In 2008 WWOS was involved in the first production for a group of young people whose membership consisted of pupils from Langley Park School for Girls, Langley Park School for Boys and Ravenswood School. Kevin Gauntlett and John Hargreaves (head of Music at Langley Girls) had hatched a plan to present a schools’ production of Les Misérables at The Churchill Theatre but due to various contractual issues that venue became unavailable. However, rising Phoenix-like from the ashes, the production was finally mounted in a temporary purpose built theatre, seating 500, with full stage and orchestra in the courtyard at the girls' school … The Courtyard Theatre Company was born.

It was a daunting challenge for WWOS who artistically, financially and practically organised and administered the whole project but it resulted in an amazing production and a magical theatrical experience for everyone involved.

Since then, Kevin and John have been looking for another challenging production for the Courtyard Company to present, and earlier this year they found it! On 29th July 2010 they will be taking a company of over 40 young people to Buxton to present a fully staged production of The Pirates of Penzance at the World Famous Buxton Opera House as part of the inaugural Youth Section of the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival.

The enthusiasm of the company is amazing; indeed many of them will be appearing in the chorus of WWOS's semi-stage performances of the same opera at The Normanhurst Festival, brushing up on words and music in readiness for their own production 10 days later.

Since Autumn 2010 The Courtyard Theatre Company has severed its formal links to the three schools and is now the Junior Section of WWOS. Although the performers and are still largely drawn from the three schools, membership is now open to to any students in the area

The Courtyard Theatre Company lives on …. What Next? The West End or Broadway? … Watch This Space!!!