Bringing music to the stage
Durham Opera Ensemble
As the only company or society in their discipline, Durham Opera Ensemble are the hub of all Opera related activity, committed to giving students and the local community the chance to experience the rarely produced genre in the North-East. The company puts on at least 3 productions or concerts throughout the year, ranging from fully-staged opera to concert opera and operettas with all music catered to young, developing voices and sung in English. Past productions have included Don Giovanni, Dido and Aeneas, The Pirates of Penzance as well as exciting devised shows and student compositions.
Recent Reviews:
Don Giovanni - “This is a show for lovers of opera and those completely new to the form alike. The direction is all-around completely accessible and considered, and the musical performances are not to be missed.” (DST First Night)
Dido and Aeneas - “Powerful and dramatic, the Durham Opera Ensemble's performance of Dido and Aeneas is an extremely beautifully produced show. As an opera, the singing voices were angelic and a pleasure for the ears!” (Palatinate)
President: Caleb Mock
Email: durham.opera.ensemble@durham.ac.uk
Durham University Light Opera Group
Durham University Light Opera Group are the University’s flagship musical theatre company, performing everything from contemporary musicals such as Kinky Boots and Be More Chill, to Golden Age classics. The company also produce the largest scale show in Durham, performing every year in Durham’s 500 seating professional theatre, Gala Durham, where the company’s Golden Age repertoire is annually performed, such as Hello, Dolly! or Guys and Dolls.
Recent Reviews:
Hello, Dolly! - “Hello, Dolly! at the Gala Theatre welcomes audiences to a night of matchmaking, splendour, and escapist fun” (DST First Night)
Be More Chill - “Be More Chill? Well, I am losing my chill at how great this student musical is…” (Palatinate)
President: Xanthe Gibson
Email: DULOG.president@durham.ac.uk
Tone Deaf Theatre Company
Founded in 2010, Tone Deaf Theatre Company are the counterpart musical theatre company to DULOG, specialising in small–cast contemporary musicals. They put on a wide range of shows and projects, with everything from a 10 cast version of Rent, in which they raised £1357.39 for the Blue Sky Trust, to [title of show] and the two person cast of The Last Five Years.
In addition to the high quality of their productions, TDTC are also known for their showcases. The company provides the opportunity for Freshers to perform to a regularly sold out Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms Theatre every Michelmas term with their Fresher’s Showcase, with another themed showcase taking place in the Easter term.
Recent Reviews:
Rent - “Tone Deaf Theatre Company’s production of Rent is a treat for both the ears and the eyes!” (Palatinate)
Fresher’s Showcase 2022 - “It’s extremely talented cast of eight first year students delivered a plethora of goose-bump inducing musical numbers, with heaps of charisma and consistently excellent vocal delivery” (DST First Night)
President: Amy Shelmerdine
Email: tonedeaf.tc@durham.ac.uk
Durham University Musical Theatre Troupe
DUMT are a competitive musical theatre troupe combining the resources of DULOG and TDTC. The troupe perform regularly around Durham, at balls and are hireable for other commercial events, but also compete at the Inter University Musical Theatre Festival which they won in 2023.
Troupe Coordinator: Amy Shelmerdine
Email: amelia.s.shelmerdine@durham.ac.uk