Down Memory Lane

Helier Dreux has kindly supplied copies of Programmes and Photos from Previous Shows.

You can browse the photos of Past Productions here and some of the Programme Covers here.

What does the Committee do?!

Have you thought about being part of the Opera Club Committee? Information about the various roles are available in the following document:

 Committee Roles

Comments from one of our guests who saw Children of Eden

From Councillor Julian Ellacott

I thoroughly enjoyed the performance, which reaffirmed my view of the strength of local talent, and the importance of having a local venue in which to showcase it. 

I will do all I can to ensure that Chris Wait and the other representatives of the users are involved as further discussions take place about future regeneration in Redhill – so that we can secure the continuation of (if not betterment of) theatre facilities in the town. 

Kind Regards

Our Shows for 2008 and 2009!

Our show in 2008 will be The Music Man. This will take place in the week of 12-18 October 2008.

After last year's successful production of Children of Eden, once again, Helen Hardwick will be our Director and Angela Barker will be our Musical Director.

Also, after several years of discussions, we can finally announce that our show for 2009 will be Scrooge and this will be a joint show with the East Surrey Operatic Society. The licence has recently become available again and both committees are still keen to do it, but both felt that 2008 would be too soon to get it organised.

Because it is a Christmas show it will be slightly later than our recent main shows at the end of November 2009.

Full details to follow in due course.

Harlequin Theatre - We need your help

You may have read in the local press that the short term funding of Redhill's Harlequin Theatre is under threat - there is a proposal to reduce its council subsidy by approximately 40% over two years. This will have a significant impact on the theatre's operation and the services it provides. In the worst case it could even lead to its closure.
As part of Redhill's long term development, the Council are also starting to think about the future of The Warwick Quadrant in which The Harlequin resides. What replaces it has not yet been decided. Many people locally are concerned about these issues and believe that there should be a theatre properly funded in the borough.
As a group of like minded people who represent several of the community organisations performing at The Harlequin - East Surrey Operatic Society, Merstham Amateur Dramatic Society, Reigate Amateur Theatrical Society, Reigate Rotary Club, The Opera Club and the local Arts Council - we are seeking your support in encouraging Reigate & Banstead Borough Council to properly fund the Harlequin.
We also want to send a message that a theatre should be part of the long term future of the borough.

Some Key Facts and Figures

The argument for the Harlequin's continued support is strong as the facts below indicate.

• 200,000 visits a year.
• 35% of visits by young people.
• 41% of visits from outside the borough (boosting local economy).
• 86% satisfaction levels amongst users (Residents Survey 2005).
• 82% average attendance across all shows winter/spring season 05/06.
• 10 sell out shows winter/spring season 05/06.
Not including sell out shows by hirers.
• Cost per head of borough population £3.75p per annum or 7.2p per week.

Visit the online petition and sign up today

Recent Opera Club Newsletters

February 2008 Newsletter
May 2007 Newsletter

Opera Club AGM

 Chairman's Report (2008)
Chairman's Report (2007)

Opera Club Membership

Application Form
Gift Aid Forms