We believe musical theatre is for everyone and should be at the heart of our Colchester community.
We are an amateur theatre company that is there for everyone and anyone who wants to perform or help to put on amazing shows.
Colchester Operatic Society (Charity no. 1198865) was founded in 1924 and we are one of the region’s oldest musical theatre companies performing annually to rave reviews. Over the years we have put on over 130 shows/concerts involving over 8,600 cast and crew.
We currently produce a main show in the early part of the year, running for two weeks at The Mercury Theatre and a summer concert, which has been performed at a variety of smaller venues, in and around Colchester.
A huge number of our young people have gone on to form successful careers within the theatrical industry. Many of these are currently performing on West End stages and on your TV screens! To find out more about our CO2 youth group click here.
For many of our members it is being part of an exciting theatrical project that interests them. If you love acting, dancing, singing or assisting in other aspects of theatre productions, there is something for you in COS.
We pride ourselves on being community based. Whatever your age, gender, ethnicity, experience or ability, Colchester Operatic Society offers challenging, rewarding and above all FUN activities for anyone with an interest in musical theatre. To us, inclusion matters. Join us!
We are run by elected committee members. To find out who’s who on our Executive Committee click here
For more information about how COS came into being and what we’ve being doing since 1924 click here
To read more about our commitment to enable everyone and anyone to join us and all of our policies click here
Well done to all that auditioned and congratulations to the those that were cast for the Back to the Past concert at the Headgate Theatre 11th June- 14th June 2025.
A massive well done to all the cast, crew and production team who put together a fabulous production of The Little Mermaid at the Mercury Theatre. Audiences left raving at the wonderous show, but don’t just take their word for it – here are the NETG and NODA reports.
If you are 16-23 and interested in joining CO2 and the cast of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory please complete this form. More details about the show will appear on our Casting Call page shortly.
We are excited to announce that CO2 will be producing Charlie & The Chocolate Factory in Autumn 2025 and COS will be producing Guys & Dolls in Jan/Feb 2026 at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester.
We are proud of the award/winning standards our productions achieve, and the opportunity this provides for aspiring creative partners. Would you like ...
We are delighted to inform you that Colchester Operatic Society has received the following nominations in the North Essex Theatre Guild‘s awards for their 2023-24 Showcase Festival:
CO2 – School of Rock
Best Musical directed by Laura Hicks & Leah Scott
Best Young Actor: Will Hackett as Dewey Finn
Adjudicators’ Award: the student cast/musicians and the young student ensemble ...
