Welcome to Southampton Operatic Society (SOS), an award-winning group of about 100 amateur performers of all ages. Established in 1924, we are the longest established dramatic society in the area but we are also a forward-looking group with a vibrant social scene and a large Junior Section (Debut Youth Theatre). We perform a wide variety of shows from grand opera right through to Gilbert & Sullivan and modern musicals. We also have a cabaret group which is available to provide high quality, entertaining cabaret performances. We support a number of local and national charities. Acting membership is open to anyone who passes an audition but we are always looking for non-acting members to assist with our all-important offstage activities. For more information, please follow one of the links above.
WHO WILL BE KING? CHAT SHOWS AND DNA TESTS HOLD THE ANSWER...
Southampton Operatic Society will be taking audiences on a cruise down the rivers of Venice when they perform Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Gondoliers at the Nuffield Theatre (June 16 – 20).
On the set of the renowned reality television show ‘Is This Your Wife?’, sisters Gianetta (Annie Masters) and Tessa (Lisa Perry) are the lucky two to be selected to marry the most eligible gondoliers in Venice, brothers Marco (Jason Sly) and Giuseppe (Roger Lamb). However, their lives are to be turned upside down when we learn that one of them is actually the King of Barataria and was therefore married at birth to Casilda (April Luescher), the Duke of Plaza Toro’s (Jonathan Fulcher) daughter. Therefore, they are invited onto the Grand Inquisitor’s chat show, hosted by Don Alhambra (Nick Hollands) himself, where they are to have a DNA test to determine which one is a right royal bigamist!
Updating The Gondoliers and directing this show is Richard Peaty, who most recently directed a hugely popular ‘The Mikado’ for the society. With a fantastic principal cast and powerful chorus, this show promises to be an un-missable classic that will have you rolling in the aisles!
This production is kindly supported by La Lupa restaurant.
15/06/09
IF ONLY HE WAS A RICH MAN...
Southampton Operatic Society's Fiddler on the Roof is one not to be missed!
Southampton Operatic Society is being transported back to early 20th century Russia as they perform Fiddler on the Roof at the Nuffield Theatre, Southampton, between 3rd – 7th February 2009.
Join Tevye, his wife Golde and six daughters as they struggle to survive in the Jewish village of Anatevka. Tevye is a poor milkman with great visions for his three eldest daughters, who he has to find suitable husbands for.
Yente, the village matchmaker attempts to help Tevye, but the family has no money and no dowry, so her work is cut out. However, the path to love never runs smoothly, and his stong-willed eldest daughters have their own plans for finding husbands, which are progressively more distant from the traditional Jewish values that Tevye and Golde live by. The resulting actions of their daughters see Golde and Tevye test their faith, love, values and traditions, and combined with the threat of an anti-Jewish protests and Russian invasions, both Tevye and the town of Anatevka will never be the same again
With award-winning Director David Tatnall at the helm, and Curtain Call nominee David Rayner taking the title role of Tevye, this promises to be a show that will leave you laughing and crying.
22/01/09
Best Concerted Item - Buxton 2008
Congratulations to our directors and stars of Ruddigore, which we took to the 2008 International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival in Buxton in August. We won the 'Best Concerted Item' award with the 'Matter Trio', performed by Matt Sturgeon, David Rayner and Elle Moreton. Ruddigore was directed by David Tatnall with Nigel Finch as Musical Director.
See the YouTube clip above for the 'Matter Trio' as performed in the Nuffield Theatre in June 2008.
140 YEARS OF ST DENYS CHURCH
Southampton Operatic Society and Debut Youth Theatre (SOS Juniors) present an evening of music to celebrate 140 years of St Denys Church, Southampton
Saturday, 27th September, 2008 at 7:30pm
At St Denys Church, Dundee Road, Southampton, SO17 2ND
Tickets £5, available from St Denys Church: 02380 671757, from Terry O'Farrell: 02380 340568, or on the door.
SOUTHAMPTON OPERATIC SOCIETY ‘HIT FOR SIX’ IN THEIR CURRENT PRODUCTION
There can’t be too many cricketers who have to overcome curses and ghosts and find true love before they can even contemplate the match, but in Southampton Operatic Society’s latest production, the lead character is more than your average sportsman.
Matthew Sturgeon takes his first lead role for the Society in Gilbert and Sullivan’s ‘Ruddigore’, starring as Robin Oakapple, a fine all-rounder desperately trying to play the innings of his life and win the heart of his sweetheart Rose Maybud, played by Annie Masters. The course of true love never did run smooth, however, and the pair undergo many trials as Robin’s true ancestry and secret family curse are revealed; he must commit a crime a day or face a violent and torturous death. Can Robin and Rose break the curse before he does something unforgivable?
The two stars will be accompanied by a fine supporting cast preparing to bowl you over with songs from one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s darkest – but also funniest – operettas. Captaining the side is the award-winning actor/director David Tatnall, enjoying his second production as Director with SOS. David, who is looking forward to breathing new life into the show, said: “This one of the ‘creepier’ Gilbert and Sullivan shows; I wanted to bring the production up-to-date, so have updated the script and given the show a cricket theme. I have a superb cast and even if you don’t know Gilbert and Sullivan, you will love this.”
‘Ruddigore’ is running at the Nuffield Theatre from 17 June – 21 June 2008 at 7:30pm. Tickets are available from the Nuffield Theatre box office on 023 8067 1771.
June 2008
SOS Cabaret Group
Southampton Operatic Society has a cabaret group which is available to provide high quality, entertaining cabaret performances . Over recent years it has performed for many local charities, including Save the Children, Lions Clubs and Rotary clubs and can provide a wide-ranging choice of musical styles and themes to fit any occasion - for example, Songs from the shows, valentines evening, Old time Musichall, Songs from the wars, Heroes and villains and Last night of the Proms, to name but a few. The singers are all principal performers with the Society and will provide an evening of comedy, high drama or operatic fireworks, as you require, all at very reasonable rates.
Over recent years the Society has helped charities raise over £28,000, mainly through providing a cabaret song and supper show. So if you are looking to have an entertaining evening of song and laughter for your own amusement or to raise funds for your charity or need some singers for a special event we have the team for you!
It’s time to saddle up your horse and mosey on down to the Nuffield Theatre, where Southampton Operatic Society will be sweeping down the plains, bringing Rodgers & Hammerstein’s epic, Oklahoma! to life.
This classic story of farmers and cowboys, set in a turn-of-the-century frontier town, sees headstrong farmer-girl Laurey Williams and brash cowboy Curly McLain deny their obvious love for each other. A desperate race ensues between Curly and farmhand Jud Fry to win Laurey’s heart, and her journey to find true love takes many twists and turns.
This award-winning show is the best known of the Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals, featuring such show-stopping numbers as, Oh What a Beautiful Morning, The Surrey with the Fringe on Top, People Will Say We’re in Love and the classic, Oklahoma!
Following the huge success of the Society’s last show, Anything Goes, this production promises to be even bigger. Don’t miss out!
NUFFIELD THEATRE, SOUTHAMPTON TUES 29 JAN - SAT 2 FEB 2008
Performances: Tues - Sat at 7.30pm, plus Sat matinee at 2.30pm
Tickets: £10 - £12
(concessions: £1.50 discount for under 16, 60 or over, students or registered disabled. Available for all
performances except Friday and Saturday evening).
The following group discounts apply to all performances:
10% for groups of 8 or more, 15% for 12 or more, 20% for 20 or more, 25% for 40 or more people.
Only one concession or discount applies to any order.
We have put some SOS clips on YouTube. You can see highlights from our recent production of The Mikado. Clips from our DVD back catalogue may follow.
10/11/07
Anything Goes
Details of our recent show have now been added to our Shows page. Photos from the show will be added soon.
03/07/07
