Ahoy there! Come aboard for our 70th anniversary!

HMS Pinafore is to be Julian Light Operatic's 70th anniversary production. It's one of Gilbert and Sullivan's most popular operettas and will be staged in Ealing in West London this November.

We have a a quick request for members, supporters and friends of the Julian who might be able to help us stage this and subsequent shows.

Please click here.

Welcome to the West London based Julian Light Operatic Society.

Our 2017 production - the Society's 96th - was Patience.

It was named the year's best Gilbert and Sullivan production in our London District by the Nautical Operatic and Dramatic Association and Ian Henderson, who played Archibald Grosvener, best male performer.

It sharply satirises the widespread fashion in the late 19th century for pseudo- aestheticism. And many of the barbs it delivers still resonate today.

'"I just wanted to say huge congratulations to all involved in Patience - it was wonderful, I really enjoyed it," said one audience member. " And a special nod to Martin Jarvis for a superb set (it's so beautiful!|'". [Martin is also a long-time member of the men's chorus].

Said another: "We are a ten-person theatre-going group who came to the Julian production of Princess Ida last year and enjoyed it so much, we came again this year. And we weren't disappointed".

Our most recent presentation was our 2018 Spring Concert - a themed musical evening, which was something we have held for many years and is was great fun for one and all.

It was a great opportunity for anyone thinking of joining the company to come along and see who we are. And then follow up with a visit to rehearsals, meet everyone, exercise the vocal chords and relax afterwards over a drink (the last is not compulsory but inevitably enjoyable). As explained above, we are always on the lookout for new talent, experienced or otherwise. For more details, contact the Secretary, whose details are at the foot of this page.

As a company, we specialise in presenting the world-famous operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan in fresh ways - the wonderful music and most of the words are just as they wrote them but the settings are often unconventional, to give a new twist to firm favourites.

As mentioned above, the 2018 show will be HMS Pinafore at Ealing Questors Theatre in November. And it's certain to be the great nautical romp as you've never seen it before.

Come back for more details on that as they emerge.

“The Colonel (Peter Edwards) explaining how the Heavy Dragoon is a residuum of a melting pot of 1890s celebs. No wonder the Guards are taking off their helmets to yet more G&S nonsense.” 

The Julian aims to give the local community in and around Ealing an opportunity to experience light opera to as high a standard as possible at a lower cost than the professional theatre.

We try to cast principal parts from within our own membership but is open to all who wish to join us to come along and to give encouragement to beginners of all ages. We have a great team spirit and some people have been singing and acting with us since the 1960s.

The support and enthusiasm of its many members over the years epitomises what the Julian is all about – doing something that is enjoyable as a relaxation, to a standard that others will appreciate. The Julian meets for rehearsals every Wednesday evening at Ealing Town Hall.

Our main production is usually in the autumn and a soirée or variety concert is normally each Spring.

The Company is self-financing through members' subscriptions and fund-raising.

If you would like to offer financial assistance either by becoming a patron or through official sponsorship please contact the Secretary (details below). New members are always welcome, either in performing or supporting roles. Contact the Secretary (again, details below) or click here. And if you would like to be added to the society's mailing list click here.

Left - Bunthorne (Leon Berger) ' a fleshly poet' caught delivering yet another strangled stanza to an unappreciative (on-stage) audience. Centre - Lady Angela (Sunita Dugal) showing how the hopelessness of the maidens’ love for Bunthorne is 'a bond that binds them together'. Right - Dragoon Lieutenant The Duke of Dunstable (Russell Fleet) displaying his artistic side.