Dear Players and Friends, In less than two weeks the curtains will open on Jessica Swale’s bawdy romp of a play, Nell Gwynn, which will be a feast for the eyes and ears as we travel back in time to the court of King Charles II and to the rough and ready world of the newly opened theatres. It’s a huge undertaking, a massive, talented cast and crew with music and singing alongside the drama. […]
Dear Members, So —we have a sold out show on our hands! Once Upon A Time in Wigan by Mick Martin will be playing to a packed house from the 7th to 14th February. It’s a gritty tale told by a committed team with an amazing soundtrack. It has energy and heart and feels like a very fresh look back into the roots of the Northern Soul culture. Reflective of the time and absolutely in […]
are you good with numbers, systems and love the theatre? We are looking for a new volunteer treasurer Millgate Arts Centre is a creative community theatre that supports and develops all elements of the creative arts in Saddleworth. We have grown in the last 10 years and have plans to continue to develop in the next 5 years and beyond. To support and lead this growth as a community theatre we are looking to find […]
Two very different festive productions — Hansel & Gretel in Delph and Aladdin in Stockport — prove just how magical a first taste of live theatre can be. Ian Cheeseman reviews… My favourite thing about panto is that it’s often a child’s first introduction to live theatre — and a good one makes them want to come back for more. I’ve just experienced two fantastic shows, very different in style but equally enjoyable. Hansel & […]
Nell Gwynn was an extraordinary woman. Born in the slums of London’s Cheapside after the Civil War, in the England of Oliver Cromwell, she was the illiterate daughter of a brothel keeper. Yet Nell Gwynn, although she only lived to 37, became one of the first and foremost English actresses as well as the favourite mistress of the restored King Charles II. I have really enjoyed directing Jessica Swale’s play. She manages to give us […]
Plays set in homes for the elderly have become almost a sub-genre of their own, and “Waiting for God” challenges the typical portrayals of old age. Diana Trent, played with bracing cynicism by Gill Barham, refuses to be a mere caricature of a dear old lady. Her sharp wit and dark humor shine through as she navigates life at the Bayview Retirement Home, alongside the larger-than-life Tom Ballard. With energetic direction by Verity Mann, this production promises an evening filled with laughter, emotional depth, and a refreshing take on aging. Don’t miss this captivating performance!
a poetic tribute to Saddleworth Players by Robert Knotts (With thanks to Trevor Baxter for his article, which inspired the writing and illustration of this poem.) (illustrations created using Loveart AI) In Delph, they gathered, the ladies so bright, At St Thomas’s Church on a frosty night. They sought more joy than hymns and tea, A stage! A script! Some artistry! The Girls’ Friendly Society took its chance, Exchanged their sewing for song and dance. […]
This summer Millgate Arts Centre have made a significant investment in the building to make long term repairs to a building that started off as a cooperative warehouse and shop and has since the 1970s been entertaining the Saddleworth Community. In 2022 as we prepared for their annual panto, they recognised that the backstage of the theatre had suffered significant structural deterioration over many years. Water ingress which was hidden behind decoration had worked its […]
Waiting for God is a very funny comedy which highlights the art of growing old disgracefully. In it, Diana Trent, who is quite a rascible lady living out her retirement days in the Bay View retirement home and actually at war constantly with a conniving manager meets a new resident, Tom Ballard, who is he’s eccentric, he’s funny and very warm hearted. And there it is, a friendship that turns to romance. It’s a very […]
“A joyfully anarchic journey through Dickensian London and beyond.” When a stage play has evolved from a radio play, my experience is that they just work. Maybe it’s the approach to devising them and the characters. Maybe it’s the quality of the writers and the development process they go through. Whatever it is, they simply have a greater sense of theatre about them and invariably, it’s a winning formula.The pedigree for Bleak Expectations easily places it […]