The society was originally founded in 1922 as the Newbury & District Amateur Operatic Society. LIke most operatic societies of the time the original repertoire consisted mainly of the classic Gilbert & Sullivan operettas.

After WWII the range of shows broadened to include other operettas, musicals and even an occasional opera. Then, as now, popular Broadway and West End shows only become available for amateur performance when the market for professional productions has been satisfied, but the society was quick to stage big hits as and when they were released, including shows like South Pacific (1961), Oklahoma! (1964) and My Fair Lady (1969). Alongside these the society also staged various concerts and for many years also produced the Newbury pantomime at the Corn Exchange.

As the range of possible material increased, other local groups sprang up alongside "the operatic" to cater for different markets. NOMADS was formed in the 1970s to perform more modern material for a younger audience, and Kennet Opera stages both amateur and semi-professional productions. Time has mellowed the differences between the different groups, who now happily co-exist sharing members, directors, crew, venues, repertoire and even Christmas parties!.

Since 2000, audience numbers for and membership interest in operetta has declined, and in 2012 the society decided to change it's name from Newbury Operatic to Newbury Musical Theatre to more accurately reflect what we now do.

The society has an active committee, made up of a cross section of the membership.  This includes members who have been with the society almost since the beginning (sorry Chris, only joking!), and relatively new members. Committee members, including the Chairman, are all elected by the membership and vice presidents at our Annual General Meeting, which takes place in June/July each year. Committee members serve terms of up to 3 years, but there are usually vacancies each year. So if you interested in helping to run the society, there are always opportunities!

The main show each year (performed at the Newbury Corn Exchange around Easter) is selected by the membership at the AGM. A short list is drawn up by the committee, based on availability, member suggestions, and commercial/technical factors, and after a short presentation of the key points and highlights from each show, the membership votes. Because of difficulties in obtaining rights for shows, we decide on shows over 18 months before a show is performed, which gives members plenty of time to prepare their audition pieces!

The committee selects the director, producers, choreographer, musical director, stage manager based on interest, availability and track record. These roles are appointed on a show by show basis.

Our autumn production is smaller, and allows us greater artistic and commercial freedom to experiment and take risks. This gives us an opportunity to select shows that are outside of our normal repertoire, or might not be commercially viable at the Corn Exchange. It also allows less experienced members to direct, produce and take lead roles. The autumn show is chosen by the committee, but as always, suggestions from the membership at large are always welcome. 

Please see the shows we have performed in the past from our humble beginnings way back in 1923 (some of those members are still with us).

Pictures from some of the shows are available by clicking on the links below, but watch out for pop-up blockers!

1923    The Gondoliers

1924    The Mikado

1925    Iolanthe

1926    Pirates of Penzance

1926    Trial By Jury

1927    Yeomen Of The Guard

1928    Ruddigore

1929    Patience

1930    The Gondoliers

1931    HMS Pinafore, Trial By Jury

1932    Dorothy

1933    Les Cloches de Cornville

1934    The Mikado

1935    Merrie England

1936    The Vagabond King

1937    Tom Jones

1938    The Pirates of Penzance

1939    Ruddigore

1947    The Gondoliers

1948    Merrie England

1949    Miss Hook of Holland

1950    The Yeomen of The Guard

1952    The Gondoliers

1953    Desert Song

1954    Rose Marie

1955    Tom Jones

1956    The Vagabond King

1957    HMS Pinafore, Trial By Jury

1958    Chu Chin Chow, Merrie England

1959    The Quaker Girl, Faust

1960    The Gypsy Baron, Carmen

1961    South Pacific, The Gondoliers

1962    Carousel, The Mikado

1963    Desert Song, Die Fledermaus

1964    The Merry Widow, Oklahoma!

1965    White Horse Inn, La Belle Helene

1966    Annie Get Your Gun, Gilbert and Sullivan

1967    Showboat, An Evening With Franz Lehar

1968    The Merry Widow

1969    Cinderella, My Fair Lady

1970    Aladdin, The New Moon

1971    Dick Whittington, Calamity Jane

1972    The Wizard of Oz, The Land Of Smiles

1973    The Sleeping Beauty, The Gondoliers

1974    The Sound of Music, Brigadoon

1975    Robinson Crusoe

1976    The King and I, The Mikado

1977    Viva Mexico, Orpheous in The Underworld

1978    Oliver, Kiss Me Kate

1979    Cinderella, Die Fledermaus

1980    The Wizard of Oz, Oklahoma!

1981    Camelot, Trial By Jury, HMS Pinafore

1982    Finians Rainbow, Hello Dolly

1983    The Sound of Music, Desert Song

1984    Half a Sixpence, My Fair Lady

1985,   The King and I, The Merry Widow

1986    South Pacific, Annie

1987    Aladdin, The Yeomen of The Guard

1988    Hans Andersen, Guys and Dolls

1989    Some Enchanted Evening, Fiddler on The Roof

1990    Sullivan Supper and Song, The Pirates of Penzance

1991    Olde Tyme Music Hall, Annie Get Your Gun

1992    Grand Night For Singing, The Dancing Years

1993    Thanks For The Memory, Iolanthe

1994    Oliver!, Carousel

1995    The Sound of Music, Kiss Me Kate

1996    Annie, Ruddigore

1997    The Wizard of Oz, Anything Goes!, Die Fledermaus

1998    Me and My Girl, The Gondoliers

1999    Gilbert and Sullivan Concert, Camelot

2000    The Mikado

2001    My Fair Lady

2002    Oklahoma!

2003    South Pacific

2004    HMS Pinafore and The Zoo, Into The Woods

2005    Hello Dolly

2006    Calamity Jane, Old Tyme Music Hall

2007    Thoroughly Modern Millie, Pirates of Penzance

2008    The Pajama Game, Jack the Ripper

2009    Kiss Me Kate, A Night At The Oscars

2010    Fiddler On The Roof, The Mikado

2011    Disney's Beauty & the Beast, West End To Broadway

2012    Anything Goes, The Revenge Of Sherlock Holmes

2013    The Sound of Music, Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street