Celebrating over 100 years of musical theatre

FROM DESERT TO CASTLE: In 2005 the society changed its name to Musical Theatre Gisborne and held its last grand musical production, Beauty and the Beast (above), before MTG’s 125th anniversary celebrations next month. Pictures Gisborne Photo News and Stephen Jones Photography.

THE Gisborne Operatic Society’s 1892 production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera Iolanthe paved the way for Gisborne’s musical theatre tradition. Next month Musical Theatre Gisborne celebrates 125 years of that tradition as well as its 10th birthday.

The Gisborne Operatic Society celebrated its 100th birthday in 1992 then in 2005 changed its name to Musical Theatre Gisborne (MTG).

In the following year, The Sound of Music marked the last show MTG staged before the company amalgamated with Gisborne Theatre Arts which had formed in 1977 as Musical Theatre Restaurant.

Musical Theatre Restaurant staged its first production, Sandy Wilson’s comic pastiche of 1920s shows, The Boy Friend, at the museum concourse.

Before the amalgamation in 2008, Gisborne Theatre Arts’ last show was Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera, H.M.S. Pinafore.

The reborn MTG’s first production was the musical Chicago. The company has produced 11 shows since then.

Musical Theatre Gisborne’s anniversary celebrations will be held at the MTG club rooms in Innes Street from October 6-8. The weekend includes a mystery tour of Gisborne, a celebration dinner and a selection of your favourite songs from shows staged by MTG.