Focus on Milnrow: The MAD Theatre Company

Photo from Cash On Delivery by MAD Theatre Company

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In September 1971 Margret Hopkinson and her friend Jean McIntosh decided to set up a dramatics society.

A meeting was called and a committee was formed and in April 1972 Milnrow Amateur Dramatic Society (MADs) presented their first production ‘The Bride and the Bachelor,’ … from there, as they say, the rest was history.

From that great start until late 1980 MADs presented several plays and pantomimes at Hollingworth High School and Milnrow Parish.

In 1981 MADs could no longer afford the charges at Hollingworth High School and they couldn’t use Milnrow Parish because of building works.

For a time the group went into limbo but Mrs Hopkinson kept the society alive with a group of teenagers and presented short plays for those living in sheltered accommodation.

In 1984 following the offer of Milnrow Parish’s school hall the society reformed and they took to the stage for the first time as a reformed group in April 1985.

The society was devastated when a fire destroyed all their scenery, props and costumes in November 1985. However they soldiered on and to this day they perform four shows a year; three plays and one pantomime.

Since then the society had a name change and is known as The MAD Theatre Company, MAD – meaning Milnrow and District.

Today MADs runs from Butterworth Hall. Mrs Hopkinson remains heavily involved and although she would love the society to have its own home she admits they have learnt to deal with renting rehearsal space. “We would love a theatre of our own,” she said, “It is hard, but we have got used to it.”

The group currently has between 25 and 30 members, and Mrs Hopkinson insists that “members are still going strong at the older end.”

She said: “We are always on the look out for new members, we have got the youngster and the older ones but we are missing some in the middle.”

Over the years the cast have performed several plays including: Billy Liar, Aladdin, Local Murder, King Arthur, Beauty and the Beast and The Opposite Sex.

Mrs Hopkinson, who is involved in everything from acting and directing to sweeping up and making tea, said her favourite role, was playing Edith from Allo’ Allo!’

Speaking about the group’s members Mrs Hopkinson said: “I call it my extended family. We have a really nice group and I have made some really good friends.”

For Mrs Hopkinson the best part is seeing the audience leave with smiles on their faces.

“It is knowing the audience and have come and been entertained and go home thoroughly happy.”

“It is a lovely hobby,” added Mrs Hopkinson, “It can be a lot of hard work, learning your lines but it is lovely when you’re up on stage. I have so many memories; we have had lots of good laughs.”

Of course, the group aims to be more professional than amateur, but sometimes slip ups do happen. Mrs Hopkinson said: “All sorts of things have happened. You just have to laugh and carry on.”

Looking back over the years and the decision to start the society in the first place Mrs Hopkinson said: “I’m over the moon we did it.”