Where We Dream.
2012
I was commissioned by Multistory and Francois Matarasso to work on a project called 'Where We Dream', a story about West Bromwich Operatic Society (WBOS) and followed their production of ‘The Producers’, culminating in a book, film and exhibition. My role was to photograph all rehearsals and the behind the scenes of final production, as well as engaging with members of WBOS to photograph them in their homes. You can download a copy of the book here.
"West Bromwich Operatic Society (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. They have always been self-sufficient and given their surpluses to local charities. But 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 through creation of Mel Brooks’ The Producers from rehearsals to curtain call at the New Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham. 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. Where We Dream is about what is missed by official statistics: the things that matter in people’s lives"
- Francois Matarasso, Where We Dream, 2012.
