A century of musical theatre

One hundred years of music, song and dance are being celebrated by Leamington and Warwick Musical Society with a special event on September 11.

Life members of the company together with long-service members, committee and production teams from across the years will be attending the unveiling of a centenary painting and commemorative plaque at the Royal Spa Centre, Leamington.

The ceremony will be carried out by the Society President, Councillor Martyn Ashford, from Warwick District Council. Among those attending will be the artist John Ellam, well known for his acclaimed set designs for local theatres, and Mark Thorburn, a long-standing theatre performer and director who has compiled and written the company’s souvenir brochure, What We Did for Love.

Councillor Ashford has spoken of the society’s historic milestone. ‘From small beginnings in 1921 to the highly professional company we see today, the society has given joy to thousands by bringing

first-class performances of much-loved musical theatre shows to local audiences.’

Throughout the 100 years the society staged 96 productions. This year’s scheduled show, Shrek the Musical, had to be cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic but the society is aiming to be back in

business next April with Evita, its 50 th anniversary production at the Royal Spa Centre.