TADLOP: Telford And District Light Operatic Players
Since 1972 TADLOP has been bringing "a little of the West End" to Telford. We meet twice a week to rehearse in order to put on two full-scale musical productions every year. Our members come from all walks of life and all levels of ability; TADLOP is a true community project that unites us all in our love of theatre.
Take a look at our What's On page to see our upcoming shows and events:
Our Past
TADLOP was born at a meeting on the 13th April 1972 at Shirlee Gaston’s Dance Studio in Wellington. A dozen parents of pupils and other like-minded people perceived that the district lacked an organisation to perform light opera and musicals. What was needed was a Society to bring a little “West End” theatre to the area.
Within two weeks an organisation was formed and almost 50 people expressed interest in being involved in the very first show “Calamity Jane”. It started with a donation of £5 with the first show costing around £500. Tickets were 30p and programmes only 5p.
After three nights at Oakengates Town Hall with all bills paid, the Society made £25 towards its next production; and since these humble beginnings has gone on to stage almost 100 lavish musicals for generations of Shropshire audiences.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Today the Society is a registered Charity with the objective to “educate the public in the dramatic and operatic arts and to further the development of public appreciation and taste in the said arts”.
At the heart of our mission is reaching out; to our friends, to our families, to our community. While our annual shows bring musicals new and old to Shropshire audiences, we also reach beyond the wonderful Oakengates stage which has been our home for over 50 years.
From Age UK visits and celebrating Telford’s 50th Birthday with the Wrekin Housing Trusts, Women’s Institute concerts and helping with the fundraising for the Anstice as well as various church funds, to participating in the World Heritage Festival and enjoying a close link with Ironbridge Museum Trusts and sponsoring the fantastic Let’s Go Quackers event in 2018 which raised over £30,000 for the Severn Hospice and Jayne Sargent Foundation, TADLOP prides itself on being active in our community.
OUR FUTURE
For more than 50 years TADLOP has been a pillar of the community. We hope to continue for another 50!
As a registered charity the support of our patrons keeps us afloat to continue our work in connecting the people of Telford around a common love of the arts. Looking ahead we would like to see TADLOP continue to grow and expand our reach across the local area to ensure everyone can access the magic of theatre.
OUR PEOPLE
TADLOP relies on the hard work of the volunteers that make up it's leadership committee and production teams. Committee members oversee the society and are elected by TADLOP members yearly at the AGM. Production teams are selected by the committee twice a year to lead our shows to success. There are few requesites to any of these roles, and the society supports its members to take on positions of leadership as a way of strengthening their skills, confidence, and community relations.
Find out more about our current committee here:
