Let’s not forget our multi award-winning Oppitts – the youth section of our Society. Ranging from 8 – 16 years, they have performed a whole load of productions over the years, including recent smash hits ‘Cats’, ‘The Wizard of Oz’, and ‘Bugsy Malone’. Many of the children have also appeared in our main adult productions at the Playhouse Theatre, featuring prominently in shows such as ‘Oliver’, ‘The Sound of Music’, ‘The King and I’ and ‘The Music Man’, ‘The Secret Garden’ and Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice’s ‘The Likes of Us’ – not to mention our huge 2017 success ‘Half A Sixpence’.

Oppitts alumni over the years have gone on to work in TV and theatre, as well as dance and theatre schools. Many are still performing with us today, and some even have their own children who are now members.

History

In the 1970’s Maureen James, a well known, prominent member of the society gathered some of the member’s children together to form a singing group who travelled around Weston-super-Mare performing concerts for the OAP clubs and other organisations. This group gradually increased to such a size and were so popular that they were eventually named ‘The Oppitts’ and non-members’ children joined. As their popularity grew so did the membership. Judy Smith from the Alexander School of Dancing also became involved and taught the children to dance. Thanks to the recent situation, the group currently has about 20 children with ages ranging from 6 – 16 who are proficient in acting, dancing and singing. Auditions to join the group are regularly held and we anticipate this number will grow again as conditions improve. Please contact our membership secretary for details and an application form. As the children reach 16 they are able to audition for the main society if they wish. 

Oppitts have featured in the following productions:

2002 – ‘Bugsy Mallone’ Blakehay Theatre, Weston-super-Mare, directed by Heather Collings.
2004 – ‘The Wizard of Oz’. St Judes Theatre, Milton, directed by Ray Jeffery.
2006 – ‘Pinnochio’. St Judes Theatre, Milton, directed by Ray Jeffery.
2007 – ‘Joseph and his Technicolor Dreamcoat’. St Judes Theatre, Milton, directed by Laura G. James.
2008 – ‘Guys & Dolls’. Blakehay Theatre, Weston-super-Mare directed by Laura G. James with Annie Doswell as Musical Director.
2008 – ‘The Secret Garden’. Playhouse, Weston-super-Mare taking part in the adult society production.
2009 – ‘The Likes of Us’. Playhouse, Weston-super-Mare taking part in the adult society production.
2009 – ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ – Playhouse, Weston-super-Mare taking part in the adult society production.
2010 – ‘Junior Honk’. St Judes Theatre, Milton, directed by Laura G. James with John Johnson as Musical Director.
2012 – ‘Alice- the Musical’. St Judes Theatre, Milton, directed by Laura G. Leadbetter with John Johnson as Musical Director.
2012 – ‘Ragtime’ – Playhouse, Weston-super-Mare taking part in the adult society production.
2012 – ‘Whistle down the Wind’. Playhouse, Weston-super-Mare taking part in the adult society production.
2013 – ‘Seussical Jr.’ St Judes Theatre, Milton, directed by Sue Collings, Musical Director- Annie Doswell, Choreographer- Sam Payne.
2013 – ‘Anything Goes’ – Playhouse, Weston-super-Mare taking part in the adult society production.
2014 – ‘Pirates of Penznce Jr.’ St Judes, Directed by Sue Collings, Musical Director- Annie Doswell, Choreographer- Sam Payne.
2014 – ‘Annie’ The Playhouse, W-s-M. The Oppitts contributed the Annie’s and Orphans in two groups for alternate performances.
2015 – ‘The Beautiful Game’ – Playhouse, Weston-super-Mare taking part in the adult society production.
2015 – ‘Cats’ – The Blakehay WsM. Directed by Sue Collings, Musical Director – Annie Ford, Choreographer- Sam Aylott.
2016 – ‘Wizard of Oz’ – The Blakehay WsM. Directed by Sue Collings, Musical Director – Annie Ford, Choreographer- Sam Aylott.
2016 – ‘Gypsy’ – The Blakehay, Weston-super-Mare taking part in the adult society production.
2017 – ‘When I Grow Up’
2017 – ‘Bugsy Malone’
2017 – ‘Half A Sixpence’
2022 - 'Opening Up'
2022 - 'Matilda'
2023 - 'When You Believe'

You can see what our Oppitts are performing next in our What’s On section.

Previous page: WOS > Friends of WOS & 200 Club
Next page: Contact WOS