About Us - Our History - How to Join - How to Find Us

In 1937 a group of people got together to form the basis of the company that is today known as Circle Light Opera Company and this year the organisation celebrates its diamond jubilee. 60 years of C.L.O.C. and we're still singing.

Many changes have taken place since that forst meeting in 1937, some of them voluntary, some of them forced upon us. The name has changed several times: Perry Standing Light Opera Section of Kingstanding Community Association (KCA), Light Opera Section of Circle Community Association (CCA), Circle Light Opera Company Kingstanding (C.L.O.C.K.) and finally Circle Light Opera Company (C.L.O.C.). The final name change came about when we moved out of the community centre - where we rehearsed - to our new rehearsal venue at Old Oscott Hill, Great Barr.

Fundraising became a very important function of the company over the years, whilst prudent spending was rigorously applied. One area which was becoming more expensive was costuming. Many of our older and ex-members will remember the Two basket skips kept in the ladies cloakroom at the Community Centre which provided the wardrobe. The Opera Commitee at the time decided it was time to improve the wardrobe situation and gather the contents of the skips and various attics into one area. Thus a furniture van became the wardrobe department and yet a second was used as a scenery / properties store. These sufficed for a few years, but as a result of the hard work of the wardrobe mistress and stage managers of the time, the space was insufficient and not easily accessible. Then a member of the company offered us a 50ft by 20ft shed as a new home for all these items. The movement of scenery and wardrobe to the shed gave us access to another source of revenue, the hire business to other opera companies and to individuals for fancy dress. This source of income steadily increased over the years and guaranteed first our survival and then our progress to other theatres. Unfortunately disaster struck in 1993, just a few weeks before our annual pantomime when the shed was burnt to the ground and with it all the costumes and props collected over the years. But the members of C.L.O.C. rallied round and went on to produce one of our best pantomimes ever at the Community Centre. But the writing was on the wall and Two years later we were to perform our last pantomime at the centre.

Several years ago it was decided by the serving committee to put our main show on at a City Centre Theatre. They chose the Cresent Theatre and after Three years performing there the company moved to the Old Rep Theatre, where CLOC's main show is still staged today.

In 1995 a member of C.L.O.C. wrote an interim production for the company called 'A Cut Above The Rest' which was performed at The Highbury Theatre Centre. This was a new venue for the company. After the success of this production, the serving committee decided it was time to move away from the Community Centre where we had performed our pantomimes for many years, and Highbury became our new Panto home. It has proved to be one of the company's favourite venues.

As well as changing venues for our productions, our rehearsal venue has also changed over the years. After the demise of our storage shed it was decided to move to a local school for our rehearsals and then Three years ago [8 years now in 2002 ] we moved to our present home at The Newman Centre, Old Oscott Hill. It was during this period that we decided to drop the K from C.L.O.C.K. as we were no longer rehearsing in Kingstanding.

C.L.O.C. has grown over the last 60 years from a small group up to the large musical society that it is today. For its many members it provides fun, companionship and a chance to indulge in a little make believe - the call of the stage never seems to fade, so, HERE'S TO THE NEXT 60 YEARS.

Written in our 60th Year by
Paul Douglass - Ticket Secretary.

With thanks to Graham Aveling, Sue Goldingay and Sandra Haynes.

How To Join

Just come and meet us on a Monday night.

How To Find Us

C.L.O.C meets on a Monday Night from 8 O'clock until 10 at the Newman centre on Old Oscott Hill, Kingstanding/ Great Barr, (North) Birmingham. Click below for a map

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