Past Productions Archives - The Burton Musical Theatre Company

Guys and Dolls: February 2024

Music & Lyrics by Frank Loesser

Guys and Dolls takes you on a lively journey through the bustling streets of New York City. This classic musical introduces us to Nathan Detroit, a charismatic gambler on the hunt for a venue to host his infamous underground craps game. In a high-stakes bet, he challenges the suave high roller Sky Masterson to win the heart of Sarah Brown, a dedicated missionary.

As Sky sets out to win the bet, he unexpectedly finds himself falling for Sarah. Their budding romance faces obstacles from Sarah’s missionary colleagues and the constant distractions of Nathan’s feisty fiancée, Adelaide. With memorable songs like “Luck Be a Lady” and “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat,” Guys and Dolls captures the vibrant energy of 1950s New York.

Join the colourful cast of gamblers, hustlers, and showgirls as they navigate the city’s unpredictable streets. This beloved musical explores themes of love, faith, and redemption while delivering plenty of laughter along the way. Don’t miss this timeless Broadway hit that will leave you singing and dancing in your seat.

Produced and Directed by Sam Walker and Oly Wright

Reviews

NODA Review

Gallery

Photographs by Lauren Brown

Guys and Dolls: February 2024 Read More »

Kinky Boots: October/November 2023

View Programme

Book by Harvey Fierstein.. Music and Lyrics by Cyndi Lauper

After trying to escape his father’s low-key, family ambitions for him, Charlie Price has suddenly inherited his father’s shoe factory, which is on the verge of bankruptcy. Charlie must now face the decision of whether to pursue a new life in London with his fiancee Nicola, or return to the town in which he grew up and save his father’s dreams. Ultimately, Charlie decides to try to live up to his father’s legacy and rescue his family business, and, in doing so, he finds unlikely inspiration in the form of Lola. A fabulous drag queen in need of some sturdy stiletto boots, Lola turns out to be the one person who can help Charlie become the man he’s meant to be. As they work to turn the factory around, this unlikely pair find that they have more in common than they ever dreamed possible. With the door thrown open and the world at their fingers, Charlie discovers that when you change your mind about someone, you can change your whole world.

Produced and Directed by Sam Walker and Oly Wright

Reviews

NODA Review

Gallery

Photographs by Louise Hargreaves unless otherwise stated

Kinky Boots: October/November 2023 Read More »

Footloose: February 2023

View Programme

Stage Adaptation by DEAN PITCHFORD and WALTER BOBBIE
Music by TOM SNOW
Lyrics by DEAN PITCHFORD

Footloose is the story of Ren McCormack, a teenage boy from Chicago. He and his mother move to the small town of Bomont after his father abandons them. Upon arriving, Ren finds himself at odds with most of the town, including the Reverend Moore. The Reverend has convinced the town to outlaw dancing, which Ren finds unbelievable. With the help of the Ariel (the Reverend’s daughter) and Willard (a country hick who becomes his best friend), Ren convinces the Reverend to let the teenagers dance, and in the process helps the town to heal from a tragedy that affected them all.

Directed by Karen Hambleton

Reviews

NODA Review

Gallery

Photographs by Louise Hargreaves

Footloose: February 2023 Read More »

Evita: October 2022

View Programme

Lyrics by Tim Rice. Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Evita charts the rags-to-riches rise of the First Lady of Argentina, who won the love of her countrymen after marrying military leader-turned-president Juan Peron. Set in Buenos Aires between 1934-1952, the musical follows Eva Duarte Peron on her journey from fatherless child to ambitious actress to the most powerful woman in Latin America—and, eventually, to a saint-like figure after her death from cancer at age 33. The events in Evita’s life are presented in song and editorialized on by the show’s narrator, Che

Directed by Steve Foster

Reviews

NODA Review

Burton Mail Review

Gallery

Photographs by Louise Hargreaves

Evita: October 2022 Read More »

Shrek the Musical: February 2022

Shrek the Musical 22nd-26th February 2022

View Programme

Music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire.

After the pandemic of 2020/2021, The Burton Musical Theatre Company returned to de Ferrers Academy with a fun-packed family show, Shrek the Musical.

Shrek the Musical is a hilarious fairy tale. Curses are reversed, monsters get the girls, donkeys & dragons find love, and princesses are beautiful in all shapes and sizes.

Shrek the Musical has dazzling sets, whimsical puppetry, high energy dance numbers, and laughs by the minute. It is based on the popular animated film, and will make audiences believers in happy endings for all.

Produced and Directed by Sam Walker and Oly Wright

Reviews

NODA Review

Gallery

Shrek the Musical: February 2022 Read More »

Our House: February 2020

View Programme

by Tim Firth Music and lyrics by Madness

Our House is a fast moving romantic-comedy featuring all the hits of Madness. The show tells the tale of Joe Casey and the two courses his life may take after committing a petty crime to impress his girlfriend.

What would have happened if he stayed to meet the police when they appear on the scene of the crime? What would have happened if he had made a run for it?

The show features Madness favourites such as Our House, Baggy Trousers, My Girl, Driving in My Car, The Wings of a Dove and the all-time classic It Must Be Love.

Directed by Steve Foster

Reviews

NODA Review

Gallery

Our House: February 2020 Read More »

Chess: October/November 2019

View Programme

Music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus : Lyrics by Tim Rice.

Previously performed by Burton Musical Theatre Company in 1999, 2019 saw the return of Chess. This highly acclaimed musical develops the ancient and distinguished game of chess into a metaphor for romantic rivalries and East-West political intrigue.

The principal pawns form a love triangle: the loutish American Grandmaster, the earnest Russian champion, and the Hungarian-American female chess second, who arrives at the international championships with the American but falls for the Russian.

From Tyrol to Thailand the players, lovers, politicians, CIA and KGB make their moves to the pulse of this monumental rock score.

Directed by Karen Hambleton

Reviews

NODA Review

Gallery

Chess: October/November 2019 Read More »

Legally Blonde: February 2019

View Programme

Based on the novel and the hit-movie of the same name, Legally Blonde: the Musical chronicles the journey of the famously perky Elle Woods, a fashion savvy, UCLA sorority girl who finds her life turned upside down when she is dumped by her boyfriend Warner. In an effort to prove to Warner that she is more than just some blonde sorority girl, she follows him to Harvard Law, where she struggles to fit in and do well. Ultimately, she defies expectations and manages to stay true to her delightfully pink personality.

Directed by Lee Smith

Reviews

NODA Review

Gallery

Legally Blonde: February 2019 Read More »

Sweeney Todd: October 2018

View Programme

One of the darkest musicals ever written, Sweeney Todd is the unsettling tale of a Victorian-era barber who returns home to London after fifteen years of exile to take revenge on the corrupt judge who ruined his life. When revenge eludes him, Sweeney swears vengeance on the entire human race, murdering as many people as he can, while his business associate Mrs. Lovett bakes the bodies into meat pies and sells them to the unsuspecting public.

Perhaps composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim’s most perfect score, Sweeney Todd is lush, operatic, and full of soaring beauty, pitch-black comedy and stunning terror..

Directed by Oly Wright

Reviews

NODA Review

Burton Mail Review

Gallery

Sweeney Todd: October 2018 Read More »

Sister Act: February 2018

View programme

Sister Act is the feel-amazing musical comedy smash that both critics and audiences have fallen in love with!

Featuring original music by Tony® and 8-time Oscar® winner Alan Menken, Sister Act tells the hilarious story of Deloris Van Cartier, a wannabe diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a crime and the cops hide her in the last place anyone would think to look- a convent! Under the suspicious watch of the Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly finds her own.

A sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship, Sister Act is a reason to rejoice!

Directed by Steve Foster

Reviews

NODA Review

Staffordshire Live Review

Sister Act was awarded the NODA award for Best Musical for District 3 – West Midlands

Gallery

Sister Act: February 2018 Read More »