Waiting to be Back in the Spotlight
THIS week at the Little Theatre we were due to host another one of our guest societies who currently perform two shows a year on our stage.
We spoke to their publicity team who shared with us the history and successes of this successful company: “As with all theatre companies, due to Coronavirus, Southport Spotlights Musical Theatre Society are currently unable to do what we were founded to do – entertain people.
Our production “Back in the Spotlight”, due to be performed at the Little Theatre between July 1 and July 4, would have been the 128th in the history of Southport Spotlights Musical Theatre Society; including the years from 1953 to 2011 when we were known as Southport Amateur Operatic Society.
During the 67-year history of our society, we have won multiple awards - including Best Musical nominations for The Producers and Sweeney Todd (2012), Little Shop of Horrors (2014), Spamalot (2017), My Fair Lady (2018) and The Wedding Singer (2019).
Also in 2014, we were thrilled to receive four awards for our production of Sister Act. Our 2014 production of The Drowsy Chaperone won the award for Best Overall Musical for the whole of the North West.
Together with these wellknown shows, we like to perform shows that are not so well known, but just as fabulous.
These include “Acorn Antiques”, “Eurobeat – Almost Eurovision”, “Lucky Stiff ” and “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change”.
Recently we have received encouraging messages from the American lyricist Chad Beguelin for our show “The Wedding Singer” and from Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber no less for our most recent fabulous production of “Sunset Boulevard” which received such acclaim from our audiences.
We’re all itching to get back on stage but for now, may we bring you some pictures of our past shows to remind you of the talent that’s waiting for you when we get through this.
Our hope is to bring you “Stepping Out – The Musical in February 2021, Coronavirus permitting!”
Southport Spotlights are a member of NODA, the National Operatic and Dramatic Association and have won several awards for their shows which have been performed at various venues in Southport.
In the earlier days, the shows were performed at the Garrick Theatre, now the Mecca Bingo Hall on Lord Street.
The company have also performed several times at the Atkinson, when it was known as The Arts Centre.
More recently, their winter productions were hosted at Greenbank High School.
This had the advantage of being able to rehearse in the performance space.
Like the Southport Dramatic Club and our other guest societies, Spotlights have had to adapt to the changing times, audiences and other demands on the lives of members.
Their shows used to run for a week, but now tend to run Wednesday – Saturday with a matinee performance on the last day.
Tickets used to be done by hand, but online booking now makes it easy to secure them day or night.
We are delighted that both of their shows are at the Little Theatre again now and look forward to welcoming them back as soon as possible.
Please support these dedicated and talented individuals when they are able to perform for you again, you must use your theatre, or we will all lose out. Tickets make great gifts as well as interesting nights out and we hope you make 2021 the year of theatre.
To check out all the news, reviews, memories and more please visit their website (southportspotlights.co.uk) or head to Facebook (facebook. com/southportspotlights) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ southportspotlights)
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more memories and the latest updates at facebook.com/SouthportLittleTheatre and instagram.com/ little_theatre_southport