The Roses’
Chronicle
Winter 2025 50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION Registered Charity No: 1051708
Roses Young Creatives Seniors & Company Presents
Book by MARSHALL BRICKMAN and RICK ELICE Music and Lyrics by ANDREW LIPPA Based on Characters Created by Charles Addams
FRI 10 & SAT 11 JUL 6.00PM
Tickets £14 – £16 (Family discount available)
01684 295074 | rosestheatre.org
SCAN FOR TICKETS
THE ADDAMS FAMILY Young@Part” is presented through special arrangement with and all authorised performance materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide (TRW), www.theatricalrights.co.uk
Contents
Dear Friends, It is my pleasure to share with you this special fiftieth anniversary edition of The Roses Chronicle celebrating fifty remarkable years of theatre, community and creativity in the heart of Tewkesbury.
04-05
The Roses at 50: The Early Years
As we reflect on half a century of stories—from the regal sparkle of our opening gala with HRH The Princess Royal to the unforgettable nights shaped by performers, staff, volunteers and audiences—we are reminded of just how deeply The Roses belongs to the people who fill it. Every decade has brought new challenges and new triumphs but one truth has remained constant: this theatre thrives because of you.
06-07
Inside this issue you will find treasured memories from our recent Standing Ovation Exhibition including stories from those who started it all in 1975, those who carried it through momentous chapters and those who continue to shape its evolving story. From early leaders and legendary performers to the volunteers and youth members this edition of the Chronicle is a celebration of the building and of the community that sustains it.
The Beginning of The Roses Theatre Trust
As we commemorate our fiftieth year we also look forward with excitement. The pages ahead include plans from our new Director, Derek Bond who shares glimpses of the next chapter as The Roses continues to grow, evolve and serve Tewkesbury. Thank you for being part of our journey. Whether you’ve been with us since 1975 or joined us recently your support ensures that The Roses remains a vibrant, welcoming space for everyone. Here’s to the memories we share—and to all those still to come.
08-09
The Future 10
Notices
11
Members Discounts
Warm wishes,
Grace End
Development Manager Winter Chronicle | 03
NEWS ◀
The site that The Roses would later be built on
The Roses at 50: The Early Years A ROYAL OPENING, UNFORGETTABLE STARS AND DEFINING MOMENTS SHAPED THE ROSES’ EARLY YEARS.
Fifty years ago, in Oct 1975, HRH The Princess Royal arrived to officially open the brand-new Roses Theatre. It was a moment of civic pride, establishing a creative home that built upon Tewkesbury’s long history of cinema and performance.
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On this special evening, two of the people pulling it all together were Geoff and Angela Pope, whose memories help bring that opening night vividly to life.
Opening Gala Invite
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Geoff Pope’s Memory: "My wife and I were part of the production team that opened the theatre in 1973. My wife Angela was "on the book" and stage managed the production review. Many artists were called in, including Fenella Fielding. I had worked with Fenella before in another theatre so we re-acquainted. Princess Anne opened the theatre by unveiling a plaque. I was able to stand in line with the Council dignitaries to be introduced to her. Lucky for me that I was the one she picked on for a chat about the theatre, asking me what I did— and I foolishly said everyone backstage was waiting for me to open the show when the Princess had been seated. She then said "I'd better let you go then". "Thank you, Mam," I replied, "I'm sure they'll wait"."
Note:The prompt book is the master copy of the script or score containing all the actor moves and technical cues and is used by the deputy stage manager to run rehearsals and later control the performance. It’s sometimes known as the book prompt copy or prompt scripts. The member of stage management (often the DSM) cueing the show is said to be ‘on the book’.
HRH The Princess Royal opening The Roses Theatre
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A Royal Beginning: The Opening Gala, 1975
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Stan Stennett stood infront of The Roses Theatre
A Night That Lives in Memory: Eric Morecambe If the opening gala gave The Roses its first great story, another performance— just nine years later—left an indelible mark. Eric Morecambe, one of Britain’s most beloved entertainers, performed here on the night he suffered his fatal collapse. Andrew Crowther, who was present that evening, remembers the extraordinary mixture of hilarity, warmth, and generosity that filled the theatre. Andrew Crowther’s Memory: !In 1984, I had been on the Town Council for a number of years, and it was my turn, from May, to be the Chairman—or, as we had been allowed to keep the title, the Town Mayor. As such, I had tickets to see Eric Morecambe on stage with his old friend Stan Stennett, who was the theatre owner at the time. I was also ‘on call’ for my practice and the hospital, so I had booked aisle seats and turned up carrying my radio contact with Tewkesbury Hospital, while wearing my
chain of office! At the end of the performance, Eric was clearly in good humour. Having been restrained yet very funny while talking with Stan, he went off stage, then returned and began larking around with the drummer. I remember thinking that he ought to slow down, having had heart trouble and surgery quite recently. He went off, did his usual ‘one leg round the curtain’ act as a final flourish, and disappeared. Moments later, the stage manager—whom I knew from Aladdin and had been chatting with during the interval— appeared around the side curtain and beckoned to me urgently. I handed my chain of office to my wife, asked her to fetch my ‘crash bag’ from the car outside, and went on stage to find Eric behind the rear curtain. To cut a long story short, he was taken to Cheltenham Hospital, where he sadly died in the early hours of the next morning. During those difficult hours, I spoke to Joan, Eric’s wife, and she kindly wrote to me afterwards."
Stan Stennett, The Crummles Theatre Company and the End of the First Chapter No history of The Roses would be complete without Stan Stennett—comedian, soap star, theatre manager and tireless champion of entertainment. Stan managed The Roses from 1980 to 1993, a period full of warmth, variety, and local affection. Ultimately, financial pressures led to closure in 1993, and Stan was succeeded by The Crummles Theatre Company, who took charge for 18 months. They refurbished the cinema, refreshed the building, and grew audience numbers—reopening the theatre in Nov 1994 with a Gala featuring guest stars Michael Palin and Robert Lindsay. In May 1995, however, Crummles was forced into liquidation, and The Roses closed once again.
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A selection of donated items belonging to Eric Morecambe Winter Chronicle | 05
NEWS
The Beginning of The Roses Theatre Trust T
he 1990s brought one of the theatre’s most difficult and defining chapters. Financial pressures and repeated closures threatened to silence the building entirely. But the people of Tewkesbury refused to let their theatre slip away. The Roses was reborn as a charitable trust, rescued by the combined will of a community determined to keep the doors open. Memory from Oonagh Hughes: "There once was a little girl in Tewkesbury raised on stories, scripts, and the promise of standing ovations. Her earliest memory of The Roses wasn’t formed in the flash-red seats or beneath the warm glow
of stage lights. It began instead on the cold concrete outside the council offices.
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FROM NEAR-CLOSURE TO COMMUNITY TRIUMPH, THE ROSES THEATRE’S HISTORY IS A STORY OF RESILIENCE, REINVENTION AND THE PEOPLE WHO REFUSE TO LET IT FADE. Tina Gray as the Fairy Godmother
Her tiny fists clutched a placard almost as tall as she was; her parents and sister stood beside her, all of them shouting—very politely, this being Tewkesbury— that the theatre must not be closed. The Roses, like an ageing actress fearing her final curtain, was in peril. But the townsfolk fought back: with passion, with pride and with placards. And they won.
The Magic of Pantomime
The Roses was saved. The theatre survived. And for that little girl, this became the first thread in a lifetime of memories—stitched together with sequins, sweat, and sometimes safety pins.”
You can’t celebrate fifty years without celebrating The Roses pantomime. Our long-serving projectionist, Spike, who grew up in the building, recalls: "1996 was when The Roses re-started pantomimes in the region. Beauty and The Beast was the first panto under the new Trust, and it was such a success that kick started the renounced reputation we still have today for pantomime. Our pantos were so impressive, that the Everyman in Cheltenham switched back to doing pantomimes at Christmas instead of a Christmas show!"
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Article about the protest at Tewkesbury Borough Council
06 | Winter Chronicle
Over the years the pantomime has seen various stars and been the start of many careers in theatre. One of these stars is Tina Gray pictured above as the Fairy Godmother in 1998!
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Roses Young Creatives Wizard of Oz
A Chapter of Highs and Lows Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, The Roses navigated both celebratory and challenging years. There were joyful programme expansions, soldout seasons, and generous community support—but also the difficult loss of Arts Council funding, cuts that reshaped what the theatre could produce and sustain. Yet, when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, The Roses received critical Government Cultural Recovery Funding, enabling the organisation not only to survive but to continue serving the town through digital projects, community work and careful reopening phases. These years proved again that resilience is woven into the fabric of The Roses.
Youth Theatre in the 2020s: A New Generation Rises In recent years, youth performance at The Roses has flourished. Our young companies have tackled everything from devised theatre to high-energy musicals, filling the building with courage, humour and imagination. Alumni from previous decades have returned to lead the youth theatre, while others have gone on to train professionally or work with companies such as the Royal Shakespeare Company— carrying with them the confidence first sparked under our lights. Thank You To all our Friends, Patrons, Donors and Volunteers: thank you. You have kept The Roses shining for 50 years—through triumphs and trials alike.
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Creating the Stitch Story artwork
The 2021 Stitch Story
The crowd enjoying Bloomin' 50 Fest
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Fast forward to 2021 and the beautiful Stitch Story project. With Jessica Brewster new at the helm, The Roses became a key partner of Tewkesbury Culture. This community textile project invited people across the town to embroider their memories, hopes and fears into cloth squares. Dozens of hands stitched dozens of lives into a single artwork—a testament to connection and creativity during difficult times.
Bloomin’ 50 Fest Finally, our Bloomin’ 50 Fest earlier this year crowned the anniversary year—a vibrant celebration shared by the whole community.
As we look ahead, we ask for your continued help. Whether by renewing your membership, remembering The Roses in your will, or supporting our community, youth, and access programmes, your generosity ensures that the next generation will have the same opportunities, memories, and magic that the past fifty years have given us. Every gift—large or small— helps safeguard our future.
Scan the QR code to watch our memories exhibition video Winter Chronicle | 07
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NEWS
Tomorrow, by 2Faced Dance. A powerful exploration of the hidden battles of modern masculinity. Coming to The Roses in May 2026.
The Future LOOKING AHEAD TO A BOLD AND COMMUNITY-DRIVEN FUTURE.
A
s we celebrate 50 years of stories, community and creativity, we now look to the years ahead. Our new Director, Derek Bond shares his vision for a bold, imaginative and community— rooted future for The Roses. When I was heading to The Roses Theatre for my final interview, I stopped some shoppers on the high street and asked them what they knew about The Roses. Did they ever go and if so, what did they like? “Oh, we love the panto. Go every year. It’s brilliant” they replied. When I asked the team at The Roses the same question, I got the same answer. You can’t beat a show that has been written, designed and rehearsed just for your theatre in your town to make you feel proud. And that’s exactly what I want Tewkesbury to be— proud. Proud of the town, and of course, proud of its theatre. The pantomime is also hugely important for the theatre’s financial sustainability. It takes up about ten per cent of our year-round season in terms of time but provides over thirty per cent of our annual income. When we programme a touring show, we only keep a fraction of the ticket sales. When we
08 | Winter Chronicle
make our own shows, all the ticket income can go back into our work and our community. Before I came to The Roses, I was a freelance theatre director. I directed productions up and down the country. I have worked at the National Theatre, in the West End and internationally. I’ve directed Shakespeare, musicals, new writing and family shows. My production of Dinosaur World Live, which I wrote and directed, won the Olivier Award for Best Family Show in 2024. I’m a theatre-maker and I want to bring my experience, skills and contacts to Tewkesbury. So we’re going to be making more shows—making them in the town, involving the community and showing them to you first. We’re working on a production of Wind in the Willows for summer 2027, which we’re planning to present in Victoria Gardens. I’m in talks with an Olivier Award-winning playwright who has just opened a huge musical in the West End. She’s on board to write a new version of the classic story just for Tewkesbury. It’s going to have a professional cast alongside a community ensemble and I can’t think of a better venue for it anywhere in the world.
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I’ve also been working with the creators of a BAFTA-nominated preschool children’s animation series. We’re planning workshops for a theatre adaptation in 2026 and the hope is to partner with other theatres and producers to take the show on tour. This could be a first for The Roses—a show that premieres in Tewkesbury and transfers to London, the rest of the UK and perhaps even beyond. I’m also working with the team at The Roses to diversify the programme of work we present. I’m in touch with theatres and producers across the UK to make sure we can bring you the best work available with a particular focus on families and young people.
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The exterior of The Roses
The population of Tewkesbury Borough is growing rapidly and the fastest growing group is families with young children. Our community work has always been a huge part of what we do at The Roses, from supporting people living with dementia and their carers through the Memory Café and screening dementia-friendly films, to our Roses Young Creatives and Infinite Creatives, our specialist theatre group for neurodivergent young people. We’re exploring new and inventive ways to expand our work with everyone in the community, making sure everyone can access creativity and culture.
The cast of Jack and the Beanstalk 2025/26
We’re planning to create an Company for retirees, similar to our youth theatre but for those with more life experience. Theatre offers a brilliant workout for body and mind which can have huge benefits. We’re also working on taking this work beyond the walls of the theatre, so you can expect to see us popping up in your neighbourhood soon. And all of this is in addition to the brilliant mix of live music, the latest films and arthouse releases, dance and comedy that The Roses is known for.
Winter Chronicle | 09
NOTICES
The Roses Greetings Cards Our friends and Business Patron, Abbey Galleries, have unveiled a beautiful new greetings card featuring an original artwork of The Roses by Jilly Oxlade Arnott. The cards are available exclusively from Abbey Galleries and for every card sold £1 will be donated directly to The Roses. We are enormously grateful for their generosity— and for creating such a lovely keepsake for our 50th year.
The Albion & The Roses Defibrillator A massive thank you to The Albion, whose recent fundraising efforts have ensured that The Roses’ public-access defibrillator can continue to be provided and maintained. Their support strengthens not only our theatre but the safety and wellbeing of our whole community.
Solar Panels & Heat Pumps Thanks to a generous private gift and the REPF grant from Tewkesbury Borough Council, The Roses is taking major steps towards a greener future. We are now installing solar panels and heat pumps to dramatically improve the building’s energy efficiency. This investment not only reduces our environmental impact, it helps secure the theatre’s long-term sustainability.
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Vamos Theatre & Creative Age This season we were delighted to welcome Vamos Theatre back to Tewkesbury with their remarkable full-mask work, presented at Tewkesbury Baptist Church. The performance was filled with participatory theatre with older adults with a dementia and their carers having a moving and joyful time. For more on Vamos Theatre’s visit, please see the full news piece on our website at rosestheatre.org/ vamos-theatre-sharing-joy. Meanwhile, our Creative Age sessions continue fortnightly, offering gentle, dementiafriendly creative activities designed to spark confidence, connection and joy. These sessions remain free to attend, thanks to the continued support of NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board, and with the expertise of our partners Creative Age and Cinderford Artspace. Find out more about creative age at: rosestheatre. org/events/creative-age.
NET Club Visits The Roses The Roses is proud to be a member of NET Club and were delighted to welcome the group for a special behind-thescenes morning during panto build-up. Guests enjoyed a tour backstage, time on stage, a visit to the projection room and a continental breakfast to round off the experience. NET Club breakfasts run every other Friday, 7.15–9.00am at The Exchange in Tewkesbury. To join, book via their website: tewkesburycoworking.co.uk/ net-club-tewkesbury If you’re interested in hiring The Roses for your own event, please visit: rosestheatre.org/venue-hire
Roots & Reflections Project with Gloucestershire Libraries We’re delighted to be partnering with Gloucestershire Libraries on Roots & Reflections, a new National Lottery Heritage supported project collecting personal memories from older residents across the county which will be recorded, archived, and brought to life by local youth groups through creative performances. If you’re 60+ and have memories of Tewkesbury, Cheltenham or the wider county, you can join a relaxed 45–60 minute conversation at Library Labs across Gloucestershire from September 2024 to February 2026. To book or find out more, speak to your local library or email: sally.williams3@ gloucestershire.gov.uk
The Big Give Target Smashed – Thank You! We are delighted to announce that, with the fantastic support of our Big Give Champions Keith Norton and the Julia Rausing Trust, and the generosity of our wonderful community, we have smashed our target and raised an incredible £12,606 to support our The Future's Now Festival. This funding will enable us to create a series of free creative events, workshops and social spaces for young people. To everyone who donated, shared, and championed the campaign: thank you. Your support ensures that The Roses continues to thrive at the heart of our community. More information will be shared in Spring 2026.
Members Discount! FRIENDS AND PATRONS GET £2 OFF UP TO TWO TICKETS ON ALL OF THESE SHOWS!
Pasadena Roof Orchestra
Someone Like You
Step back in time with the UK’s favourite dance band as they bring the glamour and charm of the roaring 1920s and the elegant 1930s to life.
Ten years after its debut tour, Someone Like You: The Adele Songbook is back in theatres across the world with a re-imagined live concert performance for 2026.
SAT 24 JAN 7.30PM
Tickets £26-£31
FRI 6 FEB 7.30PM
Tickets £28.50
Kathryn Tickell & The Darkening
SUN 8 MAR 7.30PM Together these dazzling musicians create musical magic; dynamic and unique “Ancient Northumbrian Futurism”. Tickets £26-£31
The Glam Rock Show
The King's Voice
Julie July Band
Step into the ultimate glam rock experience as we transport you back to the golden age of glitter, guitars, and anthems that defined a generation!
Gordon Hendricks has crafted an impressive career as an Elvis Presley tribute artist, deeply inspired from a young age by the rock 'n' roll legend.
Immerse yourself in the timeless tunes of the legendary Sandy Denny as talented performers bring her music to life.
Tickets £36
Tickets £36
FRI 27 MAR 7.30PM
FRI 8 MAY 7.30PM
SAT 26 SEP 7.30PM
Tickets £22-£27
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Please Keep Spreading the Word If you enjoyed this edition of The Roses Chronicle, please pass it along to a friend. Or better yet—bring them with you next time you visit! We’re always looking to grow our community, and there’s no better recommendation than yours. Thank you for your continued support and for spreading the word.