LAOS The Musical Theatre Company

Leeds Amateur Operatic Society (LAOS The Musical Theatre Company) are a long established amateur operatic society with a professional outlook and a reputation for producing spectacular shows. With over 100 members based around West Yorkshire, LAOS is a well-known and well-respected society with many regular followers. We have been in existence for just over 125 years, providing entertainment and enjoyment for Leeds audiences and an outlet for the creative talents and interests of our members. We are proud that many of our members have gone on to perform professionally in The West End and beyond.

For most of our history we have performed at the Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House and continue to do so today. The first LAOS performance in this great theatre was in 1893, just 15 years after the theatre’s opening. Our 125 th Anniversary performance of ‘Hairspray’ was held in our anniversary year
2014-2015 at The Grand, along with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Aspects of Love’ at the West Yorkshire Playhouse. Here’s to the next 125 years!

Membership

New members auditions are held once or twice a year and anyone interested in joining the society should complete the application form on our website linked below. The audition involves a short singing audition, usually of a piece of your choosing, and some simple movement set on the day – literally a piece of about 20/30 seconds. Principal auditions are held before rehearsals start and are open to all. If you do audition in this capacity and are unsuccessful in gaining the role auditioned for, this can also act as your new membership audition.

Rehearsals

Rehearsals for our shows start in Autumn for singing, with floor rehearsals starting early in the New Year. Singing is usually on Thursday evenings, with extra rehearsals called as necessary for groups and principals, and floor rehearsals are usually on Sunday afternoons and one or two evenings during the week. Extra rehearsals are called in the immediate run up to the show. We rehearse at different venues depending on the requirements of the show but try to make sure these are in accessible places with free parking available where possible.

Performances

Our performances are held in Spring each year, in either March or April, and range from traditional musicals, such as ‘Oliver’, ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ or ‘The Sound of Music’, through to more modern pieces, such as ‘Hairspray’, ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ or ‘Cats’. When it is relevant we also include children in our productions and regularly hold open auditions for principal roles.

Venues

We have performed at different theatres in Leeds, including The West Yorkshire Playhouse, The City Varieties and The Civic Theatre/Carriageworks, but our usual venue and spiritual home is The Leeds Grand Theatre, where we have performed for over 100 years.

LAOS are perhaps at their best when they perform as an ensemble, with a brilliant harmonious chorus line putting any West End show to shame. Then there’s the great choreography which is particularly jaw-dropping.

Rod McPhee

Yorkshire Evening Post

Louise Denison’s brilliant choreography is worthy of any professional staging. The overall effect from an audience point of view was jaw dropping.

Val Pennett

Wharfedale Observer

Leeds Amateur Operatic Society’s production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Aspects of Love delights to a high quality, professional standard production.

Sue Collier

TPR North East

The LAOS current show, Guys and Dolls, would easily grace any West End Stage, such is the quality of the acting, singing and choreography.

John Burland

Leeds List

The show scores 9 out of 10. It just leaves you smiling, and what more can you want from a night out at the theatre?

Clancy Walker

Radio Leeds

Although LAOS stands for Leeds amateur Operator Society I watched the first half thinking that it was a professional production

Marianne Tuckman

West Yorkshire Theatre Network

Visit the LAOS Website

LAOS