About W11 Opera
Our History
Online shows 2020 & 2021
Seven Years at POSK
We began in 1971 when some enthusiastic parents used a local church in London W11 to put on a production of Benjamin Britten's Noye's Fludde and we haven't looked back since. We continue our longstanding relationship with St James's, holding a picnic in the church garden to launch our season every year and (in normal times) we rehearse there through the autumn.
Seven Years at POSK
Online shows 2020 & 2021
Seven Years at POSK
Before the pandemic our performances took place each year in the theatre at the Polish Social & Cultural Association on King Street. We take over the theatre for a week and give our young cast the full experience of performing in a professional production.
We hope to be back there soon!
Online shows 2020 & 2021
Online shows 2020 & 2021
Online shows 2020 & 2021
In 2020 we went online for Jukebox and made a film! We showcased songs from some our previous 37 commissioned operas linked together with an original script. All the songs and dialogue were recorded by our cast in their homes. In 2021 we commissioned songs from Russell Hepplewhite (Composer) & Tim Yealland (Librettist) to write us some songs and along with another original script by Susan Moore, we did it all over again and this time even bigger!
Bursaries
Cast Member Support
Cast Member Support
Cast Member Support
We are proud to offer bursaries to 25% of our cast every year. These are often supported by other parents who sponsor another young person alongside their own child's fee, as well as additional funding from regular supporters such as Kensington & Chelsea Green Shoots Fund to help Grenfell affected families.
To help sponsor a cast member this year, please select the 2021 Standard Subscription from our 'Support Us' page.
Avondale Extra
Cast Member Support
Cast Member Support
In 2003, W11 Opera embarked upon a special association with Avondale Extra, a local charity promoting extra-curricular activities and special opportunities for children attending Avondale Park Primary School, which serves a multi-ethnic community in the heart of North Kensington. Avondale Extra now annually sponsors pupils from the school to participate in W11 Opera productions, encouraging and supporting these young cast members in a unique opportunity. Many of the young people supported by Avondale Extra in their first year go on to continue with W11 Opera for a number of years, supported by our bursary programme.