Welcome to the West London based Julian Light Operatic Society.

Our last presentation is was on April 20th - our themed Spring musical evening. It is something we have held for many years and is always great fun for one and all. And it was this year as usual.

Called Nautical Niceties, it was - as the name implies - all about the seaside and a life on the ocean waves.

And it was also a great opportunity for anyone thinking of joining the company to come along to see, hear and meet us all. We are always on the lookout for new talent, experienced or otherwise. You can contact the Secretary, whose details are at the foot of this page. Or come along to a rehearsal - 17.45 on Wednesdays. Check with the secretary for dates.

Our main 2017 production - the Society's 96th - was Patience, one of the most popular Gilbert and Sullivan operettas in its day.

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'.

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.

However, next November the Julian is taking one of its occasional forays away from G&S with a new production of Johann Strauss's Die Fledermaus, with a libretto by the company's director, Fraser Grant.

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.