About Us —> History

History

FOR over half a century Peterborough Mask Theatre has produced a varied repertoire of high quality theatre. To succeed in the heady world of local theatre is a testament to the enviable and consistent high level of Mask productions. Since the Company was formed back in 1947 it has worked to the basic rule of performing 'Plays of Merit'. The quality of the script leads to the quality of production .

It all began with an advertisement in the Peterborough Standard newspaper on October 17 1947. The call went out for actors, actresses, technicians and others. They responded and the Peterborough Mask Theatre was formed.

The inaugural production was a comedy, Mr Bolfry by James Bridie. Auditions were held on November 24 and 26 1947 at the Grand Hotel and the County Grammar School for Girls respectively. These two venues were also where the first rehearsals were to take place. Peterborough Mask Theatre's Mr Bolfry was staged at Elwes Hall in February 1948.

Tickets cost two shillings, three shillings and four shillings respectively. That is 10p, 15p and 20p in today's money! The three-night debut run, was well received in both box office and critical terms as the Peterborough Standard revealed:

'...the Mask's confidence in its ability to succeed has been more than justified. It needs only to maintain the extraordinarily high standards achieved in its first production.'

With the foundation stone laid the Mask Theatre began to build on its reputation.

Daisy

In the past 50 years Mask has performed a diverse range of theatrical work including Arms and the Man, Julius Caesar, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest and Daisy Pulls it Off.

Mask has also innovated a workshop programme in recent years which has provided an ideal route for newcomers to take to the stage.

The workshops have had a two-fold function in providing experience and confidence to new actors and secondly a vehicle for exploring ideas for future Mask plays.

During our 50-year history Mask has appeared at numerous venues in and around Peterborough, encompassing the early years at 'Elwes Hall', 'Millfield Hall' and 'The King's School'. In 1975 Mask Theatre were proud to be the first Amateur Drama Company to tread the boards at Peterborough's premier theatrical venue, the Key Theatre, with a production of Three Sisters by Anton Chekhov. The company has averaged twice yearly productions at the Key ever since.

Not content to provide entertainment to local audiences, Mask has also gained an international appeal, following invitations to perform overseas at 'Collegium Augustinaeum', an English language theatre in Goch, on the Dutch- German border .