Five Towns Theatre was founded in 2002 with just 14 members and a small management team. Presenting a small scale review at the Mitchell Arts Centre in Hanley allowed the group to raise enough money to produce their first musical - Godspell. Since then the company has grown and continued to produce two full scale musical productions per year.
As well as the theatrical production company, Five Towns has a dedicated team of technicians as well as it's own stock of lighting and sound equipment. This equipment and knowledge is regularly used to support other productions, bands and events across the country.
In 2015 Five Towns Superstars was formed. This is a drama group specifically focussed on children with Autism and Autism-related disorders. This group meets once a week and develops the children's social skills and confidence through drama and play.
More recently the Five Towns Academy was launched providing performance training, to children of all ages, through weekly classes. The Academy also runs a summer school which culminates in a live performance of a musical.
Five Towns Theatre became a registered charity in 2009, registered in England and Wales.
Honarary Members
President
Barry Simpson
Vice Presidents
Sylvia Dymond
Dave Cregeen
Terry Crowe
Management Committee
Chairperson Keith Ragdale
Vice Chairperson Carol Ernest
Secretary Jeanette Hollins
Treasurer Eileen Ragdale
Funding Officer Simon Harvey-Oates
Events Co-ordinator Abby Evans
Special Projects Co-ordinator Penny Robinson
Production Representative Ed Costello
Production Team
Producer Ed Costello
Director Keith Ragdale
Musical Director Keith Ragdale
Choreographer Ed Costello
Stage Director Stuart Ragdale
Stage Manager Dale Harrison