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Our most recent productions
February 2008 saw BOS perform Thoroughly Modern Millie to sell-out audiences who appreciated the efforts of the production team and cast in putting on this great show.
Directed by Clare Lester, choreography by Sharon Ulla and musical direction by Kieron Galliard & Nick Planas.
The strong cast and chrous included newcomer to the society, Kerry Ayres, in the title role; Andy Aldcroft as Jimmy, Sally Watts as Mrs Meers, Louisa Welch as Miss Dorothy, Philip Fine as Trevor Graydon and Janet Bishop making a welcome return to the stage as Muzzy Van Hossmere - plus the hilarious Marilyn Fairbairn and Bruce Walton as Bun Foo and Ching Ho. There were also great cameo performances from members of the strong chorus, who added even more depth to the production |
Red Hot and Cole - October 2007
From 24th-27th October BOS was “throwing a ball” – and everyone was invited, to a “swellegant” theatrical party spanning the life of Broadway’s greatest wit, the irrepressible Cole Porter.
With a scintillating mixture of biography and song, “Red Hot & Cole” celebrated the great American songwriter who brought style, elegance and sophistication to the stages and soundstages of Broadway and Hollywood, delighting the world with his devilishly clever rhymes, fresh and unexpected melodies and sassy, sexy sensibility.
Director: Bruce Walton; MD: Philip Fine; Choreographer: Alison Hallford |
Oklahoma!
Oklahoma! was another sell-out show for BOS in February 2007. Directed by Anne Westcott, choregraphed by Charlotte Harris, and with musical direction from Nick Planas and Kieron Galliard, the show certainly lived up to the high standard set by the Society in its other shows. Memorable sequences included the dream ballet, and a rip-rousing opening to the second act with The Farmer and The Cowman. Haley Perkins, in her first principal role for the Society, was a delightful Laurie, who certainly met her match in Curley, played by Tom Boardman, who was also in his first principal role. Charlotte Ross (Ado Annie), Bruce Walton (Will Parker) and Ian Preece (Ali Hakim) gave strong performances, with terrific comic timing. This was certainly a show that left the audience wanting more.
Director: Anne Westcott; Choreographer: Charlotte Harris; MD: Kieron Galliard & Nick Planas |
Gilbert & Sullivan's Songs & Snatches
October 2006 saw members of BOS performing a veritable cornucopia from the works of this famous partnership, with fully costumed, staged and choreographed excerpts from many of their collaborations.
The evening included songs from The Pirates of Penzance; The Mikado; Iolanthe; Ruddigore; Patience; The Gondoliers The Yeoman of the Guard and Trial by Jury in full. These excerpts were linked by snatches of the dialogue from the operas together with reminiscing from Gilbert, Sullivan and D'Oyly Carte - all of whom, by the wonders of modern technology, joined us on stage each evening!
The show was under the baton of Philip Shaw, directed by Janet Bishop and choreographed by Sharon Ulla. These three last collaborated on the Society's very successful production of Princess Ida and came up with many ideas for making this a fast paced, very melodic and humorous production. |
Guys and Dolls - February 2006
Guys and Dolls is a winner February 2006 saw members of BOS playing to packed houses every night when they presented Guys and Dolls. Thanks to a breadth of members, some of whom specialise in voice, others who are particuarly strong dancers, and with a membership age ranging from 17 to 70 the Society is proving to be as adept at staging modern American musicals as it is at Gilbert & Sullivan and well-known operettas such as The Merry Widow. |
42nd Street - February 2005
42nd Street is a sell-out in February 2005 Playing to packed audiences every night, Banbury Operatic Society showed just how truly versatile it is. Anyone who saw the show-stopping routines choreographed by Sharon Ulla cannot have failed to be impressed by the skill and precision of everyone on stage during the fast-paced tap routines. |
That's Entertainment - June 2004
That's Entertainment was a sell-out at St Mary's!
There was something for everyone when Banbury Operatic Society joined with Hook Norton Silver Band in a musical romp from Disney to Verdi via Berlin and Chicago and all points in between!
Running for two nights only, on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th June 2004 at 7.30pm in Marlborough Road Methodist Church, Marlborough Road, Banbury, the concerts proved to be a hit with the sell-out audiences. |
Princess Ida - February 2004
Princess Ida - 2004
When men got in touch with their feminine side!
Princess Ida by Gilbert & Sullivan is based on a poem by Tennyson. However, do not be fooled into thinking that it is serious and straight-laced.
With men breaking into a ladies' college and disguising themselves in women's clothes, babies betrothed at birth, irascible Kings and nice but dim warriors (both men and women!) our audiences enjoyed all the elements of a very comic operetta.
With wonderful music, promising a 'really good sing', long flowing dresses and tresses, and the odd (very!) suit of armour, this musical, medieval romp had something for everyone.
Director - Janet Bishop
Musical Director - Philip Shaw
Choreographer - Sharon Ulla |
Mack & Mabel - October 2003
IF YOU LIKE MUSICALS, YOU’D HAVE LOVED MACK & MABEL
Following their sensational, sell-out presentation of The Merry Widow, Banbury Operatic Society returned in October 2003 with another winner.
Set in 1920’s Hollywood, Mack & Mabel recalls the bitter-sweet love affair between the undisputed King of Comedy in the silent movie era, Mack Sennett, and Mabel Normand, a waitress from Brooklyn who became the heroine of his silent movies. It is the heartbreaking story of how one man sacrificed everything, including the woman he loved, in his pursuit of comic perfection.
Thanks to Torvill and Dean and their triumphant routine to this most inspiring of overtures, Mack & Mabel is one of those musicals that everyone thinks they know. Nominated for no fewer than 8 Tony Awards, it is a show with something for everyone – comedy, drama, romance, spectacle – all set to Jerry Herman’s rich and melodic score which includes ‘Tap Your Troubles Away’, I Won’t Send Roses’, ‘Time Heals Everything’ and ‘Movies were Movies’.
Tony Neale directed the show. He was joined by Philip Fine in his first role as musical director for the society, and Rowena Gaston, choreographer, who has worked with us before, most recently on ‘The Melody Lingers On’.
The principal line up included Ian Preece as Mack, Chrissie Walsh – a recent recruit to the society - as Mabel, Charlotte Ross as Lottie, Maurice Smith as Fatty Arbuckle, Philip Bloomfield as Frank, Bob Mann as Taylor, Andrew Watkins and David Hornsby as Fox and Kleiman and Marilyn Fairbairn as Ella. They were supported by Ann Sloan, Alison Hallford, Michelle Mirams, Sue Atkinson, Jessica Clarke and Ebony Arungodade - attractive bathing beauties and tantalising tappers. Other cast members included Fred Castle, who made a convincing burglar, Linda Keen as one of the hapless Keystone Kops, James Harper, Lis Whittle, Julie Wyatt, Gill Gillett and Jem Turner who were busy and active members of Mack's supporting crew. Plus Guy the Gorilla! |
The Merry Widow - February 2003
February 2003 saw BOS present The Merry Widow to sell out audiences. Demand for tickets outstripped supply as everyone wanted to enjoy the wonderful Lehar operetta, performed by an enthusiastic and talented cast.
Director: Janet Bishop
Musical Director: Philip Shaw
Choreographer: Sharon Ulla
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Thoroughly Modern Millie
February 2008 saw BOS perform Thoroughly Modern Millie to sell-out audiences who appreciated the efforts of the production team and cast in putting on this great show.
Directed by Clare Lester, choreography by Sharon Ulla and musical direction by Kieron Galliard & Nick Planas.
The strong cast and chrous included newcomer to the society, Kerry Ayres, in the title role; Andy Aldcroft as Jimmy, Sally Watts as Mrs Meers, Louisa Welch as Miss Dorothy, Philip Fine as Trevor Graydon and Janet Bishop making a welcome return to the stage as Muzzy Van Hossmere - plus the hilarious Marilyn Fairbairn and Bruce Walton as Bun Foo and Ching Ho. There were also great cameo performances from members of the strong chorus, who added even more depth to the production.
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