Founded in 1886, BMOS is steeped in history but is also one of the most modern and forward thinking companies in the region. We have the privilege of performing twice a year in Birmingham’s professional Alexandra Theatre, having first performed at the original Alexandra Theatre way back in 1923.

We also enjoy performing concerts at other venues as well as corporate and charity events; we are always happy to discuss opportunities.

We are a friendly company and members are drawn from across the Midlands. New members are always welcome to join our successful company and we attract new talent from far and wide. If you are interested in joining us, click here.

BMOS Committee 2024/25

  • President: Chris Loughran
  • Chair: Patrick Price
  • Deputy Chair & Comms: James Donnan
  • Secretary: Jo Smith
  • Treasurer: Maria Raymond
  • Social media: Chris Fowler
  • Social events: Tami Mathieu, Michelle Worthington

History

The “Birmingham Opera Society” was founded in 1886 and the “Midland Opera Society” in 1916. In 1927, the two companies merged to become the Birmingham and Midland Operatic Society (BMOS) and the rest, as they say, is history.

In the early years, productions were mainly Gilbert and Sullivan operettas and this continued until 1922, when The Mikado was the last Gilbert and Sullivan work to be performed for many years.

One of the founding members of the Birmingham Opera Society, Mr Herbert H Monckton, was also one of the pioneers of the National Amateur Operatic and Drama Association, founded in 1899. Mr Monckton was the first Vice-President and the second to hold the position of President. In January 1900, our programme for The Mikado was the first to carry the familiar “Affiliated to the National Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Association”. Some years later, the “Amateur” was dropped from the title and it became the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA).

(Far left) Herbert Monckton, founding Chair of Birmingham Opera Society, with the NODA Council in 1904

First performing at the Birmingham Institute, the Birmingham Opera Society started performing annually at professional theatres from 1923. Dorothy was the first production at Birmingham’s Alexandra Theatre and the Society continued to put on musical shows at the original Alexandra Theatre on John Bright Street (rebuilt 1935), The Prince of Wales Theatre (destroyed in April 1941) and the Theatre Royal on New Street until the Second World War, during which members of BMOS, not in uniform, formed concert parties and entertained troops in barracks and hospitals for the duration.

After the war, members of BMOS regrouped, but with no funds, shows were performed on a shoestring with homemade scenery and costumes, the first being Scrapbook 1 in 1947. Scrapbook 1 was followed by other productions at the Birmingham and Midland Institute and the Palace Theatre in Redditch. In 1955, BMOS returned to Birmingham’s famous Theatre Royal, presenting The Vagabond King to record profits of £900.

King's Rhapsody (1956)

In December 1956, the Theatre Royal was demolished to make way for a new Woolworth Store and office block, and one year later BMOS made the move to the Birmingham Hippodrome, where White Horse Inn opened on 25th November 1957. The relationship between BMOS and the Birmingham Hippodrome continued for decades, with regular annual performances until a major theatre refurbishment in 2000. BMOS then transferred to the Crescent Theatre in Brindleyplace, before finding its new home at the Alex in 2013.

BMOS highlights over the years include the 1985 production of Hans Anderson, which used London Palladium sets and radio mics for the first time; a Civic Reception at the Council House in 1986 to celebrate our Centenary; and the Midlands Premier of 42nd Street which sold out five weeks before the show and received rave reviews.

Other highlights include the semi-professional production of Cavalcade in 1995; the standing room only production of The Sound of Music in 1997; the Hippodrome’s Centenary Gala Concert in 1999; and our charity production of The Nutcracker, in front of a set made from more than 110,000 balloons, at the Big Balloon Build in 2021.

Cavalcade (1995)

BMOS has entertained tens of thousands of people over 139 years and is the tenth oldest musical theatre company in the country. The Society has raised thousands of pounds for local charities and helped develop many stars of stage and screen, including Birmingham’s very own Kathryn Rooney, who has headlined many a Hippodrome Panto and starred in Calendar Girls on the London stage; and Margaret Preece, who was the singing voice of Charlotta (Minnie Driver) in the film of The Phantom of the Opera.

After 139 years entertaining audiences throughout the Midlands, BMOS continues to thrive. We look forward to the future and to entertaining Birmingham audiences for the next 100 years.