Internal Groups

WAA Programme November – December 2021

November

Event Location Date/Time Contact Notes
“A Walk Down With Shaftesbury Avenue” A Tues 16th – Sat 20th Nov (7.30pm Daily + Matinee 20th 2.30pm) opsoc@w-a-a.co.uk  Buy Tickets:
In person at Odettes Tearoom, Wellington High Street
Telephone 01823 240063
Online at ticketsource.co.uk/wellingtonartscentre
Our House – Launch Night A Mon 22nd Nov, 7.30pm ourhouse@w-a-a.co.uk  
Our House – Workshop 1 A Mon 29th Nov, 7.30pm ourhouse@w-a-a.co.uk  

december

Event Location Date/Time Contact Notes
Our House – Workshop 2 A Thurs 2nd Dec, 7.30pm ourhouse@w-a-a.co.uk  
Christmas Cabaret A Sat 4th Dec, 7.30pm genesis@w-a-a.co.uk  
Being Berlin – charity show A Sat 11th Dec, 2.30pm & 7.30pm John W (01823 667112)
Our House Auditions A Sun 12th Dec, 09.00 onwards ourhouse@w-a-a.co.uk
Acoustic Music Club M Sat 18th Dec, 7.30pm acousticclub@w-a-a.co.uk
WAA Christmas Evening A Sun 19th Dec, 7.30pm critics@w-a-a.co.uk

Locations:

A= Arts Centre, main hall

M = Arts Centre, multi-function room

Join the House of Fun!

Rob Spurway Wellington Operatic Sociecty October 21, 2021 Leave a reply

We have some dates for your diaries. Firstly, our Launch Night! It will be an informal evening where you will get to hear Rob, our Director’s artistic vision and Joe, our MD will play some of the brilliant Madness songs from the show.  Beth the Choreographer will be on hand to chat about her dances and of course, the bar will be open and you will be made very welcome! 

We also have 2 workshops where we will be going through the audition songs, characterisations and Beth will teach you the dances you need to know for the auditions.  You don’t have to attend both workshops, but if you want to, you’re more than welcome! All of these events will take place the Arts Centre, Wellington.

DIARY DATES

LAUNCH NIGHT: Monday 22nd November

WORKSHOP #1: Monday 29th November 

WORKSHOP #2: Thursday 2nd December

AUDITIONS: Sunday 12th December

Follow this link to find the character descriptions, audition pieces, a rehearsal schedule, a FAQ sheet and also, the very important Audition Form to complete ASAP! The audition form can be found by clicking the button below.

We think we’ve covered everything you need to know in the FAQs but if you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Cazz Redstone

Production Coordinator

OUR HOUSE 2022

Wellington Operatic Society

ourhouse@w-a-a.co.uk

Spectrum has returned!

Rob Spurway Spectrum Arts & Crafts October 18, 2021 Leave a reply

An afternoon at Spectrum is a very relaxed affair with members learning skills from one another. It is good to share ideas and learn new techniques. Some of these are gleaned from the internet or TV craft channels as well as magazines and books. Our numbers are small and since the lockdown, some of our previous members have got out of the habit of meeting up. We make new members welcome and would encourage prospective members to share their skills in a friendly group. We meet in the Arts Centre at 2.00 pm on Mondays

A Genesis for Genesis – A Bright New Start for Wellington’s Youth Theatre Group.

Rob Spurway Genesis Youth Theatre Group September 22, 2021 Leave a reply

Following their recent EGM, required due to the majority of previous committee members moving away to pursue other interests or having Covid-related changes to their circumstances, the youth theatre group of Wellington Arts Association, GENESIS has a new committee, led by Rob Spurway and is pleased to announce that sessions will re-commence on Wednesday 6 October 2021 at the Arts Centre, Eight Acre Lane, Wellington, 7pm to 9pm.

The Youth Theatre Group is for children in school years 7 to 11. They always have an amazing amount of fun learning all aspects of theatre – stage craft, singing, characterisation, how to make and use props, understanding and using sound and lighting effects, script writing, choreography, costume design, slap-stick and much, much more. They will perform a Christmas cabaret in December this year and a summer show in 2022.

The Arts Association is a non-profit community organisation which supports the youth members of Genesis and all these rewarding experiences, delivered by experienced people with many years in the theatre environment, both onstage and behind the scenes, can be enjoyed for the junior annual membership fee of just £7.00. That’s around 30p per week, term time for quality and fun theatrical education.

If your child would like to be involved, please email genesis@w-a-a.co.uk and they will contact you.

It is AGM time!

The WAA and Critics club are holding their Annual General Meeting on 7th September, starting promptly at 7.30pm. On the same night, Genesis will hold an Extraordinary General Meeting.

AGMs and EGMs are a good time to take stock of the previous 12 months, hear from the Chairmans of the groups, find out what money has been spent on and elect a new committee for the next 12 months.

To be able to become a committee member or vote on matters at the meeting you must be a paid-up WAA member!

The notices of the AGMs and EGMs are attached below.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE RESIDENTS OF CASEY STREET AND OUR NEW SHOW DATES!

Rob Spurway Wellington Operatic Sociecty August 30, 2021 2 Comments

Firstly, we have some important news…. our show dates have changed slightly to  

Wednesday 27th– Saturday 30thApril 2022 

(with a Matinee on Saturday) 

This is because we perform our shows at our fantastic Wellesley Theatre.  Most of the year, the building is used as a cinema by Merlin Cinemas, until we transform it into a theatre to perform in.  In May 2022, Merlin Cinemas have secured a Disney film on it’s release date (look out for details in the press nearer the time) so we thought this was exciting and have moved our show week dates a week earlier! 

So here’s the buzz… during lockdown we were fortunate to be able to completely refurbish the Arts Centre! It’s nearly completed and the association have the wheels in motion to get going with all of our shows – in our brand new, swanky rehearsal space!! Excited is an understatement! 

The first events for OUR HOUSE, are the workshops and auditions in December, followed by a social night / admin night in January, before we hit the road running with rehearsals in February.  More details soon! 

However, we know what you really want to know is; “Who are the characters and what can I audition for?”  

So… we have attached a character description list and a synopsis of the show. 

If you follow this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Bap8r-UZgE it takes you to the West End version on YouTube.  Whilst the version we’re doing isn’t exactly the same, it’s pretty close.  Have a watch – it’s great for research! 

The Production Team 

Cazz Redstone (Production Coordinator) 

Rob Spurway (Director) 

Joe Beckhelling (Musical Director) 

Beth Swan (Choreographer) 

WAA Programme September – October 2021

SEPTEMBER

Event Location Date/Time Contact Notes
AGMs: WAA, Critics Club + Genesis EGM A Tues 7th Sept 19.00 secretary@w-a-a.co.uk  Open to the public but must be WAA members to vote/stand for committee positions
“Last night of the Proms” M Sat 11th Sept 18.00 rob.spurway@w-a-a.co.uk  Members-only
Acoustic Music club M Sat 18th Sept 19.30 acousticclub@w-a-a.co.uk  
Opsoc in the park Park Sun 26th Sept opsoc@w-a-a.co.uk  

OCTOBER

Event Location Date/Time Contact Notes
“The Elements – Songs of Fire Earth and Water” – John Walker Band. A 2nd Oct evening & 3rd Oct matinee John W (01823 667112)  There will be a bucket collection for Wellington Hospital League of Friends.
Acoustic Music club M Sat 16th October 19.30 acousticclub@w-a-a.co.uk  

Locations:

A= Arts Centre, main hall

M = Arts Centre, multi-function room

Pantomime Group ready to begin Treasure Hunt!

Rob Spurway Wellington Pantomime Group August 14, 2021 Leave a reply

The committee and the creative team would like to thank all that auditioned, I loved seeing lots of new faces as well as regular cast members. I know, with the talent involved, we can put on the show that Wellington deserves to see after an enforced absence! We look forward to sharing our journey through this blog to the stage!

Kirk Shepherd, Director

The cast is as follows:

Mrs Hawkins/Dame Ian Jones

Jim Hawkins Kiera Chard

Squire Trelawney Rev Andrew Norris

Jenny Trelawney Lizzie Harvey

Seadog Sam Annalise Houghton

Seaweed Willy Shane Mace

Ben Gunn/Billy Bones Pete Meredith

Long John Silver TBC

Blood Boiler Chris Barrett

Gizzard Slitter Jeremy Secret

The Fridge Pete Watts

Polly Bridgette Sells

Mrs Henderson Steph Colman

Mrs Snook Georgina Legg

Mrs Battersby Penny Bradnum

Miss Normington Mary Lewis

Additional WI Members:

Caz Redstone, Mischa Veysey-Milton, Keira Lissaman 

and Lona Marie Jones 

Senior Dancers

Harry Taylor

Lily Raine Fuller

Flick Rickard 

Maddy Bouchta

Junior Chorus

Ruby Hitchcott

Amy Colman

Morwenna Fuller

Evie Warwick 

Emily Sellick

James Redstone

Lois Redstone 

Harriet Groves

Darcey Jones

Robin Hill

Aniya Troake

Sally Forster-Touray

Pantomime 2022 Auditions

Andrew Samuel Wellington Pantomime Group June 8, 2021 6 Comments

Wellington Panto 2022 will be the first opportunity to get back on stage at the Wellesley since Covid!

We’re delighted to provide you with the audition materials attached below, please contact treasureisland@w-a-a.co.uk to register your interest in auditioning.

Auditions will be held on Sunday 8th August 2021 at 9:30am.

You do not have to specify what you’re auditioning for, only what age you will be on the first of September (if under 18 at that time).

As for the show, Treasure Island is a fun, fast paced script with lots of parts for our cast to shine! With a new creative team we hope to produce a lively and entertaining pantomime worthy of the WAA’s return to the Wellesley.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us through email or social media… or even if you spot Kirk, Holly, Bridgette, Dawn or Ian walking down the street!

We look forward to seeing everyone at auditions and proving that The Wellington Pantomime Group is one of the things that make Wellington great!

Audition Materials

Foundations have been laid for Our House

Rob Spurway Wellington Operatic Sociecty May 31, 2021 Leave a reply

Our House is a London love story set in Camden Town.  It tells the story of Joe Casey, who on the night of his sixteenth birthday takes his girlfriend, Sarah, out on their first date.  In his enthusiasm to impress her, he breaks into a housing development to show her the view overlooking his family home on Casey Street.  The police interrupt their date, and Joe is forced to make a decision: stay and turn himself in or make a run for it!  Joe’s life is then split in two and we follow the fortunes and misfortunes of both possibilities. The story is told through the clever writing of Tim Firth, who adapted ‘Calendar Girls’ for stage and screen, and many iconic hits from the band Madness including It Must Be Love, House of Fun, Baggy Trousers and of course, Our House! 

The musical will be staged at the Wellesley Theatre, 27th – 30th April 2022 with Rob Spurway taking on Directing, Beth Swan as Choreographer, and Joe Beckhelling as the Musical Director. The show has something for everyone, from big principal characters to smaller cameo roles, chorus and off-stage singers (for anyone who loves singing but doesn’t like being in the limelight). The casting will be open to everyone aged 14+ from the date of the auditions.  

I’m pleased to tell you that we’ve had our first official production meeting, and the creative team have so many amazing ideas!  We were buzzing with excitement at the end of the meeting, and we cannot wait to get going! 

Here’s the team:  

ROB – Director 

Rob has plenty of experience both on and off stage with amateur groups throughout Somerset, although primarily with Wellington Arts Association (WAA).  This will be his directorial debut for Wellington Operatic Society at the Wellesley, but Rob is no stranger to the creative team of WAA shows, having directed “The Adventures of Mr Toad” in 2019, musically directed Dick Whittington in 2020 and produced several other shows.  He is looking to creating a high-energy fast paced show with professional production values.  

BETH – Choreographer 

Beth has been a member of the WAA since childhood. Her time with the group started primarily on stage as a dancer. Having studied ballet, tap, acro, modern and jazz as a child, Beth later went on to study contemporary dance at Bridgwater College. Where she achieved both an AS level in dance, and a BTEC National diploma in Performing Arts, which contained a substantial amount of choreography as part of the course. Beth has a passion for musical theatre, especially shows that are new to Wellington. “Our House” creates a perfect opportunity for her to explore her creativity and she can’t wait to get stuck in! This will be Beth’s ‘debut’ as Choreographer for Wellington Operatic Society.   

JOE – Musical Director 

With a wealth of experience from performing in various pit-bands and a background in orchestral and choral conducting, Joe is well-equipped for his debut Wellington Operatic Society production as Musical Director. Alongside his professional performance work, Joe also has a passion for community music and is heavily involved in music-making in schools around Somerset. He is also involved in adult community projects such as Canticle Choir in Taunton, which he directs. “Our House is a show full of incredible tunes with an excellent storyline, too. I can’t wait to get going!” 

So, we’ve started the journey, towards a fabulous show!  The set design has been finalised and is currently under construction, and we’re in the process of recruiting the rest of the production team, so now is a great opportunity to get involved!  If you would like to be one of the first to find out about our launch night, workshops and auditions, please complete the form accessed through the button below and we’ll keep you updated! 

Cazz Redstone 

Production Coordinator, Wellington Operatic Society 

Our House – 2022