character who brings to life the bells and gargoyles of the Cathedral and becomes an unlikely hero in the story. We will be telling Quasimodo’s story through two Counterparts:

-1 an acting/signing role for which for we have cast deaf actor Jestin Bartlett to lead us in the story using sign language; and

-2 a speaking/singing role. This role is fulfilled by actor, Sean Hynes, who will work alongside Jestin and sing the operatic score of the show.

Our two Quasimodos have been working brilliantly together to produce truly moving songs and scenes that bring the character alive on stage.

In addition to having the part of Quasimodo signed, we will also have the whole show fully signed on two performances – Saturday 29th January Matinee (2.30pm) and Thursday 3rd February 7.30pm.

PHOTO: JESTIN BARTLETT & SEAN HYNES ARE QUASIMODO.

CREDIT: SALLY PARKINSON

Jestin Bartlett (Quasimodo Signing Actor):

Since I found out that I was profoundly deaf I have found it easier to learn sign language through learning songs. I had always performed in theatre as a teenager but kind of stopped when I lost my hearing because not being able to hear full songs or everyone talking made it very difficult, so I got into circus performing – juggling, stilt walking and, fireshows. I have learnt most of the songs [for Hunchback] now, roughly, but as well as learning the words I have to learn the meaning behind them for the context of the show. Sean and I have got used to him speaking and me signing, although we do sometimes throw each other off as we are so intrigued with what the other one is doing. It feels quite powerful doing it.

Sean Hynes (Quasimodo singing/speaking Actor):

I’m part of a few groups near where I live in Basildon and have been since 2016, with my first lead part in Guys & Dolls. The thing we [Jestin and I] have to work on most is the emotional connection – I’ve got to tune in with him and he has to tune in with me. It is not something that I have ever done before. It’s not like anything you’ve seen before so I think it will be interesting to be part of as well as interesting for an audience member.

God Help the Outcasts

As well as our Quasimodos we are excited to have cast some new faces, including Cally Kline as the bewitching Esmerelda, Keegan Featherstone as Clopin and some established COS actors, such as Wayne Setford as Frollo and Tom Pleasant as Captain Phoebus.

PHOTO: COS CAST OF THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME.

CREDIT: SALLY PARKINSON

~This really is a show not to be missed!~

“…Loads and loads of stunning choral numbers…”

“…A truly touching story…”

Neil Somerville (Musical Director):

I am so excited to be MD for this beautiful show. The score of the original animated film is some of my favourite Disney music ever, and they have been enhanced by the many other songs written for this version. Loads and loads of stunning choral numbers plus amazing solo songs will be backed by a 12-piece orchestra of brilliant local musicians. MDing COS is always a joy and it’s so good to be working alongside Adam & Laura again. This show is just what we need coming out of the pandemic for everyone involved in the production and those who come to see it.

Katie Cutmore (Chair of Colchester Operatic Society):

I’m really proud to be involved in producing this new and exciting musical for Colchester Operatic Society together with our fantastic and dedicated committee and production team. A truly touching story, which we want to sensitively portray with our inclusive casting. With our cast in place, including many new members to the Society, rehearsals have begun to bring the beautiful choral songs and story alive for the stage, to be enjoyed by our local audiences.  Watching our Quasimodo’s perform “out there” together, blending sign language and song, at our first rehearsal was a truly special moment and audiences are going to be in for a truly amazing performance experience by the time we get to the stage! I am so pleased to be back working with the Mercury Theatre and making use of their brand new facilities to perform this production and excited to announce that we will have captioned and fully signed performances also.

Get your tickets now!

The Hunchback of Notre Dame will be performed from Thursday 27th January until Sunday 6th February 2022 at The Mercury Theatre, Colchester with separate captioned and signed performances

Price: £15.00 – £22.00 (inc. £1.50 ticket levy)

Don’t miss out!

For Press Enquires contact marketing@colchesteroperaticsociety.co.uk

The Show Must Go On-Line! 22nd October 2021

Back by popular demand!

Following the successful streaming of our online concert The Show Must Go On-line  in August, we are offering you the chance to watch it again on Friday October 22nd at 7.30pm or see it for the first time for those who weren’t able to make our first streaming date! (The link will stay live for 72 hours and up to Monday 25th October 8.30pm.)

Let COS entertain you from the comfort of your own home with this unique, uplifting concert, part filmed by Colchester Film Makers and streamed exclusively online for ticket holders.

A digital production for all –The Show Must Go On-line contains hand-picked musical and pop songs, linked by an original script providing humour and entertainment whilst depicting the events, feelings, and experiences of the pandemic.

The Show Must Go On-line begins in March 2020; the empty shelves in shops, our Telly binging and how we sometimes felt like I’m All Alone, but through connecting with people online You Will Be Found.  We touch on the amazing people of the pandemic and that we are all part of one Human Heart.  We also look at when the world opened again in summer, keeping distanced and how that felt for those shielding.  We then move onto how they Just Keep Moving The Line on lockdown dates over Christmas, but quickly move to the elation of early 2021 where we saw a Light at the End of the Tunnel, feeling like we were coming out of the pandemic Still Standing

Join us in this uplifting performance proving that despite restrictions The Show Must Go On!

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

Thank you to Ellisons Solicitors for sponsoring our captioned and signed performances of our recent production of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” at the Mercury Theatre in Jan/Feb 2022

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