Southgate Opera
Affiliated to The National Operatic & Dramatic Association                                                    

History of the group

The beginning

Southgate College Opera started in 1964, in the second year of what was then Southgate Technical College, largely owing to the enthusiasm of the then principal, Bill Easton, who sang in the chorus of the first two productions, and conducted the offstage (church-goers) chorus in "Cavelleria Rusticana" using closed-circuit television, all the better to liaise with the conductor of the orchestra, (and thereby giving the new college yet another technological "first".)

Terry Hawes was the MD and the producer was Arthur Massey, and "Cav" was preceded by a concert version of Purcell's "Dido and Aeneas" .  For the next production, "Carmen", Pearl Butcher was brought in to produce, and she introduced many of her pupils and singing friends to the Society, helping to build it up over the next few years.

Cecil Hayter

Then in 1968 came an unknown producer from South Africa, Cecil Hayter, and none of our lives were quite the same again.  The "creative buzz", which he somehow produced attracted members, some talented, some not particularly, but all enthusiastic and willing, and over the years he and Terry put on a succession of operas.  Some were familiar favourites like "La Boheme" (in sixties fashion), "Tales of Hoffman", and Faust (set in the 1940's).  Others were really enterprising for an amateur company; "Der Freischutz",  "The Golden Cockerel",  "Turandot", "Moses in Egypt"  (with burning bush and parting of the Red Sea) and the world amateur premier of "Christmas Eve" (Rimsky Korsakov).

The company was fortunate to attract members who were willing to sing both principal parts and chorus, rather than prima donnas, and this enabled it to announce with confidence titles that others companies could only dream of;  "Otello", "La Gioconda" and "Mefistofele" amongst others.  Other producers the company has worked with happily include, Dora Basham, David Luck, and Clive Bebee, all of whom have also played principal parts.

Neil Cloake

From "Nabucco" in 1986, Terry shared the musical direction with Neil Cloake, also on the music staff, and from then they directed one part of the double cast (yes the company casts two sets of principals for operas) each.

When Terry retired in 1993, having conducted every major show for thirty years (and having written or co-written eight of the lighter shows, including the "His Excellency" an opera with words by Gilbert and new music in the style of Sullivan by Terry..) Neil took over the total musical direction which he has done very successfully since.

With so much talent, the company also presents a light opera or musical each year, as well as concerts and cabarets. The company builds its own, sometimes amazingly impressive, sets, has its own costume store and dedicated team of "off-stage" staff.   Whatever they do, the emphasis is on enjoyment combined with high standards.  Mefistofele is as much fun as the Mikado!

May 2005

Southgate College Opera breaks with tradition and performs for the first time in a new theatre. La Traviata in May 2005 saw the company try out a new theatre - Wyllyotts Theatre in Potters Bar. The company performed a split week for this show - 3 performances were held at the Gladys Child theatre and 3 performances were held at Wyllyotts. The new venue was declared a success for all concerned including company members and, perhaps more importantly, the paying audience. The new theatre is modern with excellent backstage facilities, a much wider stage and full front of house amenities, including a full bar. It is likely our major shows will be performed at the Wyllyotts theatre from now on.

April 2007

After 43 years of association with Southgate College, the opera company broke away fully from the college. The college plans to demolish the Gladys Child Theatre and the opera group needed to find a new home. In preparation for this day the company had, since 2005, been performing at the Wylllyotts Theatre in Potters Bar. The company had amassed a large collection of costumes, props and scenery - all of which were stored at the college. After a massive effort by the company over a period of weeks and months these items were sorted out and either stored in various places (company members' garages particularly!) or disposed of. The company is happy in its new rehearsal home at Mary Magdelene church in Enfield and enjoying its new-found space and modern facilities at the Wyllyotts Theatre in Potters Bar. One of the additional benefits is that the company is attracting a whole new audience to their shows at Potters Bar.

 His Excellency

Terry Hawes wrote new music in the style of A.S. Sullivan for the comic opera "His Excellency" with words by W.S Gilbert. The show had its world premiere in December 1982 by Southgate College Opera. A professional recording of the opera directed by the composer was made in 2001. Click here to visit the "His Excellency" website.