South West Opera Company - SWOC

01/09/2026

From a French nobleman to a scheming smuggler, a student revolutionary and everything in between, SWOC member Ashley has played a lot of iconic roles during his time with SWOC 🎭

He shared some of his favourite SWOC moments ahead of our 40th Anniversary Gala concert, A Night at the Opera ✨

Q: When did you join SWOC?
A: I started 24 years ago and have been involved on and off for many years since! I started auditioning for a touring production of Carousel and landed the role of Enoch Jr! It was loads of fun to tour down to Albany with that.

Q: What's one of your favourite memories with SWOC?
A: There are so many. Probably seeing Marguerite [Monagle] singing Violetta in our concert version of La traviata - incredible to see! I was in the Shorus for that, trying to sing music that was far too advanced for me, but the support of the SWOC Chorus always helps you tackle the advanced stuff.

Q: What are you most looking forward to about A Night at the Opera?
A: Revisiting the [Carmen] quintet. Absolutely one of the hardest pieces I've performed and most fun! And of course being back on the BREC stage once again.

Catch Ashley along with the rest of the SWOC Chorus, Musical Theatre Group and our SWOClets at our special one-night only anniversary event on October 3rd 🤩

South West Opera Company presents
🎭 A NIGHT AT THE OPERA
📍 Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre BREC
📅 Saturday 3 October 2026 | 7pm
🎟️ Get tickets now at bunburyentertainment.com

31/08/2026

Thank you to event beverage partner Voyager Estate for supplying their delicious wines for our recent exhibition launch at Bunbury Museum.

Distinctly South West wines for a distinctly South West company – the perfect pairing 🍷

30/08/2026

📢 CALLING ALL SOUTH WEST SINGERS 📢

Registrations for The Big Sing Bunbury close at midnight tomorrow Monday 31 August!

Do you:
✅ Love to sing in choirs
✅ Live in the South West
✅ Want to spend a day having fun and making music

Enjoy a full day (19th September) of music-making with your fellow community singers, followed by a public performance to show off what you've been working on.

Whether you’re a seasoned chorister or just love to sing, The Big Sing is a welcoming, inclusive opportunity to connect with others, build your skills, and share in the thrill of live performance.

Register now to secure your place and lend your voice to something truly special. Registrations close Monday 31 August.

Click here to register 👉

Be part of the South West Opera Company (SWOC)'s Big Sing – a vibrant choral experience bringing together singers from across the South...

30/08/2026

Last Friday, we were thrilled to host a launch party to celebrate the opening of our brand new exhibit at Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre.

'40 Years of the South West Opera Company' explore the story of SWOC from humble beginnings as a 16-member ensemble to award-winning productions and international tours.

Co-curated by SWOC and the Bunbury Museum + Heritage Centre, this display celebrates the history of our Company, through costumes, props and photographs.

A big thank you to the team at BMHC for helping bringing this exhibition to life!

Pop into the museum 👉 '40 Years of SWOC' - On now until Sunday 22 November.

29/08/2026

You loved reading our members' stories with SWOC, so we're sharing some more! Today's memories come from one of our founding members, Jenni ✨

"I was invited to join the initial group by Terry Greene who formed the South West Opera Chorale in 1986. This subsequently became the South West Opera Company to which I have belonged continously since its inception."

"One of my favourite memories of SWOC is our first production of Les Misérables. We really loved that production. The vibe was fantastic. And we had the largest regional audience in Australia for an amateur group at the time...approximately 6000 people attended over a ten-night season."

"I am looking forward to a fantastic evening of reminiscences and top-quality entertainment at A Night at the Opera. With the brilliant musical direction and repertoire selected by Marguerite [Monagle] and the additional input by Fionnuala [Hannon], Mary-Ellen [Horton] and Rob Hill, the Company is reaching heights we had never imagined."

"It is wonderful to be a part of this inspiring Company."

South West Opera Company presents
🎭 A NIGHT AT THE OPERA
📍 Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre BREC
📅 Saturday 3 October 2026 | 7pm
🎟️ Get tickets now at bunburyentertainment.com

28/08/2026

For 40 years, South West Opera Company has been creating memorable moments on stage – and our audiences keep coming back for more.

See why so many people love SWOC as we celebrate this milestone with A Night at the Opera: a stunning evening of soaring choruses, powerful soloists and timeless favourites from opera and musical theatre.

South West Opera Company presents
🎭 A NIGHT AT THE OPERA
📍 Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre
📅 Saturday 3 October 2026 | 7pm
🎟️ Get tickets now at bunburyentertainment.com

BREC

26/08/2026

🎶 FINAL DAYS TO REGISTER! 🎶

There’s only 5 days left to register for our upcoming community singing event!

If you love to sing, this is your chance to join fellow singers from across the South West and be part of something special. Whether you’re an experienced chorister or just love making music, we’d love to have you there.

📅 Saturday 19 September
⏰ Registrations close 31 August
🎟️ Register for FREE: www.trybooking.com/DLLDU

Don’t miss your chance to raise your voice and sing with us! 🎵

24/08/2026

⭐ VENUE SPOTLIGHT ⭐

When we started planning our 40th anniversary gala, we knew it had to take place at BREC.

We've been performing at the Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre since its doors first opened, and Stage One is like a second home to us.

Just like SWOC, BREC has grown and evolved over the years, but through it all, they've always been one of our strongest supporters and collaborators. From foyer activations to mainstage productions, tech runs to community events, SWOC and BREC have always been united in our mission - bringing joy to the people of the South West through the performing arts 🎭

So, what would be the perfect place for us to celebrate our 40th? Well, that's a no-brainer - it had to be BREC 💖

South West Opera Company presents
🎭 A NIGHT AT THE OPERA
📍 Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre
📅 Saturday 3 October 2026 | 7pm
🎟️ Get tickets now at bunburyentertainment.com

22/08/2026

Looking back on 40 years of SWOC...

One of our long-standing SWOC members shared their memories of the Company for our special ruby anniversary ❤️

"I joined SWOC in the early 1990s, don't remember exactly how! Two of my favourite memories are the great fun and laughs experienced with the producing of Gilbert and Sullivan shows, and the other of the first production of Les Mis - wonderful learning experience."

When asked about our Anniversary Gala, A Night at the Opera, they said they were "looking forward to a great memorable concert after everyone's hard work" 😊

South West Opera Company presents
🎭 A NIGHT AT THE OPERA
📍 Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre BREC
📅 Saturday 3 October 2026 | 7pm
🎟️ Get tickets now at bunburyentertainment.com

21/08/2026

🎶 MEET THE CHORUS 🎶

Formed in 1986 with just 16 members, the SWOC Chorus has grown immensley over the last 40 years. Now gracing stages with casts of 60 or even more, SWOC's Chorus members are the powerful voices that bring our concerts and major productions to life ✨🎤

The SWOC Chorus, along with our Musical Theatre Group, SWOClets Junior Choir, and special guest soloists will blow you away this October - and yes, they're all South West locals, just like you!

Don't miss your chance to see their incredible talents on display.
🎟 Get your tickets today!

South West Opera Company presents
🎭 A NIGHT AT THE OPERA
📍 Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre BREC
📅 Saturday 3 October 2026 | 7pm
🎟️ Get tickets now at bunburyentertainment.com