This next post is about something that’s incredibly special to me, which is Opsoc, the musical theatre society at Dundee Uni. Opsoc has existed for over fifty years now and was actually a big part of why I decided to apply to and ultimately come to Dundee Uni as we heard part of an Opsoc performance at a Dundee open day. Everyone in the society is so incredibly kind, sweet and welcoming and friendly and there isn’t a mean bone in the whole society (which is pretty much the case with the Turner Syndrome Support Group and the ‘Brooklyn 99’ fandom- I’ve been very fortunate to get involved in groups with some of the loveliest people that you’ll ever meet.)
When I started as a first year newbie in Opsoc in 2018, my first Opsoc show was our weekend show in September 2018. The weekend show is a tradition for the very beginning of the semester and is almost like an even more intensive summer school as it involves rehearsing and putting together an entire show in less than a week, which is full on but a lot of fun as we sometimes perform student written shows and get together for pizza and movie nights. When I first joined Opsoc, it had been a while since I’d been on stage as I’d been in shows throughout almost my whole time at school but in the last year of high school, I had an operation and tried to focus on studies and so didn’t do as much performing. This meant that it was so amazing to be back performing, especially in such a lovely, supportive environment, as performing is something that I’ve always loved and something that continues to make my heart very happy (just like Opsoc does). Quite a lot happened in that first year too, as Opsoc are a very active society. We had a Halloween themed rehearsal and initiations that autumn for example, an acoustic concert in November and in December, we went carolling and had a Christmas concert (a personal favourite) as well as our mono concert at the union in January 2019, all while working towards our main show in March. The first main show that I took part in was a pop/rock/punk musical called ‘Loserville’, which we did in March 2019. The music for the show was written by James Bourne (who was in Busted) and Elliot Davis and was based on the album, ‘Welcome to Loserville’ by Son of Dork, the band that Bourne joined after Busted. The musical’s set in 1971 and talks about the characters sending the first email and makes little references about some aspects of ‘Star Wars’ were created, as well as dealing with high school teenage relationships, parties, love triangles and cliques. In March 2020, we did ‘Legally Blonde’ as our main show and while it’s not my favourite musical, the songs were super catchy* and it’s definitely my favourite main show that I’ve been involved in as every Opsoc event or show is amazing because of the heart, joy and kindness of everyone in the society and how hard everyone works. Also, as Elle, the protagonist of ‘Legally Blonde’ and her friend, Paulette, both have dogs, we got to spend time with the adorable pups who played those roles to perfection (pawfection-sorry) in the show, which was lovely.
Unfortunately, with COVID, it’s been a long time since we’ve been able to all meet up in person but it’s been so incredible that we’ve still got to feel that we’re part of an active society as we’ve done several online concerts throughout 2020 and 2021, including ‘Made in Dagenham’, which was our main show for this year. I’m very grateful to everyone who I’ve met through Opsoc, as you could not find a kinder, more wholesome or supportive society and while I like my course, Opsoc has made my uni experience so much better than it could have been. Even if I’ve not been the most successful in some ways as I’ve not made a stand-out, obvious best friend or been the lead in a show, I hope people know how much this society’s meant to me and to so many others and it’ll always have such a special place in my heart. Next year’s show will be so good. 😊
Lots of love to our 2021 leavers, we’ll miss you so much as you’re all amazing <3.
*The 'Legally Blonde' musical was written by Heather Hach, Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin
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