Last Minute Theatre’s Silver Anniversary
2025 sees Last Minute Theatre’s Silver Anniversary. We originally trod the boards as a newly formed company in September 2000!
Forgive me if this tale has been told before, but in early 2000, the then Chair of the GSH Trustees (Robert Edge) asked Richard Green (then Sub-postmaster of Kibworth Post Office) if he could conjure up some form of entertainment to raise money to provide curtains for the stage (though it was merely a platform then!).
As we both ran the Post Office, we knew so many people who, to quote Richard, “could do a bit!”. It was relatively easy to ask, and then form, a group of eager performers and live musicians.
We decided to put on an Olde Tyme Music Hall. It was a great success and we managed to raise over £1,000 (not bad 25 years ago!). Though we had to do car boot sales, coffee mornings, raffles and so on to raise money to make costumes, scenery, props, etc and made appeals for any spare fabric, pearl buttons (for Pearly Kings and Queens costumes), props and anything else we needed!
We were determined that every penny we raised was to be donated to the Grammar School Hall.
We charged £5 a ticket – though a full ‘Ploughman’s Supper’, followed by homemade Apple Pie and fresh cream, was included in the price!!
Last Minute Theatre has also, over the years, raised many thousands of pounds for local charities. This inculded Radio Leicester’s Ruby RAINBOW Appeal, GEMS, LOROS, HeartLink, Rainbows and Leics & Rutland Air Ambulance.
Our 25th Anniversary Grand Variety Show
To celebrate our 25 years, we are taking the ‘best bits’ of past shows and having a Grand Variety Show. All members, including our youngsters and children will be performing.
We would love to include ANYONE who has ever performed with, or been part of, LMT since 2000. We would also like to pay tribute to those we have loved and lost.
If anyone reading this knows of a past member who we may not have been able to track down, please, please contact them or forward this article and ask them to get in touch.
We know that some people have moved away or are otherwise committed but we can be flexible enough to accommodate people by way of them performing in just one or two performances if they can’t manage the full three. The dates are: Friday 26 September (evening) and Saturday, 27 September (matinee and evening).
The good news for our audiences is that we are maintaining our 2000 Millennium ticket price at £5. Though we can’t quite stretch to the supper, there will be an additional treat for everyone on the night!
Please let us know if you would like to be involved by contacting Adam at: adam.statham88@googlemail.com
Save the dates and/or ‘tread the boards’ with us for one Superb Silver Celebration!
Mary J Orton
(on behalf of Last Minute Theatre Company)
County Councillor for Gartree
