Souvenier Programme
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Welcome
On behalf of Mid Cheshire Musical Theatre Com-
pany, may I welcome you to The Weissman Thea-
tre and the “Follies” reunion party of 1971.
“Follies” as a show is only occasionally per-
formed by Musical Theatre Companies but offers
us the opportunity to present to you the music
and lyrics of Stephen Sondheim in a production
that gave him Tony awards for Best Composer and
Best Lyricist in 1971.
Sondheim’s music and staging often present challenges for Musical
Theatre groups and we are grateful to Harry and Sophia Kennedy for
their Direction and Choreography and to Nick Montague as Musical Di-
rector in helping us bring “Follies” to Mid Cheshire for the first time.
So as the lights go down you will, I hope, feel part of the reunion party and
enjoy the songs and spectacle of “The Weissman Follies”.
Mike Finnigan
Chairman, MCMTC
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President
David Parkes
Vice Presidents:
Philippa Appleby, Jeff Burgess, Sue Chatt
Patrons
Mrs Lynne Cowley, Mrs Nora Dolphin, Mr E G Eastwood, Mr & Mrs Arthur
Harrison, Mrs Lynn Rafferty, Mrs Lester Roberts,
Mrs Elsie Farrell, Miss June Sproston
Honorary Life Members
Mr Mark Burdon, Mrs Sue Chatt, Mrs Sheila Cramner-Gordon,
Mr Ron Dodd, Mr Roger Little, Mr David Parkes, Mrs Jeanne Walker
Members for Life
Ian Lloyd, Alan Rossiter, Belinda Rossiter
MCMTC Committee
Chairman Mike Finnigan
Vice Chairman Julie Gaskell
Secretary Sue Chatt
Treasurer Hilary Newberry
Show Co-ordinator Barbara Turner
Membership and Ticket Secretary Nick Abbot
Publicity Liz Cooley
Youth Leader Sarah Sherwood
Social Jackie Burgess
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Follies
Music and Lyrics Stephen
Sondheim
Book by James Goldman
The story takes place in 1971. The Weismann Theatre, home to the
Weismann Follies since 1918, is about to be torn down. Dimitri Weismann,
the impresario who produced the shows, is giving a party on the stage of the
theatre and has invited all the living performers, along with their husbands
and wives, to celebrate the nostalgia of the occasion. During the course of
the party, we meet them all, but the action chiefly involves two chorus girls
from the 1941 Follies, Sally Durrant and Phyllis Rogers, who were best
friends then, and haven’t seen each other since. They are escorted by their
husbands Buddy Plummer and Benjamin Stone, who courted them when
they were in the show.
Weismann has arranged for the women guests to make an entrance down
the now decrepit Grand Staircase, wearing sashes, printed with the year of
the show in which each appeared—shows ranging from 1918 to 1941.
As the show progresses, emotions and relationships buried in the past
gradually resurface with the help of nostalgia and alcohol. Sally, obsessed
with Ben, having been jilted by him in 1941; Ben fed up with his bitter and
supercilious wife, Phyllis, who refuses him a divorce. Phyllis in turn, furious
at Sally’s rekindling her old relationship with Ben, and Buddy enraged at his
own weakness, as well as his wife’s obsession.
Throughout the evening, the ghosts of their younger selves follow them
around the party, constantly reawakening memories and playing out scenes
from the past.
The show features two kinds of songs, character songs for the four
principals and pastiches for the other performers, in styles ranging from
1918 to the 1940’s, the range of the Weismann shows.
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Twitter
@LJLdancewear
Website:[Link]
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Cast of Characters
Sally Plummer .......................... Emma Johnson
Young Sally .......................... Rebecca Le
Buddy Plummer .......................... Harry Kennedy
Young Buddy .......................... Seb Singh
Ben Stone .......................... Jeff Burgess
Young Ben .......................... Dan Geoghegan-Shaw
Phyllis Stone .......................... Julie Gaskell
Young Phyllis .......................... Lauren Robinson
Carlotta Campion .......................... Hannah Fullwood
Hattie Walker .......................... Jackie Burgess
Solange La Fitte .......................... Diane Roberts
Emily Whitman .......................... Paula Mattock
Theodore Whitman .......................... Nigel Porter
Stella Deems .......................... Sarah Sherwood
Max Deems .......................... Andy Fuller
Heidi Schiller .......................... Barbara Turner
Young Heidi .......................... Caitlin Sherwood
Kevin .......................... Tom Harrison
Roscoe .......................... Warren Jones
Dimitri Weissman .......................... Mike Finnigan
Christine Donovan .......................... Hilary Newberry
Fantasy Margie .......................... Jenna Finnigan
Fantasy Sally .......................... Karis Finnigan
Show Girls: Jenna Finnigan, Karis Finnigan, Katherine Bland, Katy
Lloyd, Katie Lambert
Party Guests, singers and dancers: Liz Cooley, Janis Finnigan,
Bill Hartley, Cynthia Hulme, Ian Lloyd, Phil Niddrie, Jenny Tait, Sue
Whittaker
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Stephen Sondheim
Stephen Sondheim, born March 1930, has written
award-winning music and lyrics for theatre, film and
television. He is on the council of the Dramatists Guild
of America having served as it’s president from 1973
to 1981 and was elected to the American Academy
and Institute of the Arts in 1983.
He wrote the music and lyrics for A Funny Thing Hap-
pened on the Way to the Forum (1962), Anyone Can
Whistle (1964), Company (1970), Follies (1971), A Lit-
tle Night Music (1973), Sweeney Todd, the Demon
Barber of Fleet Street (1979), Merrily We Roll along (1981), Sunday in the
Park with George (1984), Into the Woods (1987) as well as lyrics for West
Side Story (1957), Gypsy (1959) and many more.
Follies premiered on Broadway on April 4, 1971 at the Winter Garden Thea-
tre and premiered in the UK at the Forum Theatre, Wythenshawe in 1985.
The “Real” Follies
The Follies were lavish revues, something
between later Broadway shows and a more
elaborate high class Vaudeville variety show.
Many of the top entertainers of the era
(including W. C. Fields, Eddie Can-
tor, Josephine Baker, Fanny Brice, Bob
Hope ) appeared in the shows. The Ziegfeld
Follies were also famous for many beauti-
ful chorus girls commonly known
as Ziegfeld girls, usually wearing elaborate
costumes. The first Follies was produced in
1907 at the roof theatre Jardin de Paris.
The Ziegfeld girls "paraded up and down
flights of stairs as anything from birds to battle-
ships." The "Tableau vivants" were designed
by Ben Ali Haggin from 1917 to 1925.
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The production Team
Director Choreographer
Harry Kennedy Sophia Kennedy
This is Harry’s Dancing has
second venture always been a
with MCMTC major part of
having recently Sophia’s life hav-
been drafted in ing been trained
to direct and per- at the Royal
formed in Annie Ballet School,
in 2011. Once London and
again, Harry appearing in the
finds himself not only taking on Black and White Minstrel Show
the directorship, but also taking and West End musical 42nd
one of the principal characters. Street. Following teacher train-
ing Sophia now runs her own
A long standing member and dance school, ‘Hot Foot’ and has
director of the Garrick Theatre been resident choreographer at
in Altrincham, Harry now directs Garrick Theatre, Altrincham,
and performs in the Other Royal Exchange Theatre and
Theatre Company which he Opera House. Along with her
runs along side his wife, husband, Harry, she now runs
Sophia. their own theatre company—the
Other Theatre Company.
Musical Director—Nick Montague
Nick last worked with Mid Cheshire's in their
performance of Fiddler on the Roof a couple of
years ago and is very pleased to be back. He
has been in Musical Theatre for many years,
first appearing on the Manchester Palace
Stage in a performance of Kiss Me Kate in the
1980s. Since then he has been involved in
dozens of productions, on both sides of the
curtain, but this is his first Steven Sondheim musical.
Music and lyrics written by a genius, great orchestration.....You're
in for a good night!"
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Production Team
Director ....................................... Harry Kennedy
Choreographer ..................... Sophia Kennedy
Musical Director .................. Nick Montague
Rehearsal Pianist ................. Ian Sherwood and Nick Montague
Stage Manager & Props Lyndsey Downes and team
Set supplied by ................... Proscenium
Lighting .......................................... Aurion Lighting—Ian Wiper
Sound Technician ................ Paul Edwards, The Grange Theatre
Radio Microphones .......... Paul Edwards, The Grange Theatre
Costumes ..................................... “Something Theatrical”, Denton
Wardrobe ....................................... Sue Chatt
Seamstress .................................. Pauline Little
Make-up ......................................... Elva Parkes
Continuity ........................................ Liz Bradley
Production Co-ordinator Barbara Turner
Publicity ............................................. Liz Cooley
Programme .................................. Sarah Sherwood
Photography ................................ Bill Hartley
Ticket Secretary ........................ Nic Abbot
Front of House Manager Clive Mattock
Front of House ........................... Members of Barnton Variety Theatre Workshop
and Friends of MCMTC
Car Parking Stewards ....... Hartford Explorer Scouts
To everyone involved in the production who has helped in anyway, and lastly
to you, our audiences, for your continued support and encouragement.
Orchestra
Conductor and keyboards Nick Montague
Members of the Mid Cheshire Musical Theatre Company orchestra.
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List of Musical Numbers
Beautiful Girls Roscoe and Company
Don’t Look at Me Sally and Ben
Waiting for the Girls Upstairs Buddy, Ben, Phyllis, Sally
Young Buddy, Young Ben, Young Phyllis and
Young Sally
Listen to the Rain on the Roof Emily and Theodore Whitman
Ah, Paris Solange La Fitte
Broadway Baby Hattie Walker
The Road You Didn’t Take Ben
In Buddy’s Eyes Sally
Who’s That Woman Stella Deems and Company
I’m Still Here Carlotta Campion
Too Many Mornings Ben and Sally
The Right Girl Buddy
One More Kiss Heidi Schiller and Young Heidi
Could I Leave You Phyllis
Loveland Ensemble
You’re Gonna Love Tomorrow Young Ben and Young Phyllis
Love Will See us Through Young Buddy and Young Sally
The God Why Don’t You Love Me Blues Buddy & Fantasy “Margie and Sally”
Losing My Mind Sally
The Story of Lucy and Jessie Phyllis
Live, Laugh Love Ben
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Jeff Burgess Julie Gaskell
Ben Stone Phyllis Stone
Jeff joined the soci- Julie has been with
ety in October 1990 the Mid Cheshire’s
for “something to do” for 23 years and
during the winter, has had a variety of
having retired from mostly comedy
playing rugby. It very roles. She has
quickly became part of his life and played Ado Annie (Oklahoma) and
having spent his first few shows in Bonnie (Anything Goes) with
the back row of the chorus, he has MTMTC & Knutsford societies. She
since taken may parts including has also played the part of Nicki
several leading roles, including (Sweet Charity) and Rose (The
Pirate King in “Pirates of Penzance, Likes of Us). Her last role was in
the Lord Chancellor in “Iolanthe”, 2011 as Miss Hannigan in Annie.
Adam Pontipee in “Seven Brides for She is very pleased to be playing
Seven Brothers, Horace Vander- her first joint lead role as Phyllis &
gelder, in Hello Dolly, Ko-Ko in “Hot considers it her most grown up and
Mikado” and Captain Von Trapp in challenging one to date. Julie also
the Companies last production, The serves on the committee as Vice
Sound of Music. Chairman of MCTMC.
Harry Kennedy Emma Johnson
Buddy Plummer Sally Plummer
Harry describes This is Emma’s 6th
himself as a ‘late show with the Mid-
started’, but he Cheshire's’, having
certainly made up for joined in the chorus
lost time! He began of Titanic the Musi-
aged 35 with a part cal in 2011.
in ‘Royal Hunt of the Her favourite roles
Sun’ at the Garrick Theatre, Altrin- with the society have been Mrs
cham. His first lead was the only Molloy in Hello Dolly and Yum Yum
male in a play for women! His first in Hot Mikado. Emma has enjoyed
‘real’ lead was Fagin in ‘Oliver’, also the challenge of learning some very
at the Garrick. He has played at the difficult songs and portraying the
Palace Theatre and has also played complex character of Sally.
and directed at the Royal Exchange
and Opera House, all in Manchester. This is Emma’s first (and probably
Together with his wife Sophia, he last!) attempt at tap-dancing! Emma
now runs the ‘Other Theatre Com- would like to thank her family for all
pany’ in Plumley & is finally content. their love and support.
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This page is sponsored by Mrs Nora Dolphin
Daniel Geog- Lauren
hegan-Shaw Robinson
Young Ben Young Phyllis
Stone Stone
Dan is 15 years Lauren is part of
of age and has the youth com-
been a member pany, Mid Chesh-
of Mid Cheshire ire Youth Thea-
Youth Theatre tre, and this is
for 3 years, her second show
taking the lead with MCMTC,
in many of their after performing
recent performances. in the joint charity showcase in
This is his second show with December. She has been with the
MCMTC having previously ap- Lowry Young Actors Company since
peared as Friedrich in the Sound of the new year and has had a passion
Music in November 2013. for musical theatre ever since she
Dan has enjoyed drama for many saw ‘Chicago’ in the West End.
years and is looking to take the sub- Lauren has really enjoyed preparing
ject at college next year, along with for ‘Follies’ and hopes you enjoy the
maths and biology. show.
Sebastian Rebecca Le
Singh Young Sally
Young Buddy Rebecca is 14
Seb is 18 years of years of age and
age and has been has been perform-
with MCMTC for 6 ing in shows for
years having re- three years, her
cently appeared in first show being in
Hello Dolly, Titanic MCMTC’s produc-
and Hot Mikado, a show which he tion of Annie. Rebecca has a strong
choreographed and co-directed. passion for dance and as been a
Seb is a member of West End Mas- member of Wanda Kinder-Berry’s
ter class, London and has per- School of Dance from the age of 6.
formed as a backing vocalist in two She is also a member of Home-
West End concerts with them. He is grown Dance Company. Following
currently applying for film, TV and ‘Annie’, Rebecca joined Mid Chesh-
theatre work in his aspirations to be ire Youth Theatre where she has
a West End performer. Seb has performed in ‘Aladdin’, ‘Alice in
thoroughly enjoyed playing young Wonderland’ and ‘Dracula
Buddy, being surrounded by such Spectacular’. Rebecca has really
talented people and wants you to sit enjoyed preparing for Follies and
back, relax and enjoy the spectacle. hopes you enjoy the show.
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This page is sponsored by Mrs Nora Dolphin
Mike Finnigan Warren Jones Tom Harrison Harriet Turner
Dimitri Weissman Roscoe Kevin Francesca
Sarah Sherwood Andy Fuller Katy Lloyd
Stella Deems Max Deems Young Stella
Paula Mattock Nigel Porter
Emily Whitman Theodore Whitman
Bill Hartley Phil Niddrie Ian Lloyd
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Barbara Turner Jackie Burgess Diane Roberts Hannah
Heidi Hattie Walker Solange La Fitte Carlotta Campion
Caitlin Sherwood Hilary Newberry Janis Finnigan Sue Whittaker
Young Heidi Christine Donovan
Jenna Finnigan Karis Finnigan Katherine Bland Katie Lambert
Fantasy Margie Fantasy Sally
Cynthia Hulme Liz Cooley Jenny Tait
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When I’m not drafted into shows by
the Mid Cheshire Musical Theatre Company,
I have to earn a living.
I do so by being an architect; much easier.
Harry Kennedy and Associates
Phone: 01606 46989
E-mail: harrykenn@[Link]
9 Birches Lane, Lostock Green, Northwich CW9 7SL
[Link]
47 Mere Lane, Sandiway CW8 2NR
01606 883146
301 Chester Road, Hartford CW8 1QL
01606 786498
Est. in 1918, for a long time we at Littlers have been supplying the area with
meat of the highest quality that is locally sourced where possible.
We supply to first-rate catering establishments and provide
the highest quality meat in our three shops in Sandiway,
Hartford and Tarporley. Please contact us to place an order f
or delivery or come and visit our shops where our
friendly staff are more than happy to help.
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Ben Stone, Phyllis Stone, Sally Plummer, Buddy Plummer
The Old Follies
Ben Stone, Phyllis Stone, Sally Plummer, Buddy Plummer
The Young Follies
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Why not become a Member of MCMTC?
Whether you want to act, sing, dance, work back stage or help with any as-
pects of a musical performance, why not become a member of the Mid
Cheshire Musical Theatre Company.
Rehearsals are held every Wednesday evening at the University of Chester
Primary Academy Weaverham, Northwich Road, Weaverham from 7.30pm
to 10pm.
New members are always very welcome to join, so why not come along and
make new friends and enjoy the experience of taking part in Musical
Theatre.
Membership is only £25 per year for adults / £15 for youth members, plus a
show levy when you perform, to cover costume hire, insurance etc.
As well as the two major productions staged each year, MCMTC also raise
money for charity. In December 2013 we staged a joint concert with our
Youth Section “West End to Broadway”. This raised funds for Marie Curie
Cancer Care and Northwich Stroke Association.
MCMTC also have an active concert party available for bookings. See de-
tails below for more information.
Pictured below is the adult cast of West End to Broadway
For more details, please visit out website [Link]
or phone 01606 853573.
Find us on Facebook or Twitter @MCMTC1
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Mid Cheshire Youth Theatre
Our very successful youth section of the Company, Mid Cheshire
Youth Theatre will be performing their next production at the Harle-
quins Theatre, Queen Street, Northwich on 17th to 20th September
2014.
They will be staging Seussical, a musical by Lynn Ahrens and
Stephen Flaherty based on the books of Dr Seuss. The story is an
amalgamation of many of Seuss’ famous books including Horton
Hears a Who, Horton Hatches the Egg and the One Feather Tail of
Gertrude McFuzz.
MCYT meet every Thursday at Wallerscote Community Primary
School in Weaverham and is open to youngsters aged 10 to 18
years. For more information or to add your child’s name to the wait-
ing list, please visit their website [Link].
MCYT is proud that five current members and three past member
are performing in this production with the senior section MCMTC.
Find us on Facebook, follow us on twitter @MCyouththeatre and
instagram @MCyouththeatre.
The Other Theatre Company
Present
Let’s Pretend
A comedy by Venessa Brook
Set in the hotel Nova Paradise, the winter home for the long-stay
British pensioners wintering in Majorca.
24th—26th April 2014
At Plumley Village Hall
7.30pm
Tickets are £8 (£6 concessions on Thursday)
Available at Plumley Village Store or 01565 733751
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Previous shows
65 years of shows
2013 The Sound of Music 1994 The King and I 1973 The Gondoliers
2013 Hot Mikado 1994 Carousel 1972 The Sound of Music
2012 Hello Dolly 1993 Showboat 1972 Kiss me Kate
2011 Titanic the Musical 1993 Paint Your Wagon 1971 Salad Days
2011 Annie 1992 The Merry Widow 1971 Kismet
2010 Trial By Jury/HMS Pinafore 1992 Iolanthe 1970 Oliver
2009 Fiddler on the Roof 1991 South Pacific 1970 White Horse Inn
2009 Calamity Jane 1991 The Gondoliers 1969 My Fair Lady
2008 Hello For Hollywood 1990 Hello Dolly 1969 The New Moon
2007 Goldilocks & The 3 Bears 1990 The Mikado 1968 Half a Sixpence
2006 Carousel 1989 The Sound of Music 1968 Showboat
2006 Curtain Call 1989 Calamity Jane 1967 Brigadoon
2006 Puss in Boots 1988 Half a Sixpence 1967 The Student Prince
2005 Pirates of Penzance 1988 Babes in the Wood 1966 Annie Get Your Gun
2005 When the Sounded the 1987 Fiddler on the Roof 1966 Bless the Bride
Last All Clear 1987 Music Hall 1965 The King & I
2005 Sleeping Beauty 1986 Viva Mexico 1965 The Mikado
2004 South Pacific 1986 Music Hall 1964 South Pacific
2004 Old Time Music Hall 1985 Annie 1964 The Gypsy Baron
2004 Stepping Out 1985 Chicago 1963 Oklahoma
2003 Half a Sixpence 1984 Showstoppers 1963 Pink Champagne
2002 Seven Brides for Seven 1984 Salad Days 1962 The Boyfriend
Brothers 1984 Aladdin 1962 The Merry Widow
2002 A Funny Thing Happened 1983 Camelot 1961 Carousel
on the way To The Forum 1983 The Boyfriend 1961 Rose Marie
2002 Aladdin 1983 Snow White & the Seven 1960 The Desert Song
2001 42nd Street Dwarfs 1959 White Horse Inn
2001 Iolanthe 1982 Carousel 1959 Merrie England
2001 Snow White & the Seven 1982 Irene 1958 The Mikado
Dwarfs 1981 Brigadoon 1958 The Gondoliers
2000 Anything Goes 1981 The King & I 1957 Love at the Inn
2000 The Mikado 1980 Charlie Girl 1957 The Quaker Girl
2000 Robinson Crusoe 1980 Free as Air 1956 The Vagabond King
1999 Annie Get your Gun 1979 The Card 1956 The Geisha
1999 Yeomen of the Guard 1979 Oklahoma 1955 The Arcadians
1999 Babes in the Wood 1978 Sweet Charity 1955 HMS Pinafore
1998 Fiddler on the Roof 1978 Lilac Time 1954 Trial By Jury
1998 HMS Pinafore 1977 The Merry Widow 1953 Yeoman of the Guard
1998 Dick Whittington 1977 Finians Rainbow 1952 The Gondoliers
1997 Sweet Charity 1976 Oh What a Lovely War 1951 Iolanthe
1997 Carmen - The Musical 1976 Call me Madam 1950 The Mikado
1996 My Fair Lady 1975 Cabaret 1949 Trial by Jury
1996 Kismet 1975 Pyjama Game
1995 Oklahoma 1974 Hello Dolly
1995 Trial by Jury/ 1974 Count of Luxembourg
Pirates of Penzance 1973 Fiddler on the Roof
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Mid Cheshire Musical Theatre Company
Future Plans
Our next major productions are
Concert of music, song, poetry and prose
To mark the centenary of the outbreak of WW1 in 1914
16th July 2014
Winnington Recreation Hall
Meet Me In St Louis
A heart-warming pre-Christmas treat featuring such songs as “Ding Ding Ding”
went the trolley and of course, Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas
12th to 15th November 2014
Anything Goes
1st to 4th April 2015
Please look out for further details on our website [Link] and
register to be added to our mailing list
Mid Cheshire Youth Theatre
Next Show
Seussical
17th to 20th September 2014
Harlequins Theatre, Northwich
For more details please visit our website [Link]
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Noda Information
The National Operatic and Dramatic Associa-
tion (NODA) founded in 1899, is the main rep-
resentative body for amateur theatre in the
UK. It has a membership of some 2500 ama-
teur/community theatre groups and 3000 indi-
vidual enthusiast throughout the UK, staging
musicals, operas, plays, concerts and panto-
mimes in a wide variety of perfo0rming venues, ranging from the country’s
leading professional theatres to village halls.
NODA is divided into eleven National Regions, each headed by a Region
Councillor who sits on the Council (the ruling body of the Association) sup-
ported by a network of Regional representatives and other volunteers.
These volunteers are the vital link to the grass roots of the Association, the
amateur theatre companies themselves. The Association is administered
from it’s headquarters in Peterborough, with a knowledgeable and friendly
staff able to deal with virtually any enquiry relating to amateur theatre.
There is a broad spectrum of ages involved with amateur theatre nationwide,
from a burgeoning number of youth groups to adult companies, which meet
the needs of all levels of both performers, whether dramatic or musical, and
enthusiastic involved backstage, front of house or in administration.
NODA aims:
To give a shared voice to the amateur theatre sector
To help amateur societies and individuals achieve the highest standards
of best practice and performance
To provide leadership and advice to enable the amateur theatre sector
to tackle the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
MCMTC are proud and delighted to report that our recent production of
The Sound of Music has been nominated for two awards from NODA (The
National Operatic and Dramatic Association).
The categories are:
Best Orchestra — nomination Michael J Scott
Best Supporting Actress — nomination Laura Hobley
The winners will be announced at the ceremony in Blackpool in May. We
wish both every good luck with the nomination and thank them and all the
talented cast of The Sound of Music, both young and old, who produced a
superb show.
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