THE Warrington Centenary Theatre Company marked a monumental milestone at the weekend, officially reaching its 125th year.
Established in 1901, the historic theatre group was originally founded as the Crosfields Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society for the employees of Joseph Crosfield & Sons. The Crosfield family were prominent Quaker industrialists in Warrington who founded the major soap and chemical manufacturing firm based at Bank Quay.
The Crosfields were deeply committed to employee welfare, and the family created recreational programs to support their factory workers. Swimming, football, and cricket groups were established to encourage physical health, while choir groups and drama societies were formed to support workers’ mental wellbeing and improve social connection.
The society rebranded in 1984 to the Centenary Operatic and Drama Society, and again in 2001 to Centenary Theatre Company.
To celebrate more than a century of community theatre, past and present members gathered for a special anniversary evening at the Alford Hall Sports Club.
The evening featured nostalgic performances from members singing hit songs from previous decades of shows, alongside a showcase of archival photographs and programs from previous shows reflecting on the group’s rich history and contributions to the local arts scene.
The company remains one of the oldest active theatre organisations in the North West.
Reflecting on this achievement, Dan Grimes, Chairman of Centenary Theatre Company, commented: “Reaching 125 years is a milestone very few organisations get to see. Celebrating the legacy with our current and some former members is truly a special moment. I am incredibly proud of every production we’ve staged.
“This anniversary is a testament to the dedication of all our members, past and present.
“We’ve seen incredible local talent perform with us over the years, and made lifelong friendships along the way.
“While I am immensely proud of our past, I am even more excited to continue this tradition and help nurture the talent of the next generation of local performers.
“I want to say a massive thank you to all our members, and audiences who have supported us over the years.”
Since its inception, the company has staged hundreds of productions, ranging from dramatic plays to full-scale musical theatre. Recent highlights include The Phantom of the Opera, The Addams Family, The Little Mermaid, and Disney’s Frozen – the latter receiving a five-star review from North West theatre critics.
Rehearsals are already well underway for the company’s next major productions later this year, including the hilarious murder mystery comedy Cluedo and the beloved family musical Annie.
The company’s upcoming production schedule can be found on their site at www.centenarytheatre.co.uk
