A scene from Hairspray – photo supplied

To celebrate over 20 successful years on stage, Threshold Theatre Company is proud to present ‘Musical Memories’; a trip down memory lane to commemorate its history in a show-stopping, toe-tapping evening of hits which will be held on Thursday 7th and Friday 8th June at The Assembly House, Norwich.

Threshold Theatre Company will be celebrating its rich history on the Norwich theatre scene by performing favourites from its past 23 shows, including hits from ‘West Side Story’, ‘Avenue Q’, ‘Hairspray’ and ‘Spamalot’ which is this year’s winner of NODA’s Shield for Best Production & Best Musical in the East Anglian District. Twenty of the region’s top vocalists will be joined on stage by a live band.  Directed by bandleader and vocalist Joe Ringer with Director and ex-professional West End performer Holly Graham presiding over the whole show.

The concert will feature surprise performances from ex-Threshold performers, including a not-to-be missed finale! For more information and to book tickets, visit thresholdtheatrecompany.co.uk

Threshold Theatre Company, which was set up in 1995, has always enjoyed huge success, going on to become one of East Anglia’s multi-award winning, critically acclaimed Theatre Companies.

The Company’s first stage production, ‘West Side Story’ in 1995, and in 1997, gained a National Lottery award from the Arts Council. This funding was used to provide workshops and further training for Company members.

From its inception until 2001, Threshold performed at the Walter Roy Theatre at the Hewett School, Norwich.  In May 2003 Threshold moved to their current home, the prestigious Norwich Playhouse with a production of ‘Sweet Charity’.

In 2007, Threshold was awarded the NODA shield for best overall production in the district for ‘The Hired Man‘, a moving and powerful musical based on the book by Melvyn Bragg, with music by Howard Goodall. It has since gone on to perform to critical acclaim ‘Jekyll & Hyde‘, ‘The Full Monty‘, ‘Footloose‘, ‘Hot Mikado‘ for which Threshold again won the NODA best overall production shield for 2011,’Little Shop of Horrors‘, ‘City of Angels’, ‘Hairspray’ and ‘Avenue Q’.

Since 2004, Threshold has staged many key regional premieres including ‘Spend, Spend, Spend’, ‘Hairspray’, ‘9 to 5’, ‘Spamalot’ and the riotously naughty but funny ‘Avenue Q’. More recently, Threshold Theatre Company have received the rights to present ‘Elf The Musical’ this Christmas as the Playhouse in Norwich which is yet another coveted premiere for the Norwich based Theatre Company.  It is guaranteed to be another sell out so to avoid disappointment head over to norwichplayhouse.co.uk now to secure your tickets.

Many Company members have gone on to perform professionally globally on the West End, in World Tours and Television.  Elizabeth Futter, one of the Company’s success stories, who appeared in ‘Footloose’ & ‘Hot Mikado’ with Threshold Theatre Company, is currently in the international tour of ‘Cats’.  Elizabeth has also appeared in ‘Wicked’ in the West End and says:
“I absolutely loved my time at Threshold Theatre Company.  They gave me so much confidence and helped me find the drive to pursue this as a career.  The level of professionalism you get from rehearsals and the direction are absolutely fantastic and give you the best starting point.  After being a part of the company I then went on to train in musical theatre at the Guildford School of Acting and since then have worked in musicals such as ‘Wicked’ and currently the ‘Cats’ international tour”.

Gabriel Mokake who appeared in ‘Footloose’ with Threshold Theatre Company has also gone on to enjoy a successful future performing in the groundbreaking and revolutionary musical ‘Hamilton’, ‘Dreamgirls’ and ‘The Colour Purple’ – all in the West End – speaks of his time with Threshold:  “Threshold is an amazing company to work with. I gained valuable experience working with a professional company and made lifelong friends. I even experienced my first stage kiss…and with an older woman!”

Andrew Hilton, another previous member of the Company is currently the Musical Director for Young Frankenstein in the West End.  Past shows include Sister Act, Producers & Hairspray the UK Tour.

Ian Chisholm, who appeared in the Company’s very first production and is now Chairman for the thriving Theatre Company, says  “I was excited to be part of this newly formed company back in 1995 and was cast in their very first production of ‘West Side Story’.  Under the guidance of Audrey Fiddes, I helped guide Threshold through its formative years as part of the Management Committee and have remained on the team ever since, becoming Chairman 3 years ago.  In its life, Threshold has seen many changes, different faces, lifelong friendships, plenty of laughter and tears, comedies and tragedies. Several members have successfully moved on to professional theatre careers.  What hasn’t changed is the strong bond of family which touches every member passing through Threshold – this celebration of our past brings back so many happy memories for me and I’m sure there will be many more to come”.

To discover more about our amazing Threshold Theatre Company, any of our upcoming productions and auditions or how you can get involved, please visit thresholdtheatrecompany.co.uk

 

Listing:

Musical Memories by Threshold Theatre Company

7.30 pm Thursday 7th and Friday 8th June at The Assembly House, Norwich – tickets from thresholdtheatrecompany.co.uk