Our story

In 1932, some members of Normanton Road Congregational Church in Derby decided to stage an opera called ‘Cupid and The Ogre’.

The first performance took place on 11th January 1933, and such was its success that an Operatic Section of the Church was officially formed to present an opera annually and in so doing raise funds for the Church. These shows took place until the outbreak of World War II.

1953 saw the resumption of the Society and in 1954 ‘Highwayman Love’ was staged. Shows became so successful that it was realised larger premises must be sought, and in 1973 the venue for shows became The Guildhall Theatre in Derby.

In 1980, following the amalgamation of three churches, it was decided to change the name of the Society to The Central Operatic Society.

Shows continued to be a success and a further move of venue for the main annual production was made in 1997 to Landau Forte College. Following the very successful, award winning production of ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ in 2013, restrictions imposed by Landau Forte necessitated another change of venue, this being to The Robert Ludlam Theatre.

In 2015, seeking a regeneration of sorts, it was decided our name was to be changed to Central Musical Theatre Company, to reflect the direction the company found itself going. 2018 saw a move of performance venue to The Duchess Theatre in Long Eaton, broadening CMTC’s audience into a new town. Our first performance of ‘Betty Blue Eyes’ at the theatre was a huge success and we are looking forward to the future and the challenges of producing more top quality musicals for our audiences!

The People

Acting members

Picture of Jonty Banks Jonty Banks
Picture of Laura Bigland Laura Bigland
Picture of Henrietta Breen Henrietta Breen
Picture of Bwalya Case Bwalya Case
Picture of Ella Crowther Ella Crowther
Picture of Kathryn Fitchett Kathryn Fitchett
Picture of Scott Freeman Scott Freeman
Picture of Mathew Griffiths Mathew Griffiths
Picture of Tim Hand Tim Hand
Picture of Laura Hutsby Laura Hutsby
Picture of Lorna Kirkland Lorna Kirkland
Picture of Hope Lo Monaco Hope Lo Monaco
Picture of Alan Lowe Alan Lowe
Picture of Chantel McLaren Chantel McLaren
Picture of Stefan Osvath Stefan Osvath
Picture of Georgie Pegg Georgie Pegg
Picture of Jonathan Penton Jonathan Penton
Picture of Rex Portillano Rex Portillano
Picture of Dominic Primrose Dominic Primrose
Picture of Adrian Redfern Adrian Redfern
Picture of Rachel Redfern Rachel Redfern
Picture of Angelina Roberts Angelina Roberts
Picture of Chrissie Smyth Chrissie Smyth
Picture of Lynn Towle Lynn Towle
Picture of Helen Tunnicliff Helen Tunnicliff
Picture of John Wedgwood John Wedgwood
Picture of Liz Willgoose Liz Willgoose
Picture of Bridget Wyatt Bridget Wyatt

Behind the scenes

Picture of Nigel Taylor Nigel Taylor
Picture of Laura Jones Laura Jones
Picture of Chris Margett Chris Margett
Picture of Marion Fisher Marion Fisher
Picture of Morris Fisher Morris Fisher
Picture of Elaine Lawrenson Elaine Lawrenson
Picture of Lauren Litherland Lauren Litherland
Picture of David Blackwell David Blackwell
Picture of Maxwell Thorpe Maxwell Thorpe

Non-acting Members

Picture of Chris Banks Chris Banks
Picture of Maria Banks Maria Banks
Picture of John Bolton John Bolton
Picture of Tim Booth Tim Booth
Picture of Bill Day Bill Day
Picture of Sandra Chambers Sandra Chambers
Picture of Carrie-Anne Corner Carrie-Anne Corner
Picture of Sandra Gregory Sandra Gregory
Picture of Julie Harper Julie Harper
Picture of Gary Heap Gary Heap
Picture of Mike Hemming Mike Hemming
Picture of Ann Hunt Ann Hunt
Picture of Tony Luke Tony Luke
Picture of Barrie May Barrie May
Picture of Jean May Jean May
Picture of Ellie Nicholas Ellie Nicholas
Picture of Mike Oldbury Mike Oldbury
Picture of Helen Oldham Helen Oldham
Picture of Gabs Oleshko Gabs Oleshko
Picture of Dean Osborn Dean Osborn
Picture of Carole Presbury Carole Presbury
Picture of Freya Primrose Freya Primrose
Picture of Sarah Rosental Sarah Rosental
Picture of Mike Sherrington Mike Sherrington
Picture of Sarah Sherrington Sarah Sherrington
Picture of Heather Slonimski Heather Slonimski
Picture of Greg Tabberrer Greg Tabberrer
Picture of Sarah Towle Sarah Towle
Picture of Wendy Wells Wendy Wells
Picture of Rachael Wyatt Rachael Wyatt

We can’t do it without you! Ways to support us

The society raise funds throughout the year to enable charitable giving and provide the company with financial security, but we need your help!