The History of Whetstone Theatre Company

In 1962, the three churches of Whetstone, under the direction of one inspirational young man, George Clarke, founded the Whetstone Drama Group. Sixty-four years later, the group is still thriving under its new name, Whetstone Theatre Company.

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Over the decades, Whetstone Theatre has staged productions in a variety of venues throughout Whetstone and beyond, including performances at Countesthorpe Community College. Eventually, the company found its home at the United Reformed Church Hall in Whetstone... Now known as the Whetstone Arts Centre.

Being based at the URC ( Arts Centre ) has enabled us to develop our skills, invest in new technology and continually improve the experience we provide for both our audiences and members. We are committed to making every visit to our theatre enjoyable and memorable and our Trustees continue to work closely with the URC to support and enhance our facilities for the future.

 

Remembering Our Founder

In April 2017, we were deeply saddened by the passing of George Clarke at the age of 92. George was not only our founder but also one of our most loyal supporters, attending every production right up until his passing.

We hope George knew just how proud he could be of the organisation he created. What began as a small local drama group has evolved into one of the most successful amateur theatre companies in Leicestershire, continuing to inspire performers and entertain audiences year after year.

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The Unprecedented Challenge of 2020

At the beginning of 2020, our committee had planned an exciting season that included:

• Come On, Jeeves!

• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

• The Lady in the Van

• The Whetstone Christmas Variety Show

Tickets were on sale, rehearsals were underway and excitement was building. Then, in March 2020 the world changed overnight as the United Kingdom entered its first national lockdown. Like theatres across the country and around the world, we were forced to close our doors. Live entertainment came to a standstill and uncertainty surrounded the future of theatre.

 

However, while our stage went dark, our community spirit shone brighter than ever. To keep members, friends, families, and our loyal audiences connected, Ben Cutler-Thomas and Steve Cutler-Thomas hosted weekly Sunday evening quizzes online. These became a highlight of lockdown for many and helped us maintain the strong sense of community that has always been at the heart of Whetstone Theatre.

Throughout these challenging months, Ben also worked tirelessly to create a wide range of virtual activities, including dramatic baking competitions, album cover recreations, photo quizzes and much more. If you visit our social media pages, you can still enjoy many of these memories, including our company's contribution to the BBC's Musicals: The Greatest Show with our virtual performance of Any Dream Will Do. Although we did not make it onto the programme, we had tremendous fun creating it and it remains a cherished memory for everyone involved.

Determined to keep theatre alive, the cast of Come On, Jeeves! even moved rehearsals online using Zoom, proving that creativity and passion can overcome even the greatest challenges.

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A New Chapter

In August 2020, as part of our commitment to securing the future of the organisation, Whetstone Drama became a registered charitable company. This significant milestone provided a stronger financial foundation and marked the beginning of a new era. The organisation officially became known as Whetstone Theatre Company.

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Returning to the Stage

In 2021, the long-awaited roadmap out of lockdown finally arrived, and theatres across the country were given permission to reopen.

Our Trustees immediately got to work planning a safe return to live performances. Before long, the curtains rose once again and our productions returned to live audiences.

The joy of being back on stage was unforgettable, but even more special was welcoming back our faithful audiences. Your support reminded us why we do what we do.

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Celebrating Milestones

In 2022, we proudly celebrated our Diamond Anniversary, marking 60 years of Whetstone Theatre with our spectacular anniversary production of Oklahoma!

The celebrations continued in 2023 when we ventured into the world of The Vicar of Dibley. Audiences were captivated throughout the run and we were honoured to receive standing ovations night after night. Then, in 2024, Whetstone Theatre joined forces with Glenfield Co-operative Ladies Choir to present the hugely successful production of Sister Act, directed by Ben Cutler-Thomas.

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Thank You

While productions, venues and even our name may have changed over the years, one thing has remained constant: our audiences. You are the heart of Whetstone Theatre Company. Without your support, encouragement, laughter, applause and loyalty, none of this would be possible.

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So, as we celebrate 64 wonderful years, we would like to say a heartfelt and sincere thank you to everyone who has supported us, performed with us, volunteered with us and sat in our audiences over the decades.

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We raise a glass to the past 64 years of memories, friendships, and performances.

Here's to the next 64 years!

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With love and our eternal best wishes,

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The Trustees
Whetstone Theatre Company