BrassNeck Theatre

Reputation

BrassNeck Theatre's reputation was formed in its two founding theatre companies. The Grove and Rawdon Theatre Company and Stampede Theatre Company were both well known for producing professional standard theatre, with local reviewers often comparing the standard to that of London's West End.

In recent years, BrassNeck Theatre has built on this reputation by successfully staging a wide range of plays and musical theatre, all receiving positive reviews in local media and from audiences. Reviewers often comment not only on the high quality of their acting, singing and dancing, but also on technical expertise with custom built sets and a very high standard of lighting and sound.

Future shows

BrassNeck Theatre have recently held auditions for Rock of Ages, which is due to be performed in May 2017.

Footloose the Musical

The first production by BrassNeck Theatre was Footloose the Musical, and was performed in May 2010 at Yeadon Town Hall.

Our House

BrassNeck Theatre's second production was the Madness musical, Our House, and was held at Yeadon Town Hall in November 2010. The show was a big success, earning a rave review in local media.

The Producers

BrassNeck Theatre's third production was the Mel Brooks musical, The Producers based on the 1968 film of the same name, performed at Yeadon Town Hall in May 2011. The production earned rave reviews in the Wharfedale & Aireborough Observer, and in the Yorkshire Evening Post. The performance was noted in particular for the scale of the production given the limited space available in Yeadon Town Hall, with one reviewer commenting "To put such a large scale musical on in such restricted stage conditions is a work of genius".

Bouncers & Shakers

This was BrassNeck Theatre's first play, and was performed in September 2011. The play was a major success, again receiving a rave review from John Burland of the Wharfedale & Airedale Observer.

RENT

BrassNeck staged Jonathan Larson's hit production RENT in November 2011 to standing ovations and a rave review from John Burland of the Wharfedale & Airedale Observer.

The Full Monty

In May 2012 BrassNeck Theatre staged the musical The Full Monty based on the hit 1997 film The Full Monty, which was a new cast and staging of the musical after one of the founding companies, Stampede Theatre Company, enjoyed great success with the musical in February 2008. This show was again a success, with one local review stating it was "one of the strongest casts ever to perform the show".

Calendar Girls

In September 2012, BrassNeck Theatre staged arguably their most successful production to date, the play Calendar Girls, based on the film of the same name. The play largely sold out, again to rave reviews.

Fiddler on the Roof

In November 2012, BrassNeck Theatre made the brave decision to do a brand new staging of the musical Fiddler on the Roof, to be performed at Yeadon Town Hall. This version of the popular musical reset in the Jewish Ghetto in Kraków during World War II, with the occupants using Brechtian techniques to tell the well known story. BrassNeck Theatre stated prior to the show "this is Fiddler as you've never seen it before", which turned out to be the case with an excellent review stating it was "A great show by this extremely talented company!"

Whistle Down the Wind

Arguably their largest production to date, BrassNeck Theatre's production of Whistle Down the Wind in May 2013 was a great success, earning great reviews in the Gazette & Observer and on website www.pickledegg.info.

Avenue Q

BrassNeck Theatre were invited to perform the critically acclaimed musical Avenue Q in November 2013. The show once again earned rave reviews.

The Wedding Singer

Another huge show for BrassNeck Theatre as the performed the movie musical The Wedding Singer in May 2014, with great success.

Little Women

BrassNeck Theatre took on the very challenging Little Women in November 2014, with great reviews for an innovative show.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Another very challenging show for BrassNeck Theatre, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee with its high improvisation was a huge success.

The Addams Family

A massive show with innovative set and a great cast, The Addams Family performed by BrassNeck Theatre in November 2015 was another big success, again earning great reviews.

The 39 Steps

In May 2016, BrassNeck Theatre put on their first play for four years by presenting The 39 Steps. The show was a great success.

The Grove and Rawdon Theatre Company

The Grove and Rawdon Theatre Company were formed in 2002 by the merger of Horsforth Grove Amateur Operatics Society and Rawdon Amateur Operatics Society.

From 2002 to 2009, The Grove and Rawdon Theatre Company staged 16 productions, and became renowned for producing difficult musicals to a high standard. Their shows, including Jesus Christ Superstar, Seussical the Musical, Buddy! and Wizard of Oz, frequently received rave reviews in local papers.

They also gained a reputation for their willingness to tackle new and challenging musicals, in particular their productions of Bat Boy, Spend Spend Spend and Jekyll and Hyde.

The Grove and Rawdon Theatre Company Productions

The Music Man - May 2002

Swing, Sing and Tango - November 2002 (Cabaret style show)

South Pacific - May 2003

Chicago Nights - November 2003 (Cabaret style show)

My Fair Lady - April 2004

Return to the Forbidden Planet - November 2004

Jesus Christ Superstar - May 2005

Seussical the Musical - November 2005

Spend Spend Spend - May 2006

Buddy! - November 2006

Carousel - May 2007

Bat Boy - November 2007

Jekyll & Hyde - May 2008

Boogie Nights - November 2008

Wizard of Oz - May 2009

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum - November 2009

Stampede Theatre Company

Stampede Theatre Company was founded in 2006, "in response to a growing need for a 'youth based' theatre company in the Wharfedale area".

The theatre company produced 9 musical shows and became well known in the local area for their quality productions, in particular the high standard of their youth members. Like The Grove and Rawdon Theatre Company, their productions earned rave reviews in local news, including their productions of the schools version of Les Miserables, We Will Rock You, and West Side Story.

Stampede Theatre Company maintained that while they had an emphasis on youth, they were not only a youth company, and staged a number of successful productions with an "adult" cast, including The Full Monty and Sweeney Todd.

Stampede Theatre Company Productions

Les Miserables (Schools Version) - July 2006

Cabaret 2006 - December 2006 (Cabaret style show)

Annie - December 2006

Little Shop of Horrors - April 2007

We Will Rock You - July 2007

The Full Monty - February 2008

Back to the 80's - July 2008

Sweeney Todd - February 2009

West Side Story - July 2009

Bat Boy

In 2007 the Grove and Rawdon Theatre Company staged the controversial modern-gothic musical Bat Boy. Whilst the production received many positive comments during the performance, there were also a number of complaints received about the content. Val Pennett's review in the Wharfedale & Airedale Observer and Telegraph & Argus stated that while the show was produced well, she thought the content was 'distasteful'. This article gained numerous retaliatory comments supporting the bravery of the Company.

Jekyll & Hyde

Following on from Bat Boy, in 2008 the Grove and Rawdon Theatre Company staged Jekyll & Hyde. A combination of Val Pennett's review of Bat Boy and the fact that many people saw Jekyll & Hyde as an equally 'dark musical', saw ticket sales drop compared to previous years. This provoked Rachel O'Connor to comment in her review of Jekyll & Hyde that people should encourage innovative theatre, and praise the bravery of the theatre company.

'Bat Boy' their latest offering generated much comment but if that put anyone off 'Jekyll & Hyde' then just open your mind and your soul and get along to Yeadon Town Hall before the show ends on Saturday.

Spend Spend Spend & Boogie Nights

A number of complaints were received after The Grove and Rawdon Theatre Company's productions of Spend Spend Spend and Boogie Nights, as scripted scenes that include sexual content were included in both shows.

Notable members

Both companies involved in the BrassNeck Theatre were known for having a high standard of membership. Previous and current members have studied at leading drama schools such as GSA Conservatoire and Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. Past and present notable members of the theatre include: