Previous Shows

Jekyll and Hyde - 2007

“An outstanding performance defies its amateur roots” – so ran the headline in the local press. This was a fabulous show which told the story of the fragile balance between good and evil. Steve Pearce was outstanding, able to transform his appearance, mannerisms and voice to portray the two side of his character. Rebecca Noble's commanding stage portrayal as the prostitute Lucy Harris was outstanding and contrasted with Jekyll's fiancée Emma Carew, played by Laura Davis.

It was a glittering production combining a first-rate cast with excellent chorus support played against an exquisite set. Warren Manger, critic of The Observer, said “when you can enjoy a show of this scintillating quality on your doorstep there really is no need to travel to Birmingham to quench your thirst for theatre."

My Fair Lady - 2006

"My Fair Lady" was another sell-out show for Solihull Operatic Society. The familiar story with wonderful songs was a great hit with our audiences.

Leading-lady Becky Noble is truly a star in the making and her portrayal of Eliza was spellbinding. Chris Macrow (Prof. Higgins), Ian Stocker (Col. Pickering) and John Mills (Doolittle) played excellent roles in the stunning line-up of principals.

The support of the other principals and the singing of the chorus confirmed this society's position as one of the best amateur musical societies in the area.

Curtain Up! - 2005

"Curtain Up" was an exciting production which gave the audience a glimpse behind the mask of musical theatre from the West End to Broadway. There was something for everyone with excerpts from old favourites such as Showboat and My Fair Lady to show-stoppers from current hit musicals such as Miss Saigon and Jekyll & Hyde .

This production also presented the society with an opportunity for many of the cast members to show off their musical talents through solos and duets.

Wallop Mrs Cox! - 2005

SOS was the first amateur company to perform this hit Brummy musical, which follows the triumphs and tragedies of gutsy market trader Mrs Cox – played by four separate people – and her rather large family. We were even lucky enough to welcome the show's writer Euan Rose as our producer.

There were many challenges (not least the fact that most of the company had at least ten costume changes!) but we won through and Wallop went down a storm with both audiences and critics.

Half a Sixpence - 2004

Flash Bang Wallop! This certainly wasn't a musical for the faint-hearted. The chorus was drilled rigorously to ensure that each energetic dance routine was picture-perfect and Rob Burton, in the role of Kipps, hardly had time to breathe between scenes. The stylishly choreographed Old Military Canal was a visual treat of sweeping skirts and brightly-coloured parasols.

The King & I - 2003

Awarded the title of Best Regional Production by NODA (National Operatic and Dramatic Association, the King and I was a right royal success. Every night was a sell-out and the box office even had to set up waiting lists for tickets. Stepping into the starchy role of governess ‘Mrs Anna', Fiona Krober soon discovered that although her dresses weren't quite as voluminous as those in the original film, getting through doors at the theatre was going to be a challenge. For the rest of the cast, sadness when the run finished was mingled with relief that we no longer had to spend hours applying body paint, hair colouring spray and painful hair pieces!

Fiddler on the Roof - 2003

From the spiritual Sabbath Prayer to the highs of a family wedding and the lows of losing loved ones, the show offered some great character acting opportunities and a really good sing for both principles and chorus. Paul Madden – joining SOS for the first time – was outstanding in the lead role of Tevye, mastering both the Jewish accent and dancing style with ease, and leaving many of the audience and cast moist-eyed with his touching performance.

Kiss Me Kate - 2002

Cate Mellor proved that she could be both genuinely scary and vocally acrobatic as the feisty Catherine/Lily in this lavishly costumed Shakespearean spectacle. By the end of the run, the whole cast was skilled in perfect Elizabethan deportment thanks to producer Ted Manley, while hours of drilling on the finale and bows ensured the show finished on a high.

Oklahoma - 2001

Nothing was too much trouble for leading man Adrian Lane when it came to getting into the part of Curly in this classic tale of love and obsession in the Deep South – even perming his incredibly straight hair! Mane tamed, the next step for the game cowboy was to learn a few ballet steps for the dream sequence, including some daring lifts with a rather nervous Laurey (Nicky Ginns). The hard work of the whole cast paid off and the show enjoyed high praise in the press. As one critic put it: ‘Even the gunshots went off on cue.'

Full list of all previous Solihull Operatic Societies productions