Colchester Operatic Society

Established in 1924

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Hairspray tickets on sale NOW – don’t miss out!

Hairspray

Colchester Operatic Society present this energetic and fun show that will have your feet tapping, and your heart singing.

With music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman based on the 1988 John Waters film Hairspray.

In 1960s Baltimore, dance-loving teen Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, auditions for a spot on Local  Television’s “Corny Collins Show” and wins. She becomes an overnight celebrity, a trendsetter in dance, fun and fashion!  Tracy uses her new found fame and status as a teen sensation to fight for equality and bring racial integration to the show.  Will she succeed and finally get the boy of her dreams?

This production of Hairspray is directed by David Rutter, a member of Colchester Operatic Society who has performed and directed shows both with COS and his own theatre company locally.  He is joined by Geoff Osborne as musical director, a well know music teacher and musical director across the region, and Debbie Marks as choreographer, an experienced dancer who runs her own theatre academy.

This show never stops and you are sure to be entertained by the fabulous cast of this award winning amateur dramatic society.

The show runs from 24th Jan – 3rd Feb 2018

At The Mercury Theatre, Colchester

Evening performances start at 7.30pm, with Saturday Matinees at 2.30pm

NB: MATINEES NEARLY SOLD OUT (NOV 2017)

(No performances on Sunday 28th)

Ticket prices range between £15 and £21.25 and are available from the theatre….

Mercury

Balkerne Gate, Colchester, CO1 1PT

Telephone: 01206 573948

E-mail: boxoffice@mercurytheatre.co.uk

NODA Review of CO2’s WEST SIDE STORY 2013

 

 

COLCHESTER OPERATIC SOCIETY SECOND EDITION (CO2)
WEST SIDE STORY
Director Adam Woodhouse
Assisted by Leanne Fincham
Musical Director Neil Somerville
Performed at the Mercury Theatre 26th September 2013
There are not enough superlatives to praise this outstanding production by Colchester Operatic Second Edition(CO2).This talented company just goes from strength to strength and the standard is just first class.
The pace which was constant from the Prologue with the Orchestra who were on top form and sounded superb, leading into the opening scene with Riff and the Jets held the audience totally attentive, not wanting to miss any of the fast, slick action on stage.
Tight dance and fight routines which were so personal to every person on stage and their involvement in every move. We watched all the cast acting/dancing as individuals with the result of original and sometimes very unexpected new ideas and challenging routines.
The sets were amazing and would not have been out of place on a West End stage.The crew did a great job with slick moving and re setting the stage with no fuss or problems.
The strong cast were on top form with some new faces in major roles in the production.
Both Hyoie O’Grady playing Tony and Jenny Collins playing Maria were making their debut for the company and both were outstanding with voices which encompassed a huge range in their songs and were sung with great feeling in both tone and delivery.
The pairing was so charming and so believable with some tender moments making it very special .At times, with a full house in the Mercury Theatre, the tensions and atmosphere coming from the cast which relayed to the audiences imagination was so electric you could hear a pin drop.
Harry Totham as Riff and Dallyce Thiessen as Anita played great supporting characters with huge commitment from them. Both with strong voices and excellent diction.
Jack Nayler as Bernardo another first show with the company looked just right in this character and Barney Fritz as Action and Will Mugford as Chino did well in their respective roles.
Shannon Hannah as Anybodys deserves a mention for her animation and energy which was terrific.
The adults assisting in the cast from Will Parrick as Shrank, Will Hooper as Doc and David Rutter as Officer Krupke gave confident performances alongside the young people.
The ensemble singing was lovely with some very special numbers so well sung.
Suported by a strong line up of Guys and Girls the effort put into the production from Adam, Neil and Leanne on the production team was very evident and full credit to them for every aspect of the show which made it so very special.
On leaving the theatre I heard comments from people like”Why go to London to see a show when this talent is here in Colchester”I laughed and cried all through the show it was brilliant”.”I would like to see it again”.Praise indeed but so well deserved.
Thank you so much for West Side Story it was a wonderful evening’s entertainment.
Ann Plattens

 

Click Here to download the NODA Review of CO2’s WEST SIDE STORY 2013

COS Concert 2013 – Fantasy and Fairytale – Including NODA Review

F&F thumb

See the NODA Review…… CLICK HERE

 

Following last year’s highly successful Jubilee Concert, COS were pleased to present a charity concert for 2013….. with proceeds going this time to the local Multiple Sclerosis charity MS-UK.

 

Audiences: were treated to a wide range of music from Wizard of Oz, Little Mermaid, Mary Poppins, Into the Woods, Tangled, Enchanted, The Addams Family musical, Little Shop of Horrors and many more fantastical songs.

 

Performances:    There were two highly successful performances at the Mercury Theatre, both on Sunday 2nd June @ 2:30pm and 7:30pm.

 

The Charity:   MS-UK (Multiple Sclerosis UK, formally the MS Resource Centre) is a national charity dedicated to giving support and information to anyone affected by MS.  In 2012, MS-UK opened a specially designed wellness gym at Joseph’s Court, Hythe Quay, Colchester, currently benefiting over 70 local people with MS.  By a attending the COS Concert this year you will be supporting this local MS-UK facility, helping with the running of the wellness gym as well as providing specialist literature and MS advisors, counsellors and support network.  For further information and how to contact MS-UK, please visit their website www.MS-UK.org

 

NODA Review – Sweet Charity – “SUPERB!”

 

Here is the NODA review of 2013 COS production of Sweet Charity

By Ann Platten, NODA East Regional Representative. District 11.

 

COLCHESTER OPERATIC SOCIETY

SWEET CHARITY

Director Caroline Fritz

Musical Director Neil Summerville

Performed at the Mercury Theatre                                        31st January 2013

 

 

SUPERB!  A stunning first class show that just exceeded all expectations in every aspect, from singing, acting, dancing, costumes, great chorus numbers, one could go on with credits for there were so many for Colchester Operatic in this show.

Heading up the cast in a very demanding part of Charity Hope Valentine was Leanne Fincham who gave an outstanding performance in voice dance and with a great feel for the comedy in the part. Leanne’s timing was perfect. To retain this level for around ten performances was a great credit both to Leanne and all the cast who gave their all.

David Rutter as Oscar Lindquist gave an excellent character as Charity’s rather shy boy friend with such an amusing sequence with Charity in the elevator. Great timing also from David, and a total understanding of his character.

Emma Ward as Helene and Jo Daniels as Nickie worked well together and “Baby Dream Your Dreams” so well sung and first class performances throughout the show.

Olly Medlicot as Vittorio Vidal was suave and sophisticated with a very good singing voice and super stage presence.A real smoothie! Ursula his girlfriend played by Joanne Davis looked elegant and very glamorous.

Herman the Proprietor of the Fan-Dango Ballroom shone in “I Love to Cry at Weddings”.I have no idea where his voice range reached towards the end of the number but it was terrific almost past top Soprano range and constant. How Jonathon maintained that pitch is staggering.

Rhythm of Life with Daddy Brubeck played by Richard Bland and a great assortment of very colorful people was a super number and great fun.

The dancers were in top form .I loved” Rich Man’s Frug” in Bob Fosse style which was expertly choreographed.

There were many little touches here and there in the production that gave cameo roles to several of the cast, all made the most of various characters and added a great deal to the performance.

Musically Directed by Neil Summerville with a terrific sounding band driving all the musical numbers in the show with great pace and keeping all the many scene changes covered. Balance of voices and band was very good.

The stage crew had plenty to do with scene changes eight scenes in Act 1 and eleven in Act 2 and did an efficient job.

A great evening with some very exciting shows coming up from both COS and CO2 this season.

Thank you for your hospitality, and once again many Congratulations on the show.

 

 

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