Clacton Amateur Operatic Society first graced the stage in 1930 performing Gilbert and Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance. Gilbert and Sullivan musicals continued to be performed by the Society up until World War II.
Following the war the Society began performing some of the musicals groups still enjoying staging today. The 1950’s saw the introduction of some Rodgers and Hammerstein favourites such as Oklahoma and Carousel.
Over the years the society has seen several variations to it’s name which have included the terms “operatic” and “musical comedy”. Following a recent rebranding exercise involving the members of the society it was decided that a name change was needed. We felt that ‘Clacton Amateur Operatic Society’ no longer reflected our style of performance and instead our name should include the word “musical”, so on 1 September 2009 ‘Clacton Musical Theatre Society’ was born. September 2009 also saw a change in the Management Committee. Following 17 years as Chairman, Edna Mountstephen handed over the reins to Vice Chairman, Sam McCarthy.
Even after 84 years of staging musicals, we are still continuing to make history. Our 2010 production of High Society was a first for the society and won ‘Best Musical of 2010’ and ‘Best Production for 2010’ Awards for NODA District 11. We broke records with our 2011 Production of ‘Singin’ in the Rain’. We then took the risk of putting on ‘The Full Monty’ in 2012, which really paid off and has paved the way for more modern Musicals to be considered.
As the Society continues to evolve we are always welcoming of new members for roles both on and off stage, there is always a part at CMTS.
