Welcome to WLOC
In October 1972 a small group of people gathered together at the Adult Education Centre in Union Place Worthing , to to discuss the possibility of forming a new company. At the end of the evening a committee had been formed under its first Chairman David Turner, and the name of the new company was Worthing Light Opera Company. Ivor Novello’s Glamorous Night was the first show performed by the Company at the Pier Pavilion in June 1973. We were privileged to have Olive Gilbert, professional actress, singer and leading lady in all Ivor Novello’s musicals, as our President.
WLOC now regularly stages two full productions each year in March and September and our musical tastes are fairly varied. We now have experience of approximately sixty shows spanning various genres: Light Opera, Operetta, Musical Theatre, Musical Comedy and Gilbert & Sullivan. Although the 'Old Favourites' are always popular with both cast and audiences it is also exciting to put on on new material and in the last few years we have been able to include shows not seen before in the Worthing area.
Our 20th Anniversary Show 'A Musical Score' was staged in October 1992 and featured highlight from many of the past performances. More recently the Company's 30th Anniversary was marked by a special Dinner Dance.
We use professional theatre staff, production team and orchestra - but the singing, dancing and acting is all down to us! Each hectic production week is preceded by more than a year of planning, nearly six months of rehearsal and loads of fun! The busy committee are aided by many helpers including dedicated 'non-acting' members.
Production costs can be high due to our high standards for Orchestra, Sound, Costume and Scenery. Also there is particular competition in the area for Musical Theatre. (Whilst most towns this size usually have at least one company staging Musical Theatre productions - Worthing can boast at least half a dozen!) Making ends meet therefore means additional activities for fund raising and the society has an active Social Events programme. Nevertheless time is also made for additional concerts and charity events. A recent highlight included being invited to perform with other groups at the Royal Albert Hall, London as part of an event organised for Cancer Research.
2013 Will see the 40th anniversary of WLOC, a great achievement for any company. With the evolution of the company a new name was needed to carry us into our new contemporary image so Worthing Light Opera Company became the abbreviation of WLOC. Under the careful supervision of the committee we have guided WLOC through the rough times of financial hardship and sailed into new territory with brand new shows such as Honk! (2008) Bad girls 'the musical' (2010) and the exciting project of Victoria Woods Acorn Antiques 'the musical' in September 2011.
With a careful mix of old and new WLOC will continue to provide the people of Sussex with top quality musical theatre for another 4o years. we thank you for your support and look forward to seeing you at our productions soon!
