It’s Oom Pah Pah-nache
Theatre group marks 20 years of musicals mastery
The popular Forest Theatre Company celebrated 20 years of performing musicals in Gartmore Village Hall at a special event on Sunday.
From the first production of Annie in May 2002 through to November 2021 when the company performed All Together Now, they have been entertaining audiences from all over West Stirlingshire.
The cast has changed over the years but has consistently involved local talent from seven to 77.
Due to Covid restrictions, it wasn’t possible to put on a musical this year, instead, an afternoon tea was held in Gartmore Village Hall with a grand selection of props, costumes, photographs and memorabilia from each of the shows decorating the sides and the main stage.
The company performed a flashmob of the song “Oom Pah Pah” from the hit musical Oliver! which had the whole audience singing along.
Director Vicky Glasse Davies cut a celebratory cake in honour of the event and thanked the many wonderful people who had contributed to putting on the shows every year.
And committee member Helen Webster said: “It was a fantastic achievement to have kept the company going for this long and welcomed new members to come along and join in. We have such an array of extensive talent from musicians to prop makers let alone all the actors who pull the whole show together.
“It is fantastic to have such theatrical talent from Gartmore and the surrounding area who can put on an excellent show in such a small village. We always maintain that whilst we are amateurs, we are not amateurish.”