SPECIAL GUESTS were given a night to remember at the Christmas production of Crompton Stage Society, who are celebrating their golden anniversary at the Playhouse 2.
Deputy Mayor of Oldham Councillor Shadab Qumer and Youth Mayor T-Jay Turner watched the production of Alan Ayckbourn’s comedy ‘Season’s Greetings’ along with a packed audience.
The theatrical society, formed in 1934, is celebrating 50 years at Playhouse 2 in Shaw after moving there from the Oddfellows Hall on Farrow Street, Shaw.
It subsequently moved to a disused Methodist chapel on Gordon Street; however, in 1966 a fire meant the society was without a home until it found The Princes Cinema, which, after much renovation, became what is now Playhouse 2.
Barbara Micklethwaite MBE, Chairman of Crompton Stage Society, said: “We are delighted to be celebrating 50 years of Crompton Stage Society at Playhouse 2.
“The society is going from strength to strength. This is a result of our incredible band of volunteers, who dedicate a great deal of their spare time into making Playhouse 2 a vibrant and successful community hub. We are very much looking forward to the next 50 years.”
Their Christmas production is the second play in the theatre’s five-play season. The remaining three are Amanda Whittington’s ‘Ladies Down Under’, ‘Dial M for Murder’ by Frederick Knott; and ‘Ladies in Lavender’ adapted for stage by Shaun McKenna.
As well as celebrating 50 years of drama at Playhouse 2, the theatre is also celebrating 20 years of hosting music gigs along with a regular flow of recent films in its capacity as a cinema.
The society’s productions still feature some of the people who acted at the original Playhouse as well as including young and upcoming performers from the theatre’s most recent endeavour – PH2Youth.
The youth theatre has proved extremely successful and hopes to encourage a new generation of volunteers and performers to Playhouse 2.
Playhouse 2 is a 153-seat theatre, run entirely by volunteers. It was the first amateur theatre with a unique open thrust stage in the North West, which provides perfect viewing from any angle.
Find out more online at: www.playhouse2.org
Good morning, I wonder if anyone might be able to help.
An elderly Aunt died recently and we have found a Red Riding Hood costume which she had worn in the production. We think it may have been when the stage society used the disused Methodist church on Gordon street back in the late 1950s. We wondered if anyone knows what the chapel was called and where it had stood. We lived on Gordon Street in the mid 1970s and the only place we could think of was the children’s park .
I believe we may have a news paper clipping to go with the costume. Any help would be appreciated thank you.
Ann Eccles