Brussels Light Opera Company

BLOC: A Christmas Carol (24-27 Nov 2016)

A Christmas Carol – the Musical
De Kam, Wezembeek-Oppem
24 – 27 November 2016 at the Auderghem Cultural Centre Theatre

Based on the classic by Charles Dickens, written in 1843, Alan Menken’s musical version of the story is true to the original. Grumpy miserly Ebenezer Scrooge will have nothing to do with Christmas as everybody else in London is preparing to celebrate. His late partner, the equally miserly Jacob Marley, appears to him as a mournful ghost and foretells of the visit of three ghosts who will try to reform Scrooge so that he doesn’t end up like Marley. Once shown the error of his ways, Scrooge finally realises that the future ahead is not one he wants and he makes amends. It’s a ghost story about redemption.

Box office already open at http://www.bloc-brussels.com/index.php/tickets.

BLOC: Oklahoma! (22-25 November 2018)

Cultural Center, Auderghem.
Stage Director – Marie Rousseaux, Music Director – Steven De Mesmaeker.

The musical Oklahoma!, set in Oklahoma territory in the early 1900s, tells the love stories between Curly and Laurey, Ado Annie and Will.
Curly, a cowboy, has problems showing his feelings for Laurey. Laurey, out of a matter of pride and stubbornness, in turn does not show Curly her true feelings, either. However, this makes Jud, her Aunt’s hired hand, feel that he has a chance with Laurey.
Ado Annie is torn between Will, a cowboy who has kind of promised to marry her, and Ali Hakim, a peddler and ladies’ man, who will only get married if forced to.

This iconic Rodgers and Hammerstein score of Oklahoma! inspired a new generation of Broadway musicals, pushing the boundaries of the genre. When it opened on Broadway in 1943, it changed the way modern audiences would appreciate musicals for the next 50 years. The show ran for an impressive five years and was immortalized by a Hollywood film version. The state of Oklahoma even took the title song to be the official anthem of the state, solidifying the show’s cultural impact.

For more information, see the BLOC website.

BLOC: The Sorcerer (23-26 May 2019)

The Sorcerer – An Original Modern Comic Opera
by W.S. Gilbert & Arthur Sullivan

Stage Director – Angela and Tony Lowe, Music Director – Lionel Bams

Come and join us in the English village of Ploverleigh,
where the vicar’s tea is going to cause quite a stir!

Has the Sorcerer added a dash of magic to the pot?
Is there trouble brewing? Is it all a storm in a teacup, or something much more exciting …?

This family-friendly show will charm and delight you, and its magical melodies will leave you spellbound!

Thursday, 23 May 2019, 20:00
Friday, 24 May 2019, 20:00
Saturday, 25 May .2019, 14:30 & 20:00
Sunday, 26 May 2019, 14:30
at De Bosuil Cultural Centre in Overijse.

For more information and tickets, see the BLOC website.

BLOC: Kiss Me, Kate (21-24 Nov 2019)

Kiss Me, Kate
Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter, Book by Sam and Ella Spewack

Stage Director – Diana Morton-Hooper, Music Director – Vivienne McKay

It’s Baltimore. It’s 1950. Two New York gangsters are chasing Bill’s gambling debt … but from Fred, who has troubles of his own with rehearsals for Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew. It stars Lilli, his ex, and he still loves her…
Don’t miss BLOC’s live orchestra & famous Cole Porter songs like ‘Another Opening, Another Show’, ‘Wunderbar’, ‘Too Darn Hot’, ‘Brush Up Your Shakespeare’.
A show for all the family.

Thursday, 21 November May 2019, 20:00
Friday, 22 November 2019, 20:00
Saturday, 23 November .2019, 14:30 & 20:00
Sunday, 24 November 2019, 14:30
at Auderghem Cultural Centre, Bvd du Souverain 183, 1160.

For more information and tickets, see the BLOC website.

BLOC: The Addams Family (25-28 November 2021)


Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa, Book by Marshall Rickman and Rick Elice

Stage Director – Andrew Fisk, Music Director – Steven De Mesmaeker, Choreography – Jean Emmett

Buh da da dum (snap snap)… the favorite American family has landed in Brussels. Come and enjoy our comical modern musical embracing the crazy in every family. It tells an original story that is every parent’s nightmare: Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a “normal” family– a man her parents have never met. A ghoulish yet hilarious show fit for the whole family. Buy your tickets to see this ‘one normal night’ turn into chaos of ‘full disclosures’.

Thursday, 25 November 2021, 20:00
Friday, 26 November 2021, 20:00
Saturday, 27 November 2021, 14:00 & 20:00
Sunday, 28 November 2021, 14:00 & 20:00

at the Cultural Center in Auderghem

For more information and tickets, see the BLOC website.


BLOC: The Pirates Of Penzance (19-22 May 2022)

THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE ARE COMING – DON’T MISS ‘EM!!

This classic comic opera tells the tale of Frederic, who, as a child, was mistakenly apprenticed to a band of pirates until his 21st birthday. When Major-General Stanley takes his daughters on a day-trip to the seaside, Frederic meets and falls in love with Mabel. Will 21-year-old Frederic feel duty-bound to stay with the pirates, or will he abandon them and marry Mabel? Will love triumph – or will chaos ensue? Will the local police force save the day? Join us in Penzance and all will be revealed! Full of uplifting choruses and heart-warming melodies, Gilbert & Sullivan’s ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ is comic-opera at its best!

Live orchestra!

Music and Lyrics by Gilbert and Sullivan
Stage Director – Angela And Tony Lowe
Music Director – Lionel Bams

Thursday 19/05/2022 – 20:00
Friday 20/05/2022 – 20:00
Saturday 21/05/2022 – 14:30 and 20:00
Sunday 22/05/2022 – 14:30

Online prices: standard 23.50€, children 16€ (matinees only)

Tickets available here.

BLOC: Chess (24-27 Nov 2022)

A rock musical like no other! CHESS challenges you to remain impartial as you observe the ancient game of chess through the trials and tribulations of unexpected romances and political intrigue. When Frederick ‘Freddie’ Trumper, the current World Champion, arrives in the small town of Merano, Italy, to face his challenger, Anatoly Sergievsky, it soon becomes clear there’s more than the title of World Champion at stake.

Whilst the crowd witnesses the strain displayed by both players, Florence Vassy, a remarkable woman and companion to Freddie, provokes the rising of an unsettled past, pushing her to the centre of an emotional and political triangle. Make your move and buy your tickets for this critically acclaimed production which includes the international hit singles, ‘I Know Him So Well’, ‘One Night In Bangkok’, ‘Anthem’ and ‘Heaven Help my Heart ‘.

Dates: Thursday 24th to Sunday 27th of November

Venue: Auderghem Cultural Centre, Bd du Souverain 183, 1160 Auderghem.

Tickets available here.

Googlemap of venue

BLOC: Iolanthe (18-21 May 2023)

Gilbert & Sullivan’s evergreen classic, directed by Tony and Angela Lowe, musical direction, Lionel Bams.

What happens when a flock of formidable fairies descends upon a party of Parliamentary Peers? The answer – complete chaos! The worlds of Fairyland and Parliament collide in a marvellous musical masterpiece of comedy entertainment in Gilbert and Sullivan’s classic opera “Iolanthe”.

So, put on your wings and join us in Fairyland!

Venue: De Bosuil Cultural Centre, Witherendreef 1, 3090 Overijse

Google map of venue

20.00, 18th, 19th & 20th of May.

14.30, 20th & 21st of May.

Tickets HERE

BLOC: Young Frankenstein (23-26 Nov 2023)

Stage Director – Andrew Fisk, Music Director – Steven De Mesmaeker

When Frederick, grandson of the late infamous Victor von Frankenstein, has to visit Transylvania to sort out Victor’s estate, he has absolutely no intention to create a monster… but things of course don’t turn out quite as planned and chaos ensues! Mel Brooks’ adaptation of his cult movie of the same name combines the glamour of Broadway with his monstrous sense of humour. Packed full of catchy tunes, witty one-liners and of course the legendary “Putting on the Ritz”, this show is guaranteed to leave you “in stitches”! Live Orchestra!

Venue: Auderghem Cultural Centre

Tickets here…

BLOC: Call for Show Proposals (23 Apr 2023)

Would you like to direct a show for BLOC, or do you know of someone who would? Then this email is for you!

In 2024, BLOC will again be staging a spring and an autumn show. The spring show will most likely take place at the end of May in De Bosuil cultural centre in Overijse (350 seats), the autumn show at the end of November in the Auderghem cultural centre (660 seats).

BLOC is looking for shows suitable for a cast of different ages and nationalities with plenty of chorus involvement. The November show should ideally be suitable for family entertainment. The May show may be more innovative or attract a smaller audience. Auditions will take place in January and June, respectively.

For a successful pitch, we recommend to have most of your team (stage director, stage manager, producer, musical director and rehearsal pianist) already in place. Should you be missing any of these, contact BLOC. We are happy to provide you with ideas. If you have questions regarding performance rights, do not make inquiries, but contact BLOC. It is crucial that BLOC initiates the inquiry.

If you are interested in becoming BLOC’s next director, please send us your pitch by 23rd April 2023. Note that this is an unpaid position.

After that, get ready to present your ideas to the BLOC Committee! We will fix a meeting date soon after the pitching deadline. This meeting will be open to everyone who as submitted a show proposal.

Please send performance rights requests, pitches and any other inquiries to our chairman via the contact page on our website www.bloc-brussels.com.

BLOC: Legally Blonde (19 Apr-5 May 2024)

SHOW DATES: 21st-24th of November. Stage Director – Cath Howdle; Music Director – Steven De Mesmaeker.

AUDITION DETAILS:

Introductory evening incl. chorus audition preparation  
Friday, 19 April 2024, 20:00-22:00 at De Bosuil

Practices for chorus and principals, especially newcomers  
Saturday, 20 April 2024, 14:00-18:00 at De Bosuil  
Sunday, 21 April 2024, 10:00-13:00 at De Bosuil

Chorus auditions and first round of principal auditions  
Saturday, 27 April 2024, 14:00-18:00 at De Lijsterbes

Principals auditions  
Saturday, 4 May 2024, 13:30-18:00 at De Lijsterbes

Callbacks  
Sunday, 5 May 2024, 10:00-13:00 at De Kam

NEWCOMERS WELCOME

De Bosuil: Witherendreef 1, 3090 Overijse  
De Lijsterbes: Lijsterbessenbomenlaan 6, 1950 Kraainem  
De Kam: Beekstraat 172, 1970 Wezembeek-Oppem

BLOC: The Mikado (20-23 June 2024)

Nanki-Poo, the son of the Mikado, is head over heels in love with Yum-Yum, and he is willing to lose his head to marry her! But, whilst Katisha is trying to claim Nanki-Poo for herself, Yum-Yum is about to be married to Ko-Ko …! The Mikado, meanwhile, is ordering that heads must roll in Titipu! Will anyone keep their head in this crazy, colourful, classic comic opera? 

Click here for more information.

BLOC: Legally Blonde (21-24 Nov 2024)

Brussels Light Opera Company presents ‘Legally Blonde; the Musical’, directed by Cath Howdle, Musical Director Steven De Mesmaeker.

Based on the iconic movie, this smash hit musical tells the tale of Elle Woods, a sorority girl who, in a bid to win back an ex-boyfriend, works her way into Harvard law school. This bright and bubbly show follows Elle as she makes new friends and takes on the challenges of a high-profile court case in her journey to the love and happiness she seeks.

Legally Blonde is a high-energy production full of catchy songs and toe-tapping dance numbers and is sure to put a smile on your face!

Live Orchestra!

Click here for box office