A Musical Commitment to the Community since 1945

The Victoria Operatic Society (VOS) is a non-profit organization established in 1945 with the purpose of bringing top-quality live musical theatre to Victoria and giving aspiring young singers and performers the opportunity to display their talents.

Over the years, VOS has produced Broadway Musicals, Light Operas, and Gilbert & Sullivan productions, using and promoting local talent on and off the stage. The Society strives for quality, professional productions, while endeavoring to maintain affordable family prices.

One warm night in August 1945, six young women of Christ Church Cathedral Choir met to bind and repair some of the choir music and discovered a common love of musical theatre - and in particular, the works of Gilbert and Sullivan.

Norah, Bernice, and Gwynedd Hughes, Barbara Gurney, Pamela Terry and Jean Harness founded the Victoria Gilbert and Sullivan Society, and within ten months the society's first production, "H.M.S. Pinafore", was playing to tumultuous applause at the old York Theatre.

After the success of "Pinafore" the Society mounted six G & S productions at the Royal Theatre. In 1952, the Society changed it's name to the Victoria Gilbert & Sullivan Operatic Society and branched out to include Broadway-style musical theatre productions in its repertoire. The name was shortened to Victoria Operatic Society in 1962.

During the early years of the Society VOS productions were presented at the Royal Theatre. However, in 1965 VOS began a new phase of its history by producing its first show at the newly renovated McPherson Playhouse -- where it has performed to this day. In the Spring of 1965 VOS opened, to critical acclaim, with The Merry Widow, attended by the Lieutenant Governor and local dignitaries. Thus began our long association with the McPherson Playhouse.

In all the years at the "Mac" VOS has staged over of 70 musicals, from classic favourites (My Fair Lady, Carousel) to hot off-Broadway productions (e.g. Showboat, Evita). Our varied contributions in this venue have been enjoyed by many generations of theatre-goers.

Over one hundred productions since 1945 translates to a lot of local directors, actors, singers and dancers. Many who began with the VOS have gone on to further their entertainment careers across North America. A few who had their start with VOS include actress Debbie Kara Unger, singing group Doc and the Doo-wops, singers Peter Chipman and Benjamin Butterfield, opera superstar Richard Margison, radio morning man Barry Bowman, comic actor Colin Skinner, and Ralph Cole, one of the founders of "The Nylons".

VOS provides and encourages the training of young artists in all facets of musical theatre production, through the provision of theatrical workshops and practical hands-on experience with the annual productions and other events.

In addition to our twice-yearly presentations of musical theatre, the Society also offers the Victoria community a Christmas delight of Carol Concerts that, after 12 years of success, have become much in demand by retirement homes, hospitals and festive gatherings.