| Description | Where We Dream tells the story of West Bromwich Operatic Society (WBOS), an amateur group that has been performing musical theatre in the Black Country since the 1930s. WBOS produces ambitious shows in big regional theatres, and is entirely self-supporting. It has over a hundred members and its own youth theatre section but, above all, WBOS puts on great shows that are loved by their audiences.
WBOS is ‘an amateur company with professional standards’. The members perform at major theatres in the West Midlands, selling thousands of tickets to enthusiastic audiences. According to government statistics the Black Country is an area of ‘low engagement’ in the arts – although four of its many amateur theatre companies, including WBOS, are older than the Arts Council itself.
Where We Dream follows WBOS as they stage Mel Brooks’ The Producers from rehearsals to curtain call at the New Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham in November, 2011. Along the way it tells the story of a company that has thrived while so much of the world around has gone. It celebrates resilience, friendship and fun, and people’s determination, always, to put on a great show. |