Felixstowe Music Theatre

Felixstowe Musical Theatre started in 1966 as an evening class under the auspices of the Adult Education Centre and met for rehearsals in what is now Orwell High school. Their first production – Salad Days- at the school was so successful it was decided to put their next show – Free as Air- on at the Spa Pavilion. At about this time the fees payable for being an evening class rose to £1 .10s (£1.50) a head per term and we thought we could do better if we were independent!

After this, rehearsals have been held at various venues in the town and we have been settled for many years now in the Welcome Hall, Trimley St Mary. We also became affiliated to N.O.D.A ( National Operatic and Dramatic Association) whose advice and support has been invaluable over the years.

At first we only did one major musical per year and had a Road Show which travelled round the nearby villages, but in 1971 decided on two productions a year at the Spa . In the early 90's we started our format of a musical in summer and a pantomime in the winter.

Over the years we have supported many charities, mostly local, and the proceeds of the in-house raffle at the Spa during 'Peter Pan' supported the Ipswich Children's Hospice.

We have won many awards for performance, characterisation and technical ability, in 2007 we won the NODA award for the best pantomime in the Eastern region with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and in 2009 we won an award for Beauty and the Beast.

After our performance of 'Underneath the Arches' in 1998 we felt very honoured when Roy Hudd agreed to become our president.