Who we are
Worle Operatic and Dramatic Society (WODS) are a group of really friendly people who enjoy stage musicals, old and new. We present shows in and around Weston-super-Mare and have won many awards over the years. We would welcome all newcomers to WODS, whether you would prefer to be a cast member, back-stage or even take a production role (Producer, Musical Director, Choreographer, etc.) for us. So, why not consider joining WODS and having the time of your life?
As a society we look forward to welcoming you to the theatre, and we would like to thank all of our loyal WODS followers who have shown us so much love and support over many years.
Affiliation
WODS are affiliated with the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) and the Somerset Fellowship of Drama (SFD)
History
In 1972, Lois Joy brought together a dozen-or-so people to form Worle Operatic Society and our first meetings were held at Worle Comprehensive School. From ‘Day One’, WOS was always a ‘family’ society and, no matter what show we performed – or, even, how badly a dress rehearsal went! – we have always ‘produced the goods’ when it mattered, and made a success of it, too.
Our first production was a concert version of “Oklahoma”; we performed this once in Worle School and we even ‘took it on tour’, travelling by coach to perform it at The Little Theatre in Wells.
Our first ‘full’ production at Worle Comprehensive School was “The Desert Song” in 1973. Our chorus was enhanced with the inclusion of a number of singers from Clevedon Light Operatic and Bath Light Operatic; long-lasting friendships were formed with members of these Societies and we still help each other out, to this day.
Member numbers swelled over the years and it was in May 1980, when Tony Lay directed “An Evening of Play and Song” that WOS became WODS – “Worle Operatic & Dramatic Society”.
Up until 1983 – with the exception of our production of “The Gipsy Baron” in 1978 (which was performed on the stage at RAF Locking, due to a nationwide school caretaker strike) – our shows were performed at Worle Comprehensive School and our audiences built to the point that we felt we needed to ‘spread our wings’, to reach a larger and more central audience. Our first show at The Playhouse was “Finian’s Rainbow” in October 1984.
WODS’ junior section, “Spectrum”, has thrived for a number of years, the youngsters’ enthusiasm and talent matching that of the adults in WODS. In recent years, as they’ve got older themselves, there have been a number of them who have joined the adult section, many making a success of playing major roles for the Society. In 2023, WODS and Spectrum joined in a huge collaboration for the amazing spectacular, The Wind in the Willows, at The Playhouse!
Of late, WODS have been showered with regional awards for many of our productions and the Society’s following in Weston grows by the year.