History

The Story so far

St Chad’s A.O.S. was founded in 1928 and for nearly 40 years, performed at least one and sometimes two, Gilbert & Sullivan operettas every year. Although, there was a brief interlude during WWII.

In 1964, with the arrival of John Wells as Musical Director, the performances of G & S operettas ceased. From then onwards Northfield Amateur Operatic Society (as it was now called) performed musicals. Rehearsals where held at Turves Green Boys School in Northfield, as were the shows! Scenery was made by the society, or more specifically, members’ friends and family.

The MD brought a fresh, more professional approach to the society. He also became chairman of the management committee and with like-minded members, NAOS developed and grew over the following years.

In 1970 NOS,(having decided to drop the Amateur), the society decided to perform their shows at a local theatre, so beginning a long and successful relationship between the society and the Crescent Theatre.

With a strong nucleus of talent, NOS performed numerous shows,during the 70’s, retaining many members but with a different producer almost every year. At the beginning of the 80’s, with the arrival of Dennis Price, NOS found a producer who would lead the society for a number of years. New faces continued to swell the ranks during those years and gradually the membership grew as the experienced worked alongside the younger members.

During the 1990’s, NOS chose a new MD in the shape of Roy Lancaster, and the society continued to perform annually at the Crescent. During this time; several of the older members decided the time was right to “step-down” from the stage. A new producer was brought in and as the millennium came and went; NOS membership changed and new talent arrived.

The society 's new management committee gradually found their feet and continued to move NOS forward. One decision was to (again) change the name, becoming Northfield Musical Theatre Company. With the latest producer, Peter Walker, being a full member of the committee, the company has developed a much more integrated approach to the the business of our productions.

Now approaching their eightieth anniversary, NMTC once more is growing, new members joining the established members. The necessity for a business-like approach being recognised in these more difficult days, a team specifically addressing marketing has been created and the NMTC website has gone “live”.

The future’s bright…….the future’s NMTC.