Acorn Antiques production echoes Rotherham High Street fightback

The group won a prestigious award last year for staging the best amateur musical in the North of England and this week they are performing the comedy  at the Civic Theatre.

The script is about an ageing, tired High Street having to re-invent itself in order to survive.

A Maltby MTG spokesman said: “There are clear parallels with what is actually happening in our Rotherham, so much so that Chris Hamby, who has led the regeneration of High Street, is enthusiastic about the production and has agreed to sponsor the show.”  

Mr Hamby said: “What Maltby MTG are doing on stage is exactly what we have been trying to do on the ground here in Rotherham.

“Maltby have won awards for what they do and Rotherham has won awards for the regeneration of the town so we were very keen and excited to get involved with this production.”  

Several other High Street shops have agreed to support the show including Miele Coffee Shop, Craft Corner and Bears Den and Patchwork Pig.

Behind the scenes, the cast, along with friends and helpers, have built the complete set for the show.  

Recently, the cast took part in a promotional event in Rotherham and the picture shows Mrs Overall (played by Karen Powell) complete with marigolds, doing the chores in Hamby’s High Street shop.

Producer Roger Hazelwood said:  “This has been a real team effort and we have produced a set which is better than those we could have hired.  

“It is great, the cast are excellent and the script is brilliant so we are looking forward to a very successful week.”

The show opened last night and runs until Saturday.

Tickets are £12 (£10 concessions) Rotherham Visitor Centre and the Civic Box Office or online at Rotherham Theatres.

See Friday’s Rotherham Advertiser for our review of the show.