Adam's HLOSJ Story

I first came to the Light Opera Juniors after seeing a local advert looking for boys for their upcoming production of The Boyfriend. I had been to stage school prior to joining, (and even ballroom dancing in the early days - definitely was no Fred Astaire, more like Fred Flintstone!) but there was just something so different about the buzz of being part of the light opera family, as that is what it is; a Family.

The fact that from one night a week (and two nights when the time got closer) we were able to put on a full blown musical, to this day still amazes me. But that was because everyone had their own unique part to play in the making of the show be it on or off the stage.

I was hooked!

The best way to learn any job is on the job and you certainly had to learn fast in the juniors. My singing improved, my acting improved (I made a very convincing Francis Fryer so much so that my dad didn't know it was me underneath the ruffled gold dress and brown curly Wig - Tanks Jeanette!) my dancing improved (goodbye Fred!) and most importantly my confidence in my ability improved.

“…I always think about how and where I started and it was in Halifax, with the Light Opera Juniors”

After my last show, which I believe was 42nd Street, I went to my one and only audition for drama school at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. I was lucky enough to get a full scholarship to attend the three year musical theatre course but that wasn't the end of support from my Am Dram Fam - far from it!!

Whilst receiving a scholarship for my fees, it meant I was ineligible for any student loans, and so began the fundraising. From car boot sales to concerts, quiz nights to 3 course meal deals with a special guest of… me and a kindly donated mike and amp, I was able to save up enough to see me through most of my rent in London and the sheer outpouring of love and support from everyone across the societies got me where i am today.

My favourite show with the Juniors definitely has to be when we did the school edition of Les Miserables, with a full blown barricade… in The Playhouse! The scale of the score, was mammoth but we knew we could do it. Un-miked, above a full orchestra we sung our hearts out every night and I knew in that moment that this is all I ever wanted to do.

I still do. Sadly the reality of the 'business' means that that opportunity doesn't present itself all the time. I've performed in a giant monster costume to a full house of… 8 plus 2 late comers who consequently left shortly after they arrived. I've been lucky enough to do rep theatre where you learn a couple of shows in quick succession of each other. I've worked in many different countries, in my different and unique theatrical spaces - the strangest definitely being in a shopping centre in Kuala Lumpur, but I always think about how and where I started and it was in Halifax, with the Light Opera Juniors.

Without the discipline, the energy of the creative team and the amount of effort that everyone in the society put in and still does to this day, I know I wouldn't be where I am today and I'm so grateful for everyone who helped me along the way.

— Adam Colbeck-Dunn