Woodley Light Operatic Society

Welcome..

Woodley Light Operatic Society is an amateur musical society in Reading, Berkshire, performing two musical shows each year. This is usually a summer musical and a winter operetta - everything from Cole Porter to Gilbert and Sullivan. It is a great family society; one has only to peruse our programmes to see that many families are involved in productions ( see our Constitution ) .

WLOS has been putting on shows since 1968, and, with loyal audiences coming back each time, continues its tradition of combining high standards with lots of fun for its members.

Membership is made up of people of all ages and occupations, with a wide range of experience from beginners to those with many years of doing shows.

Whilst most members are performers, many too get involved in numerous other aspects of putting on a show - such as marketing and publicity, wardrobe, sets, props, box-office, backstage, make-up, ushering at the theatre on show nights, etc.

History

In 1968 a local newspaper carried an advertisement seeking people interested in amateur operatics as it was hoped to form a new local society. It was from that first meeting of just a handful of members that Woodley Light Operatic Society was born.

The new membership had risen to about 20 when they gave their first concert in that year at Bulmershe School in Woodley. They continued to perform concerts during that first year and the Society staged its first production - White Horse Inn - at Bulmershe School in January 1969.

Unfortunately today none of the original members is still active within the Society, although many current members have been in the Society for over 20 years.

In 1988 the Society celebrated its 20th Anniversary with a second production of Fiddler on The Roof at the Hexagon in Reading, an enormously successful production for the Society. In 1993 the Society celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a very successful production of Anything Goes.

Membership today is, as it always was, made up of people of all ages and occupations. It is a great family society; one has only to peruse our programmes to see that many families are all involved in productions, on stage, backstage and front of house. Many engagements and marriages have arisen from membership and many future WLOS members born over the years.

Like all amateur societies WLOS has had to face difficult times. There have been times when finances have been low (but never morale), and, thanks to strong committees and continued support from the membership, and despite the ever-increasing costs of staging shows, WLOS has continued to entertain and is proud of its reputation for being amateur in name but professional in its performances.

The committee and members would like to thank their audiences, their sponsors and their advertisers, for their continued support over the years. Your support and approval makes our every effort worthwhile and we hope to be able to entertain you for many years to come.

There is a recording of a BBC Radio 4 item about the society - here.

Founded 1968 - Registered Charity No. LP272166AIR

Affiliated to NODA