About Us
Salford Musical Theatre Company – A Potted History
The company was formed in may 1952 under the name of Salford Amateur Operatic Society (SAOS) by Salford Corporation as part of their community cultural initiatives. Rehearsals were held at Salford Education Offices and at the Old Nelson Inn, Bexley Square. The first shows were Gilbert & Sullivan productions performed at small venues – Broughton Modern School, King Street Public Hall, Clarendon Road School and the Old Windsor Theatre.
In 1966 productions moved to the Victoria Theatre, Salford. The first production at the Victoria was “Ruddigore”, and the first non-GS production was “Maid of the Mountains”. The final production at the Victoria was “Quaker Girl” in 1971. At this time the sons of the deceased owner had no interest in continuing operating the Theatre and turned it over to Bingo!!
So in 1972, SAOS moved to a new base, the recently opened Lancastrian Hall, Swinton. The first production being “Gypsy Baron” and “Rose Marie”. Productions at the Lancastrian continued until 2001 when SAOS were yet again forced to find a new home when the City of Salford decided to close the venue for redevelopment.
Note that to date the site has still not been redeveloped.
In 2002 SAOS became Salford Musical Theatre Company and a major decision was made to move to the Lowry, Salford Quays. This move coincided with our 50th Anniversary.
Our first production in the Quays Theatre at the Lowry was “My Fair Lady” in May 2002, Subsequent productions being “Guys and Dolls” June 2003, “Fiddler On The Roof” May 2004, “Me and My Girl” May 2005 (our first production “In the round”) “Oklahoma!” May 2006. In May 2007 our production was “Jekyll & Hyde” ?which gained a “BEST ACTOR” award for Jon Crebbin from Manchester Musical Awards (MMA) and Greater Manchester Drama Federation (GMDF). Director Howard Raw also received the “BEST DIRECTOR” award from the GMDF. Following our most lavish production of “The Scarlet Pimpernel” in May 2008, the society had to rethink how they could best serve their audince and the decision was made to stage more productions at our rehearsal venue, Patricroft United Reformed Church.
In 2009 we staged an innovative adaptation of Alan Rice's "Andy Capp" in the round, and it brought the house down! Great fun was had by all the cast, crew and audiences as a simple church hall was transformed into the bawdy world of the popular cartoon strip characters.
2010 saw our return to the Quays theatre at the Lowry with the Rogers and Hammerstein classic "Carousel" which we gave our usual twist and also staged in the round, winning Best Show and Best All Round Performance from the Manchester Musical Awards for James Cockerill as Billy Bigalow.
Our first performance outside of Salford was in 2011 as we staged "Oliver" at Radcliffe Civic Theatre, taking our talented members on tour and Kirsty Hatton winning Best Female for her portrayal of Nancy from the Greater Manchester Drama Federation (GMDF).
SMTC staged their first pantomime in 56 years "Panto at the OK Corral" in Jan 2009 and have given audiences of all ages lots of laughs with "Aladdin 2010/11 and Cinderella in 2011, plus many more.
In 2012 We won the NODA District 1 Best Pantomime for our production of "Puss in Boots" written & Directed by the company's Chairman - Mike Clarke
For our 2016 production of Rock of Ages, we were delighted to be chosen to premier this musical rocktacular in the North West.
For our 2018 production of Singin in the Rain, yes it rained real water on the Lowry stage - Spashing!
The company was formed in may 1952 under the name of Salford Amateur Operatic Society (SAOS) by Salford Corporation as part of their community cultural initiatives. Rehearsals were held at Salford Education Offices and at the Old Nelson Inn, Bexley Square. The first shows were Gilbert & Sullivan productions performed at small venues – Broughton Modern School, King Street Public Hall, Clarendon Road School and the Old Windsor Theatre.
In 1966 productions moved to the Victoria Theatre, Salford. The first production at the Victoria was “Ruddigore”, and the first non-GS production was “Maid of the Mountains”. The final production at the Victoria was “Quaker Girl” in 1971. At this time the sons of the deceased owner had no interest in continuing operating the Theatre and turned it over to Bingo!!
So in 1972, SAOS moved to a new base, the recently opened Lancastrian Hall, Swinton. The first production being “Gypsy Baron” and “Rose Marie”. Productions at the Lancastrian continued until 2001 when SAOS were yet again forced to find a new home when the City of Salford decided to close the venue for redevelopment.
Note that to date the site has still not been redeveloped.
In 2002 SAOS became Salford Musical Theatre Company and a major decision was made to move to the Lowry, Salford Quays. This move coincided with our 50th Anniversary.
Our first production in the Quays Theatre at the Lowry was “My Fair Lady” in May 2002, Subsequent productions being “Guys and Dolls” June 2003, “Fiddler On The Roof” May 2004, “Me and My Girl” May 2005 (our first production “In the round”) “Oklahoma!” May 2006. In May 2007 our production was “Jekyll & Hyde” ?which gained a “BEST ACTOR” award for Jon Crebbin from Manchester Musical Awards (MMA) and Greater Manchester Drama Federation (GMDF). Director Howard Raw also received the “BEST DIRECTOR” award from the GMDF. Following our most lavish production of “The Scarlet Pimpernel” in May 2008, the society had to rethink how they could best serve their audince and the decision was made to stage more productions at our rehearsal venue, Patricroft United Reformed Church.
In 2009 we staged an innovative adaptation of Alan Rice's "Andy Capp" in the round, and it brought the house down! Great fun was had by all the cast, crew and audiences as a simple church hall was transformed into the bawdy world of the popular cartoon strip characters.
2010 saw our return to the Quays theatre at the Lowry with the Rogers and Hammerstein classic "Carousel" which we gave our usual twist and also staged in the round, winning Best Show and Best All Round Performance from the Manchester Musical Awards for James Cockerill as Billy Bigalow.
Our first performance outside of Salford was in 2011 as we staged "Oliver" at Radcliffe Civic Theatre, taking our talented members on tour and Kirsty Hatton winning Best Female for her portrayal of Nancy from the Greater Manchester Drama Federation (GMDF).
SMTC staged their first pantomime in 56 years "Panto at the OK Corral" in Jan 2009 and have given audiences of all ages lots of laughs with "Aladdin 2010/11 and Cinderella in 2011, plus many more.
In 2012 We won the NODA District 1 Best Pantomime for our production of "Puss in Boots" written & Directed by the company's Chairman - Mike Clarke
For our 2016 production of Rock of Ages, we were delighted to be chosen to premier this musical rocktacular in the North West.
For our 2018 production of Singin in the Rain, yes it rained real water on the Lowry stage - Spashing!
