The year that was 2025
Managing Director’s Introduction
As Managing Director of Shrewsbury Musical Theatre Company, I am delighted to reflect on what has been an extraordinary period for our company. From the end of 2024 and into 2025, SMTC has achieved historic firsts, welcomed new members and audiences, and has grown both artistically and as a community.
We have celebrated the talent and dedication of our performers, volunteers, creative teams, and supporters. From introducing young performers to the stage for the first time, to staging technically ambitious productions, this period has shown what is possible when passion, commitment, and collaboration come together.
This has not been without its challenges. Rising costs, complex productions, and the realities of ticket sales have tested us financially. Despite this, the resilience, creativity, and generosity of everyone involved have ensured that SMTC continues to thrive and deliver high-quality theatre at affordable prices to Shrewsbury and beyond.
I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved, and I look forward to sharing with you an overview of our year, our successes, and what lies ahead for 2026.
Ending 2024 on a High
We finished 2024 with a hugely successful production of Nativity. The show welcomed over 40 young children, many performing on stage for the very first time, and was delivered with no barriers to entry.
Financially, Nativity was a success, helping us recover losses from earlier in the year following Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Despite critical acclaim, ticket sales for Beautiful had not covered costs, making Nativity a vital production for both our company and community engagement.
A Historic First: Stepping Out
Our first production of 2025 marked a major milestone for SMTC: our first straight play in over 100 years.
Stepping Out represented a leap of faith. We explored a new genre and gave one of our longest-serving members, Andrew Murray, his first opportunity as director. The two-night run at the Walker Theatre sold out and just about broke even financially. More importantly, it welcomed many new members, including performers stepping on stage for the first time and learning tap dancing.
We were hugely grateful to Footlights Dance School, whose teachers supported rehearsals and tap classes. The production received a Four Star Review, with critics praising the direction, characterisation, choreography, and technical delivery.
Raising the Stakes: Spamalot
If Stepping Out was about subtlety and trust, Spamalot was about scale, ambition, and endurance.
The production was led by Jo Young, director of Ghost and School of Rock, and new choreographer Megan Austin, who has since gone on to lead Mini SMTC. The cast included many new members, including much-needed men, who were challenged with complex choreography, fast-paced comedy, intricate blocking, and an unconventional score supported expertly by Brandon Corfield.
This was the most demanding production in SMTC’s history. It involved lightning-fast costume changes, thousands of technical cues, a huge locally-built set by All in One Productions, and a vast array of costumes coordinated by our sadly outgoing Maria Leel. Special recognition must go to Heidi Brown, who stage managed for the first time and held the production together with calm and professionalism.
The result was extraordinary. Spamalot was critically acclaimed, earning a Four Star Review, loved by audiences, and raised £705 for Jack The Lad charity. It also brought new performers and volunteers into the SMTC family.
Financially, however, it was our largest loss in recent years. The cost of sets, costumes, and extended theatre time made it difficult to cover, even with strong audiences at 70 per cent capacity. It was exhausting and challenging, but artistically rewarding and a true testament to the ambition and skill of our company.
Growth Beyond the Main Stage
Alongside our main productions, 2025 saw SMTC grow in other exciting ways:
- Mini SMTC Kids Club launched successfully, led by Megan Austin, Craig Wellbeloved, Daisy Wyatt and Jess Foxall (alongside volunteer Tara) providing a professional and nurturing environment for young performers.
- Mini SMTC performed at Impact’s showcase at Shrewsbury School and at the Wellington Light Switch-On.
- Our Glee Club performed at Oktoberfest, Shrewsbury Pride, Orbit Rocks, and the Wellington Light Switch-On. While it achieved much this year, Glee Club will close in 2026 as we focus on our Showcase Singing Group.
- The Showcase Singing Group debuted to rave reviews at St Patrick’s Day at Cromwells, and followed with a Country Night at The Wheatsheaf (raising much needed funds for the company), and a Christmas charity performance supporting the Shropshire Cerebral Palsy Society, helping to raise over £500.
Behind the scenes, our volunteer base grew significantly, supporting lighting, sound, wardrobe, set construction, front of house, and production logistics.
We also made important improvements to our administration with the introduction of Class Manager and have been working with the Design Studio at Aston University to improve our website. There will be more on this in 2026.
Critical Acclaim Summary
Both Stepping Out and Spamalot received Four Star Reviews.
- Stepping Out was praised for ambitious choreography, strong characterisation, and immersive performances, with special recognition for Andrew Murray, Geoffrey (Jonathan Head), Mrs Fraser (Karen Muxworthy), and Rosie Dixon’s choreography.
- Spamalot captured Monty Python’s anarchic humour with energy, wit, and skill, with key performances from King Arthur (Mark Salmon) and the Lady of the Lake (Jilli Gray). The intricate set, flawless technical execution, and polished choreography impressed critics and audiences alike.
These reviews reflect the skill, dedication, and creativity of our performers, volunteers, and creative teams.
What 2025 Taught Us
2025 has been a year of bold choices, growth, and finding the right balance. While artistic ambition does not always guarantee financial success, it shows exactly what SMTC is capable of. Community, accessibility, and inclusion continue to be at the heart of everything we do, and our volunteers, creatives, and performers are the lifeblood of the company.
We took risks. Some paid off, some pushed us to our limits, but every challenge helped us grow stronger. Theatre is meant to be fun, and being part of SMTC is not just about performing. It is about being part of a welcoming, social community that knows how to enjoy every moment and celebrate together.
Looking Ahead to 2026
2026 promises to be our most ambitious year yet. SMTC will stage three major productions:
- Calendar Girls The Musical
- Come From Away, a Shrewsbury premiere
- We Will Rock You, staged alongside Come From Away in October
We would love to welcome new members and volunteers to help us stage what is going to be an even more challenging year!!
Alongside these shows, our Showcase Singing Group (brand and auditions coming soon) and Mini SMTC will continue to grow and perform within the community as much as possible. With strengthened leadership, improved administration, and the support of our community, we step into 2026 confident, bold, and ready for new challenges.
Who knows, we may even add a junior production, run some workshops, and perhaps introduce adult musical theatre classes. Watch this space.
We are also looking to strengthen ties within the community and with local businesses. Sponsorship and grant funding is a key aim, helping to bring in much-needed funds and commercial support to make our productions and classes more viable and sustainable.
Conclusion
2025 has been a landmark period for SMTC, full of firsts, laughter, music, and meaningful community connections. From Nativity and Stepping Out, to Spamalot, Mini SMTC, and the Showcase Singing Group, our company has demonstrated resilience, creativity, and heart.
As we prepare for 2026, we do so with energy, ambition, and a commitment to bring the very best inclusive, community musical theatre to Shrewsbury.
Scott Sutherland
Managing Director, Shrewsbury Musical Theatre Company