BasOp "Basildon Operatic Society"
The origins of the society go back to the 1930s when the organist at St. Mary's Church, Langdon Hills, decided to stage Pirates of Penzance to keep the children in the church choir out of trouble at the weekends.
Curiously then known as St. Mary's Athletics Club, the society grew over the years to become first Laindon and District Amateur Operatic Society, and then more recently Basildon Operatic Society.
The society performs in both shows and concerts, currently producing its annual show in late May or early June, and its concerts in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
Originally BasOp's shows were exclusively selected from Gilbert and Sullivan's Savoy operas, but these days a good number of musicals are produced too.
BasOp is unquestionably Basildon's leading musical theatre society.
