Carol singing at Osterley, Christmas 2019
Once again we added to the festive atmosphere at Osterley House at Christmas 2019, singing carols in the Stable Yard (with grateful thanks to Mark Crook for the photo and video).
'A delightful night of song, dance and recitative of exceptional brilliance'
We had some amazing reviews for our recent production of 'The Pirates of Penzance'.
Review from Mark Aspen's website: https://markaspen.com/2019/10/31/pirates-hlo/
Review from our NODA (National Operatic and Dramatic Association) representative.
Pirates of Penzance - HLO Musical Compan[...]
Microsoft Word document [60.7 KB]
Arts Richmond Swan Award for Ruddigore
We're delighted to say Geoffrey Farrar won 'Best Supporting Male Performer in a Musical' in the 2019 Arts Richmond Swan Awards, for his performance as Sir Despard Murgatroyd.
Geoffrey Farrar as Sir Despard Murgatroyd
(A Swan award to add to his NODA award!)
The judges said:
'Geoffrey as Sir Despard Murgatroyd played his part to comic melodramatic perfection. Whilst staying within the mood of his evil character, he delivered his humorous asides with aplomb, even when passing on the doomed curse of his baronial duties. With effective mannerisms, baddie cloak aswirl and an air of amusing menace, Geoffrey's performance was a tour de force.'
Summer Music at Osterley Park, Saturday 24 August
So here we are, on a glorious Bank Holiday Saturday, being Osterley Park's 'Summer Music' at the Temple of Pan. Pirates of 'Pan' zance anyone?
Cast members in evidence: far left, Johanna Chambers (Mabel), third from left, Andrea Wilkins (Edith), third from right with book, Paul Chambers (Sergeant of Police), second from right between pillars, Paul Huggins (Samuel), far right, Tony Cotterill (Major-General).
A new name for the future
We have voted to change our name to 'HLO Musical Company'.
We had seriously considered changing our name for many years. We wanted a name that was recognisably 'us' and maintained a link with our long history, while moving us forward in the modern world and reflecting what we do more accurately.
A large number of new names were put forward and, after much quiet, calm deliberation, 'HLO Musical Company' was voted in.
Hat-trick of NODA awards for Ruddigore
Our 2018 production of 'Ruddigore', directed by Wesley Henderson-Roe and dedicated to the memory of Peter King, has picked up not just one, but three, NODA district winner awards! Congratulations all round!
Dorothy Lawson Award for Best Gilbert & Sullivan, Opera or Operetta (our second NODA award in two years!)
Malcolm Rose Award for Best Female in a G&S, Opera or Operetta - Johanna Chambers as Rose Maybud (also Jo's second NODA award in two years!)
Malcolm Rose Award for Best Male in a G&S, Opera or Operetta - Geoffrey Farrar as Sir Despard Murgatroyd
More congratulations to Geoffrey, who went on to win the overall NODA London award!
Hounslow Light Opera sing carols in public
Singing in the Stable Yard - members of HLOC serenade visitors to Osterley Park on Sunday 16 December 2018.
As well as singing carols, HLOC contributed a musically-themed Christmas tree to St Stephen's Church Christmas Tree Festival on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 December.
Here's a picture of our lovely tree, designed by Helen Smith with a strong flavour of Gilbert and Sullivan!
Success in 2018 Arts Richmond Swan awards
HLOC's 'Audrey II' plant in 'Little Shop of Horrors' won the Adjudicator's Award for the perfomances of John Furlong, as the voice of the plant, and puppeteer Shaun Lati.
This is the the second year running HLOC have won the Adjudicator's Award: in 2017 it went to musical director Lee Dewsnap for his one-man organ accompaniment of 'The Mikado'.
Meanwhile our 'Ruddigore' director, Wesley Henderson-Roe, picked up not one, but two Swan awards as director of 'Best Play' for Marie Jones's 'Stones in his Pockets' (Teddington Theatre Club) and 'Best Musical Production' for 'Made in Dagenham' (BROS Theatre Company).
Malcolm Rose Award for Johanna in 'The Zoo'
Not just a district winner now!
Johanna Chambers won the overall NODA London Malcolm Rose award for Best Female in a Gilbert & Sullivan, for her performance as Eliza Smith in 'The Zoo'.
Johanna is appearing as Rose Maybud in 'Ruddigore'.
'The Zoo' scores two NODA London awards
We're delighted to announce that 'The Zoo', directed by Genna Martinez with musical direction by Lee Dewsnap, is district winner of the Dorothy Lawson Award for Best Gilbert & Sullivan in the 2018 NODA London awards.
And, Johanna Chambers (pictured centre left, as Eliza Smith) is district winner of the Malcolm Rose Award for Best Female in a Gilbert & Sullivan.
Congratulations all round!
In memory of Peter King
It is with deep sadness that we say goodbye to our long-standing President and former Chairman, Peter King, who passed away aged 80 on Monday 15 January 2018.
Peter was an outstandingly talented actor and singer whose glorious tenor voice and flawless comic timing featured regularly in HLOC productions. He was also incredibly generous with his time offstage, working tirelessly behind the scenes building sets and props, doing lots of 'invisible' tasks and generally running around with an energy and enthusiasm that belied his years.
Peter was wise, kind, modest and genuine. He was also one of the funniest people you could ever meet, with a magnificent fund of stories. You could generally tell where he was from the direction of the laughter. In the dressing room, you could tell which was his costume from the fact that the coathanger had a little label on it saying: 'PETER KING, HIS HANGER'.
In June 2017 Peter was District Winner of NODA London's Lifetime Achievement Award, reflecting his 50+ years in London amateur dramatics.
Peter was a massive inspiration to us all and made everything he appeared in better. We will miss him more than we can say, and would like to give our deepest condolences to his wife Anne and his family.
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